Jesus was making saul his chosen one

JESUS WAS MAKING SAUL HIS CHOSEN ONE
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
ACTS 9:11-1611 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 visionhe
has seen a man named Ananias come and place his
hands on him to restorehis 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 instrumentto proclaimmy 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.”
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES

The Choice Of PerfectForgivingness
Acts 9:15
P.C. Barker
Ananias demurs to the errand assigned. It was not altogetherunnatural that
he should do so. His hesitation, however, does not resemble that of Moses.
And, in expressing the grounds of it, he was only occupying by anticipation
the position which it would become necessaryto occupy when any and all
actualinterposition of the greatHead of the Church should be withdrawn.
Then, as it is to this day, it became among the most criticalcares and the most
solemn responsibilities of the Church and of its leaders, its "pastors and
elders," to considerwhat prudence may permit, and act as much with the
wisdom of the serpentas with the innocuousness ofthe dove. The hesitation of
Ananias does not appearto be reproved, but is plainly overruled; and we are
therein reminded still how -
I. AN ILL REPUTATION AMONG MEN WILL NOT DETER THE
CHOICE OF JESUS. The "things that are highly esteemedamong men" are
not only sometimes "heldin abomination in the sight of God," but the things
that are with justice lightly "esteemedamong men" are takenup sometimes
by God, that he may in them magnify his transforming power.
1. Reputation is an uncertain guide. It is even particularly so, perhaps it may
be said, when it is a goodreputation; for how "many that are first, shall be
last"!
2. The tyranny of reputation is not for a moment recognizedby Jesus. As
peremptorily as he would bid the worstsinner depart from the error of his
way, as lovingly as he would persuade the most disreputable to "sin no more,"
so graciouslydoes he receive such also;and let the censorious worldsaywhat
it will, he discountenances the censoriousnessby word, and here emphatically
discountenances by deed, what might contain the germ of the principle. It is a

thing to be much thought upon by the true disciples of Christ. The world and
a worldly Church aggravate the difficulty of the returning sinner. This is the
opposite of the way of Jesus. Jesushelps a man to recoverhis character;he
helps his struggles while he does so;he shows him sympathy, and," though he
fall many a time in the struggle, graciouslywatcheshim and upholds him
againand againthat he be not "utterly castdown." It is a proverb that the
world keeps the man down who is down. And when the Church approaches
anything of the like kind, it means to say that it is only in name the Church,
and is drained miserably dry of the Spirit.
II. THE UNLIKELIEST ANTECEDENTSDO NOT FRIGHTEN JESUS
FROM HIS CHOICE. Ananias did not misstate anything, did not exaggerate
the case againstSaul, was not overridden by strange tales untrue. But he did
fear; he had a nervous apprehension; he had not up to that moment learned,
what probably he did at that moment learn, and from that moment never
forgot, the proud reachof the power of Christ. How long it is before any of us
attain to the right conceptionof Jesus and his heart and his hand! We still
think him such as ourself, only something greater, greatly greater;something
better, and very much better. We need to see that he is divinely greater,
divinely better, and all that divine means.
1. The antecedents of a man's life may largelybetokenits realbent.
2. They will largelyhave made his habits.
3. They will almostinevitably colorall his future way of viewing things. But to
these three things the answerfor Jesus is that he, ay, he alone, can reverse
bent, canundo habit, and can give to see light in God's light (Psalm 36:9).

III. NONE OF THAT RESENTMENT THAT BORROWS SO MUCH
VITALITY FROM LIVELY MEMORYOF PAST INJURY BELONGS TO
JESUS. Genuinely to forgive is acknowledgedto be one of the highest moral
achievements of human nature. Nevertheless, there are ascending degrees
even to this virtue; and when some men are satisfiedthat they have done their
most and their best, all that nature admits of or that God demands, it must be
allowedthat these men are but beginning their higher flight. To forgive the
bitterest opponent in these senses -that you love him again or for the first
time, as the case may be; that you sympathize with him and accepthis
sympathy; work with him and accepthis work and devotion - nay, selecthim
as your chief man, and sethim forth and forward as your champion; - is a
type of forgiveness rarelyreproduced. With sublimity of ease Jesusdoes all
this now. Not Peter, not John, not James, but this wild enemy, Saul, is the man
he called and honored "to bear his Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and
the children of Israel." His sins shall not be remembered againsthim forever.
They are, then, really blotted out. He is not forgiven, but put rather low down;
forgiven, but kept rather down, lesthe should not be fit to be quite trusted;
forgiven, but in deepesttruth left still a marked man. No; if he is marked it is
for honor, for renown, for grace, and for the unfading crown of glory. In sight
of this proof of the perfection of forgiveness thatis with Jesus, we may well
sing-
"Mighty Lord, so high above us,
Loving Brother, all our own,
Who will help us, who will love us,
Like to thee, who all hast known?
Who so gentle to the sinners
As the soul that never fell?
Who so strong to make us winners

Of the height he won so well?"
IV. IN THE CHOICE OF JESUS WE STAND IN THE PRESENCEOF ONE
OF THE ULTIMATE MYSTERIES OF HUMAN EXISTENCE AND
HUMAN RELATION TO GOD. When we ponder this subject, if we side with
the infidel, we ridicule and at the same time we are putting ourselves nowhere.
If we side with the reverent, we are in the depths too deep for this. The
choosing ofJesus is mystery, unfathomable mystery for us.
1. It is mystery because he gives no accountof it nor will be arraignednor
questioned concerning it.
2. It is mystery, because notall our reason, nor all our reverent study of the
oracles, norall our diligent searchof history, nor all our scrutiny of human
will and character, cantrace the law of that choosing. It baffles us in reason
and in fact. Its startling anomalies presentedto our view in closest
juxtaposition, its sudden appearance in the most unexpected place, and its
equally conspicuous and impressive absence, speak the mystery of
sovereignty.
3. It is mystery in the wonders which it reveals of surpassing condescension,
grace, and clinging love. While reasonstill stands afar off in cold repulsion
and haughty distance, hearts draw near. And for its lastachievement it works
out this harmony for all those, without one exception, who have become the
objects of it; they adore the free grace that has drawn and brought them; they
condemn in the same breath the perverseness andfolly and guilt in
themselves, which left them so long outside. - B.
Biblical Illustrator

He is a chosenvesselunto Me.
Acts 9:15
A chosenvessel
J. Wells, M. A.
I. ITS MATERIAL. All the vesselsin your house — the strong bowls, the fine
vases, and the china tea cups — are made of earth, though some soils suit the
potter better than others. And so the whole world is the GreatPotter's field,
and Christ's "chosenvessels"were allat first of the earth, earthy. The apostle
tells us that he was the chief of sinners, and that he owes all to the grace of
God. What hope for all! Splendid vessels are now made from mere rubbish,
broken glass, andold bones, and so the Divine Potter's art can triumph over
the rudeness of the most unpromising materials.
II. ITS MAKER.
1. That beautiful cup is not self-made. The potter took the clay, tempered,
moulded, baked, painted, and fired it, and then put his mark upon it. And
Christians "are His workmanship, createdin Christ Jesus." Ihave known a
boy saying to his minister, "Pleasewillyou convert me too." "I am one of
your converts," a man smelling of whisky once said to RowlandHill. "I can
believe it," replied Mr. Hill, "you look very like my bungling work."
2. In making chosenvessels, the potter attends to the chief parts of the work
himself; for all depends on the skill of the workman. With his own hand he
mixes the materials, and trims the fire.
3. The potter must also have complete powerover the clay, and travellers in
the Eastnotice how thoroughly it is in his hands. Many vessels are made
partly of flint or granite, but these rocks have first been ground into the
softestpowder. And Christ's chosenvesselsare all fashioned in contrite

hearts. Contrite means rubbed togetherand made soft, exactly as stones are
ground into the softestclayin our potteries. And youth is the yielding and
moulding time in life. The world has a strange powerof hardening the soul
into an unbending frame.
III. ITS USE.
1. None of Christ's vessels are for ornament only, they are all "meetfor the
Master's use." A greathouse has some choice vessels,preferredfor their size,
strength, or beauty. Such a vesselwas the apostle. Christ's name was the
waterfor the thirsty and balm for the wounded, and Paul was the vesselin
which that heavenly treasure was carried round and offered to all. But the
humblest vesselhas its use. A poor broken cup may hold the waterthat saves
the life of a dying man, and the humblest Christian may carry Christ's name
to a perishing sinner.
2. The vesselof the heart is already full, and must be emptied ere it can be
filled with this heavenly treasure. The Rev. NarayanSheshadri tells us that as
a young Brahmin he was full of pride and self-righteousness.But as he began
to think for himself he was emptied of one thing after another, till he was left
with nothing in which he could trust. Then the name of Christ filled his soul,
and he longed to bear it to the heathen around him (comp. Philippians 3:4-9).
3. Again, an emptied vesselcannotbe filled unless it be rightly setand open a-
top. It is a Chinese saying that "the light of heaven cannotshine into an
inverted bowl." Let your soul be opened heavenwards widely and hopefully,
and then the abundance of grace will fill and warm your whole being.
IV. ITS BEAUTY.

1. Our makers of vesselsstrive to unite the useful and the beautiful. Our text
may mean that Christ's name was to be carriedon as well as in the vessel, just
as the costlyvases in palaces bearthe name and fame of the makerbefore
kings. Bernard Palissyonce saw a white enamelledcup, and resolvedto
discoverthe secretofso beautifying vessels. He spent all his money and
sixteen years of his life in making the discovery. He was often at death's door,
had burnt all his furniture for fuel, and his body was leanand dried up from
hard work. At last he made some of the chosenvessels, andthese have borne
his name among nations and kings even to this day. Thus Paul bore his
Creator's name far and wide, and multitudes "glorified God in him."
2. Christ's vessels are notall made in one mould. Every Christian should have
a beauty of his own, and the charm of that beauty lies in its individuality.
Some of the most beautiful of Christ's vesselsare found among day labourers
and cottagers. Manya face deformed by lifelong hardship and disease has
been brightened outwardly from inward joy and goodness. The coarsest
features have often been adorned by the beauty of the soulwithin. Such was
the case ofJoanof Arc, who, the historian says, grew beautiful when the great
idea entered her.
3. You canhardly believe what efforts greatpotters have made to add beauty
to their vessels. A Duke of Florence spentten years in discovering the way to
make porcelain. Louis XIV was so interestedin this work that, greatest
monarch in Europe as he was, he seriouslyproposedbecoming a potter
himself. Many have reachedperfectionin this field, and have ennobled clay as
if by miracle. Their masterpieces have an incorruptible beauty; no liquid can
stain them, no fire can blackenthem, no knife can scratchthem. Yet they are
as smooth to the touch as an infant's flesh. Place a candle behind them and
they resemble a fine face lighted up with the best emotions. If potters have
done so much for clay, shall they not condemn us if we do not earnestly seek to
have the beauty of the Lord our God upon us? If a heathen philosopher

reproacheda rich man with having silver plate and earthenware principles,
should we not reproachourselves that we are so eagerto possesseverysort of
beauty, except the beauty of the soul? When shall the "beauty of holiness"
find as passionate admirers as the beauty of art has in all our cities? Piety is
the finest art under heaven. Many there be who say, "A thing of beauty is a
joy forever," yes, this chosenvesselis a joy forever to its possessorandto all
beholders who know its worth.
4. The secretof making some choice vesselshas been lostbecause it died with
the man who had it; but the secretofspiritual beauty is open to all. God is the
GreatBeautifier, and He will perfectwhat He begins. He will give the
finishing touch to His chosenvessel — perhaps in the sacredfires of affliction
— and, having thus perfected its comeliness, He will place it in His mansions
above.
(J. Wells, M. A.)
Vessels chosen, charged, andused
W. Arnot, D. D.
I. A VESSEL.
1. The world is full of the instruments which God employs. Every flower, leaf,
tendril is designedand fitted for carrying on some process in the vegetable
economy.
2. In animals every member of the body is a tool with which Creatorand
creature alike work. The eye, ear, tongue, foothang at hand in the workshop
ready for the worker's use.

