Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Acts 9:14

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Acts 9:14. And here he hath authority, c.] Ananias had undoubtedly heard of Saul's coming, and the commission he had received from the chief priests and he was about to urge this as a reason why he should have no connection with so dangerous a man.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Conversion of Saul (9:1-19a)

The name by which Christianity was known was ‘the Way’ (see 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22). Possibly the name originated with the Christians themselves, who believed their movement was the way of the Lord, the way of salvation and the way of life. But to the Christians’ opponents the name represented a movement that had to be destroyed.

By this time the gospel had spread north at least as far as the Syrian city of Damascus, which had a large Jewish population. The Sanhedrin therefore sent fiery young Saul to arrest any Christians who still attended the synagogue and bring them to Jerusalem for trial (9:1-2). But before Saul reached Damascus he had an encounter with the risen Jesus that convinced him that Jesus was Lord and Christ, as the Christians claimed. The persecutor became a disciple of Jesus (3-9; cf. 2:36; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 1 Corinthians 15:8).

Through one of the local Damascus Christians, God revealed that he had chosen Saul to go to distant countries, taking the gospel to rulers and common citizens alike, to Gentiles and Jews without distinction (10-15). This would be a difficult task (16), but God prepared him for it by filling him with the Holy Spirit. Saul demonstrated openly his break with the old life and his start of the new by being baptized (17-19a).

Saul’s entire background and training had been used by God to help prepare him for the work ahead (Galatians 1:15-16). He was a full-blooded Jew born in Tarsus, a town in Cilicia in south-west Asia Minor (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5). He inherited Roman citizenship from birth (Acts 16:37; Acts 22:26-28), had a Roman name, Paul (Acts 13:9), and grew up to speak both Greek and Hebrew (Acts 21:37,Acts 21:40). As a religiously zealous youth, Saul moved to Jerusalem where he studied Jewish law according to the strict Pharisee traditions, his teacher being the well known Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3; Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5). Like all Jewish young men he learnt a trade, which in his case was tent-making (Acts 18:3).

All the influences in Saul’s upbringing and education, whether Greek, Hebrew or Roman, had an effect on his life and ministry. The Greek influence taught him how to think clearly and analyse issues (Ephesians 3:1-6), the Hebrew influence helped him develop a character of moral uprightness (Philippians 3:6), and the Roman influence gave him an international outlook that led to his great plan for the spread of Christianity (Romans 15:19-24).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.

The astonishment and reluctance of Ananias are understandable. The saints in Jerusalem had sent information ahead to Damascus regarding the ravages of the Lord's church by Saul of Tarsus; and it is significant that the believing community in Damascus had accurate advance information of what could be expected when Saul arrived there.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

I have heard by many ... - This was in the vision, Acts 9:10. The passage of such a train of thoughts through the mind was perfectly natural at the command to go and search out Saul. There would instantly occur all that had been heard of his fury in persecution; and the expression here may indicate the state of a mind amazed that such a one should need his counsel, and afraid, perhaps, of entrusting himself to one thus bent on persecution. All this evidently passed in the dream or vision of Ananias, and perhaps cannot be considered as any deliberate unwillingness to go to him. It is clear, however, that such thoughts should have been banished, and that he should have gone at once to the praying Saul. When Christ commands, we should suffer no suggestion of our own thoughts, and no apprehension of our own danger, to interfere.

By many - Probably many who had fled from persecution, and had taken refuge in Damascus. It is also evident Acts 9:14 that Ananias had been apprised, perhaps by letters from the Christians at Jerusalem, of the purpose which Saul had in view in now going to Damascus.

To thy saints - Christians; called saints ἅγιοι hagioi because they are holy, or consecrated to God.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

14.He hath power to bind. We gather by these words, that the fame of the persecution which Saul went about ⁽⁵⁹⁰⁾ was spread far and wide; for which cause his conversion was ⁽⁵⁹¹⁾ more famous. Nevertheless, the Lord suffered the faithful to be evil entreated, ⁽⁵⁹²⁾ that the benefit of such sudden deliverance might afterwards be the more excellent. We must mark that speech, when he saith that the godly call upon the name of Christ. For whether you understand it, that inasmuch as they professed that they were Christ’s, they rejoiced therefore in him, or that they used to fly to him for succor, invocation cannot be without sure confidence. By both which the divinity of Christ is not only proved, but also if the second be received, which seemeth to be more natural, ⁽⁵⁹³⁾ we are taught by the example of the faithful, to call upon the name of Christ when he is preached to us.

(590) “Parabat,” was preparing.

(591) “Debuit,” must have been.

(592) “Misere cruciari,” miserably tortured.

(593) “Genuinum,” genuine.

Smith's Bible Commentary

When Alexander the Great conquered the world, he left pockets of Greek culture throughout the world. So these pockets of Greek culture became very influential. And even though the Roman Empire conquered the Grecian Empire, yet the Grecian culture remained as a dominant characteristic throughout the world. So the world was under the Roman Empire, but it was dominated by Grecian culture.

Now the Grecian culture was more towards the arts, and in contrast, the Hebrew culture was very legalistic. The Pharisees were representatives of the Hebrew culture, very strict, very legalistic. They tended towards the legal side, whereas the Grecian was more cultural, more interested in the various forms of art and all. Thus, there was a real conflict in these cultures.

Now during this time, Israel was divided. The Jews were divided into the Hellenists and into the Hebrews. All Jews but the Sadducees were of the Hellenists culture. They were the materialists, whereas the Pharisees were followers of the Hebrew culture. Thus, for a man to effectively reach the Jewish people, he had to have an understanding of the Grecian culture, but he also needed a keen understanding of the Hebrew culture. So God chose Paul as that instrument.

Paul was born in the city of Tarsus, which was one of the centers of the Grecian culture. And up until the age of fourteen, though he was Hebrew of the Hebrews, that is his parents were of the Hebrew culture, very strong Pharisees, Paul's earliest acquaintances, friends, playmates, were all of the Hellenist culture. So he became acquainted with the Hellenist culture. But his parents, in order to shield him from the Hellenist culture, when he was fourteen, rather than send him to university there in Asia Minor, chose rather to send him to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem where he might sit at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the greatest teachers of that day and a Pharisee.

So Paul became deeply imbued with the Pharisidic culture, yet he never did freely get totally free of that Grecian cultural background that he had as a child. Perfect instrument that God needed to go out into that world and to reach those of the Hellenist culture with the straight truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So beginning in chapter 9, we have God's apprehension of Paul.

And Saul, still breathing out threatenings and murders against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way [an interesting description of the Christians], whether they were men or women, that he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near to Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads ( Acts 9:1-5 ).

Paul's apprehension. He said, "I am not yet apprehended that for which I was apprehended." Here's Paul's apprehension by God in a very dramatic way. Here's a man that God turns around 180 degrees. Yet there are indications in the text that God's Spirit was already dealing with this man. As the Lord said unto him, "It is hard for thee to kick against the goads."

Now the goads were those instruments that they put on the front of the plow so that if the ox began to kick, it would kick the goads and it would determine the kicking wasn't so wise. And, of course, it would help protect the fellow guiding the plow. It's hard for you to kick against the goads.

I believe that the death of Stephen had a very remarkable effect upon Paul. I think that as he watched Stephen die, and Paul said, "I consented unto his death," which means that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin and he voted for the death of Stephen as a member of the Sanhedrin. Which brings up some interesting sidelights. He had to be married to be a member of the Sanhedrin and whatever happened to his wife, the scripture is silent. There are stories that abound from the early church that she left him when he embraced Christianity, and that they had two sons; one went with Paul, one went with her. But that's all tradition; we don't know.

