Author: drthomasclothier

^23 “When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, ²⁴ but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, ²⁵ but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket” (Acts 9:23–25 (ESV)

Pastor Burk Parsons writes, “What does it mean to be a real man? According to the standards of our society, a real man is big and strong, bold and brave, confident and competitive. Through the voices of the moguls of media and the movies, young men are taught that a real man is a true stoic — someone who doesn’t show his emotions; he is apathetic about the cares of the world, apathetic to the problems of others, and, especially, apathetic to all things religious. Just about every popular television program, commercial, and cartoon portrays men as infantile, aloof, and ignorant, and if our Hollywood-inoculated culture is accurate in its assessment, then it is certainly appropriate to conclude that any man who would read an article such as this, or for that matter any man who would write an article such as this, is not a real man. Furthermore, if a man is a “man’s man,” he certainly isn’t the type of person who concerns himself with sappy, spiritual things, such as servant-hood, humility, prayer, faith, and love.”

Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul, was indeed such a man of servanthood, humility, prayer, faith and love. However, these characteristics were not displayed in a cultural vacuum, but rather in the experiences of real life.

It was not long after his conversion that Saul, who had been the primary persecutor of Christians in the early church, became the object of the same persecution. The Jews in Damascus, incapable of refuting him, plotted to kill him. They consistently watched the city gates for the opportunity to seize Saul. Day and night the Jews waited for the moment when they could destroy the former destroyer.

Saul became aware of the plot and with the help of his own disciples, he escaped through an opening in the city wall by being lowered down in a basket suitable for hay, straw, or bales of wood. One scholar writes that, “Houses were sometimes built into city walls; Saul’s escape method had biblical precedent (Josh 2:15; 1 Sam 19:12). That he had gained disciples there indicates that he had worked like a Christian rabbi, or teacher, and that he had the requisite training to present himself as such (cf. 22:3).”

In writing to the Corinthians, Paul explained, “³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. ³² At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, ³³ but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands” (2 Corinthians 11:30-33).

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “Paul related his humiliating escape from Damascus (cf. Acts 9:23–25) as the crowning example of the weakness and infirmity in which he boasted (2 Cor. 11:30). The Acts narrative names the hostile Jews as those who sought Paul’s life, whereas Paul here mentioned the governor under the Nabatean Arab king Aretas (9 B.C.–A.D. 40) as the one who sought him. Evidently the Jews stirred up the secular authorities against him, as they were later to do repeatedly in Acts (cf. Acts 13:50; 14:2; 17:13).”

What opportunities have you had to display strength, bravery, boldness and confidence for the sake of the Gospel? What about servant-hood, humility, prayer, faith, and love? When have you displayed those characteristics while in midst of persecution: whether verbal, cultural, or even physical?

Jesus said to His disciples, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Take heart, beloved. Be strengthened in your faith even in the midst of tribulation.

Soli deo Gloria!          

^20 “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” ²¹ And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” ²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.” (Acts 9:20–22)

Following his brief convalescence, Saul immediately began proclaiming, announcing or preaching Jesus as Savior and Lord saying, “He is the Son of God.” The content of Saul’s message was that Jesus Christ is God.

The reaction by all who heard Saul was astonishment. They were beside themselves. They were dumbfounded. This continuous amazement was overwhelming because the people knew that Saul was the man who “made havoc” and tried to destroy the church. They also knew that he had originally come to Damascus for the very purpose of arresting believers and bringing them before the chief priests in Jerusalem for trial and punishment.

However, Saul became increasingly more capable in reasoning from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ, the anointed One from God the Father. At the same time he was becoming more proficient in this endeavor, he was also baffling the Jews who lived in Damascus by biblically proving Jesus was the Christ.

Dr. R.C. Sproul writes that, “His expertise in the Scriptures now subdued and redirected by Jesus’ sovereign Spirit, Saul becomes an unanswerable advocate of Jesus ‘ messianic identity as Stephen (whose martyrdom had pleased Saul) was before him (Acts 6:10).”

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Saul used his theological training to good advantage in pressing home the truth that the Lord Jesus is the Messiah. He had gone to Damascus to persecute the church; he ended up preaching Jesus. What a contrast! What grace! No wonder the Damascus Jews were baffled, bewildered, and confused.”

Saul was becoming God’s instrument for noble purposes. Are you?

Soli deo Gloria!

 

¹⁷ “So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; ¹⁹ and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus” (Acts 9:17-19).