3. Eachseparate part of creation, again, is an instrument of God. The internal
fires of the globe are His instruments for heaving up the mountains and
making the valleys. The clouds are vessels carrying waterfrom the oceanto
every portion of the thirsty land. The rivers are waste pipes for carrying back
the soiledwaterthat it may be purified for subsequent use. The sun is an
instrument for lighting and warming a troop of revolving worlds, and the
earth's huge bulk a curtain for screening off the sunlight at statedintervals,
and so affording to wearyworkers a grateful night of rest.
4. Chief of all implements is man — made last, made best for his Author's
service;broken, disfigured, and defiled by sin, but, capable of working
wondrously yet, when redeemed. God has not castawaythe best of all His
instruments because it was marred and polluted. A soul won is the best
instrument for winning souls.
II. A CHOSEN vessel. Godcanemploy the evil as His unconscious
instruments, or make them willing in the day of His power. When He had
chastisedIsraelby the King of Babylon, he broke the rod and threw it away.
In other casesHe turns the king's heart as a river of water, and then accepts
the willing homage of a converted man. It was a polished and capacious vessel
that the Great King wrenchedfrom the graspof the arch-enemy near the gate
of Damascus. He was Christ's chief enemy in the world. God looks downfrom
heaven on this man, not as an adversarywhose assaults are formidable, but as
an instrument which may be turned to another use. Arrested at the crisis of its
course by a hand unseen, it is turned upside down, emptied, and then filled
from heaven's pure treasures, and used to water the world with the Word of
life. Saul of Tarsus, calledto be an apostle, is a conspicuous example of Divine
sovereignty. He did not first choose Christ, but Christ chose him.
III. A vesselUNTO ME. Two things lie in every conversion;the man gets an
Almighty Saviour, and God gets a willing servant. The true instinct of the new

creature burst forth from Paul's breast — "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to
do?" The answer, sentthrough Ananias, indicated what he should be, rather
than what he should do: "He is a chosenvesselunto Me." We geta glimpse
here of the two tendencies, the human and the Divine. I shall do, says the
disciple in the ardour of a first love; thou shalt be, answers thatwise and kind
Master, who knows that the spirit is willing, but the flesh weak. I shall bear
the vesselsofthe Lord, volunteers the ransomedsinner; the reply is, Thou
shalt be the vesselof the Lord. It is a greatthing that I should take up
instruments and do a work for Christ in the world, but it is a greaterthat
Christ should work out His purposes with me. This is our security alike for
safetyand usefulness. The star that is in His right hand is held up so that it
cannot fall, and held out so that it shines afar.
IV. A vesselto BEAR MY NAME. Paul was a vesselfirmly put together, and
filled to overflowing, before Jesus met him. At that meeting he was emptied of
his miscellaneousvanities, and filled with the name of Christ. See an account
of the whole process by his own pen (Philippians 3:4-8). Nature abhors a
vacuum; and in nature, whether its material or spiritual department, a
vacuum is never found. Each man is full either of his own things, or of
Christ's. The name of Christ is the precious thing wherewith the vesselis
charged. So full was Paulof this treasure that he determined to know none
other.
V. To bear My name BEFORE GENTILES, AND KINGS, AND THE
PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. This bread of life, like the manna which fell in the
wilderness, is given to be used, not to be hoarded. To be ever getting, ever
giving, is the only way of keeping both the vesseland its treasure sweet.
1. The form of the expressionindicates that in this ministry self-denying
courage is required. Perhaps the series, in this respect, constitutes a climax. It
is easierto speak ofChrist to the Gentiles than to kings, and to kings than to

His own chosenpeople. In our day, too, there are various classeswho need the
testimony of Jesus. Thosewho possessit should be prepared to bear it about
in every place, and hold it forth in any company. If we quail where the
majority profess to be on our side, what would have become of us if our lot
had been castwhen its disciples were obliged to comfort an adverse world?
But perhaps we should not speak of more courage being required to maintain
a goodconfessionin one place, and less in another: for with God it is as easy
to keepthe oceanwithin its bed, as to balance a dewdrop on a blade of grass;
and the same principle rules in the distribution of grace to disciples of Christ.
Without it the strongestis not sufficient for anything, with it the feeblestis
sufficient for all. Our martyr forefathers who were enabled to make good
confessionatthe stake would, if left to themselves, have denied their Lord
under the blandishments of a godless drawing room. Not before Gentiles and
kings, etc., are we summoned to bear witness for Christ; but in a place and
presence where the temptation to deny Him is equally strong. A Christian
young man in a greatworkshop, a Christian young lady in a gay and
fashionable family, is either carriedaway like chaff before the wind, or stands
fast by a modern miracle of grace.
2. We are so many vessels labelledon the outside with the name of Christ,
what we are really chargedwith may not be seenat a distance, or discovered
in a day. Those, however, who stand near these vessels willby degrees find out
what they contain. By its occasionaloverflowings,especiallywhen violently
shaken, the secretwill be revealed. Some are looking on who do not believe
that the Spirit which fills us is the Spirit of Christ; and they lie in wait for
evidence to prove their opinion true. For their own sakesletthem find it false.
3. But an indolent, earthly selfishness, under pretence of humility, cunningly
suggeststhe distinction betweena common ungifted man and the greatapostle
of the Gentiles. He was a worthy witness, but what could we do, although we
did our best? If you are a sinner forgiven through the blood of Christ, in the
greatestthings Paul and you are equal, unequal only in the least. In the

economyof grace a shallowervesselservesnearlyevery purpose as well as a
deeper, if both are full of Christ. In nature the shallowestlake, provided it be
full, sends up as many clouds as the deepest, for the same sunlight beams
equally on both their bosoms. Nay, more; as a lake within the tropics, though
shallow, gives more incense to the sky than a polar oceanof unfathomable
depth, so a Christian of few gifts, whose heart lies open fair and long to the
Sun of Righteousness, is a more effectualwitness than a man of greater
capacitywho lies not so near, and looks not so constantly to Jesus. Conclusion:
In the coarserwork ofbreaking up His own way at first, God freely uses the
powers of nature and the passions ofwickedmen; but for the nicer touches
near the finishing, He employs more sensitive instruments. A work of
righteousness is about to be done upon a jailer at Philippi. Mark the method
of the omniscient Worker. The earthquake rent the outer searing of the
jailer's conscience,and made an open path into his soul. But what an
earthquake could not do, God did by a renewedhuman heart and loving
human lips. From the same chosenvesselthat Ananias had visited at
Damascus, the ointment was poured forth which healed the jailer's wound.
Thus God works today both in individual conversions and in widespread
revivals. Bankruptcies, storms, diseases, wars, are chargedto batter down the
defences, and then living disciples go in by the breach to convert a kingdom or
win a soul.
(W. Arnot, D. D.)
Saul and Luther chosenvessels
K. Gerok.
I. HOW HE PREPAREDTHEM.
1. He selectedthe right materials — a Pharisee for the destruction of
Pharisaism, a monk for the overthrow of Popery, yet in both casesthe right
man.

2. He laid hold of them at the right time —
(1)When the enemies of the faith were at their strongest.
(2)When the need of the Church was deepest.
3. He forged them in the right fire. The fire was the flame of repentance
kindled by the Holy Ghost, the hammer was God's Word. By these means was
Paul, as the noblest Damascus blade, forgedat Damascus, and Luther in the
cloistercellat Erfurt.
II. HOW HE USED THEM.
1. To the confusionof His enemies;Paul and Luther both warriors of the
Lord, cutting swords, different from a John and Melancthon.
2. To the protectionof His friends: the faithful pastorate of Paul, the loving
zeal of Luther.
3. To the use of all: not by attaching ourselves to human means and swearing
to human words, but by being directed to Him, whose servants and
instruments Paul and Luther were.
(K. Gerok.)