But I believe that watching Stephen die, hearing the message of Stephen . . . for Paul was there, heard his message, saw the face, saw the anointing of God's Spirit, and yet, he was determined as a Pharisee to stamp out this new sect that was arising within Judaism. So he went to the high priest.

Later on, writing of his testimony to the Philippian church, he said, "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church" ( Philippians 3:6 ). And he came to Damascus, and suddenly God apprehended him there on the road. "Who art thou Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom you persecuted. It is hard for thee to kick against the goads."

Now here's an interesting thing. Paul was actually persecuting the church, wasn't he? But notice how Jesus so completely identifies Himself with the church. Any persecution that you may receive is directed against Him. He is totally identified with His church. He didn't say, you know, "Why do you persecute My church?" Jesus said, "Why are you persecuting Me? For it is, I am the One that you are persecuting."

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt you have me to do? ( Acts 9:6 )

Instant conversion, 180 degrees.

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it will be told you what you must do ( Acts 9:6 ).

Now, the command of the Lord to Paul was very simple, wasn't it? Remember last week we told you how God gives us one step at a time. So rather than spelling out to Paul at this time the whole future, he just said, "Just get up and go on into the city and it will be told you what you are to do."

And so the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man ( Acts 9:7 ).

Now there are those who imagine a contradiction in the scripture here. Because as Paul is recounting this story in the twenty-second chapter of Acts, he declares that those that were with him did not hear the voice, but he uses a different Greek word there--they did not hear the articulation of the words. They heard sounds, but they didn't understand the sounds. And so the Lord was speaking to Saul. They heard a voice speaking, but they could not understand the words, and that's what Paul is referring to in the twenty-second chapter; they did not hear the pheone, the phonetics. And so, no contradiction. They stood speechless because they heard a voice, but they didn't see anybody.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man ( Acts 9:8 ):

So he was blinded momentarily by this experience.

but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus ( Acts 9:8 ).

Now his entry into Damascus was surely far different than what Paul was imagining his entry to be into Damascus. He was going to come in charging in with the papers from the high priest and start throwing people in prison who called upon the name of the Lord. But rather than coming in this manner, he is being led in blinded and being led by his friends into the city.

And for three days he was without sight, and neither did eat nor drink ( Acts 9:9 ).

I believe that in these three days there must have been an awful lot going on in Paul's mind. God sort of cut him off from other distractions, sensory distractions that He might really help him into trying to filter out exactly what was going on. So he was without sight. He did not eat or drink for three days as he was just sifting through these happenings that were taking place in his life.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus [now notice not an apostle, just a disciple], and his name was Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he is praying, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered and said, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all those that are calling on your name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel ( Acts 9:10-15 ):

So God needed a man with the background of Paul, a man who could address the Hebrews, a man who could address the Grecian culture, a man who could address kings. So he is a chosen vessel of God. So Paul, later on, recognized that God's hand was upon his life from his mother's womb, that even in the early experiences, God's hand was upon him, training him, developing him for that work that God ultimately had in mind for him to accomplish.

And so with every servant of God. We can look back in our lives and watch the processes by which God was developing us for the work that God had in mind for us to accomplish for Him. Paul, writing to the Ephesians, said, "For you are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that you should walk in them" ( Ephesians 2:10 ). God knows what He has in mind for your life. God knows that ministry or that work that He has in mind for you to fulfill for the kingdom's sake.

Now God in the meantime is working in your life as He is preparing you for that work. And one day you will discover that all of this background that I have is all a part of God's plan as he was preparing that instrument to do His work. And it's exciting then to realize that even at times when I wasn't aware of God, wasn't conscious of God, yet God was there working in my life, preparing my life for the work that God had in mind for me to accomplish. A chosen vessel. "And he is to bear My name before the Gentiles, the kings, and the children of Israel." And here, to me, is an interesting statement,

For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake ( Acts 9:16 ).

I wonder if I had been in his shoes and the Lord would call me to the ministry and show me in advance all of the things that I would have to suffer, if I would have continued or would have bowed out and said, "Lord, why don't You send someone else. Why don't You call someone else." I admire Paul. The Lord showed him all of the things he was going to suffer, and yet Paul was ready. He was yielding his life when he said, "Who art thou Lord that I may serve Thee? What will You have me to do Lord?" There wasn't any changing from that. He made a contract with the Lord, a binding contract, one that he wasn't going to go back on, because he realized that God's hand was upon his life to develop him to this point, and no matter what, Lord, I'm going to go through.

And Ananias went his way ( Acts 9:17 ),

When God first told Ananias to talk to Saul, he was sure that God had made a terrible mistake. "Lord, I've heard about this fellow. You can't be serious." So Ananias went his way,

and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul ( Acts 9:17 ),

I like that; he immediately acknowledges him as a brother. He receives him immediately into that fellowship of the brotherhood in Christ, "Brother Saul."

the Lord, even Jesus ( Acts 9:17 ),

Now you remember, he said, "Who art thou Lord?" and He said, "I am Jesus whom you persecuted." So here Ananias is saying, "The Lord, even Jesus."

who appeared unto you in the way as you were coming, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit ( Acts 9:17 ).

Remember Ananias is not an apostle; he's only a disciple. There in the church in Damascus, of which we hear nothing more about him after this time. Just an ordinary disciple, and yet God is using him as the instrument to lay his hands upon Paul that he might be healed, receive his sight, and that he might receive the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight immediately, and he arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus. And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God ( Acts 9:18-20 ).

Now, Paul had enough background in the scriptures that as soon as he realized that Jesus was Lord, he was able to take his understanding of the scriptures and realize that God had promised to send His Son. He realized according to the prophecy of Isaiah that a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is "God with us." "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father" ( Isaiah 9:6 ). And all of these scriptures began to click in Paul's mind, and he was able to see now that Jesus was the Son of God. And so he began to go in the synagogue, and he began to preach unto the Jews that Jesus was the Son of God.

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this the one that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and did he not come here with that same intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? ( Acts 9:21 )

And they were amazed at Paul's preaching. Now between verse Acts 9:21 and verse Acts 9:22 , there is a gap of time that isn't indicated in our text. But at this point according to the Galatian epistle, Paul left Damascus, not conferring with flesh, but to really just wait upon God and to really get his full instructions. He went down to the wilderness area of the Sinai, and there for two to three years he was just waiting upon the Lord, being instructed by the Lord concerning the way of truth in Jesus Christ.

So Paul writing to the Galatians said that after his conversion, "Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia" ( Galatians 1:16-17 ). And there was taught directly by Jesus, the Gospel, the doctrine that he proclaimed.

Then later, he said, "I returned to Damascus." "Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days" ( Galatians 1:18 ). But not to be instructed by him, but just to share the things that had happened. So the three years in Arabia down near the Sinai are not spoken of in the Acts, but just passed over and the . . . if you want to put them in the text, it's between verse Acts 9:21 and 22 is Paul's journey to the desert for three years.

But Saul increased the more in strength ( Acts 9:22 ),

Now in verse Acts 9:22 , Saul by this time increased all the more in strength. That three years was a time of strengthening in his life as he was just waiting upon the Lord.

I get a little concerned about those who come up and say, "Chuck, I want to go into the ministry." And I say, "Well, that's fine. How long have you been a Christian?" "Oh, two months now." And they're looking for a pulpit and somewhere to begin their pastoring. Paul had a very rich background in the scriptures, yet he did not enter immediately in the ministry but took time to prepare himself as he was there in Arabia for three years being taught of the Lord.

God uses instruments that he has prepared, but preparation is a necessary part to any affective ministry. I believe there is a great mistake that takes place in the church by laying hands on people too suddenly. I think that a tragedy has existed for years within the church whenever some Hollywood celebrity makes a profession of faith. Immediately they are bombarded by every church and every conference to come and to be a conference speaker. And they're going around constantly giving their testimony week after week after week, here and there giving their testimony to excited crowds around the United States.