Whatever misgivings Ananias may have had regarding the Lord’s directive for him to go the Judas’ house and minister to Saul of Tarsus, they gave way to obedience. Ananias departed from where he was when the Lord visited him and entered Judas’ house on Straight Street in Damascus (Acts 9:10-11). It was there that Ananias laid his hands on Saul, fulfilling the vision the Lord had given Saul regarding how and when he would regain his eyesight (Acts 9:12).

At that precise moment, Ananias said to Saul, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Take notice of five truths Ananias affirmed in his statement.

First, Ananias called Saul his brother. This is an obvious reference to Saul and Ananias being brothers in Christ. This affirms the truth that Saul was already converted.

Second, Ananias affirmed that the person Saul encountered on the Damascus Road was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. This Jesus who appeared to Saul was the same Jesus who directed Ananias to come to Saul.

Third, Ananias affirmed that Jesus Christ was God. He did so by using the Greek term Lord. This title means master, ruler, and sovereign one.

Fourth, Ananias affirmed that Saul would receive his sight. This demonstrated the Lord’s sovereignty over the circumstances of life. Luke would go on to say that something like a thin layer of skin fell from Saul’s eyes and he regained his eyesight (Acts 9:18).

Fifth, Ananias affirmed that Saul would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit clearly followed Saul’s conversion (cf. 4:8, 31; Eph. 5:18).

Paul recalled that Ananias also said, “The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; ¹⁵ for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:14-16).

Saul immediately followed the Lord in Believer’s Baptism. Following this, he began for the first time in several days to begin eating. This increased his physical strength. Saul would remain for some time with Jesus’ disciples in Damascus.

There have been few conversions as striking as Saul’s. True conversion, however, need not be theatrical to be authentic. Think back upon your conversion. Thank God for justifying you by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.  Consider how or if you have suffered for Him in His service.

Soli deo Gloria!

^13”But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:13–16)

Max Lucado, from his book On the Anvil, writes, “Ah to be your instrument O God, like Paul to the Gentiles, like Phillip to the eunuch, like Jesus to the world, to be your instrument. To be like a scalpel in the gentle hands of a surgeon, healing and mending. To be like the plow in the weathered hands of the farmer, sowing and tendng. To be like a scythe in the sweeping hands of the reaper, gathering and using. To be an instrument for noble purposes. To be honed and tuned, in sync with your will, to be sensitive to your touch. This my God is my prayer, draw me from the fire, form me on your anvil, shape me with your hands, let me be your tool.”

I have always appreciated that prayer from Pastor Lucado. It places the emphasis on serving and ministry squarely where it belongs. Believers are God’s instruments, and not the other way around. Believers are never called to use God for their own purpose and glory. God calls believers so He can use them, for His purpose and for His glory.  

Such was the case with not only Ananias, but also with Saul of Tarsus. God told Ananias that Saul would be, “¹⁵…a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “There was perfect continuity between Paul’s salvation and his service; God chose him to convey his grace to all people (Gal. 1:1; cf. 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11). Paul used this same word four times (Rom. 9:21, 23; 2 Cor. 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:21). Paul began his ministry preaching to Jews (Acts 13:14; 14:1; 17:1, 10; 18:4; 19:8), but his primary calling was to Gentiles (Rom. 11:13; 15:16). God also called him to minister to kings such as Agrippa (Acts 25:23–26:32) and likely Caesar (cf. 25:10–12; 2 Tim. 4:16–17).”

When God calls a sinner unto salvation in Christ, He has a purpose and plan for that individual. They will become God’s servant. He will give them a mission to fulfill. What is your mission? What does God have you doing for His glory? How is God using you as His instrument for noble purposes?

Soli deo Gloria!

^13”But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:13–16)

Have you ever said to the LORD, “Lord, I will go where you want me to go and I will do what you want me to do?” Perhaps you have. I know I have; many times and in many situations.

Perhaps Ananias made that promise also, but we do not know for sure that he did. What we do know about him we have previously examined from Acts 22:12 which says, “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there.” It’s not too much of a stretch to presume that if Ananias was a devout man according to the Law of God, then he would be more than willing to go and to do whatever God wanted of him.

However, Ananias was not too enthusiastic about ministering to Saul of Tarsus, and with good reason. Ananias said to the Lord: “¹³Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name” (Acts 9:13-14). Ananias was more than a little concerned and worried about what the Lord wanted him to do and where Jesus wanted him to go.