The characterofSt. Paul
J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.
I. He is a VESSEL. The word means either an "instrument" in the hands of
the Divine Agent to carry out His purposes, or a "vessel" into which the Lord
Jesus poured abundantly of His mind and His love. We are not fountains
which give forth. "All our springs are in Thee." Godis an infinite Spring
giving inexhaustibly forth; men are empty vessels receiving everlastinglyof
His fulness. The difference betweenmen is not in their power to originate, but
in their power to take in.
II. A vesselUNTO ME, i.e., Paul was now the actualpossessionofChrist.
Heretofore he was in the service of the greatenemy, and was the ablestand
the most dangerous opponent the young Church had yet encountered. But the
vesselwas wrestedfrom the enemy, and henceforthis a vesselseparatedunto
and honoured in the service of Christ.
III. A CHOSEN vessel.
1. A choice vessel;"earthen," it is true; but there is a greatdifference in the
quality of even earthen vessels.Chemicalanalysis, it is said, discovers
considerable difference in the quality of human brains. The brain of the rustic
is coarse andgritty, whereas that of the man of genius is fine, smooth, silky,
and sensitive. Be that as it may, Paul was a vesselmanufactured with the
greatestcare outof the finest materials. He was "separatedunto Godfrom his
mother's womb." God even then thought of the purpose to Which he was to be
devoted, and proceededto fashion him accordingly. The same law runs
through grace as through nature — the perfect adaptationof means to ends.
If God has any specialdesign to accomplish, He always seeksto bring it about
by the most suitable means. Saul would have been a public man if he had

never been an apostle. He would have been an orator if he had never been a
preacher. The raw material of an apostle was wrought into his original make.
2. He was chosenor ordained of God unto the work of the apostleship. "He is
a vesselof electionunto Me." The doctrine of electionhas been wrongly
taught and falsely apprehended. The Scriptural doctrine is that God chooses
man before man chooses God, and the latter is only the faint echo of the
former. The Divine electionshould be viewed in much the same light as the
Divine love. "We love Him because He first loved us." "Ye have not chosen
Me, but I have chosenyou." The fundamental principle of all false religions is
that man chooseshis God.
IV. TO BEAR MY NAME. Paul bore the name of Jesus —
1. In his intellect. His capacious mind had no room for anything else. "Icount
all things but loss for the excellencyof the knowledge," etc. The glorified
Form appearing unto him on the wayto Damascus photographeditselfso
deeply upon his mind that it could never afterwards be effaced. "To me to live
is Christ." Sir David Brewstersays that Sir Isaac Newtononce gazedso
steadfastlyon the sun that for days after, turn which way he would, he
constantly beheld the image of the sun. And Jesus impressedHimself so
deeply in the "greatlight" on the mind of Paul that ever afterwards,
whichever waythe apostle looked, he always perceivedthe reflectionof
Christ.
2. In his heart. Paul may be comparedto an "alabasterboxof precious
ointment" — the box is valuable, but the ointment is more precious. "The
name of Christ is like ointment poured forth." Paul was possessedofmuch
genius. But only when he receivedthe unction from the Holy One did he fill
the world with his perfume. You can quote other ancient authors of

surpassing beauty, but I defy you to quote any where the fragrance is so sweet
and so abundant. Carry the rose about you and you will scatterscent
whereveryou go. And Paul's writings are sweetlyscentedwith leaves from the
Rose ofSharon. Christ is an "offering of sweetsmelling savour" to men as
well as to God. A lump of clay has been made fragrant by being thrown into
the midst of a bed of flowers. And although Christians in their original state
are not a whir better than other men, yet by holding fellowship with Him
whose "garments smellof myrrh and aloes and cassia,"they catchthe
fragrance.
3. In his ministry. He "shallbear My name before Gentiles," etc. And in ver.
28 we see him beginning to fulfil the prediction. What then prompted him so
powerfully to bear the name of Christ to perishing millions? To return an
adequate answer, two factors must be taken into consideration. The first was
a vivid, heartfelt conviction of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Where the sense
of sin is weak the sense ofministerial responsibility is shallow. But the second
and more powerful element was his intense love to the Saviour (2 Corinthians
5:11, 14). The terror moved, the love constrained. The mill wheelmay be
turned either by a current of water flowing underneath or else by a stream
falling upon it from above. But of the two the latter is the more efficient. In
Paul the two currents workedtogether — the terror from beneath and the
love from above;and as a consequenceimparted unusual impetuosity and
rapidity to his revolutions.
V. BEFORE GENTILES,AND KINGS, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
The wide scope ofhis ministry required —
1. Certain socialqualifications which the other apostles did not possess. Paul
enjoyed all the privileges and exemptions of a Roman citizen. Born at Tarsus,
he became master of the Greek tongue and sensible to all that was refined in
classic life. A pupil of Gamaliel, he was deeply versedin Scriptural and

rabbinical lore. Thus in him all that was bestin the three dominant types of
civilisation met — the freedom of the Roman, the language of the Greek, and
the theologyof the Jew.
2. Greatintellectual culture. The sphere of his labour embracedall classes and
ranks of men. Moses, the founder of Judaism, was "learnedin all the learning
of Egypt." Paul, too, the foremostapostle of Gentile Christianity, was learned
in all the learning of his own and other nations. We are here introduced to a
grand evangelistic principle — the Saviour ordained the most accomplishedof
the apostles to be His missionary among the heathen. The greatestknowledge
is always the best instructor of ignorance.
3. Much moral courage. Before, literallyin the face of, Gentiles and kings.
Paul would have to encounterinnumerable obstacleswhichonly the greatest
courage couldsurmount. And perhaps true courage nevertoweredmore
sublimely than in his life. Conscience waskeenand strong in him, and
scrupulous fidelity to its voice marks his whole career. Indomitable strength
of his will is nowhere seento better advantage than in the presence of
difficulties. The eagle never soars so high as he does on the day of tempest —
the wilder the gale the loftier his flight. Lord Chatham, it is said, made his
crutches add to the grandeur of his oratory; and Paul, dangling his chains in
the face of his judge, made the most impressive perorationin the literature of
eloquence.
(J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.)
COMMENTARIES

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(15) He if a chosenvesselunto me.—Literally, a vesselof election. The term
has nothing directly analogous to it in the Old Testament, but it is Hebrew in
its form; the secondnoun being used as a genitive of the characteristic
attribute, and so equivalent to an intensified adjective. So in Isaiah 22:7, we
have in the LXX. “valleys of election” forthe “choicestvalleys” of the English
version. The term “vessel” is usedin the Old Testamentof arms (Genesis
27:3), of garments (Deuteronomy 22:5), of household goods (Genesis 31:36-
37). In the New Testamentits range of meaning is yet wider, as in Matthew
12:29;Luke 8:16; John 19:29;Romans 9:22; 2Corinthians 4:7. Here our word
“instrument” or “implement” comes, perhaps, nearestto its meaning. The
persecutorhad been chosenby the Lord as the “tool” with which He would
work out His gracious will for him and for the Gentiles. In this sense it was
used by classicalwriters ofuseful and trusty slaves, just as we speak of one
man being the “tool” ofanother. Possibly, however, the words may be
interpreted as containing the germ of the parable of the potter’s vesselon
which St. Paul dwells in Romans 9:21-23, and implied that the convertwas not
only chosen, but moulded, for his future work. The word “election,” which
occurs here for the first time in the New Testament, and is afterwards so
prominent in the teaching of St. Paul (Romans 9:11; Romans 11:5; Romans
11:7-8; 1Thessalonians 1:4), affords yet another instance of the influence
exercisedon the Apostle by the thoughts and language of the instructor
through whom alone he could have learnt what is here recorded.
To bear my name before the Gentiles.—The missionof the Apostle was thus
revealedto Ananias in the first instance. He is one who welcomes that
expansion of the kingdom on which even the chief of the Apostles would have
entered, but for the voice from heaven, with doubt and hesitation(Acts 10:13;
Acts 10:28). He is taught to see in the man of whom he had only heard as the
persecutor, one who had been trained and chosenas fitter than all others for
the work of that expansion.

And kings.—The words find their fulfilment in the speechbefore Agrippa
(Acts 26:12); possibly in one before Nero (2Timothy 1:16).
BensonCommentary
Acts 9:15-16. But the Lord said, Go thy way — Do not tell me how bad he has
been; I know it well; but go with all speed, and execute that message ofmercy
with which I have chargedthee; for — How greatand aggravatedsoeverhis
former transgressions mayhave been, I assure thee he is a chosenvessel — Or
instrument; unto me, to bear my name — That is, to testify of me, and bear
witness of my truth; before the Gentiles — Ενωπιον εθνων, before nations,
namely, heathen nations; and kings — King Agrippa and Cesarhimself; and
the children of Israel — To thousands of whom, as well in the Gentile
countries as in Judea, he shall testify the gospelof my grace. Beza justly
observes, that an instrument of building, agriculture, &c., is often, in Greek,
calledοκευος, here rendered vessel, because in him the gospeltreasure was to
be lodged, in order to the conveyance ofit to many; and a chosenvessel,
because he was destined for eminent services,for which, doubtless, some
persons are chosenand setapart from their mother’s womb, as Paul says he
was, Galatians 1:15. ForI will show him how greatthings he must suffer —
He that hath been a persecutor, shall be himself persecuted. Christ’s saying he
would show him this, was intended to signify his giving him notice of these
sufferings beforehand, that they might be no surprise to him. Observe, reader,
those that bear Christ’s name must expect to bear the cross forhis name; and
those that do most for Christ are often called to suffer most for him. Saul, that
was designedfor eminent services, was also designedforeminent sufferings.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
9:10-22 A goodwork was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet
with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ
leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the
unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even
now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings
are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such

prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation!Now
he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he said his
prayers, now, he prayed them. Regenerating gracesets people onpraying; you
may as well find a living man without breath, as a living Christian without
prayer. Yet even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes staggeratthe
commands of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory to surpass our scanty
expectations, and show that those are vessels ofhis mercy whom we are apt to
consideras objects of his vengeance.The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes
awaythe scalesofignorance and pride from the understanding; then the
sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the anointed
Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
Go thy way - This is often the only answerthat we obtain to the suggestionof
our doubts and hesitations about duty. God tells us still to do what he
requires, with an assurance only that his commands are just, and that there
are goodreasons forthem.
A chosenvessel - The usual meaning of the word "vessel" is wellknown. It
commonly denotes a "cup or basin," such as is used in a house. It then denotes
"any instrument which may be used to accomplisha purpose, perhaps
particularly with the notion of conveying or communicating." In the
Scriptures it is used to denote the "instrument" or "agent" which God
employs to convey his favors to mankind, and is thus employed to represent
the ministers of the gospel, 2 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:4. Compare
Isaiah10:5-7. Paul is called"chosen" because Christhad "selected" him, as
he did his other apostles, forthis service. See the notes on John 15:16.
To bear my name - To communicate the knowledge ofme.
Before the Gentiles - The nations; all who were not Jews. This was the
principal employment of Paul. He spent his life in this, and regardedhimself