Well, unfortunately, they're spending so much time traveling around the country to give their testimony to the crowds, the only thing that they ever hear is their own testimony! Thus, they are never rooted and grounded in the Word. They never get a foundation. And so many of these great celebrities who have gone around with their sparkling testimonies, after a period of time you say, "Well, what happened to..." "Well he's back into the old life. It didn't last." It's because the church has made a tragic mistake of assuming that because a person is a brilliant person in one field that he can immediately be a great theologian or a teacher of the Word.

That is a wrong assumption to make. There have been some very brilliant scientists who have accepted the Lord, and, of course, immediately everyone wants them to come and testify of their conversion experience. Well, you might be a genius in biology, but that doesn't mean that you know anything about the Word of God. And so Paul needed to get a foundation established, and thus he went to Arabia, and that is just a wise move for anybody. Don't be in a hurry. Make sure that you've dug deep and laid a foundation.

Jesus talked about the two men building their houses. The wise man dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. The foolish man just began to build immediately on the sand. And unfortunately that's what a lot of people do. They want to get things going. "Let's get the building up; let's start the framing, you know." And they haven't taken the time to lay a solid foundation. And when the storm comes, the house is destroyed. So take time, lay a foundation. If God is calling you, God is not in a hurry. We are the ones that are in a hurry, and God wants to prepare those instruments that He will use for His work.

And so while he was there in the wilderness, he increased the more in strength as he came back to Damascus after this three years, he was now a real dynamo for God.

and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ ( Acts 9:22 ).

Again, he had his rich background in their scriptures and he could take their scriptures and by them prove that Jesus is the Messiah. Now that's not a difficult task; it's very simple to take the Old Testament scriptures and to prove that Jesus is the Messiah. But there are none so blind as those who will not see.

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him ( Acts 9:23 ):

Though he proved that Jesus was the Messiah, it only angered them. And so they began to lay in wait for him. But it was told to Saul that they were ready to ambush him, going to kill him.

But they were watching the gates of the city of Damascus day and night ready to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket ( Acts 9:24-25 ).

So he didn't have a very triumphant exodus out of Damascus. A rather ignominious way to leave, over the wall in the basket, escaping from those Jews who were plotting his death. And so it was at this point he came to Jerusalem and first met the apostles.

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join with the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and they believed not that he was a disciple ( Acts 9:26 ).

And this is a tragic thing, how that he was rejected by the church when he first returned to Jerusalem.

But Barnabas ( Acts 9:27 )

Now you remember this man Barnabas. It said that he had a different name, but they called him Barnabas, which means "son of consolation". And here you see why he got his name. Barnabas is a fellow to bring men together.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Hellenists: but they went about to kill him ( Acts 9:27-29 ).

Paul's ministry seemed to have that effect upon people. Everywhere he preached, it ended in either a revival or a riot. And people were moved by what he said one way or another, some adversely and some in a favorable way. But Paul had a way of stirring people.

Now when the brethren knew ( Acts 9:30 ),

That they were planning to kill Paul in Jerusalem. What a way to start your ministry. The first two places you have to leave town quietly because there are those who are plotting against your life.

So when the brethren knew [the plot], they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him forth to Tarsus ( Acts 9:30 ).

Go back home, Paul! And so they sent him back to Tarsus.

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria ( Acts 9:31 ),

I don't know if that rest was too healthy. They got rid of Paul. Well, it meant that their witness wasn't as bold as it was. They began to live more peaceably with those, and I don't know if that is a sign of a healthy church or not. Now Paul stayed at Tarsus for up to ten years. Just how long, we are not certain, but most scholars believe that his going back to Tarsus, he remained in obscurity for ten years more. No doubt they were times in which God was continually pouring into Paul the knowledge of the grace and the goodness of God. But they were silent years as far as Paul's ministry is concerned. The churches had rest throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria,

and were edified; as they walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied ( Acts 9:31 ).

Now we leave Paul at this point and the record goes back now to Peter.

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda ( Acts 9:32 ).

So at this point, Peter decided to go around and to visit the various pockets of believers that had sprung up throughout Judea. And over towards the coast, the area of Lydda, which is the present city of Lot, where the Ben Gurion airport is, is the area where Peter went to visit the Christians there.

And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had been in his bed [had been confined to the bed for] eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: arise, and make your bed. And he arose immediately. And all of those that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord ( Acts 9:33-35 ).

Peter spoke to him the word of faith and there is power in the spoken word of faith. It's important that we find the balance. There are those who take this teaching and they carry it to extremes, as they would elevate man to the position of sovereignty, "You can have anything you want, all you have to do is to speak it." And they speak of the rhema, the spoken word and the creative power of the spoken word, and so you speak by faith whatever you want. "I want to be a millionaire. I want to drive a Mercedes. I want to have a home on Lido Island. I want..."

And they tell you to speak the words of faith. Visualize what you desire. Visualize yourself driving that little Porsche. See yourself scooting in and out of traffic, visualize it! And then, you know, you're putting these creative forces to work. You can have whatever you want. Did not God say, command ye the works of My hands? And they talk about speaking the word of faith and the visualizing of the things that you want.

This is metaphysics. You find the same things in Napoleon Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich, or The Thirteen Richest Men in Babylon. It's a part of metaphysics and it is something that there is creative power in the subconscious. And so by visualizing and by putting up your goals and by declaring your goals over and over, you're planting these things in the area of the subconscious and the subconscious then begins then to develop schemes and devise methods whereby these things might become a reality and you're using the vast powers of the subconscious.

Of course, the spiritual writers will say you're using the vast powers of the spirit, the fourth dimension, and you're putting that power to work. But it works without the spirit; it works for men of the world who want to follow these principles. And you'll find many, many men who will testify that their tremendous success in business and all is attributable to Napoleon Hill's concepts in metaphysics in Think and Grow Rich. The same principles exactly.

Now, because of that, there is a tendency for us to have a backlash against that. Because it is such dangerous heresy, we are prone to back away, and that's wrong. But we're prone to back away from what God is wanting to do, from stepping out in faith and from declaring a word of faith. Now I am certain that before Peter said this to Eneas that the Lord spoke to Peter's heart to say it.

You remember when Paul was at Lystra, he perceived that this lame man over here had the faith to be healed, and he said, "Brother, Jesus Christ makes you whole. Stand up and walk." And the man who was lame for forty years stood up and walked because Paul spoke the word of faith to him. But before Paul spoke the word of faith, the Spirit had already revealed to Paul what the Spirit was wanting to do.

I do not direct the works of God, nor should I ever seek to be in that position of directing God's works. They are God's works; they always begin with Him. It is important that I recognize what God is doing. It is important that I recognize the work of God. And herein is the real key. And so yes, there may be times when the Lord would have us to speak a word of faith to someone and have them act upon that word of faith.

Jesus often did that. Be strong! And I'd like to speak that word of faith to you tonight. Be delivered! Be set free! Live a life of victory in Jesus! Now you can take those as words of faith and say, "Yes, Lord, I will be strong. Yes, Lord, I will have victory. Yes, Lord, I will stop it." And they can be a word of faith that you will act upon and you will find victory, you'll find strength, you'll find God working in a dynamic way within your life. The work of God will be done and the word of faith is important.

It's wrong, though, to carry it to the extremes that these men carry it to today. So there's a balance. And so often, because were are striking out against some of the fanaticism, that oftentimes accompanies these things, people will then say, "Oh, Chuck said that's wrong, you shouldn't do that," but yet there is the balance there and it is important that we maintain the balance. Yes, God does work today. Yes, God will work today. Yes, there is power through faith. Yes, we can see the work of God accomplished in the lives of people, and yes, we can speak the word of faith to them.