Yet the Lord had a ready response. He always does. Jesus said to Ananias, “¹⁵Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).

The word “go” (Πορεύου; poreuou) is a present middle imperative verb. This means that Jesus gave Ananias a personal command that he was personally expected to obey. There would be no negotiations or compromises. What Jesus wanted from Ananias was obedience, plain and simple. This, as we shall soon see, is what Jesus would want from Saul. This is what Jesus wants from believers today.

Are there any areas of your life in which you struggle being obedient unto the Lord? I’m sure you do. I know that I do. Every believer struggles to some extent with obedience and correspondingly with disobedience before God, which is sin.

Pray that God will give you a willing heart to be obedient to Jesus. May your commitment to obedience be evident in being willing, ready and able to go where the Lord wants you to go and to do what the Lord wants you to do.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

¹⁰ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” (Acts 9:10–12)

It amazes me that the LORD can take people from various backgrounds in life and unite them in Christ. It also amazes me that God can take mortal enemies and make them more than friends, but brothers in Christ. Such was the case with Saul and Ananias.

Ananias was one of Jesus’ disciples who lived in Damascus. Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Saul’s targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. Instead, he became the first believer to minister to Saul.

The Lord Jesus appeared to Ananias in a vision. A vision, in this context, was a supernatural sight from God. Like Saul on the Damascus Road, Ananias immediately knew it was the Lord Jesus who appeared to him. Ananias responded, “Here I am, Lord.”  

Jesus answered and said, ““Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

Years later, the Apostle Paul would say that Ananias was, “a devout man according to the law, well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, (in Damascus)” (Acts 22:12). Ananias was God-fearing and reverent according to the Word of God. He also had a good reputation with the Jews who lived in Damascus.

God gave Ananias the responsibility and privilege of laying hands upon Saul in order for this new convert to receive back his physical eyesight. What was Ananias’ initial response to this directive from Jesus? We’ll examine the answer to this question when next we meet.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

^6” But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” (Acts 9:6–9)

Following this initial encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus then commanded Saul to get up and go to Damascus. This newly converted man, who knew exactly what he was going to do in the Syrian capital moments before, now had new orders. Jesus instructed Saul that once he arrived in Damascus, he would be told what he would be responsible to do.

Luke then provides the reader with further information about this scene. The other men who were with Saul stood speechless. They heard the Lord’s voice but did not see anyone. While the others heard a sound, they did not understand what Jesus had said to Saul.

Acts 22:6-9 says, ⁶ “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. ⁷ And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ ⁸ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ ⁹ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.”

Saul got up but was now blind. Moments before, Saul could physically see but was spiritually blind. Now, he could spiritually see but was physically blinded by the brilliant brightness of the glory of God. In the Scriptures, God sometimes struck people with blindness either to prevent them from sinning or to get their attention (Genesis 19:11; 2 Kings 6:15-20).

Acts 22:10-11 says, “¹⁰ And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ ¹¹ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.”

Saul’s companions led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. While there, he remained blind and did not eat or drink for three days. One commentator writes, “Three days was not uncommon for a fast; but without water one would become dehydrated, and to continue without water would eventually lead to death. New Testament examples usually conjoin fasting with prayer, but fasting was commonly an expression of mourning or repentance. According to this narrative, Saul does not change religions; he learns the true way to follow his Jewish religion.”

Saul intended to bring judgment upon the followers of Jesus. He had been a man void of grace. Now, instead of the judgment of God he rightly deserved, Saul received the grace of God which he ill deserved.

Author Jerry Bridges writes, “What turned a once proud Pharisee into a humble apostle of Christ? It was Paul’s understanding of the grace of God. He understood God’s grace to be more than undeserved favor. He saw himself not just undeserving but ill deserving. He knew that in himself, apart from Christ, he fully deserved the wrath of God. Instead, he had been made a herald of the message he once tried to destroy. That is why he followed his assessment as the least of the apostles by the statement “but by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). That is why he would say, “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given” (Ephesians 3:8). He saw himself as a prime example of the grace of God, and his theology of grace produced his humility.”

More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. ⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:1-5).

“Paul’s conversion on the Damascus Road also represented his calling to serve as a missionary to the nations. The Lord made it clear when Paul was converted that he was “a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul’s role as a missionary is captured by the words Jesus spoke to him on the Damascus Road according to Acts 26:18: “…to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Paul was God’s chosen instrument to bring God’s saving message to the ends of the earth.” Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner, professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lousiville, KY.