as especiallycalledto be the apostle of the Gentiles, Romans 11:13;Romans
15:16;Galatians 2:8.
And kings - This was fulfilled, Acts 25:23, etc.; Acts 26:32;Acts 27:24.
And the children of Israel - The Jews. This was done. He immediately began
to preach to them, Acts 9:20-22. Whereverhe went, he preached the gospel
first to them, and then to the Gentiles, Acts 13:46;Acts 28:17.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
15. Go thy way—Do as thou art bidden, without gainsaying.
he is a chosenvessel—a wordoften used by Paul in illustrating God's
sovereigntyin election(Ro 9:21-23;2Co 4:7; 2Ti 2:20, 21 [Alford]. Compare
Zec 3:2).
Matthew Poole's Commentary
He is a chosenvessel:the whole world is God’s fabric, and the church
especiallyis his house: not only in the whole world, but in the visible church,
there are all sorts of utensils, some for higher, others for meaner uses;Saul
was to be a vesselunto honour, Romans 9:21, into which the treasures of
God’s word were to be put, 2 Corinthians 4:7, though he was but an earthen
vessel:Such was indeed chosenby God to preach the gospel, Galatians
1:15,16, to suffer for Christ’s name’s sake, 1 Thessalonians 3:3.
To bear my name before the Gentiles: this mystery of the calling of the
Gentiles begannow to spreadabroad, and to be made more known, which was
hid in those promises, Isaiah49:6 Jeremiah 1:10.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
But the Lord said unto him, go thy way,.... The Syriac version reads, "arise,
go thy way";make no delay, nor any excuse, there is no reasonfor it; nothing
is to be fearedfrom him:
for he is a chosenvesselunto me; a choice and excellentone, full of the
heavenly treasure of the Gospel, full of the gifts and gracesofthe Spirit, and
so very fit and richly qualified for the use and service of Christ; and was , "a
vesselof desire", ora desirable one, as the Jews speak(n): or he was, to
render the words literally, "a vesselofelection";both an instrument
gathering in the election, or the electof God, through the preaching of the
Gospel;and was himself chosenof God, both to grace and glory, a vesselof
mercy, and of honour prepared for glory; and was separated, predestinated,
and appointed to the Gospelof God, to preach it among the Gentiles;which
sense is confirmed by what follows:
to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel; by
"the name" of Christ is meant his Gospel, which is a declarationof his person,
perfections, glories, and excellencies,ofhis offices, grace,righteousness, and
salvation;and to "bear" it, is to preach it, to carry it about, spread abroad,
and propagate it; in allusion either to the prophets of old, whose prophecies
are often calleda "burden", which they bore and carried to the several
nations to whom they were sent; or to the Levites bearing the tabernacle of
the Lord, and its vessels, "be ye cleanthat bear the vessels ofthe Lord",
Isaiah52:11. Upon which Aben Ezra has this note,
"they are the Israelites, , "that bear the law";''
but Saul was a chosenvesselto bear the Gospel;or to the sowerof seed, Psalm
126:6 "before the Gentiles", ornations of the world; and he was an apostle,
and teacherof the Gentiles in faith and verity; the Gospelofthe

uncircumcision was particularly committed to him: and before "kings", as he
did before Agrippa, king of the Jews, andbefore Nero, emperorof Rome;and
his bonds for the Gospel, and so the Gospelthrough his bonds became
manifest in all the palace, or court of Caesar. And before
the children of Israel;the Jews, to whom he first preachedit; but when they
put it awayhe turned to the Gentiles, and afterwards, before the Jews, he bore
a testimony for it.
(n) T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 6. 1.
Geneva Study Bible
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a {g} chosenvesselunto me,
to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
(g) To bear my name in.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Expositor's Greek Testament
Acts 9:15. σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς, cf. St. Paul’s own language in Galatians 1:15,
genitive of quality; common Hebraistic mode of expression(cf. Acts 8:23) =
ἐκλεκτόν, see Blass,Gram., p. 96; cf. Luke 16:8; Luke 18:6, etc. For σκεῦος
similarly used see Jeremiah22:28, Hosea 8:8, and Schöttgen, Horæ Hebraicæ,
in loco;and in N.T. Romans 9:22-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:4. Grimm and Blass
both compare σκ. de homine in Polyb., xiii., 5, 7; xv., 25, 1. Vas electionis:the
words are written over what is said to be St. Paul’s tomb in the church
dedicatedto him near the city of Rome.—τοῦ βαστάσαι, genitive of purpose;
verb as used here continues the metaphor of σκεῦος;may mean simply to
bear, to carry, or it may denote to bear as a burden; cf. 2 Kings 18:14, Sir

6:25; cf. Luke 14:27, Acts 15:10, Romans 15:1, etc.—ἐθνῶνκαὶ βασιλέων—
ἐθν., placed first because Saul’s specialmissionis thus indicated.—βασιλ., cf.
Acts 26:12, 2 Timothy 1:16; also before the governors of Cyprus, Achaia,
Judæa.—υἱῶντε Ἰ., see critical notes above, againthe closelyconnecting τε,
all three nouns being comprehended under the one article τῶν—the Apostle’s
work was to include, not to exclude, his brethren according to the flesh, whilst
mission to the Gentiles is always emphasised;cf. Acts 22:15; Acts 22:21, Acts
26:17;cf. Romans 1:13-14.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
15. he is a chosenvesselunto me] Literally, “a vesselof election.” This is a
Hebrew form of expression, cp. Jeremiah22:28, where King Coniah is called
“a vesselwherein is no pleasure.” So Jeremiah51:34, “He hath made me [to
be] an empty vessel,” literally, “vesselofemptiness.”
to bear my name] i.e. this shall be the load or duty which I will lay upon this
my choseninstrument.
before the Gentiles]This was doubtless a revelation to Ananias, who as a
devout Jew would not yet have contemplated the inclusion of the whole world
in the Church of Christ. The Gentiles are placedfirst in the enumeration,
because among them speciallywas Saul’s field of labour to be. For the wide
spirit in which the Apostle embraced his commission, see Romans 1:13-14, &c.
and kings]As before Agrippa (Acts 26:1; Acts 26:32) and at Rome, in
consequence ofthe appeal to be heard before Cæsar.
Bengel's Gnomen
Acts 9:15. Ἐκλογῆς—παθεῖν, a vesselof election[a chosenvessel]—suffer)
These words are connected. The mention of electiondispels every doubt of
Ananias. The προορισμὸς, fore-ordinationor predestination (Romans 8:29,

“Whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate;” with which comp. Acts
9:28), converts things unfavourable unto things favourable.—τοῦ βαστάσαι,
that he may bear) An arduous, splendid, and blessedoffice.—τὸ ὄνομάμου,
My name) To this refer, for My name’s sake, Acts 9:16.—ἐνώπιον, before)in
public.—ἐθνῶν, Gentiles)The Gentiles are put first; for Paul was an apostle of
the Gentiles. Paulbore the name of Christ before the people in narrating his
own conversion, ch. 22, and before the Gentiles and kings, ch. 26.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 15. - A chosenvessel(comp. Galatians 2:15; Romans 9:21, 22). To bear
my name before the Gentiles (see Acts 22:21;Acts 26:17, 18;Romans 15:16;
Galatians 2:7-9, etc.) and kings (Acts 25;Acts 26; 2 Timothy 4:16, 17, with
reference to Nero), and the children of Israel. The Gentiles are named before
the children of Israel, because St. Paul's specialcallwas to be the apostle of
the Gentiles. But we know that even St. Paul's practice was to preachChrist
to the Jews first, in every city where there were Jews.
Vincent's Word Studies
Chosenvessel (σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς)
Lit., an instrument of choice. On vessel, see onMatthew 12:29; and on the
figure, compare 2 Corinthians 4:7.
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT MD
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a choseninstrument of
Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
(NASB: Lockman)

KJV Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen
vesselunto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and Ki, and the children
of Israel:
Go Exodus 4:12-14;Jer 1:7; Jonah3:1,2
a chosenActs 13:2; Jer1:5; John 15:16; Ro 1:1; 9:21-24;Gal 1:1,15,16;2 Ti
1:11; 2 Ti 2:4,20,21;Rev 17:14
to bear Acts 21:19; 22:21;26:17-20;Ro 1:5,13-15;11:13;15:15-21;1 Cor
15:10;Gal 2:7,8; Eph 3:7,8; Col1:25-29;1 Ti 2:7
and Kings Acts 25:22-27;26:1-11;27:24; Mt 10:18; 2 Ti 4:16,17
the sons of IsraelActs 28:17-31
Acts 9 Resources -Multiple Sermons and Commentaries
ANANIAS CHARGE
TO GO
But - Term of contrast. In essencethe Lord "cutoff" Ananias in mid-sentence
and changeddirection. In other words the Lord changes the direction back to
Saul and in this contextthe contrastactually functions somewhatlike a term
of explanation. Note that Jesus shows greatpatience with Ananias and does
not rebuke him, but instead presents additional truth that precedes His
command to "Go." As Robertsonsays "Ananias in his ignorance saw in Saul
only the man with an evil reputation while Jesus saw in Saul the man
transformed by grace to be a messengerofmercy."
Jack Andrews - We canexpect God to use others to minister to us and expect
Him to use us to minister to others. How is God using you in ministry? Are

you obedient to Him even when His commands are hard? How has God used
other saints to minister to you? (Sermon)
Spurgeonon Jesus'response to Ananias' reservations. "The Lord reassured
His servantby reminding him — 1. Of the doctrine of election. "He is a
chosenvesselunto Me." Here was one whom Godhad chosento bless, though
Ananias knew it not. 2. That He had chosenthis man to a greatpurpose. "To
bear My name among the Gentiles." A greatsinner is to be made a great
saint. A greatopposeris to become a greatlabourer. Who knows how largely
God may use the sinner whom we seek to save? You teachers may be teaching
Luthers or Melancthons, holy men and women who shall serve the Lord
abundantly. 3. That He would go with him — "ForI will show him," etc. You
are bidden to teachan individual and you fear that you have no strength, and,
therefore, you cry, "Lord, I cannot show this man the truth." The Lord
replies, "I will show him." (The Good Man Ananias - A Lessonfor Believers)
The Lord said to him, "Go (present imperative) - Jesus is demonstrating great
patience with his demurring disciple for this is the secondtime He says "Go!
(actually "Getup and go" in Acts 9:11) So here Jesus gives Ananias a second
command (the first "go" was aoristimperative) to Ananias who clearly is
recoiling with reluctance. Ananias is to understand that Jesus is sovereign
over the situation, and because He is in control, when He say "Go" His
disciple should go. This same principle applies to all Jesus'disciples and is all
the rationale we need to obey His voice. Is there some "Go" (some command
or instruction in His Word) on which you are balking?
It is interesting how we all love Jesus'words "Come to Me, all who are weary
and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28) But once we arrive at
His restand He says "Now go..."this is where the Christian life becomes
difficult! Ananias had said "Here I am Lord," but then he heard the charge to

"Go" which initially causedhim to hesitate. Is there not a bit of "Ananias" in
all of us?
For is the coordinating conjunction hoti and in this context means because,
since, for this reason. What reason? Why is Ananias to go?
Kistemakersummarizes five reasons Saulwas Jesus'choseninstrument - (1)
Paul is a Jew who has been thoroughly trained in the Old Testament
Scriptures by Gamalielin Jerusalem;(2) he grew up in a Greek-speaking
environment; (3) he is familiar with Hellenistic culture; (4) he knows how to
interpret the Gospelin terms the Hellenistic world canunderstand; (5) and he
is a Roman citizen who realizes that the vastnetwork of roads in the Roman
empire facilitates travel, so that the Gospelcanreachthe ends of the world.
Writes E. M. Blaiklock, “No otherman known to history from that time
combined these qualities as did Paul of Tarsus. It is difficult to imagine any
other place [than Tarsus - see tarseus]whose whole atmosphere and history
could have so effectivelyproduced them in one person.” (Ibid)
He is a choseninstrument of Mine - Notice "ofMine" signifies that Saul now
belongs to Jesus.
In his letter to the Galatians Paulacknowledgesthe fact that he was chosen
writing that God "had setme apart (cf Ro 1:1+) even from my mother’s
womb and called me through His grace."(Gal1:15+) Paul's choosing recalls
the words of Jeremiah "Before Iformed you in the womb I knew you, And
before you were born I consecratedyou; I have appointed you a prophet to
the nations.” (Jer1:5) As an aside, do these passages have an relevance to the
"legal" practice ofabortion in America? Just something to think about!

