Dr. Pothana's Teaching

1. Detailed Study on The Book Of Acts
COACH Institute of Intercultural Studies
Hyderabad

2. Book of Acts
Chapter 9

3. 3
Time Frame (Acts 9)
 Paul’s conversion (Acts 9)
 A reference back to Lesson 3 reveals
that we have placed the conversion of
Paul to approximately 34 AD
 Note: Chapter 8, began a new division
of the book (The dispersion of
Christians)
 Here in Chapter 9, we meet Saul, who
becomes the central figure of the rest of
the book of Acts

4. 4
Saul the Persecutor
 Introduced in Acts 7:58, “a young
man named Saul.” (8:1), “Now Saul
was consenting to his [Stephen’s]
death.”
 Verses which speak of Saul’s early
life:
 Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1
 Acts 9:1-30 (Conversion and early Ministry)
 Acts 22:3-21 (Birth to Conversion)
 Acts 26:4-20 (Youth to Conversion)

5. 5
Saul’s Experience on the Road
to Damascus (vs. 1-9) 1
 Purpose of trip (vs. 1-2)
 Notice the nature of Saul’s zeal
“breathing threats and slaughter”. (cf.
1 Timothy 1:12-13)

6. 6
1 Timothy 1:12-13
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who
has enabled me, because He counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13
although I was formerly a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an insolent man; but I
obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly
in unbelief.”

7. 7
Saul’s Experience on the Road
to Damascus (vs. 1-9) 1
 Purpose of trip (vs. 1-2)
 Notice the nature of Saul’s zeal
“breathing threats and slaughter”. (cf.
1 Timothy 1:12-13)
 Lord Appeared to Him (vs. 3-4)
 A light shone from heaven (3)
 Voice spoke to him (Jesus) (4)
 Paul was blinded (cf. 8)
 His companions heard a voice, but saw no
one (7)

8. 8
Saul’s Experience on the Road
to Damascus (vs. 1-9) 2
 Jesus’ conversation with Saul (4-
6)
 Purpose? NOT to save him. “Arise and
go into the city, and you will be told
what you must do” (cf. 6)
 Rather, to identify Himself as the risen
Lord, that Saul might be a witness of
His resurrection! “I am Jesus, whom
you are persecuting.” (cf. 5)
 Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:8-11

9. 9
1 Corinthians 15:8-11
“Then last of all He was seen by me also, as
by one born out of due time. 9 For I am the
least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be
called an apostle, because I persecuted the
church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am
what I am, and His grace toward me was not in
vain; but I labored more abundantly than they
all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was
with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they,
so we preach and so you believed.”

10. 10
Saul’s Experience on the Road
to Damascus (vs. 1-9) 3
 Saul goes into Damascus (7-9)
 Saul was struck blind.
 The mighty persecutor of Christians
had now been humbled. He was led,
blind and convicted as a sinner, into
the city to await instructions from the
very one He had determined to
destroy.
 His manner was one of penitence, as he
awaited instruction (9)

11. 11
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 1
 The Lord’s Instruction to Ananias
(10-16)
 Ananias “just” a disciple. A devout
worker for God. No indication of any
special standing. (Good Lesson for Us)
 Again, regarding conversion, the Lord
appeared to the messenger, not the one
in need of salvation
 (cf. Romans 10:14-15)

12. 12
Romans 10:14-15
“How then shall they call on Him in whom
they have not believed? And how shall they
believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15
And how shall they preach unless they are
sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the
feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

13. 13
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 2
 The Lord’s Instruction to Ananias
(10-16)
 This parallels the conversion of
Cornelius closely
 Saul’s instructions were to wait for the
preacher (as was Cornelius’)
 Ananias instructions were to go preach
 Ananias was cautious (noted Saul’s past
as a persecutor (13-14)
 Jesus: “He is a chosen vessel of mine”

14. 14
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
“For I am the least of the apostles, who am
not worthy to be called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the
grace of God I am what I am, and His grace
toward me was not in vain; but I labored more
abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the
grace of God which was with me.”