And it's important that we do, but it's also important that we don't become extremists and just go around and try to run the universe. Like, suddenly I've found a new dimension of power and now I'm in control and now this is the way I want things done and God, over there, quick! And I take away from that sovereignty and that sovereign work of God by, I'm in command now and I'm going to demand what's going on. It's so easy to get on power trips, and you've got to be careful about that because there's something within us that likes power. And I like to feel that sense of power, and it's so easy to get exalted on a power trip.

I was reading where the god Thor, that north god, when he first discovered his power was so excited. He just jumped on his horse and he began to ride across the skies on his horse pointing down at the earth, because as he pointed, he could cause the lightning to come off the edge of his finger and flash across the earth. And he's discovered this great power he had of casting these thunderbolts and these flashes of lightning. So he was just riding all over the earth, throwing down the thunderbolts, causing the flashes of lightning. He spent the whole day riding his horse through the skies throwing his thunderbolts all over the world. As he got back to the north country, with this sense of power, he cried, "I'm Thor!" and his horse turned around and said, "Well, why didn't you use a saddle, silly!" So be careful of the power trips.

Peter did speak the word of faith, and we can speak the word of faith and we can see the power of speaking the word of faith. There is a legitimate concept here that we can use; we just shouldn't take it to extremes. So as the result of the healing of Eneas, people all over the area, the Sharon valley there, in seeing this man who had been informed for eight years, healed, they believed and turned to the Lord.

Now in Joppa [about eight miles away from Lydda] there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas ( Acts 9:36 ):

The name means a gazelle, graceful, beautiful.

this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and she died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And inasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa [only eight miles], and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them ( Acts 9:36-39 ).

So here she was making things for the poor, a very marvelous, beautiful woman.

But Peter put them all foRuth ( Acts 9:40 ),

He probably took a page out of the life of Jesus, for he was there when Jairus had come to Jesus concerning his daughter. And as Jesus was on His way to Jairus' house, the servants came and said, "Don't trouble the master any further; your daughter is dead." And so Jesus said to him, "Don't be afraid, don't panic; she's only sleeping." And so when they came to the house, all of the mourners were already gathered and they were wailing and mourning over the death of this little twelve-year-old girl, the daughter of Jairus. And Jesus said, "She's not dead; she's only asleep." And they laughed Him to scorn; they mocked Him. And so He put them all forth, He said, "Get out." And he brought in Peter and John, the inner circle. Then He said unto her, "Talitha, little girl, arise." And she sat up and looked around, and Jesus took her by the hand and led her out to the parents and said, "You might give her something to eat."

But Peter had seen the Lord put away those of unbelief and doubt. And so Peter, because these people were all just, though they were perhaps Christians, they were yet just all into the mourning over her death. "Look at the beautiful things she made. Oh, she was such a wonderful person and all." Peter just put them forth. Probably also, what he was going to do was so bizarre, that in case nothing happened, he didn't want to be embarrassed. I would have done that.

So Peter put them all forth, and he kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body said, Tabitha, come ( Acts 9:40 ).

Now he called her by her name Tabitha, and notice how close it is to what Jesus called the little girl, Talitha. Tabitha, come, arise. Now he's talking to a dead person, a corpse that is there. And that is rather bizarre talking to a corpse. But he knelt down and prayed, and then he turned and said, "Tabitha, arise."

And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. And it was known throughout all of Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon the tanner ( Acts 9:40-43 ).

Now we are reminded of the words of Jesus in the fourteenth chapter of the gospel of John, when He said to His disciples, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it" ( John 14:12-14 ).

So here's Peter doing the same kind of works that Jesus did. And here is a notable, remarkable miracle of the raising from the dead of this blessed saint there in the church in Joppa, Dorcas, who God brought back from death. So we see the power still existing there in the early church. And that is, of course, one of the marks of the early church, that dynamic power of the Holy Spirit working in and through the church.

Should we assume that God no longer works in such dynamic ways? I think that it is wrong to make that assumption. I think that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I do not believe that we should fault God for the lack of power in the church. I think that we should fault the church, fault ourselves. I believe that this power is still available today. I believe in the power of God to change lives, to transform lives, to turn people around 180 degrees. I believe in the power of God to raise people out of beds of infirmity, to deliver people from the bondage of things that are destroying them, setting people free. I believe in the power of God to raise the dead. I do not believe that there is any lack with God or with God's ability, or even with God's desire to manifest Himself.

I do feel that the lack is on our side, and I think that as much as anything else, it is the lack of being able to handle all of the notoriety and attention that would be drawn to the person who had this kind of power. I am certain that I could not personally deal with that kind of power and notoriety that would rise from it. I do not trust myself. I'm afraid that I would be lifted up with pride. I'm afraid that I would go out advertising great miracle campaigns and would just not be able to really handle all that would result from having that kind of a ministry.

Now there were years when I fasted and prayed for this kind of power. And I desired to experience this kind of power, and the Lord finally spoke to my heart and said, "I have given you the more excellent way. The path of love." And I ceased praying for the power of miracles. Now, I have seen miracles and who can doubt but what the power of God in changing a person's life, turning them around, is not really the most desirable and greatest miracle that we can see. It would be much better that a person's life be transformed by the power of the Spirit of God from the bondage of sin into a new life in Christ. That is a more important miracle than say, raising the dead, if that person, when he was raised from the dead, would live a wicked life and die in sin. Or if through that miracle you would be lifted up with so much pride that you would become useless to God.

So God's hand is not short, but we just see today more sham than reality in the miracle services. And those who are professing to have the power are men that I wouldn't trust, many times, behind my back. I know them. Now that doesn't mean that we shouldn't seek or desire it still. I don't desire it for myself anymore because God spoke to me about it. But that doesn't mean that maybe God has so worked in your life that He could use you in this way. And if so, I would praise God for it and I would rejoice in the work that God would do through your life. I don't want to be in the position of limiting God and I don't think that should ever be our position. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Now I'm not going to try to get into chapter 10, because there's so much here that we want to cover. It's quite a long chapter and it is an important chapter as it deals with the beginning of the Gospel among the Gentiles. So we'll begin this a week from Sunday night, chapters 10 and 11. Shall we pray.

Father, we thank You tonight for the power of Your Holy Spirit. Lord, we pray for true demonstrations of that power. Touch lives, anoint lives, and use them, Father, to display Your glory through the world. Lord, we offer ourselves to You such as we are tonight. As Paul, we would ask, what would You have us to do, Lord? And we make ourselves available unto You for whatever You might have in mind. Whatever purpose You would have us to fulfill. Lord, You've apprehended us, and when You did, You had in mind a purpose for apprehending us. Help us, Lord, that we might seek to accomplish and to apprehend that for which were apprehended. So guide us, use us, and through us, Lord, bring glory to Thy name and we thank You. Amen. "

Contending for the Faith

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Ananias explains that the reputation of Saul has preceded him. Ananias knows of the havoc caused by Saul in Jerusalem, and he also knows Saul is coming to Damascus to continue his relentless pursuit of Christians. The hesitancy of Ananias to face Saul is certainly understandable.

It is notable that Ananias uses the word "saints" in reference to Christians. This is the first time this term is used in the New Testament to indicate Christians; but because Ananias uses the word, it must have already acquired this general usage. Thayer defines a "saint" as one "set apart for God, to be, as it were exclusively his" (7-1-40).

The expression "all that call on thy name" refers to the faithful followers of Jesus. These followers, through their obedience to the gospel, have acknowledged the authority of Jesus in their lives. Bruce says, "... in practice it denotes Christians, as those who address Jesus as Lord" (199)(see notes on 2:21).