Fruchtenbaum says "he is a chosenvesselunto me" is "a Hebraism which
means that he is “a vesselof choice.”
John Piper - God wants us to see in this conversion…thatthe most unlikely
people canbe convertedand are converted.
Bob Utley exclaims "Oh, the greatness ofthe grace and electionof God! Paul
does not fit the evangelicalmodel of voluntary, volitional conversion. He was
dramatically drafted!"
Chosen(1589)(ekloge fromeklegomai[wordstudy] in turn from ek = out +
lego = select, choose, eklegomaimeaning to choose orselectfor oneself, but
not necessarilyimplying rejectionof what is not chosen. See eklektos= elect)
means literally a choosing out, a picking out, a selection. Forexample 2 Pe
1:10 = "His calling and choosing you" and 1Th 1:4 = God's "choice ofyou"
both refer to God's selectionofbelievers. In the passive sense eklogerefers to
God's selectionfor a purpose or task. In other words it represents a special
choice as in this passagewhenGod refers to Paul as "My choseninstrument"
(Acts 9:15). Jesus chose Saulbefore Saul chose Jesus.
Jesus describedthe mission in generalterms (to bear fruit that would remain)
to His original disciples
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go
and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whateveryou ask of
the Fatherin My name He may give to you. (John 15:16)

ILLUSTRATION - There is an old story about a little boy in a Sunday School
class who was askedwhatpart he played in his salvation. The boy said that his
conversionwas partly God’s work and partly his work. The teacherwas
shockedby the strange answerand askedwhat part he played in his salvation.
He said “I opposedGod all I could, and God did the rest.” That is the same
doctrine of electionthat savedSaul.
In 1996, retiree and widowerReese Hurley from Cambridge, Maryland, got
up from his rocking chair and headed for Africa. He’d been pondering how
best to spend his remaining years, but at first had resistedGod’s call to
missions. When he answeredthe call, he went all-out! He has been on short-
term trips to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Guatemala, Albania, and other
destinations, working to help orphans and others in need. He has also used his
skills as an electricianon missions building projects. Reeseis obeying the
GreatCommission, doing what Jesus Himself commanded us to do (Acts 1:8).
To take the gospelto the world is to confront others with Christ’s reality,
grace, and glory, a lessonshownin unforgettable fashion in today’s reading.
Sometimes we omit the fact that imitating Christ means we can also imitate
His one recorded appearance afterHis Ascension–to Paulon the road to
Damascus.
Instrument (vessel)(4632)(skeuos)literallyrefers to a containerof any
material used for a specific purpose (2 Ti 2:20+). Figuratively skeuosis used
of the human body as formed of clay, depicting it as frail and feeble. BDAG
says skeuos canreferto "a human being exercising a function." In this
context the function of the frail human vesselnamed Saul was to "pour out"
the Gospelon the Gentiles. Paul uses this same noun skeuos laterin a
figurative description of believers who now "have this treasure (2 Cor 4:6 -
"the Light of the knowledge ofthe glory of God in the face of Christ") in
earthen vessels (skeuos),so that the surpassing greatnessofthe power
(dunamis) ("the extraordinary power" = NET)will be of God and not from
ourselves;(2 Cor 4:7+)

To bear (bastazo) My Name before the Gentiles - Again His Name is
tantamount to His Person. The NLT is a paraphrase and thus is more
interpretative than the NAS, ESV, KJV and in this verse paraphrases "bear
My Name" as "to take My message"(Act 9:15NLT) This is not a bad
paraphrase because the Name "Jesus"means "Jehovahsaves" whichis what
He does! This statement that the Gospelwould go to the Gentiles must have
shockedAnanias a Jewishbeliever!
So basically what Jesus is telling Ananias is that Saul/Paulwould take the
goodnews of salvation in Jesus to the Gentiles. As the apostle Peterclearly
taught "there is salvation in no one else;for there is no other Name under
heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts
4:12+). The apostle John also links Jesus'Name with salvationwriting "as
many as receivedHim, to them He gave the right to become children of God
(REGENERATED, BORN AGAIN), even to those who believe in His Name".
(John 1:12+, contrastJn 3:18). In fact the purpose statement of the Gospelof
John states "these have been written so that (Term of purpose) you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ (THE MESSIAH), the Son of God; and that
believing you may have (SPIRITUAL LIFE, ETERNAL) life in His Name."
(Jn 20:31)
As the passagesbelow demonstrate Saul/Paulacceptedand fulfilled the
ministry Jesus had assignedto him. What ministry has Jesus assignedto you
beloved? Restassured, He has some role for you to play in His grand plan of
redemption. Have you discoveredyour role? I know a man who was called to
be a preacher of the Word in his 20's or 30's and even though he felt this was
God's call, he ignored it and entered into his aerospace career. WhenI met
him in his 60's, both he and his wife expresseddeepregretthat he had not
surrendered to the call of Jesus. Only one life, twill soonpass, only what's
done for Jesus will last!

Here Jesus tells Ananias what His task is for Saul/Paul, but later in Acts as
Paul recalls his conversionexperience and Jesus'commissioning him as the
apostle to the Gentiles...
“And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far awayto the Gentiles.’” (Acts
22:21)
Paul's bearing of Jesus'Name to the Gentiles is repeatedly expressedin his
epistles.
Romans 1:5+ (Jesus Christ our Lord) through Whom we have receivedgrace
and apostleshipto bring about the obedience of faith (See Obedience of faith)
among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,
Romans 11:13+ But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as
I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
Galatians 2:7+ But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the
Gospel(GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE NAME OF JESUS)to the
uncircumcised (GENTILES), just as Peterhad been to the circumcised
(JEWS)
Ephesians 3:6-7+ to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow
members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus
through the Gospel, ofwhich (Eph 3:6 = "the Gentiles")I was made a
minister, according to the gift of God’s grace (cf PAUL'S "POWER

SOURCE" IN 1 Cor 15:10+)which was given to me according to the working
of His power.
2 Timothy 4:17+ But the Lord stoodwith me and strengthened me, so that
through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the
Gentiles might hear; and I was rescuedout of the lion’s mouth.
Comment - This is a great testimony by Paulwhich should encourageall of us
who have been calledinto a particular ministry (and in some way we have
ALL been called), because here we see that what the Lord commands, the
Lord enables. God had given Paul a large charge to reach the Gentiles but
here we see that the same One Who chargedhim, now strengthens him to
finish the course (2 Ti 4:7+) and fulfill his ministry (2 Ti 4:5+). Jesus is the
same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and He will stand by you through
"thick and thin" and He will enable you to accomplishthe work to which He
has calledyou. You can count on it, because in Him the word is "Yes and
Amen!"
Stedman on bearing of Jesus'Name to the Gentiles - Is it not true that you
and I are here this morning because ofthe conversionof the Apostle Paul? We
have all been blessedthrough the conversionof this man. His life has made
greatimpact upon every one of us. Not one of us would even be here if it were
not for this mighty apostle to the Gentiles.(Acts 9:1-19 BelovedEnemy)
Thompson - One Bible expositorsaid that when a person has been called by
God to bear the name of Jesus Christ to the world, there is no higher calling.
He said that if someone askedhim to be Presidentof the United States he
would say “no”;because it is a demotion, because there is no higher calling
than to preach God’s Word to the world. That is Saul’s assignment.

And kings - King Agrippa and Caesar(kaisar)are mentioned in Acts.
Acts 26:1-2 Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
Then Paul stretchedout his hand and proceededto make his defense:“In
regard to all the things of which I am accusedby the Jews, I considermyself
fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you
today;
Acts 27:24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar;and
behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’
Steven Gercomments on Jesus'mention of these three groups (Gentiles,
Kings, Jews), is intended to conveyto Saul that he was "to possessa flexible,
"go anywhere" type of ministry." (Ibid) Paul himself expressedthe same
through when he wrote "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the
weak;I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save
some." (1 Cor 9:22) Do you have a "go anywhere" "by all means" mentality
toward souls who are standing on the edge of eternity, destined and doomed to
eternal punishment unless they hear and receive the Gospel?
Ray Stedman on the sons of Israel -- That was laston the list. Paul always
wanted to put it first. We shall see, as we trace the further story of Acts, that
there was a struggle in this young man's life. He longed to be the instrument
by which Israelwould be redeemed. He wantedto minister primarily to the
Jews and he felt he was equipped to do so. But he was not running the
program anymore; God was. Godhad a struggle with him to teachhim this,
but this was the order he followed. Although he had greatimpact upon his
own nation, the sons of Israel, he was primarily the minister to the Gentiles.
(Acts 9:1-19 BelovedEnemy)