The region of Damascus, Syria is a barren and dessert land. There is little to see because it is a desolate wilderness. As Saul approached the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. On two separate occasions, Paul recollected this event.

Acts 22:6 says, “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.”

 Acts 26:12-13 says, “¹²  In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. ¹³ At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.”

At the noon hour, the sun is at its apex and is blindingly bright. However, the greater light which shone around Saul was brighter than the noon day sun. At this moment, Saul fell to the ground.

It was then that he also heard a voice speaking to him which said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The voice repeated Saul’s name for emphasis. Saul responded and said, “Who are you, Lord.?” The answer was clear and direct. ““I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Acts 22:7-8 says, “⁷ And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ ⁸ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.”

Acts 26:14-15 says, “¹⁴ And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ ¹⁵ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”

The phrase, “‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads,” is only found in Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa. One commentator writes, “Kicking against the goads” was a Greek proverb about fighting a god, possibly originating with the classical Greek playwright Euripides. It is not cited in the other accounts of Paul’s conversion, but it is appropriate in an address to Agrippa, who had an ample Greek education.”

Saul believed he was serving the Lord in persecuting followers of Jesus Christ. The irony was that the Lord who he believed he was serving was the very Lord who he was persecuting. It was also true that Saul was hurting himself as he additionally persecuted the Lord.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “The question, Why do you persecute Me? (cf. Acts 9:5) is filled with significance for it shows the union of Christ with His church. The Lord did not ask, “Why do you persecute My church?” The reference to “Me” gave Saul his first glimpse into the great doctrine of Christians being in Christ. This same truth was implied earlier by Luke when he wrote that the Lord continues His work on earth in the church (1:1). Also, Ananias’ lie to Peter was a lie to the Holy Spirit (5:3). Luke, with Paul, saw Christ and the church as the Head and its body.”

It was at this moment that the legalistic Saul of Tarsus was justified by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. He no longer seeking acceptance before God by his legalistic good works, but rather he became a sinner saved by the grace of God who would now begin living by his good works of gratitude unto the Lord.

As Paul personally shared in Philippians 3:5-9,  “…circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”

More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. ⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:1-5)

The beginning of Acts 9 must be understood in the light of the preceding context of Acts 8:40 which says, “But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.” The faithful preaching ministry of Philip on behalf of the gospel is in direct contrast to the murderous persecution waged by Saul against the gospel. No two men could have been more different but at the same time very similar.

Phillip was one of the original seven deacons chosen by the early church to ensure that the practical and physical needs of the Hellenistic widows were being met (Acts 6:1-2). Along with Stephen, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Pharmenos, and Nicolaus, Phillip was a man full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom (Acts 6:3-6). Phillip’s ministry included proclaiming the gospel in Samaria and then not only explaining the gospel to the Ethiopian Eunuch but also baptizing him (Acts 8:1-39).

In contrast, Saul was ravaging the church (Acts 8:3). The word ravaging (ἐλυμαίνετο; elymaineto) means to severely injure and to cause great harm to someone. The grammar indicates that Saul did this personally, consistently and continually. He also was forcibly dragging people off and actively delivering believers in Christ to prison.

Today’s text says, “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” Apparently, Damascus had a large population of Jews, including Hellenist believers in Christ, who fled Jerusalem because of Saul’s initial persecution (Acts 8:2).

Acts 9:1 begins with the statement that Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. In this context, the word breathing (ἐμπνέων; empneon) is a euphemism, or synonym, meaning to strongly threaten and or to make firm threats. This was done to the point of, and including, murder. How ironic it is that Saul, who was seemingly so devoted to the Old Testament, perceived it to be appropriate to violate one the Lord’s most familiar commands: “Thou shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13).

At this moment in time, the church and believers were known as belonging to the Way. This description occurs several times in Luke’s account of the early church (Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Dr. John MacArthur comments that, “This is an appropriate title because Christianity is the way of God (Acts 18:26), the way into the holy places (Hebrews 10:19-20), and the way of truth (John 14:6; 2 Peter 2:1-2).”

People may wonder how Phillip and Saul were similar? First, they were committed men. Second, they were passionate men. Third, they were men who took their passionate commitment beyond the City of Jerusalem and the confines of their Jewish religious culture. Phillip would venture into Samaria while Saul was ready, willing and able to travel to Damascus, the capital of Syria, located 160 miles northeast of Jerusalem.