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

1. Saul’s conversion and calling 9:1-19a

Luke recorded the conversion and calling of Saul of Tarsus to demonstrate the supernatural power and sovereign direction of God. Saul’s conversion was one of the most miraculous and significant instances of repentance that took place during the early expansion of the church. His calling to be God’s main missionary to the Gentiles was equally dramatic.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

C. The mission of Saul 9:1-31

The writer focused our attention next on a key figure in the spread of the Christian mission and on significant events in the development of that mission to the Gentiles. Peter’s evangelization of Cornelius (ch. 10) will continue to advance this theme. Luke has given us three portraits of significant individuals in the evangelization of Gentiles: Stephen, Philip, and now, climactically, Saul. He stressed that Saul’s conversion and calling to be an apostle to the Gentiles came supernaturally and directly from God, and Saul himself played a passive role in these events. Saul retold the story of his conversion and calling twice in Acts 22, 26 and again in Galatians 1. Its importance in Acts is clear from its repetition. [Note: See Ernst Haenchen, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 327.]

"It cannot be stressed enough that these accounts are summaries and Luke has written them up in his own style and way." [Note: Witherington, p. 309.]

Saul became God’s primary instrument in taking the gospel to the Gentile world.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Saul’s calling from the Lord 9:10-19a

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Ananias wanted to make sure he had heard the Lord correctly since Saul had become infamous for harming believers in Jesus. He had heard of Saul’s reason for visiting Damascus and the authority to extradite that he had received from the chief priests. Ananias referred to the believers in Jerusalem as "saints," set apart ones, the equivalent of those who call on the Lord’s name. This is the first time Luke used the name "saints" for Christians in Acts.

"The Lord’s work is revealed through events that overthrow human expectations. Humans calculate the future on the basis of their normal experience. These calculations leave them unprepared for the appearance of the Overruler, who negates human plans and works the unexpected. This is a problem not only for the rejectors of Jesus but also for the church, which, as our narrative indicates, is led by the Lord into situations beyond its fathoming. The narrator’s sharp sense of God (and the exalted Messiah) as one who surprises appears again in this episode, and the reaction of Ananias (and in Acts 9:26 the Jerusalem disciples) shows that the church, too, has difficulty keeping up with such a God." [Note: Tannehill, 2:117.]

Barclay's Daily Study Bible

Chapter 9

SURRENDER ( Acts 9:1-9 )

9:1-9 But Saul, still breathing out threat and murder to the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters of credit to Damascus, to the synagogues there, so that if he found any of The Way there, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed round about him. He fell on the ground and he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He said, "Who, are you, sir?" He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise; go into the city, and you will be told what to do." His fellow-travellers stood speechless in amazement, because they heard the voice but saw no one. So Saul rose from the ground but when his eyes were opened he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. And for three days he could not see, nor did he eat or drink anything.

In this passage we have the most famous conversion story in history. We must try as far as we can to enter into Paul's mind. When we do, we will see that this is not a sudden conversion but a sudden surrender. Something about Stephen lingered in Paul's mind and would not be banished. How could a bad man die like that? In order to still his insistent doubt Paul plunged into the most violent action possible. First he persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem. This only made matters worse because once again he had to ask himself what secret these simple people had which made them face peril and suffering and loss serene and unafraid. So then, still driving himself on, he went to the Sanhedrin.

The writ of the Sanhedrin ran wherever there were Jews. Paul had heard that certain of the Christians had escaped to Damascus and he asked for letters of credit that he might go to Damascus and extradite them. The journey only made matters worse. It was about 140 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus. The journey would be made on foot and would take about a week. Paul's only companions were the officers of the Sanhedrin, a kind of police force. Because he was a Pharisee, he could have nothing to do with them; so he walked alone; and as he walked he thought, because there was nothing else to do.

The way went through Galilee, and Galilee brought Jesus even more vividly to Paul's mind. The tension in his inner being tightened. So he came near Damascus, one of the oldest cities in the world. Just before Damascus the road climbed Mount Hermon and below lay Damascus, a lovely white city in a green plain, "a handful of pearls in a goblet of emerald." That region had this characteristic phenomenon that when the hot air of the plain met the cold air of the mountain range, violent electrical storms resulted. Just at that moment came such a lightning storm and out of the storm Christ spoke to Paul. In that moment the long battle was over and Paul surrendered to Christ.

So into Damascus he went a changed man. And how changed! He who had intended to enter Damascus like an avenging fury was led by the hand, blind and helpless.

There is all of Christianity in what the Risen Christ said to Paul, "Go into the city, and you will be told what to do." Up to this moment Paul had been doing what he liked, what he thought best, what his will dictated. From this time forward he would be told what to do. The Christian is a man who has ceased to do what he wants to do and who has begun to do what Christ wants him to do.

A CHRISTIAN WELCOME ( Acts 9:10-18 )

9:10-18 There was a disciple in Damascus called Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He said, "Here am I Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called 'Straight'; inquire in Judas' house for a man called Saul, a man from Tarsus. For, look you, he is praying; and he has seen a man called Ananias coming and putting his hands on him so that he may get back his sight." Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man. They have told me all the hurt he has done to the saints at Jerusalem. They have told me too how he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon your name." The Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument for my work. He is chosen to carry my name before peoples and kings and before the sons of Israel. I will tell him all he must suffer for my name's sake." So Ananias went away and came to the house. He put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus who appeared to you in the way on which you were going--has sent me that you may get your sight back and so that you may be filled with the Holy Spirit." Thereupon things like scales fell from his eyes and he got his sight back again. He rose and was baptized; and he took food and his strength increased.

Beyond doubt Ananias is one of the forgotten heroes of the Christian Church. If it be true that the Church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen, it is also true that the Church owes Paul to the brotherliness of Ananias.

To Ananias came a message from God that he must go and help Paul; and he is directed to the street called "Straight." This was a great street that ran straight from the east to the west of 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 sat in their little booths and plied their trade. When that message came to Ananias it must have sounded mad to him. He might well have approached Paul with suspicion, as one doing an unpleasant task; he might well have begun with recriminations; but no; his first words were, "Brother Saul."

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 asked at the last meeting that people should stand up and in a few words say just what the campaign had done for them. A negro girl rose. Not a good speaker, she could only put a few sentences together and 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...that is the very essence of Christianity. In Christ, Paul and Ananias, the men who had been the bitterest enemies, came together as brothers.

WITNESSING FOR CHRIST ( Acts 9:19-22 )

9:19-22 Paul remained with the disciples in Damascus for some time. And immediately he began to preach Jesus in the synagogues, and the burden of his preaching was, "This is the Son of God." Everyone who heard him was astonished and kept saying, "Is not this the man who at Jerusalem sacked those who call on this name? He came here too to bring them bound to the chief priests." But Saul's power grew ever greater, and he confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, by proving that this is God's Anointed One.

This is Luke's account of what happened to Paul after his conversion. If we want to have the chronology of the whole period in our minds we must also read Paul's own account of the matter in Galatians 1:15-24. When we put the two accounts together we find that the chain of events runs like this. (i) Saul is converted on the Damascus Road. (ii) He preaches in Damascus. (iii) He goes away to Arabia ( Galatians 1:17). (iv) He returns and preaches in Damascus for a period of three years ( Galatians 1:18). (v) He goes to Jerusalem. (vi) He escapes from Jerusalem to Caesarea. (vii) He returns to the regions of Syria and Cilicia ( Galatians 1:21). So we see that Paul began by doing two things.

(i) He immediately bore his witness in Damascus. In Damascus there were many Jews and consequently there would be many synagogues. It was in these Damascus synagogues that Paul first lifted up his voice for Christ. That was an act of the greatest moral courage. It was to these very synagogues that Paul had received his letters of credit as an official agent of the Jewish faith and of the Sanhedrin. It would have been very much easier to begin his Christian witness somewhere where he was not known and where his past did not stand against him. Paul is saying, "I am a changed man and I am determined that those who know me best should know it." Already he is proclaiming, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ."