And the sons of Israel - This refers to the Jews. So while Paul's primary
assignmentwould be to be an apostle to the Gentiles, this did not preclude
that he would also be a minister to his ownnation of Israel. As he later wrote
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel, forit is the power of God for salvation to
everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Ro 1:16+). In
fact in the concluding passagesofActs we see Paul proclaiming the Gospelto
the Jews in Rome
“But we (JEWS)desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning
this sect(REFERRING TO CHRISTIANITY, AKA "SECT OF THE
NAZARENES" - Acts 24:5), it is known to us that it is spokenagainst
everywhere.” 23 Whenthey (THE JEWS)had set a day for Paul, they came
to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by
solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them
concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Mosesand from the Prophets
(MESSIANIC PROPHECIES), from morning until evening (ALL DAY,
NON-STOP, REDEEMINGTHE TIME!). 24 Some were being persuaded by
the things spoken, but others would not believe. 25 And when they did not
agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spokenone parting
word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your
fathers, 26 saying, ‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, “YOU WILL KEEP
ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;AND YOU WILL KEEP
ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; 27 FOR THE HEART OF
THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY
SCARCELYHEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR
WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTANDWITH THEIR HEART AND
RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.”’ 28 “Therefore letit be knownto
you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles;they will also
listen.” 29[When he had spokenthese words, the Jews departed, having a
greatdispute among themselves.] 30 And he stayed two full years in his own
rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the
kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all

openness, unhindered. (Acts 28:22-31, seealso Paul's speechto the Jews from
the steps of the Roman barracks in JerusalemActs 22:1–21).)
G Campbell Morgan- A chosenvesselunto Me.—Acts 9.15
How unexpected, and how surpassingly wise are the elections ofGod. "Saul
breathing threatenings and slaughteragainstthe disciples of the Lord": "A
chosenvesselunto Me." Saul was a man of Tarsus, a Hebrew of Hebrews, and
withal a free-born citizen of Rome. All his earliestyears had been spent in the
atmosphere of Tarsus, a city which was Greek in its out-look. He had been
educatedreligiously, in the straitestof sects, thatof the Pharisees.Throughall
his life, whether in Cilicia or Judaea, he had moved in the liberty of Roman
citizenship. His youth had been clean: as touching the righteousness whichis
in the law he was blameless. He was free from all hypocrisy, and intense in his
devotion to what he believed. This man was the chosenvesselofthe Lord, to
bear His name before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. This is
perhaps the supreme instance in the New Testamentofhow natural gifts and
capacities are possessedby the Spirit, and made the media through which
witness is borne to Christ. All those elements which made him the most
powerful antagonistof Christianity became the forces whichcreatedthe
powerof his protagonism. It was a critical hour for the Church. In the affairs
of men critical hours are hours of uncertainty and therefore of peril. In the
economyof God they are hours of victory for He finds the man; and His gifts
and callings are without repentance, for His wisdom is final and unclouded.
C H Spurgeon on The Completeness ofPaul's Conversion - Is it not beautiful
to see how Paul forgotall his old Pharisaism? All the hard words and bitter
blasphemies that he had spokenagainstChrist, they have all gone in a
moment. What strange changes willcome over some beings in an instant! One
of my students who has been a sailor has preached the gospelfor some long
time, but his English was far from grammatical. Having been in college some
little time he began to speak correctly, but suddenly the old habit returned
upon him. He was in the Princess Alice (sunk in 1878 with loss of over 650

lives) at the time of the lamentable catastrophe, andhe escapedin an almost
miraculous manner. I saw him some time after, and congratulatedhim on his
escape, andhe replied that he had savedhis life but had lostall his grammar.
He found himself for awhile using the language of two or three years ago;and
even now he declares that he cannot get back what he had learnt. He seems to
have drowned his grammar on that terrible occasion. Now, justas we may
lose some goodthing by a dreadful occurrence,which seems to sweepoverthe
mind like a huge wave and washawayour treasures, so by a blessed
catastrophe, if Christ should meet with any man tonight, much which he has
valued will be sweptaway!You may write on wax, and may make the record
fair. Take a hot iron and roll it acrossthe wax, and it is all gone. That seems to
me to be just what Jesus did with Paul's heart. It was all written over with
blasphemy and rebellion, and He rolled the hot iron of burning love over his
soul, and the evil inscription was all gone. He ceasedto blaspheme, and he
beganto praise.
R C Sproul on ChosenInstrument - A fundamental principle of the law of
economics is this: the single most important cause of increasing productivity is
better tools. Only 3 percent of Americans today are farmers, yet they feed not
only all of America but much of the world. Why is it that the American
farmer canproduce so much more food than farmers from other countries? It
is not because the American has a higher IQ or a better physique or more
information about agriculture. It is because the American farmer has better
tools. The American farmer has a John Deere tractor, whereas farmers in
other countries have a plow that is pulled behind a mule. A farmer working
with a tractor and all the harvesting equipment we have in America today can
vastly outproduce a farmer working alone with primitive tools. Karl Marx
understood this, and he said that productivity increases whenbetter tools are
invented. He also understood the principle that whoevercontrols the tools
controls the game. I learned that when I was a youth playing baseballon the
sandlots of Pittsburgh. Before we had organized sports, we used to meet
togetherat the ballpark. We arrived with all the necessaryequipment—balls,
bats, gloves—andwe’d pick teams and play ball. We had no umpires, so
whoeverwitnesseda play from the best angle would make the call. When

there was a close play at first base, the first basemanwould say, “You’re out!”
while the runner would claim he was safe. The argument would continue until
the runner would say, “It’s my bat, so I say that I’m safe.” In other words, if
the game was going to continue, it would have to go the waythe one with the
tools said. That is why Marx wanted the state to own the tools, so that it could
control the means of production. It is by the improvement of tools that
production increases, and the greaterthe productivity, the greaterthe basic
level of living for the people. The more shirts produced, the lowerthe costper
unit. The lower the costper unit, the more people can afford them. The same
principle applies to food. Increasedproduction means lowerprices; lower
prices means wider distribution. This is elementary, but we tend to forgetit
from time to time. The keyis getting the tool, the instrument, that will
increase productivity and then using it to its optimal value and production.
The reasonI seguedinto economics is that the principle we lookedatis found
in the language Jesus usedto explain to Ananias what He was doing in calling
the Apostle Paul. The term vesselmeans “instrument, implement, or tool.”
Jesus had chosenSaul as His instrument to help cultivate the kingdom that He
had planted. Saul hadn’t chosenChrist, but Christ had chosenhim for His
purposes—to bearHis Name. Saul had come bearing papers of authority from
the high priest to wipe Christ’s Name off the face of the earth, but Christ had
stopped him. He gave Saul a new burden, to bear His Name before Gentiles,
kings, and the children of Israel. (St. Andrew's ExpositionalCommentary –
Acts)
A New Creation
Read:Acts 9:10-22
If anyone is in Christ, the new creationhas come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Early in my work life I had a coworkerwho seemedto delight in using God’s
name as a profanity. He mercilesslytaunted Christians who were new to their

faith or who tried to talk with him about Jesus. On the day I left that job to
move to another community and a new place of employment, I remember
thinking that this man would never become a followerof Jesus.
Two years later I visited my old workplace.He was still there, but never have
I witnessedsucha dramatic change in a person!This man, so antagonistic to
faith, was now a walking, talking example of what it means to be a “new
creation” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). And now, more than 30 years later, he’s still
telling others how Jesus “methim where he was—sinand all.”
It occurs to me that the early Christians must have seensomething similar in
Paul, their fiery persecutor—a riveting example of what it means to become a
new creation(Acts 9:1-22). What greathope both of these lives are to those
who think themselves beyond redemption!
Jesus soughtPaul and my former coworker—andme. And He continues
today to reachthe “unreachable” and model for us just how we can reach
people too.
Lord, I want to learn to reach out to others and share Your love and
forgiveness. Teachme and help me to step out in both faith and trust.
For further study, check out Truth with Love: Sharing the Story of Jesus by
Ajith Fernando at discoveryseries.org/hp141
No one is beyond the reachof God.

By Randy Kilgore (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand
Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
The RestorationBusiness
Read:Philippians 3:1-8
I have suffered the loss ofall things, and count them as rubbish, that I may
gain Christ. —nkjv Philippians 3:8
Adam Minter is in the junk business. The sonof a junkyard owner, he circles
the globe researching junk. In his book Junkyard Planet, he chronicles the
multibillion-dollar industry of waste recycling. He notes that entrepreneurs
around the world devote themselves to locating discarded materials such as
copper wire, dirty rags, and plastics and repurposing them to make something
new and useful.
After the apostle Paulturned his life over to the Savior, he realized his own
achievements and abilities amounted to little more than trash. But Jesus
transformed it all into something new and useful. Paul said, “Whateverwere
gains to me I now considerloss for the sake ofChrist. What is more, I
considereverything a loss because ofthe surpassing worth of knowing Christ
Jesus my Lord, for whose sake Ihave lost all things. I considerthem garbage,
that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:7-8). Having been trained in Jewishreligious
law, he had been an angry and violent man towardthose who followedChrist
(Acts 9:1-2). After being transformed by Christ, the tangled wreckageofhis
angry past was transformed into the love of Christ for others (2 Cor. 5:14-17).

When we turn our lives over to Him, He makes us into something new
If you feel that your life is just an accumulation of junk, remember that God
has always beenin the restorationbusiness. When we turn our lives over to
Him, He makes us into something new and useful for Him and others.
Are you wondering how to become a new person? Romans 3:23 and 6:23 tell
us that when we admit we are sinners and ask for God’s forgiveness, He gives
us the free gift of eternallife that was paid for by the death and resurrection
of Jesus. Talk to Him now about your need.
Christ makes all things new.
By Dennis Fisher (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand
Rapids, MI. — Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Sphere Of Influence
Read:Acts 25:1-12
He is a chosenvesselofMine to bear My name before . . . kings. —Acts 9:15
The book The Preacherand the Presidents chronicles the ministry of
evangelistBilly Graham. Spanning presidents from Harry S. Truman to
George W. Bush, Graham often had an open door to the White House. Yet
despite his unusual sphere of influence, Graham repeatedly credited the grace

of God working through him for his influence—not any personaltalent he
might possess.
The apostle Paulwas another believer who was calledto witness to people in
high authority. Christ saidof Paul, “He is a chosenvesselofMine to bear My
name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
In Acts, we read that Paul’s sphere of influence included rulers such as Felix,
Festus, Herod Agrippa, and perhaps Caesarhimself (Acts 24–26).But as Billy
Graham would do centuries later, Paul pointed to the grace ofGod working
through him: “NotI, but the grace ofGod which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10).
You may not be calledto proclaim the gospelto heads of state, but God has
placed people in your life with whom He wants you to share His messageof
hope. Why not pray for opportunities for God’s grace to flow through you as
a witness to someone in your sphere of influence?
Lord, help me make my witness clear,
And labor faithfully,
So friends and neighbors turn to Christ
Through what they hear from me. —Anon.
The best place to witness is where God has placedyou.
By Dennis Fisher

(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. —
Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Acts 9:16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake."
(NASB: Lockman)
KJV Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how greatthings he must suffer for my
name's sake.
NET Acts 9:16 ForI will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of
my name."
ESV Acts 9:16 ForI will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of
my name."
Wuest Acts 9:16 I will show him how many things it is necessaryin the nature
of the case forhim to suffer on behalf of my Name.
I will Acts 20:22,23;21:11;Isa 33:1; Mt 10:21-25;John 15:20;16:1-4; 1 Cor
4:9-13; 2 Cor11:23-27;2 Ti 1:12; 2:9,10;3:11
for Acts 9:14; Mt 5:11; 24:9; 1 Peter4:14; Rev1:9
Acts 9 Resources -Multiple Sermons and Commentaries
SUFFERING IS AN INTEGRAL
PART OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