However, while Phillip was obediently serving the Lord, Saul was mistakenly in conflict with the same Lord. That was all about to change.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

“Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of his execution” (Acts 7:58-8:1a).

“We must not forget that as we study the life of the man they called Paul, we must brace ourselves for some rather gruesome surprises. The first pen portrait of Paul (whom we first meet as Saul of Tarsus) is both brutal and bloody. If an artist were to render it with brush and oils, not one of us would want it hung framed in our living room. The man looks more like a terrorist than a devout follower of Judaism. To our horror, the blood of the first martyr splattered across Saul’s clothes while he stood nodding in agreement, an accomplice to a vicious crime.  The better we understand the apostle Paul’s dark past, the more we grasp his gratitude for grace.”  — Charles R. Swindoll

When we first meet the man who would become known as the Apostle Paul, he is identified by Luke the historian as a young man named Saul. He is complicit in the stoning and martyrdom of an early church deacon named Stephen (Acts 6:1-7). Beyond this brief statement, what else do we know of Saul’s birth and youth?

According to Acts 9:11, 21:39 and 22:1-3, Saul was Jewish born in the city of Tarsus, an important city in Cilicia. Cilicia is still located in southern Turkey, extending inland from the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea. Tarsus is also approximately 1,100 miles from Jerusalem.

Tarsus’ ancient traditions and position in the Roman Empire justified the pride with which Paul claimed to be “a citizen of no mean city” (Acts 21:39). As one historian writes, “It is probable that his (Saul’s) forefathers had been among the Jews settled at Tarsus by Antiochus Epiphanes, who, without sacrificing nationality or religion, became citizens of a community organized after the Greek model. On what occasion and for what service Roman civitas (citizenship) had been conferred on one of Paul’s ancestors we cannot say; this only we know, that before his birth his father had possessed the coveted privilege (Acts 16:16:35-40; 22:22-29).”

In writing to the Philippian Church, Paul shared some autobiographical and pre-conversion information about himself. “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:4-6).

From this brief self-description, we may glean the following facts. First, Saul was circumcised according to the Old Testament Law (Genesis 17:12). Second, he belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1). Perhaps, this explains his name because Israel’s King Saul also belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin (I Samuel 9:1-2). Third, he was proud of his Hebrew heritage. He maintained the Hebrew traditions and language. Fourth, he belonged to the religious group known as the Pharisees. The Pharisees were legalistic fundamentalists of Judaism. Saul may have come from a long line of Pharisees (Acts 22:3; 23:6; 26:4-5).

Saul’s/Paul’s use of the Greek language confirms that he was a Hellenistic Jew. Therefore, he was comfortable in the Greco-Roman world. It was in this world and culture that Saul also learned the trade of tent-making (Acts 18:1-3). Following his conversion and later ministry for the gospel, Paul would financially support himself by this trade (I Corinthians 9:6; I Thessalonians 2:9).  

Saul would have been educated in his home, by his father. At about the age of six, he would begin attending the synagogue school. This would be for instruction in the Old Testament Scriptures and the Hebrew language. He learned from the respected Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem. In Acts 22:3, Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.”

Saul of Tarsus was also, in his opinion, blameless as to righteousness under the Old Testament Law. Dr. John MacArthur comments that the righteousness under the law was, “The standard of righteous living advocated by God’s law. Paul outwardly kept this, so that no one could accuse him of violation. Obviously his heart was sinful and self-righteous. He was not an OT believer, but a proud and lost legalist.”

Finally, Saul’s zeal or passion was persecuting the church of Jesus Christ. Zeal, deep and extreme devotion, was the highest, single virtue of the Jewish religion. Zeal is a combination of both love and hate. Saul loved Judaism and therefore hated anything which might be a threat to Judaism (Galatians 1:13, 23; I Corinthians 15:9; I Timothy 1:13).

Acts 6:8-10 says, “⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

If is very possible that Saul was among those who disputed with Stephen. He may have been those who were from Cilicia. It would explain why Saul was present at Stephen’s martyrdom  (Acts 7:58).

Acts 8:1b-3 says, “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. ³ But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

It would be this zealousness which would prompt Saul to pursue and persecute disciples of the Lord Jesus in Damascus, Syria intending to bring them to Jerusalem for trial and imprisonment (Acts 22:4; 26:9-11). His decision to make this trip would forever change his life and the life of the church.

Soli deo Gloria!