(ii) The second thing he did is not mentioned by Luke at all--he went to Arabia ( Galatians 1:17). Into Paul's life had come a shattering change and for a time he had to be alone with God. Before him stretched a different life and he needed two things: guidance for a way that was totally strange and strength for an almost overwhelming task that had been given to him. He went to God for both.

ESCAPING BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH ( Acts 9:23-25 )

9:23-25 After some time the Jews formed a plot to murder him; but Saul was informed of their plot. Night and day they kept continuous watch on the gates to murder him. But the disciples took him by night and, by way of the wall, let him down in a basket.

This is a vivid example of how much a few words in the biblical narrative may imply. Luke says that after some time in Damascus these things happened. The period dismissed in that passing phrase was no less than three years ( Galatians 1:18). For three years Paul worked and preached in Damascus and the Jews were so determined to kill him that they even set a guard on the gates lest he should escape them. But the ancient cities were walled cities and the walls were often wide enough for a chariot to be driven round the top of them. On these walls there were houses whose windows often projected over the walls. In the dead of night Paul was taken into one of these houses, let down with ropes in a basket and so smuggled out of Damascus and set on his way to Jerusalem. Paul is only at the gateway of his adventures for Christ but even here he is escaping with his life by the skin of his teeth.

(i) This incident is a witness to Paul's courage. He must have seen the great gathering against him in the synagogues. He knew what had happened to Stephen, he knew what he had intended to do to the Christians and he knew what could happen to him. Clearly Christianity for him was not going to be easy but the whole tone of the incident shows to him who can read between the lines that Paul revelled in these dangers. They gave him a chance to demonstrate his new-found loyalty to that Master whom he had persecuted and whom now he loved.

(ii) It is also a witness to the effectiveness of Paul's preaching. He was so unanswerable that the Jews, helpless in debate, resorted to violence. No one persecutes a man who is ineffective. George Bernard Shaw once said that the biggest compliment you can pay an author is to burn his books. Someone else has said, "A wolf will never attack a painted sheep." Counterfeit Christianity is always safe; real Christianity is always in peril. To suffer persecution is to be paid the greatest of compliments because it is the certain proof that men think we really matter.

REJECTED IN JERUSALEM ( Acts 9:26-31 )

9:26-31 When he arrived in Jerusalem he tried to make contact with the disciples. They were all afraid of him because they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them the story of how, upon the road, he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken with him, and that in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. He went in and out with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Greek-speaking Jews but they tried to murder him. When the brethren got news of this they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem he found himself regarded with the gravest suspicion. How could it be otherwise? It was in that very city that he had made havoc of the Church and had dragged men and women to prison. We have seen how at crucial moments in his career certain people were instrumental in winning Paul for the Church. First, the Church owed Paul to the prayer of Stephen. Then the Church owed Paul to the forgiving spirit of Ananias. Now we see the Church owing Paul to the large-hearted charity of Barnabas. When everyone else was steering clear of him, Barnabas took him by the hand and stood sponsor for him.

By this action Barnabas showed himself to be a really Christian man.

(i) He was a man who insisted on believing the best of others. When others suspected Paul of being a spy, Barnabas insisted on believing that he was genuine. The world is largely divided into those who think the best of others and those who think the worst; and it is one of the curious facts of life that ordinarily we see our own reflection in others and make them what we believe them to be. If we insist on regarding a man with suspicion, we will end by making him do suspicious things. If we insist on believing in a man, we will end by compelling him to justify that belief. As Paul himself said, "Love thinks no evil." No one believed in men as Jesus did and it should be enough for the disciple that he be as his Lord.

(ii) He was a man who never held anyone's past against him. It is so often the case that because a man once made a mistake, he is forever condemned. It is the great characteristic of the heart of God that he has not held our past sins against us; and we should never condemn a man because once he failed.

In this passage we see Paul taking characteristic action; he disputed with the Greek-speaking Jews. Stephen had been one of these Hellenists; and in all probability Paul went to the very synagogues where once he had opposed Stephen in order to witness to the fact that his life was changed.

Here again we see Paul in peril of his life. For him life had become a thing of hairbreadth escapes. Out of Jerusalem he was smuggled to Caesarea and thence to Tarsus. Once again he is following the consistent policy of his life, for he goes back to his native city to tell them that he is a changed man and that the one who changed him is Jesus Christ.

THE ACTS OF PETER ( Acts 9:32-43 )

9:32-43 In the course of a tour of the whole area, Peter came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man called Aeneas who had been bed-ridden for eight years. He was paralysed. So Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Rise and make your bed." At once he stood up and all who lived at Lydda and at Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

For a time Paul has held the centre of the stage; but once again Peter commands the limelight. This passage really follows on from Acts 8:25. It shows Peter in action. But it shows more than that. In the most definite way it shows us the source of Peter's power. When Peter healed Aeneas, he did not say, "I heal you"; he said, "Jesus Christ heals you." Before he spoke to Tabitha--Tabitha ( G5000) is the Hebrew for a gazelle (see tsebiyah, H6646) and Dorcas ( H ) is the Greek for the same word--Peter prayed. It was not his own power on which Peter called; it was the power of Jesus Christ. We think too much of what we can do and too little of what Christ can do through us.

There is one very interesting word in this passage. Twice the Christians at Lydda are called saints ( Acts 9:32; Acts 9:41). The same word is used earlier in the chapter by Ananias to describe the Christians at Jerusalem ( Acts 9:13). This is the word that Paul always uses to describe the church member, for he always writes his letters to the saints that are at such and such a place.

The Greek word is hagios ( G40) and it has far-reaching associations. It is sometimes translated holy but the root meaning of it is different. Basically the Christian is a man who is different from those who are merely people of the world. But wherein does that difference lie? Hagios ( G40) was specially used of the people Israel. They are specifically a holy people, a different people. Their difference lay in the fact that of all nations God had chosen them to do his work. Israel failed in her destiny. She was disobedient and by her actions she lost her privileges. The Church became the true Israel; and the Christians became the people who are different, their difference lying in the fact that they were chosen for the special purposes of God.

So then we who are Christians are not different from others in that we are chosen for greater honour on this earth; we are different in that we are chosen for a greater service. We are saved to serve.

-Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And here he hath authority from the chief priests,.... His fury and madness against the saints did not stop at Jerusalem, but he had received a commission from the sanhedrim to go to Damascus, where he now was:

to bind all that call on thy name; to take up all such persons and put them in bonds, and carry them bound to Jerusalem, whom he should find either praying to Christ, as God, as the first Christians used to do, and which is no inconsiderable proof of the deity of Christ; or professing the name of Christ, or were called by it.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.   11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,   12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.   13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:   14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.   15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:   16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.   17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.   18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.   19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.   20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.   21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?   22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

      As for God, his work is perfect; if he begin, he will make an end: a good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet, in that word, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any that were brought to that. Though Saul was sadly mortified when he lay three days blind, yet he was not abandoned. Christ here takes care of the work of his own hands. He that hath torn will heal--that hath smitten will bind up--that hath convinced will comfort.

      I. Ananias is here ordered to go and look after him, to heal and help him; for he that causeth grief will have compassion.

      1. The person employed is Ananias, a certain disciple at Damascus, not lately driven thither from Jerusalem, but a native of Damascus; for it is said (Acts 22:12; Acts 22:12) that he had a good report of all the Jews who dwelt there, as a devout man according to the law; he had lately embraced the gospel, and given up his name to Christ, and, as it should seem, officiated as a minister, at least pro hac vice--on this occasion, though it does not appear that he was apostolically ordained. But why were not some of the apostles from Jerusalem sent for upon this great occasion, or Philip the evangelist, who had lately baptized the eunuch, and might have been fetched hither by the Spirit in a little time? Surely, because Christ would employ variety of hands in eminent services, that the honours might not be monopolized nor engrossed by a few--because he would put work into the hands, and thereby put honour upon the heads, of those that were mean and obscure, to encourage them--and because he would direct us to make much of the ministers that are where our lot is cast, if they have ordained mercy to be faithful, though they are not of the most eminent.