For (gar) - Term of explanation. What is Jesus explaining? He is showing Saul
what it will "cost" to be His choseninstrument!
Ray Stedman is correctthat here we come to "a word we do not like -- suffer.
Yet the Christian life invariably involves suffering." Stedman then goes on to
answerthe question "Why is suffering a part of Christian life? Because, of
course, suffering is the activity of love. It is love that bears hurt. Love suffers.
It takes the blame, it takes the hurt, it is willing to endure. Anyone calledto be
a Christian must learn to suffer, must learn to love. Love is hurt in the process
of loving. That is why, in this fallen world, love must always suffer. This man
is calledto enter into the sufferings of Jesus Christ because Jesus loves this
world, loves fallen man and wants to redeemhim. But he cannot redeem
without being hurt in return. So this man is also calledto be hurt. What a
tremendously responsive instrument he became. How much he suffered in
order that he might manifest the love of the heart of Godfor a lost and wicked
world. When we are called to follow Jesus Christ, we are calledto suffer. We
have to forgive. That hurts, doesn'tit? We do not want to forgive; we want to
hold out and take vengeance. We wantour ego to be fed a little and our pride
satisfied. But God has calledus to suffer and forgive. That is part of the
Christian life. But finally, this man is not calledto do this in his own strength:
God never sends forth men at their own charges;he is called and equipped to
do it. No one can manifest the suffering of Christian love without being filled
with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 9:1-19 BelovedEnemy)
I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake - Notice the
verb must (dei) in the present tense describes suffering as a continual
necessityor perhaps better phrased a continual inevitability! In his last words
before he died Paul wrote about his suffering with an emphasis on God's
purpose

(2 Ti 2:9-10+)for which (FOR THE Gospel)I (present tense - continually)
suffer hardship (kakopatheo)evento imprisonment as a criminal; but the
word of God (THE Gospel)is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason(HERE IS
WHY PAUL IS WILLING TO SUFFER)I endure all things for the sake of
those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvationwhich is in
Christ Jesus and with it eternalglory.
And lest we think this suffering was limited to Paul, he himself reminds
Timothy and all genuine disciples of Jesus ofthe inevitability of suffering
writing...
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Ti
3:12+)
Comment - Since all believers are in covenantwith Jesus and identified with
His Name, and will suffer for His Name's sake.(ReadJn 15:18-21, Mt10:22)
As an aside, this is not a popular preaching topic and I have seldom heard
sermons on the fact that suffering is guaranteedif one is a genuine believer.
As a result as a new believer when suffering for Jesus blindsided me, it greatly
disturbed my faith. I had never been taught this important truth. If you are
reading these notes, you are now responsible to heed and to teachthis truth to
those in your sphere of influences so that they are not surprised when the fiery
ordealcomes upon them for their testing (1 Pe 4:12+).
Show (5263)(hupodeiknumi from hupó = under + deiknuo = show, make
known the characteror significance ofsomething by visual, auditory, gestural,
or linguistic means)literally means to show by placing under (as under one's
gaze or before one's eyes)and so to show or instruct plainly, to set before
one's eyes, to exemplify by words or actions. The idea is to direct someone’s
attention to something and so to point out or make known.

Steven Gerhas an interesting comment - In what could be portrayed as
"God's karma," the one who had causedsuch a variety of suffering would in
turn experience an even greatervariety of suffering (Paul provides a veritable
shopping list of these personalmiseries in 2 Cor. 11:22-33). (Ibid)
COMMENT -Of course Gerdoes not believe in the Hindu doctrine of karma,
but is using it metaphorically. He is using it in the Biblicalsense of one reaps
what they sow a principle Paul himself taught in (Gal 6:7-8+) See Whatdoes
the Bible sayabout karma? and Is “you reap what you sow” biblical?
Suffer (3958)(pascho)generallymeans to experience something, but clearly in
this contextmeans to experience or be subjectedto something bad or
unpleasant. Luke uses this verb 5 times in Acts and 4 refer to the suffering of
Christ. It is thus fitting that in this verse pascho refers to suffering of
Saul/Paulhis disciple. Paul refers to another purpose of his inevitable
suffering writing "I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am
participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the
church." (Col 1:24NLT+, cfPeter's attitude toward suffering for the Lord's
sake - Acts 5:41+)
Jack Andrews (Sermon) on Jesus'prediction of Saul's coming suffering - We
do not serve a vindictive God. He is not waiting to get back at us. Saul didn’t
suffer to pay debt for his past life. He didn’t suffer to be saved, but he suffered
because he was saved. He suffered for the cause ofChrist. He suffered
persecutions for many because he bore the Name of Jesus all over the known
world. John Phillips wrote, “Ananias had no need to worry about Saul’s
making the saints to suffer. From now on Saul would do the suffering. He
would take upon himself the care of all the churches and repay a thousand
times in his own suffering all the pain and woe he had inflicted on the people
of God. And to his dying day he could carry in his breast a greatremorse for

all he had done to the infant Jewishchurch.” Saul would have been able to
testify with the 3rd stanza of “Amazing Grace” whichgoes,
“Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
‘tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
Jack Arnold on suffer for My name's sake - As a new Christian, Paul had to
learn that he was calledto suffer for the name of Christ. As he took the
Gospelout into a hostile world, he would encounter opposition which would
cause him greatphysical and psychologicalsuffering. To be associatedwith a
rejectedMessiah, wouldbring Paul much affliction and heartache. Being a
Christian involves suffering for Christ. “Forto you it has been granted (ED:
THIS VERB IS CHARIZOMAI FROM CHARIS = GRACE - HERE IS THE
POINT OF THIS PASSAGE - SALVATION IN JESUS AND SUFFERING
FOR JESUS ARE BOTH GIFTS OF GRACE FROM GOD!) for Christ's
sake, notonly to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil. 1:29+).
Satanhates it when Christians move out and challenge men to come to a
knowledge ofthe Lord Jesus Christ. When Paul said, “Whatwill you have me
to do, Lord?” he meant it. All bridges were burned; all personaldesires were
thrown overboard. Costwhat it may, he would be Christ’s true and loyal
disciple. The sufferings were greatbut the blessings were far greater.
(Sermon)
As Luke writes later in Acts 14:22 “Through many tribulations we must enter
the kingdom of God.”

Faith in Christ brings great blessings but often greatsuffering. God calls us to
commitment, not to comfort. He promises to be with us through suffering and
hardship, not to spare us from them. - Life Application Study Bible.
NET Note on for My name's sake - Or “becauseof(huper) My Name.” BDAG
lists Acts 9:16 as an example of huper used to indicate “the moving cause or
reason, becauseof, for the sake of, for.” (ED: In other words the "cause"or
"reason" forour suffering for the sake ofHis Name is because ofour
identification with Him. So we might translate it "I will show him how much
he must suffer because ofMy Name.")
Bob Utley on suffering of the disciples of Jesus - Suffering is not the exception,
but the norm for Christians in a fallen world (cf. Mt. 5:10–12;Jn 15:18–21;
16:1–2;17:14;Acts 14:22; Ro 5:3–4; 8:17–18;2 Cor 4:7–12;6:3–10;11:24–33;
Phil. 1:29; 1 Th 3:3; 2 Ti 3:12; James 1:2–4;1 Pe 4:12–16). There is a
theologicalrelationshipbetweenthe sufferings of Christ and the sufferings of
His followers in this fallen realm. The book of First Peter shows this parallel.
Jesus’suffering 1 Peter1:111 Peter2:21, 23 1 Peter3:181 Peter4:1, 13
1 Peter5:1
His followers’ 1 Peter1:6-7 1 Peter2:191 Peter3:13-17 1 Peter4:1,
12-191 Peter5:9-10
William Larkin amplifies the words of Jack Arnold noting that "Every
convert then and now needs to know “it has been granted to you on behalf of
Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Phil 1:29+). This
verse was used to charge inquirers in Russianchurches in the days of active
persecutionunder atheistic communism. New Christians must know that
discipleship is purposeful and costly."
Steven Cole - Formerly, Saul had a mission, but it was self-willed and evil. He
thought that he was serving God by eliminating these “heretics,” but he was
only feeding his pride and lust for power. He was advancing beyond many of

his contemporaries (Ga 1:14), climbing the religious ladder to prominence.
But now, he becomes anearthen vessel, filled with God’s treasure (2 Co 4:7),
with a new purpose of glorifying God, whether by life or by death (Php 1:20).
Formerly, he inflicted suffering on others; now, he will suffer much for the
sake ofChrist. Formerly, he despisedthe Gentiles; now, he will offer to them
the riches of Christ. (NOW PASTOR COLE APPLIES THIS TRUTH TO US
TODAY!) If God has saved you from your sins, He has a purpose for your life,
and it is not primarily for you to succeedin the American dream. His main
purpose has to do with eternal realities. He wants to use you in His greatcause
of discipling the nations. He may let you fulfill His purpose by staying in
America. But, He may callyou to go to a country where Christ is not nearly so
well known. The main thing is for you to be a willing and cleanvessel, “useful
to the Master, preparedfor every goodwork” (2Ti 2:21+).
ILLUSTRATION - Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma,
endured untold hardships trying to reachthe lostfor Christ. For7
heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and poverty. During this time he was
thrown into Ava Prison, and for 17 months was subjectedto almost incredible
mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carriedthe ugly marks
made by the chains and iron shackles whichhad cruelly bound him.
Undaunted, upon his release he askedfor permission to enter another
province where he might resume preaching the Gospel. The godless ruler
indignantly denied his request, saying “My people are not fools enough to
listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed
by your SCARS and turn to your religion!”
FRANK ALLEN
THE LORD CHOOSES HIS MINISTERS
The Lord makes a definite choice of those who are to serve him: “But the
Lord said unto him,

Go thy way: for he is a chosenvesselunto me, to bear my name before the
Gentiles, and
kings, and the children of Israel” (9:15). We are told in this passagethat Saul
was “a chosen
vessel.” Laterhe tells us concerning himself: “But when it pleasedGod, who
separatedme
from my mothers womb, and calledme by his grace” (Galatians 1:15).
The Lord has a right to choose, anddoes choose,from among men whom He
will. He chose
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He said, “Jacobhave I loved, but Esauhave I
hated” (9:13). All
are sinners. God owes no man anything, but if He chooses to make salvation,
He has a right to do
so. If He wishes to call us to any service He has the right so to do. In another
place Paul tells us
that God does not usually choose the wise, the mighty and the noble: but he
choosesthe foolish
things of the world that He may put to shame them that are wise. We are
among the blessedof
God if we are among those whom He has called to His service. No more
important callcomes in
theis world than the call of God. We ought to respond at once. It would seem,
from what Jesus
said to Saul about kicking againstthe goads, thathe had been resisting the call
of God for some
time. We can make no greatermistake than to resist that call.