15. 15
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 3
 The Lord’s Instruction to Ananias
(10-16)
 Apostle to the Gentiles. (15) (cf. Acts
15:12)
 Would have to suffer (16) (cf. 2
Corinthians 11:23-28)
 Ananias Meets Saul (17-19)
 Also note: (Acts 22:12-16, Paul’s address
to Jerusalem mob)
 Miraculous healing of Blindness (18)

16. 16
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 4
 Ananias Meets Saul (17-19)
 Saul arose, and was baptized
immediately upon the healing of his
blindness (18)
 Note: Saul was baptized in response to
Ananias’ words, telling him what he
“must do” (cf. vs. 6)
 What did Ananias say? cf. Acts 22:16

17. 17
Acts 22:16
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be
baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on
the name of the Lord.”

18. 18
Saul and Ananias (vs. 10-19) 4
 Ananias Meets Saul (17-19)
 Saul arose, and was baptized
immediately upon the healing of his
blindness (18)
 Note: Saul was baptized in response to
Ananias’ words, telling him what he
“must do” (cf. vs. 6)
 What did Ananias say? cf. Acts 22:16
 After his baptism, Saul’s period of
mourning was over (19)

19. 19
Saul Preaches Christ
(vs. 20-25) 1
 Saul Began Preaching Immediately
(20-22)
 Was inspired of God (cf. Gal. 1:15-24)
 His witness was amazing because of who he
was.
 His preaching in Damascus was effective
(22)
 Saul spent three years in Arabia and
at Damascus
 We can best insert this period of time at
verse 23, “after many days” harmonizing

20. 20
Galatians 1:15-18
But when it pleased God, who separated me from
my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him
among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with
flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to
those who were apostles before me; but I went to
Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after
three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and
remained with him fifteen days.

21. 21
Saul Preaches Christ
(vs. 20-25) 2
 Saul was persecuted in Damascus (23-
25)
 First of many examples (cf. 2 Cor. 11:22-33)
 It was not safe for Saul to leave the city by
the gates, as they lay in wait for him there
(24)
 Saul escaped with his life when they let him
down from a window in a basket (25)

22. 22
Saul at Jerusalem (vs. 26-31) 1
 Saul Joins Church (26-28)
 Local church membership (by its nature)
is determined by man
 Initially, Saul was refused, then accepted
at the testimony of Barnabas (26-27)
 We do not have the right to deny one
God receives (3 John 9)
 We do not have the right to accept one
that God denies (1 Corinthians 5)
 Local membership is important!

23. 23
Saul at Jerusalem (vs. 26-31) 2
 Saul Preaches Boldly (20-30)
 Note the nature of Saul’s preaching:
“disputed against the Hellenists”
 Continual threats against his life as an
apostle
 Saul left Jerusalem after two weeks (cf.
Galatians 1:15-18)
 The Church Prospers (31)
 Growth came because of “peace” and
edification

24. 24
Aeneas Healed (vs. 32-35) 1
 Verses 31-43 detail a period of
peaceful growth
 Peter Heals Aeneas (32-35)
 Peter remained in the area of Judea (“all
parts of the country” cf. vs. 31) all
through the times of persecution.
 Aeneas paralyzed for eight years, healed
by Peter
 Note that Peter gives Christ the glory
“Jesus the Christ heals you” (3:6)
 Brought faith to witnesses

25. 25
Lydda located 20
miles NW of
Jerusalem and 10
or 12 miles
southeast of
Joppa.
Joppa a seaport
town 35 miles NW
of Jerusalem
* Lydda
Joppa
*

26. 26
Dorcas Restored to Life
(vs. 36-43) 1
 Dorcas was a godly woman (36)
 Full of good works and charitable deeds
 She died, and the disciples sent for
Peter (37-38)
 Widows testified to her goodness.
 Peter raised her from the dead (39-43)
 Many believed on the Lord because of
this miracle
 Peter remained in Joppa (43)