      2. The direction given him is to go and enquire at such a house, probably an inn, for one Saul of Tarsus. Christ, in a vision, called to Ananias by name, Acts 9:10; Acts 9:10. It is probable it was not the first time that he had heard the words of God, and seen the visions of the Almighty; for, without terror or confusion, he readily answers, "Behold I am here, Lord, ready to go wherever thou sendest me, and to do whatever thou biddest me." Go then, saith Christ, into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas (where strangers used to lodge) for one called Saul of Tarsus. Note, Christ very well knows where to find out those that are his, in their distresses: when their relations, it may be, know not what is become of them, they have a friend in heaven, that knows in what street, in what house, nay, and which is more, in what frame they are: he knows their souls in adversity.

      3. Two reasons are given him why he must go and enquire for this stranger, and offer him his service--

      (1.) Because he prays, and his coming to him must answer his prayer. This is a reason, [1.] Why Ananias needed not to be afraid of him, as we find he was, Acts 9:13; Acts 9:14. There is no question, saith Christ, but he is a true convert, for behold he prayeth. Behold denotes the certainty of it: "Assure thyself it is so; go and see." Christ was so pleased to find Paul praying that he must have others to take notice of it: Rejoice with me, for I have found the sheep which I had lost. It denotes also the strangeness of it: "Behold, and wonder, that he who but the other day breathed nothing but threatenings and slaughter, now breathes nothing but prayer." But was it such a strange thing for Saul to pray? Was he not a Pharisee? and have we not reason to think he did, as the rest of them did, make long prayers in the synagogues and the corners of the streets? Yes; but now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; then he said his prayers, now he prayed them. Note, Regenerating grace ever more sets people on praying; you may as soon find a living man without breath as a living Christian without prayer; if breathless, lifeless; and so, if prayerless, graceless. [2.] As a reason why Ananias must go to him with all speed. It is no time to linger, for behold he prayeth: if the child cry, the tender nurse will hasten to it with the breast. Saul here, like Ephraim, is bemoaning himself, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, and kicking against the goad. "Oh! go to him quickly, and tell him he is a dear son, a pleasant child, and since I spoke against him, for persecuting me, I do earnestly remember him still." Jeremiah 31:18-20. Observe what condition Saul was now in. He was under conviction of sin, trembling and astonished; the setting of sin in order before us should drive us to prayer. He was under a bodily affliction, blind and sick; and, Is any afflicted? Let him pray. Christ had promised him that it should be further told him what he should do (Acts 9:6; Acts 9:6), and he prays that one may be sent to him to instruct him. Note, What God has promised we must pray for; he will for this be enquired of, and particularly for divine instruction.

      (2.) Because he hath seen in a vision such a man coming to him, to restore him to his sight; and Ananias's coming to him must answer his dream, for it was of God (Acts 9:12; Acts 9:12): He hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, and just such a man as thou art, coming in seasonably for his relief, and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight. Now this vision which Paul had may be considered, [1.] As an immediate answer to his prayer, and the keeping up of that communion with God which he had entered into by prayer. He had, in prayer, spread the misery of his own case before God, and God presently manifests himself and the kind intentions of his grace to him; and it is very encouraging to know God's thoughts to us-ward. [2.] As designed to raise his expectations, and to make Ananias's coming more welcome to him. He would readily receive him as a messenger from God when he was told beforehand, in vision, that one of that name would come to him. See what a great thing it is to bring a spiritual physician and his patient together: here were two visions in order to it. When God, in his providence, does it without visions, brings a messenger to the afflicted soul, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness, it must be acknowledged with thankfulness to his praise.

      II. Ananias objects against going to him, and the Lord answers the objection. See how condescendingly the Lord admits his servant to reason with him.

      1. Ananias pleads that this Saul was a notorious persecutor of the disciples of Christ, Acts 9:13; Acts 9:14. (1.) He had been so at Jerusalem: "Lord, I have heard by many of this man, what a malicious enemy he is to the gospel of Christ: all those that were scattered upon the late persecution, many of whom are come to Damascus, tell how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem, that he was the most virulent, violent persecutor of all, and a ringleader in the mischief--what havoc he has made in the church: there was no man they were more afraid of, no, not the high priest himself, than of Saul; nay," (2.) "His errand to Damascus at this time is to persecute us Christians: Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name, to treat the worshippers of Christ as the worst of criminals." Now, why does Ananias object this. Not, "Therefore I do not owe him so much service. Why should I do him a kindness who has done and designed us so much unkindness?" No, Christ has taught us another lesson, to render good for evil, and pray for our persecutors; but if he be such a persecutor of Christians, [1.] Will it be safe for Ananias to go to him? Will he not throw himself like a lamb into the mouth of a lion? And, if he thus bring himself into trouble, he will be blamed for his indiscretion. [2.] Will it be to any purpose to go to him? Can such a hard heart ever be softened, or such an Ethiopian ever change his skin?

      2. Christ overrules the objection (Acts 9:15; Acts 9:16): "Do not tell me how bad he has been, I know it very well; but go thy way with all speed, and give him all the help thou canst, for he is a chosen vessel, or instrument, unto me; I design to put confidence in him, and then thou needest not fear him." He was a vessel in which the gospel-treasure should be lodged, in order to the conveyance of it to many; an earthen vessel (2 Corinthians 4:7), but a chosen vessel. The vessel God uses he himself chooses; and it is fit he should himself have the choosing of the instruments he employs (John 15:16): You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. He is a vessel of honour, and must not be neglected in his present forlorn condition, nor thrown away as a despised broken vessel, or a vessel in which there is no pleasure. He is designed, (1.) For eminent services: He is to bear my name before the Gentiles, is to be the apostle of the Gentiles, and to carry the gospel to heathen nations. Christ's name is the standard to which souls must be gathered, and under which they must be enlisted, and Saul must be a standard-bearer. He must bear Christ's name, must bear witness to it before kings, king Agrippa and Cæsar himself; nay, he must bear it before the children of Israel, though there were so many hands already at work about them. (2.) For eminent sufferings (Acts 9:16; Acts 9:16): I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. He that has been a persecutor shall be himself persecuted. Christ's showing him this intimates either his bringing him to these trials (as Psalms 60:3), Thou hast shown thy people hard things, or his giving notice of them beforehand, that they might be no surprise to him. Note, Those that bear Christ's name must expect to bear the cross for his name; and those that do most for Christ are often called out to suffer most for him. Saul must suffer great things. This, one would think, was a cold comfort for a young convert; but it is only like telling a soldier of a bold and brave spirit, when he is enlisted, that he shall take the field, and enter upon action, shortly. Saul's sufferings for Christ shall redound so much to the honour of Christ and the service of the church, shall be so balanced with spiritual comforts and recompensed with eternal glories, that it is no discouragement to him to be told how great things he must suffer for Christ's name's sake.

      III. Ananias presently goes on Christ's errand to Saul, and with good effect. He had started an objection against going to him, but, when an answer was given to it, he dropped it, and did not insist upon it. When difficulties are removed, what have we to do but to go on with our work, and not hang upon an objection?

