🙏🏽 Dear Heavenly Father – We come before You and sit at Your feet. For You are willing to show us how Your Church grew to spread the message of salvation to all, even when surrounded by Your enemies. Strengthen and encourage us; teach us how to walk this life as we watch the early Church following Jesus and honoring You. Amen.
Saul’s Conversion
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Points to Ponder: Spiritual blindness can lead anyone to persecute the church and believe that they are doing the right thing. This is wild – the Gospel message is the power of God for salvation. [Romans 1:16] Saul is a zealous Jew believing that he is fighting for God’s honor. We take comfort is reading that only God can change a man’s heart and open his eyes. Jesus has a very specific purpose for Saul and makes Himself known in quite an unmistakable and dramatic manner. Saul demonstrates his obedience immediately – he is familiar with the Old Testament and the physical ‘blindness’ must have cut to the very depths of his soul. His repentance is evident – God made him blind and Saul humbled himself with fasting. [Deuteronomy 28:28-29, Isaiah 6:10 , Zephaniah 1:17, Isaiah 35:4-5]
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Points to Ponder: I am thankful for this story in Scripture; what a tribute to Ananias! The Lord calls to him and he responds, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Nice. Not fearful, not questioning, but indicating an existing close relationship. When the Lord tells him to go to Saul, Ananias wants to remind the Lord about Saul’s reputation. 😊 The Lord knows! And just tells Ananias to Go! And he does. Trusting God, he meets a former adversary with the greeting, ‘Brother, Saul.’
It is a story like this that shows us how the Church was so instrumental in changing the culture. With trust and obedience, this group of early Christians lived differently from the culture around them.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
Points to Ponder: As Jesus had told Ananias earlier in v16, 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Jesus wastes no time in getting started. Saul gets to experience some of the same responses that Jesus received in Jerusalem.
We see here that Saul, a zealous Jew, had embarked on his preaching, first to the Jews! He knows the Scriptures… they know the Scriptures… I’m sure he thought this would be a slam dunk but instead they were baffled… and then so offended by the message that they wanted to kill him.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Points to Ponder: I love the disciples! Anyone who thinks that the Christian life is easy has never read the Bible. Anyone who thinks that being a Christian is for the weak, has never read these stories. Anyone who thinks the Church made up the New Testament hasn’t read all these references about the disciples being fearful. They want nothing to do with Saul; they don’t trust him. His past has defined him as an enemy. They are right to be cautious – even Saul would agree and later write about this concept. [Ephesians 5:8, 2 Corinthians 6:14]
But God… the concept of having an intercessor, someone who advocates on behalf of another, is seen here in Barnabas. (The ‘son of encouragement’ from Acts 4:36) He reminds us of Jonathan and David; he reminds us of Proverbs 18:24 – a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
We see a time of Saul and the disciples together; with Saul boldly preaching Jesus. Whatever the disciples felt about him before, they can now ‘judge by the fruit’. They send him off to his hometown of Tarsus when his life is threatened in Jerusalem and the core Church enjoys a season of peace as it continues to grow.
Aeneas and Dorcas
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Points to Ponder: Children do what they see their parents do. Jesus came to give us new life and no one knew that better than Peter. After the denials of Jesus, then the restoration by Jesus. we now see Peter doing and saying what his Lord and master did – healing the lame and raising the dead and giving the glory to Jesus. There is great faith, great trust, and great fearlessness on display here.
Cornelius Calls for Peter
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Points to Ponder: Can I copy/paste my comments about the conversation between the Lord and Ananias here? This time it is a messenger, an angel of God, who calls Cornelius. Cornelius shows with his response that he knows where this message originates. [Hebrews 1:14] His response is one of trust and obedience.
Peter’s Vision
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Points to Ponder: We call these ‘God-moments.’ We don’t know how they’re going to turn out; we don’t fully understand them while they’re unfolding, but we sense we must follow through because only God can orchestrate circumstances like these. That sense is the Holy Spirit preparing us for an opportunity to serve Him, designed just for us. Don’t miss it.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
Points to Ponder: Don’t miss this either. (1) Cornelius had sent his servants as an act of obedience, but in the meantime, he gathered his loved ones around him. He has great expectations and wants to share this message with those that matter most to him. This is a great act of faith. (2) Peter is just a man. He is not to be revered. (Popery and Papism is still a dark mark in the history of the Christian church.)
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Points to Ponder: Peter clearly states that what he is doing is counter-cultural, but serving God trumps what the natural man or even the religious man might be holding onto.
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Points to Ponder: Here we see the experience that strengthens Peter to tell us later in 1 Peter 3:15 to be ready to share the reason for your hope. If you are a Christian, then you know where your hope comes from. You know the salvation you have that enables you to have peace – the God-fidence – that allows you to walk through a broken world with your light on.
We all should have our message of hope – the reason we’re different – at our fingertips ready to share when God gives us the opportunity. We pray daily for eyes to see the opportunities that He places in our path and the wisdom to speak truth and display compassion. And we pray for softened, opened hearts to hear the message of salvation – the invitation to all.
And we pray for the compassion and strength to continue to do this when we are rejected, criticized, and persecuted. 😥 For we all know that some will not believe, but we don’t know which ones will. Let us remember the miracle of our own salvation and continue to sow seeds of truth into this world even if we aren’t blessed with seeing the fruit. God has many servants. If we don’t reach them, let us still glorify God in our attempts to do so and pray that another will soon follow.
Summary: Two great leaders of the early Church: Paul and Peter. Neither of them had it easy. Paul was leaning towards annihilating the Church when Jesus intervened and we see a 180-degree change in his heart. Peter, maybe still reeling from his own close-call with denying Jesus, is given a message that makes him rethink any ideas he might have had about what is clean and unclean… worthy and unworthy… what is right and what is wrong. Then, Peter gets the experience first-hand to clarify the message.
🙏🏼 Heavenly Father – I thank You for the dramatic stories of near-misses in the early Church. We are the beneficiaries of the teachings You gave to these devoted men. Let us fear not and take courage so that we can learn from what You’ve taught to those who went before us. And let us stand strong knowing that the work of the Church – to go and make disciples, is not yet complete. Until the glorious return of Jesus, I pray, that every day, we seek the opportunity to share the reason for our hope… that we are ready to share… that we are courageous to meet the opportunities you give us… and that if we only have one talent, that we not hide it, but use it to bring one more child into Your Kingdom. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.