The Lord gave Saul evidence that he had been chosen. His sight was restored
instantly. The
scales fellfrom his eyes and his vision was completelyrenewed. He was filled
with the Holy
Spirit. It is absurd for anyone to reason, from Saul’s temporary blindness,
that weak eyes
constituted his thorn in the flesh. It is to suppose that God had not the power
to restore the sight
completely which He had taken away. Godis not thus limited in the powerof
His miracles. The
Lord proved to all the apostles, in a miraculous manner, that the Gospelwas
true; that Jesus was
the Sonof God.
The vivid remembrance of Jesus appearing to Saul, of the loss and restoration
of sight, of the
assurance thathe was chosenofGod to bear His message, was toldagain and
againby Saul in
his efforts to convince others that Jesus was the Son of God. The story is
undoubtedly true.
Among all the records of conversions there is none more convincing. Men who
read it and men
who hear it told are left without excuse. Theyshould believe and accept
Christ.
THE DISCIPLE MUST BEAR HIS CROSS
The Lord makes clearto His disciples at the outset that they must suffer for
Him: “ForI will

show him how greatthings he must suffer for my names sake”(9:16). He said
He would
show Saul these things, which means that He wantedPaul to fully count the
costfirst. Jesus
never calls His disciples to serve under false pretences. He warned His
disciples, particularly in
the days of His popularity, that there would be hardships, privations and
sufferings. When one
would follow Him without full considerationof the costHe told him that the
foxes have holes
and the birds of the air have their nests but He did not have a place that He
could call His own,
even to lay down His head. It would be folly for us to start out in the service of
Christ with the
idea that we can follow Him in any capacity, whether as layman, minister or
missionary, without
suffering. If we do we are mistaken. Saul knew what it was to see disciples
suffer. Jesus
reminded him at the moment He was giving him His commissionthat he
would also suffer just
as he had seenothers suffer. Saul joyed so much in Christ that his afflictions
seemedlight and
but for a moment in comparisonwith the greatglory of eternity which
awaitedhim when his
afflictions were over. Many are the disciples, since the days of Saul, who have
testified that they
would not if they had their lives before them again, change their course
though they might avoid

the dangers and sufferings through which they have passed. They, like the
early disciples,
“rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts
5:41).
When Namuri, a native Christian teacherof the New Hebrides, was
threatened with death by the
heathen of Tanna, Mr. Patonurged him to remain at the mission house until
the threatened
danger was past. But Namuri replied: “Missi, whenI see them thirsting for
my blood, I just see
myself when the Missionaryfirst came to my island. I desired to murder him,
as they now desire
to kill me. Had he stayed awayfrom such danger, I would have remained
Heathen; but he came,
and continued coming to teach us, till, by the grace ofGod I was changedto
what I am. Now the
same God that changedme to this, can change these poor Tannese to love and
serve Him. I
cannot stayaway from them; but I will sleepat the mission House, and do all I
can by day to
bring them to Jesus”(JohnG. Paton’s Autobiography, p. 195). How many
with much better
opportunities than Namuri are as willing as he to suffer for the honor of Jesus
and the
enlightenment of their fellowmen?

Dr. Jack L. Arnold
Lesson#23
ACTS
Paul, the New Creature
Acts 9:10-31
Saul of Tarsus was convertedto Jesus Christ in about the year 33 A.D. His
conversionwas supernatural from beginning to ending. Saul was
apprehended or laid hold of by the glorified Christ as he was on his wayto
Damascus to persecute Christians. Saulof Tarsus, the brilliant Jewish
Pharisee was born from above. He was a twice born man. He was born in the
flesh thirty-two years before his encounterwith Christ on the road to
Damascus. He was born from above when Christ sovereignlyinvaded his life
and he said, “Whatwill you have me to do, Lord?” Saul was born from above
just as the Lord Jesus taught what must happen when the new birth occurs.
“Jesus answeredand said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born
again(from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3).

Saul of Tarsus, in a moment of time, became positionallya new creature in
Christ. “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things
passedaway;behold, new things have come” (II Cor. 5:17). Everything about
him was new because he had been taken out of Adam as a lost man and placed
into Christ as a savedman. He even receiveda new name. Prior to his
conversionhis name was Saul;after his conversionhis name was changedto
Paul, which means “little.” The high and mighty Saul became the humble
Paul, who had been touched by God's grace and changedby the glorified
Christ.
The moment Paul was converted, he was a new Christian, a baby Christian,
and Acts 9:10-31 is filled with things which mark a new creature in Christ.
This sectionof Scripture is a fascinating study of the experiences and activities
of a new Christian. It is also a sobering study on some of the pitfalls and
lessons a new Christian must learn before he can be effective for Christ. As a
new Christian, Paul still had to grow in grace and wrestle with ignorance,
prejudice and sin in his own life. We shall find that it took years for him to
come to the place where he could be an effective instrument for Jesus Christ.
NEW EXPEREINCESIN CHRIST (Acts 9:10-19a)

New Acquaintances (9:10-11a)
“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, namedAnanias; and the Lord
said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Behold, here am I Lord.’
And the Lord saidto him, ‘Arise and go to the streetcalledStraight, and
inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, . . .” -- The
glorified Lord appeared to Ananias, a simple disciple of Christ, and told him
to go to Straight Streetto the home of Judas and inquire about Saul of Tarsus.
You remember how Saul was led off by the hand to Damascus becausehe had
been blinded by the brilliant light he saw. What was one of the first things
Paul experiencedas a new Christian? He experiencedthe life of the body of
Christ. He met two Christians, Judas and Ananias. He was ministered to by
two unknown, obscure Christians. This shows how important it is for new
Christians to be ministered to by more spiritually mature Christians.
Without new Christian companions a new Christian will never grow in a
healthy way.
Ananias was a Christian man in fellowship with Christ and when the Lord
spoke to him, he was obedient and said, “Here am I, Lord.”

We know nothing about Ananias. He was an obscure Christian who was very
useful to the Lord. An obscure Christian was usedby Christ to minister to
Paul who would become a great, renown Christian. Ananias touched the life
of Paul and Paul touched the lives of thousands.
Church history is filled with casesin which a famous Christian was reached
by an unknown Christian. Justin Martyr was savedwhen a little old man of
“a meek and venerable spirit” met him while walking along the oceanat
Ephesus. Martyr became famous but the insignificant old man played a
major part in his life. Augustine heard a little child say, “Take up and read.”
He picked up his Bible and was saved. We do not know the child, but because
of this child we have the legacyof Augustine. John Wesleywas savedwhen a
simple Moravianlayman was reading the preface to the Book ofRomans by
Luther. Wesleysaid he felt his heart strangely warmed. Yet no one but
Christ knows who that dear Moravianbrother was. D. L. Moody was
challengedby a simple Sunday schoolteacheras he workedin a shoe store.
The result was the conversionof Moody who God used to reachmultiple
thousands. C. H. Spurgeon, to get out of a rainstorm, went into a simple little
church which had an old, unlearned man preaching that day. As a result of
this simple man's words, Spurgeonwas savedand went on to be the greatest
preacherof all time.
New Communications (9:11b-12)

“. . . for behold, he is praying, and he has seenin a vision a man named
Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.”
-- Paul, as a new Christian, was praying. What makes this statement so
unusual is that this was probably the first time he had ever really prayed in
his whole life. As a Pharisee, Saulprayed all the time, for a Pharisee spent
three hours every day in prayer, not counting the hours of preparation for
prayer and meditation after prayer, but these prayers were basedon ritual
and rote tradition. A Pharisee's prayers were memorized or read and often
they were said on streetcorners so that people could see how spiritual he was.
Now, for the first time, Paul was praying real prayers from the heart and he
was communicating with his God. Even though Saul prayed as a Pharisee,
God did not hear these prayers because He does not answerany prayer of any
unsaved man except, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner.” God hears but
never responds to the unsaved man's prayers. “We know that God does not
hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing, and does His will, He hears him”
(John 9:31). It is impossible for an unregeneratedman's prayers to get any
higher than the ceiling because true prayer can only be offered by one who
has experiencedthe new birth.
One of the marks of a new Christian is there is a desire to pray from the heart
to Christ. The new Christian cries out, “Abba, Father,” or a loose translation
may be, “Daddy, Daddy,” because a spiritual relationship with God has been
establishedthrough Christ.
New Purpose for Living (9:13-15)

“But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how
much harm he did to Thy saints at Jerusalem;and here he has authority from
the chief priests to bind all who callupon Thy name.’ But the Lord saidto
him, ‘Go, for he is a choseninstrument of Mine, to bear My name before the
Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;’” -- Ananias was reluctant to go to
Paul because ofhis vicious reputation. However, Paul was to get a new
purpose for living and Ananias was chosento give him this message. Paulwas
a specialchosenvesselto take the message ofChrist to men. The greatest
evangelistof the Jewishfaith was to become the greatestevangelistofthe
Christian faith. First, he was to bear the name of Christ to Gentiles, that
greatmass of pagans outside of Israel, who did not know the name of Godand
were involved in all kinds of abominable heathen practices and worship.
Paul's primary task was to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Second, he would
bear the name of Christ to kings. He would penetrate the power structures
and the establishments of his day with the gospel. Paulspoke before
governors, procurators, kings and finally to the emperor of Rome himself.
Paul's ministry was to the “up and outers.” Third, he was to minister to the
sons of Israeland that would be to Israelites outside the land of Palestine.
From the book of Acts and Paul's epistles, it appears that he wanted to put his
ministry to Israel first and not last. He apparently felt that he was God's
instrument to reachthe Jewishnation. He struggledwith God over this issue
but finally got the order straightin his own mind. It took a long time for Paul
to learn that he was first to reach Gentiles and then Israel.

WILLIAM BARCLAY
Beyond doubt Ananias is one of the forgottenheroes of the Christian Church.
If it be true that the Church owes Paulto the prayer of Stephen, it is also true
that the Church owes Paulto the brotherliness of Ananias.
To Ananias came a messagefrom God that he must go and help Paul; and he
is directed to the streetcalled "Straight." This was a greatstreetthat ran
straight from the eastto the westof Damascus. It was divided into three parts,
a centre part where the traffic ran, and two side-walks where the pedestrians
thronged and the merchant-men satin their little booths and plied their trade.
When that message came to Ananias it must have sounded mad to him. He
might well have approachedPaul with suspicion, as one doing an unpleasant
task;he might well have begun with recriminations; but no; his first words
were, "BrotherSaul."
What a welcome was there! It is one of the sublimest examples of Christian
love. That is what Christ can produce. Bryan Green tells that after one of his
campaigns in America he askedat the lastmeeting that people should stand
up and in a few words sayjust what the campaignhad done for them. A negro
girl rose. Nota goodspeaker, she couldonly put a few sentencestogetherand
this is what she said, "Through this campaign I have found Christ and he
made me able to forgive the man who murdered my father." He made me able
to forgive...thatis the very essence ofChristianity. In Christ, Paul and
Ananias, the men who had been the bitterest enemies, came togetheras
brothers.
CALVIN

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