      1. Ananias delivered his message to Saul, Acts 9:17; Acts 9:17. Probably he found him in bed, and applied to him as a patient. (1.) He put his hands on him. It was promised, as one of the signs that should follow those that believe, that they should lay hands on the sick, and they should recover (Mark 16:18), and it was for that intent that he put his hands on him. Saul came to lay violent hands upon the disciples at Damascus, but here a disciple lays a helping healing hand upon him. The blood-thirsty hate the upright, but the just seek his soul. (2.) He called him brother, because he was made a partaker of the grace of God, though not yet baptized; and his readiness to own him as a brother intimated to him God's readiness to own him as a son, though he had been a blasphemer of God and a persecutor of his children. (3.) He produces his commission from the same hand that had laid hold on him by the way, and now had him in custody. "That same Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, and convinced thee of thy sin in persecuting him, has now sent me to thee to comfort thee." Una eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit--The hand that wounded heals. "His light struck thee blind, but he hath sent me to thee that thou mightest receive thy sight; for the design was not to blind thine eyes, but to dazzle them, that thou mightest see things by another light: he that then put clay upon thine eyes hath sent me to wash them, that they may be cured." Ananias might deliver his message to Saul very appositely in the prophet's words (Hosea 6:1; Hosea 6:2): Come and turn to the Lord, for he hath torn and he will heal thee; he hath smitten, and he will bind thee up; now after two days he will revive thee, and the third day he will raise thee up, and thou shalt live in his sight. Corrosives shall be no more applied, but lenitives. (4.) He assures him that he shall not only have his sight restored, but be filled with the Holy Ghost: he must himself be an apostle, and must in nothing come behind the chief of the apostles, and therefore must receive the Holy Ghost immediately, and not, as others did, by the interposition of the apostles; and Ananias's putting his hands upon him before he was baptized was for the conferring of the Holy Ghost.

      2. Ananias saw the good issue of his mission. (1.) In Christ's favour to Saul. At the word of Ananias, Saul was discharged from his confinement by the restoring of his sight; for Christ's commission to open the prison to those that were bound (Isaiah 61:1) is explained by the giving of sight to the blind, Luke 4:18; Isaiah 42:7. Christ's commission is to open the blind eyes, and to bring out the prisoners from the prison. Saul is delivered from the spirit of bondage by receiving sight (Acts 9:18; Acts 9:18), which was signified by the falling of scales from his eyes; and this immediately, and forthwith: the cure was sudden, to show that it was miraculous. This signified the recovering of him, [1.] From the darkness of his unconverted state. When he persecuted the church of God, and walked in the spirit and way of the Pharisees, he was blind; he saw not the meaning either of the law or of the gospel, Romans 7:9. Christ often told the Pharisees that they were blind, and could not make them sensible of it; they said, We see,John 9:41. Saul is saved from his Pharisaical blindness, by being made sensible of it. Note, Converting grace opens the eyes of the soul, and makes the scales to fall from them (Acts 26:18; Acts 26:18), to open men's eyes, and turn them from darkness to light: this was what Saul was sent among the Gentiles to do, by the preaching of the gospel, and therefore must first experience it in himself. [2.] From the darkness of his present terrors, under the apprehension of guilt upon his conscience, and the wrath of God against him. This filled him with confusion, during those three days he sat in darkness, like Jonah for three days in the belly of hell; but now the scales fell from his eyes, the cloud was scattered, and the Sun of righteousness rose upon his soul, with healing under his wings. (2.) In Saul's subjection to Christ: He was baptized, and thereby submitted to the government of Christ, and cast himself upon the grace of Christ. Thus he was entered into Christ's school, hired into his family, enlisted under his banner, and joined himself to him for better for worse. The point was gained: it is settled; Saul is now a disciple of Christ, not only ceases to oppose him, but devotes himself entirely to his service and honour.

      IV. The good work that was begun in Saul is carried on wonderfully; this new-born Christian, though he seemed as one born out of due time, yet presently comes to maturity.

      1. He received his bodily strength, Acts 9:19; Acts 9:19. He had continued three days fasting, which, with the mighty weight that was all that time upon his spirits, had made him very weak; but, when he had received meat, he was strengthened,Acts 9:19; Acts 9:19. The Lord is for the body, and therefore care must be taken of it, to keep it in good plight, that it may be fit to serve the soul in God's service, and that Christ may be magnified in it, Philippians 1:20.

      2. He associated with the disciples that were at Damascus, fell in with them, conversed with them, went to their meetings, and joined in communion with them. He had lately breathed out threatenings and slaughter against them, but now breathes love and affection to them. Now the wolf dwells with the lamb, and the leopard lies down with the kid,Isaiah 11:6. Note, Those that take God for their God take his people for their people. Saul associated with the disciples, because now he saw an amiableness and excellency in them, because he loved them, and found that he improved in knowledge and grace by conversing with them; and thus he made profession of his Christian faith, and openly declared himself a disciple of Christ, by associating with those that were his disciples.

      3. He preached Christ in the synagogues,Acts 9:20; Acts 9:20. To this he had an extraordinary call, and for it an extraordinary qualification, God having immediately revealed his Son to him and in him, that he might preach him, Galatians 1:15; Galatians 1:16. He was so full of Christ himself, that the Spirit within him constrained him to preach him to others, and, like Elihu, to speak that he might be refreshed,Job 32:20. Observe, (1.) Where he preached--in the synagogues of the Jews, for they were to have the first offer made them. The synagogues were their places of concourse; there he met with them together, and there they used to preach against Christ and to punish his disciples, by the same token that Paul himself had punished them oft in every synagogue (Acts 26:11; Acts 26:11), and therefore there he would face the enemies of Christ where they were most daring, and openly profess Christianity where he had most opposed it. (2.) What he preached: He preached Christ. When he began to be a preacher, he fixed this for his principle, which he stuck to ever after: We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord; nothing but Christ, and him crucified. He preached concerning Christ, that he is the Son of God, his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, and with us in him, and not otherwise. (3.) How people were affected with it (Acts 9:21; Acts 9:21): All that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this he that destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and now does he call on this name himself, and persuade others to call upon it, and strengthen the hands of those that do?" Quantum mutatus ab illo--Oh how changed! Is Saul also among the prophets? Nay, did he not come hither for that intent, to seize all the Christians he could find, and bring them bound to the chief priests? Yes, he did. Who would have thought then that he would ever preach Christ as he does? Doubtless this was looked upon by many as a great confirmation of the truth of Christianity, that one who had been such a notorious persecutor of it came, on a sudden, to be such an intelligent, strenuous, and capacious preacher of it. This miracle upon the mind of such a man outshone the miracles upon men's bodies; and giving a man such another heart was more than giving men to speak with other tongues.

      4. He confuted and confounded those that opposed the doctrine of Christ, Acts 9:22; Acts 9:22. He signalized himself, not only in the pulpit, but in the schools, and showed himself supernaturally enabled, not only to preach the truth, but to maintain and defend it when he had preached it. (1.) He increased in strength. He became more intimately acquainted with the gospel of Christ, and his pious affections grew more strong. He grew more bold and daring and resolute in defence of the gospel: He increased the more for the reflections that were cast upon him (Acts 9:21; Acts 9:21), in which his new friends upbraided him as having been a persecutor, and his old friends upbraided him as being now a turncoat; but Saul, instead of being discouraged by the various remarks made upon his conversion, was thereby so much the more emboldened, finding he had enough at hand wherewith to answer the worst they could say to him. (2.) He ran down his antagonists, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus; he silenced them, and shamed them--answered their objections to the satisfaction of all indifferent persons, and pressed them with arguments which they could make no reply to. In all his discourses with the Jews he was still proving that this Jesus is very Christ, is the Christ, the anointed of God, the true Messiah promised to the fathers. He was proving it, symbibazon--affirming it and confirming it, teaching with persuasion. And we have reason to think he was instrumental in converting many to the faith of Christ, and building up the church at Damascus, which he went thither to make havoc of. Thus out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness.