Respond in Community

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

Today's Focus

Application

Application answers the question, “How do I respond to Scripture?” Accurate application is grounded in correct observation and interpretation of the text. It is when you move from, “What did this mean for them (the original audience)?” and instead ask, “What does this mean for me today?” It is a step of obedience when the reading of Scripture becomes transformational as we yield to the Spirit’s leadership. Another way to approach application is to prayerfully ask, “How is the Spirit guiding me to respond to what I just read?” Then respond to the Spirit’s leading through action.

Chapter 9

The Conversion of Saul

1 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. 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.

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.” 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.” 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.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Introduction to Acts

Timeline

Author and Date

Acts is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Both were written by Luke, a physician who traveled with the apostle Paul. Acts ends with Paul under house arrest, awaiting trial before Caesar, c. A.D. 62. Many scholars assume Acts was written then because it does not record Paul’s defense, release, and further gospel preaching.

Theme

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to declare the gospel among both Jews and Gentiles. In doing so they establish the church. The church is the fulfillment of God’s promises from the beginning of time.

Purpose

Luke’s purpose for writing his Gospel (see Luke 1:3–4) applies to Acts as well: to give an “orderly” account of the early church after Christ’s resurrection. Dedicating the two-volume work to Theophilus, Luke wanted him to have “certainty” about what he had been taught.

Key Themes

Acts tells of the witness of the early church to the truth of the gospel—a theme first introduced in 1:8:

The witness is worldwide—Judea, Samaria, the “end of the earth” (1:8).
The witness includes all kinds of people (chs. 2–5; 10:1–11:18; 14:8–18; 16:11–15, 25–34; 17:22–31).
God guides the church’s witness (4:5–22; 23:12–22; 24:1–23; 27:21–26).
Faithful witnesses must be prepared to suffer and even die because of their testimony to Christ (5:41–42; 7:54–60).
The Holy Spirit empowers the witness (1:8; 2:1–13; 8:17; 13:2–12; 19:6).
Effective witness demands unity in the church (2:42–47; 4:32–37; 5:12–14).
Jesus’ resurrection is a key part of the witness (1:22; 2:22–36; 17:30–31).
Acceptance of the message depends both on human response and on God’s sovereign will (2:47; 11:18; 13:48).
The witness to the gospel calls for a response (26:27–29). It requires repenting of one’s sins in the name of Christ. This brings forgiveness of sins (e.g., 2:38).
Witnesses must always maintain integrity before the world (18:12–15; 23:29; 25:18; 26:31–32).
Christian witnesses continue the ministry that Christ “began” (1:1).
Faithful witness can bring great results (4:4; 13:48–49; 17:4; 28:30–31).

Outline

Preparation for Witness (1:1–2:13)
The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14–5:42)
The Witness beyond Jerusalem (6:1–12:25)
The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia (13:1–14:28)
The Jerusalem Council (15:1–35)
The Witness in Greece (15:36–18:22)
The Witness in Ephesus (18:23–21:16)
The Arrest in Jerusalem (21:17–23:35)
The Witness in Caesarea (24:1–26:32)
The Witness in Rome (27:1–28:31)

The Setting of Acts

c. A.D. 30–60

The book of Acts records the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome, thus fulfilling the risen Christ’s words to his apostles in Acts 1:8.

The Global Message of Acts

Acts and Redemptive History

The book of Acts begins in Jerusalem, the capital city of the Jews, but ends in Rome, the capital city of the Gentiles. It begins with the ministry of Peter, apostle to the Jews, but ends with the ministry of Paul, apostle to the Gentiles (see Gal. 2:7–8; 1 Tim. 2:7). The direction of Acts is one of ever-expanding global reach.

Acts 1:8 sums up the global significance of the book of Acts: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Reversing the Curse of Babel

In Genesis 11 the pride of mankind led to the building of the tower of Babel. But God brought low mankind’s arrogance. He scattered the human race throughout the earth and gave different languages to different people groups, preventing a second attempt at a unified monument to human pride like Babel.

In Acts 2, the curse of Babel is reversed. Instead of one language becoming many, many languages become one. As travelers from distant lands descend on Jerusalem at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit falls on the disciples and they speak in tongues, “and at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6). With the pouring out of the Spirit right after Christ’s ascension, God was beginning to undo the effects of sin. Indeed, Peter said that Pentecost was the beginning of the “last days” predicted by Joel (Acts 2:16–21). The gospel’s global reach is thus beautifully depicted in the events of Acts 2.

To the End of the Earth

The rest of Acts then describes the ongoing spread of the gospel outward from Jerusalem. This is in fulfillment of the ancient promises to Abraham (soon after Babel) that in him all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:1–3). The first seven chapters of Acts show the gospel spreading in Jerusalem. Chapters 8–9 describe its spread to the surrounding regions. Chapters 10–28 show the gospel going to the end of the earth, to Rome itself. In this way Acts 1:8 becomes an outline of the whole book of Acts.

Even the final verse of Acts records the unstoppable spread of the gospel: Paul was “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (28:31).

The end of the Bible completes the global explosion of the gospel that begins in Acts. In Revelation 5 John sees twenty-four elders fall down before the Lamb and sing,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll

    and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

    from every tribe and language and people and nation,

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

    and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9–10; compare 7:9)

Universal Themes in Acts

The global reach of the gospel. In Acts God calls his people, led by the apostles, to be witnesses of Jesus “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In chapter 2, Luke makes a deliberate point of recording the various nations represented at Pentecost in Jerusalem—“Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Lybia belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians” (2:9–11). This is a remarkably comprehensive list of nations that covers virtually the entire Roman Empire and thus the whole known world of the time. Acts shows us God’s determination to bring his blessings to every corner of the cosmos.

The welcome of all kinds of people into the family of God. Not only does the gospel reach to all the corners of the earth in Acts, it also reaches to all kinds of people—an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26–40), a Roman centurion (10:1–48), lame men (3:1–10; 14:8–10), a merchant woman (16:11–15), a Philippian jailer (16:25–34), members of the religious elite in Athens (17:34), and magicians and sorcerers (19:18–19). In his great grace, God welcomes all kinds of people into his family.

The sovereignty of God in all things. As much as any book in the Bible, Acts lifts up the sovereign rule of God over everything in both life and salvation. This sovereignty extends to every square inch of the globe and is a deep comfort for Christians everywhere. Acts shows us God’s sovereignty in appointing men and women to eternal life (Acts 2:39, 41, 47; 5:14; 11:24; 13:48), in granting faith and repentance (3:16; 5:31; 11:18; 15:8–9; 16:14; 18:27), and even in the cruel cross of Christ (2:23–24; 3:18; 4:27–28). All things, even acts of great evil, are ultimately governed by the wise hand of God, yet never in such a way that he himself could be accused of wrongdoing (see James 1:13–14, 17).

The Global Message of Acts for Today

Word and deed. Throughout Acts, ministry involves both word and deed, both speaking and doing, both preaching and serving. Miraculous acts of healing, for example, were “signs and wonders” that pointed to the life-changing power of the gospel. In Acts 14:3, we are told that Paul and Barnabas were “speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” Christians sometimes emphasize either word or deed to the neglect of the other. The New Testament teaches us to make God’s Word our first priority in ministry (1 Cor. 1:22–23), yet the gospel must be clothed in love and good deeds, lest we “unsay” with our actions what we say with our lips (1 John 3:18).

Christian generosity with one another. The church is called to be kind and generous to all those made in God’s image. Yet believers are to show special kindness to one another (Gal. 6:10). We see this beautifully in Acts, as believers share possessions in common with one another in a bold sacrifice of love (Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–37). As Christ poured his life out in self-giving compassion for us when we were in need, so we give of ourselves to others who are in need.

The power of the Holy Spirit. The worldwide mission of the church began only when the Holy Spirit came upon God’s people (Acts 1:8; compare Luke 24:49). In a day when the Spirit is often the most neglected person of the Trinity, especially in the Christian West, the global church must learn from Acts to treasure the Spirit and his presence and power. Acts declares to the church today that it is by the power of the Spirit that the gospel will go forth to the end of the earth. This is humbling to human pride, yet it is also our great hope. Evangelistic effectiveness does not depend ultimately on human cleverness and sophisticated strategies. Global fruitfulness comes as weak Christians depend on the Spirit and look to him for strength.

Luke Fact #1: Who wrote Luke?

Fact: Who wrote Luke?

Who wrote Luke? Luke wrote both this Gospel account and Acts. He probably traveled with Paul and participated in his ministry (see Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24). Luke was also a physician (Col. 4:14).

Acts Fact #1: Acts

Fact: Acts

Acts is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Its main purpose is to record a selective history of the early church after Christ’s resurrection and ascension. Both books are dedicated to a man named Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1) and written by Luke.

Acts Fact #6: The speeches in Acts

Fact: The speeches in Acts

The speeches in Acts are an important part of Luke’s historical account. They make up nearly a third of the book. Ten of these are extended speeches: three by Peter, one by Stephen, and six by Paul.

Acts Fact #9: Ananias

Fact: Ananias

Ananias. There are three different men named Ananias in the book of Acts (see 5:1; 9:10; 24:1). The Ananias who was apparently the first believer to welcome Paul after his conversion is a positive example of obedience to the Lord (9:10–19).

Acts Fact #23: What is “the Way?”

Fact: What is “the Way?”

What is “the Way?” In Acts, “the Way” appears six times (9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). People who belonged to the Way were followers of Christ. It means the way of salvation (16:17) and/or the true way of life in relation to God (see 18:25–26).

Acts Fact #26: What happens next?

Fact: What happens next?

What happens next? Acts ends with Paul serving Christ from within a Roman prison. During this time, he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. According to the church historian Eusebius, Paul was released, then arrested a second time, and eventually martyred in Rome.

Ephesians Fact #3: Visions

Fact: Visions

The apostle Paul received special visions from God (see Acts 22:17–21; 2 Cor. 12:1–7; Gal. 2:2). In his first vision, he saw the Lord Jesus (Acts 9:1–7). One of the mysteries God later revealed in a vision was that the gospel was for both Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 3:6).

Acts Fact #8: A famous hometown

Fact: A famous hometown

A famous hometown. Paul said that his hometown of Tarsus (9:11) was “no obscure city” (21:39). It had been known for years as a center of learning and in Paul’s day was the capital city of the Roman province of Cilicia. One of its claims to fame was as the site of the first meeting between Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

The Setting of 1 Timothy

c. A.D. 62–64

Paul likely wrote 1 Timothy during a fourth missionary journey not recorded in the book of Acts. Writing from an unknown location, Paul wrote to Timothy at Ephesus to instruct him on how to lead the church there. Ephesus was a wealthy and highly influential port city in the Roman province of Asia, renowned for its temple of Artemis (Diana).

The Setting of 2 Timothy

c. A.D. 64–67

Paul probably wrote 2 Timothy during a second imprisonment in Rome following a fourth missionary journey that is not recorded in Acts. Expecting that death would come soon, Paul wrote this “farewell” letter to Timothy, who was at Ephesus, urging him to stand firm and asking him to come for one final visit.

The Setting of Titus

c. A.D. 62–64

Paul likely wrote Titus during a fourth missionary journey not recorded in the book of Acts. Writing from an unknown location, he instructed Titus in how to lead the churches on the island of Crete. The churches there had apparently been founded by Paul.

New Testament Timeline

The following chart provides a detailed New Testament timeline. Most of the dates can be determined precisely by correlating biblical events with extensive historical documents and archaeological evidence. Dates with an asterisk denote approximate or alternative dates. The extensive external confirmation of New Testament dates and events encourages great confidence in the truth and historicity of both the Old and New Testaments.

5 B.C.*	Jesus is born in Bethlehem.
4 B.C.	Jesus’ family flees to Egypt to escape from Herod’s plan to kill Jesus (Matt. 2:13–18); Herod dies; Judas (of Sepphoris) and others rebel, requiring the Syrian Governor Varus to intervene throughout Palestine; Sepphoris, a city four miles from Nazareth, is destroyed by Roman soldiers; Judea, Samaria, and Idumea are given to Herod’s son, Archelaus; Galilee and Perea are given to his son Antipas; Jesus’ family, after returning from Egypt, resides in Nazareth (Matt. 2:19–23), a small village in southern Galilee.
A.D. 6	Archelaus is exiled for incompetence; Judea becomes a Roman province; Judas the Galilean (of Gamla) leads a revolt against the tax census; the governor of Syria, Quirinius (A.D. 6–7), appoints Annas high priest (6–15).
8*	Jesus (age 12) interacts with the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:41–50).
8*–28/30	Jesus works as a carpenter in Nazareth (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3) and probably in neighboring villages and Sepphoris, which was being rebuilt.
28–29*	John the Baptist begins his ministry around the Jordan River (John 1:19).
28–30*	Jesus begins his ministry in Judea, but soon focuses his efforts in Galilee. In Jerusalem, Pharisees (like Gamaliel) train disciples (like Paul) in their tradition. They send a delegation to Galilee, but the delegation rejects Jesus’ teaching. In Alexandria, Philo (20 B.C.–A.D. 50) attempts to unify Greek philosophy with Hebrew Scripture.
33 (or 30)	Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. James the brother of Jesus becomes a believer after witnessing the resurrected Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 12:17). Jesus ascends to the Father’s right hand (Acts 1). Jesus’ first followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin to proclaim the gospel (Acts 2).
33/34*	Paul witnesses the resurrected Lord on the way to Damascus and is commissioned as an apostle to the nations (Acts 9; Gal. 1:15–16).
34–37	Paul ministers in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:19–22; 26:20; Gal. 1:16–18).
36	Pilate loses his position for incompetence.
36/37*	Paul meets with Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18).
37–45	Paul ministers in Syria, Tarsus, and Cilicia (Acts 9:30; Gal. 1:21).
38*	Peter witnesses to Cornelius (Acts 10).
39	Antipas is exiled.
40–45*	James writes his letter to believers outside Palestine (see James 1:1).
41–44	Agrippa, Herod the Great’s grandson, rules Palestine; he kills James the brother of John (Acts 12:2) and imprisons Peter (Acts 12:3).
42–44	Paul receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7).
44	Peter leaves Jerusalem; Agrippa is killed by an “angel of the Lord” (Acts 12:23).
44–46	Theudas persuades many Jews to sell their possessions and follow him into the wilderness where he claimed he would miraculously divide the Jordan River; Roman procurator Fadus dispatches his cavalry and beheads the would-be messiah.
44–47*	Paul’s Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10).
46–47	Paul’s First Missionary Journey (with Barnabas) from Antioch to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra (Acts 13:4–14:26).
46–48	Roman procurator Tiberius Alexander crucifies two sons (Jacob and Simon) of Judas the Galilean.
48*	Paul writes Galatians, perhaps from Antioch (see Acts 14:26–28).
48–49*	Paul and Peter return to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council, which, with the assistance of James, frees Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision in opposition to Pharisaic believers (Acts 15:1–29); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30) but split over a dispute about John Mark (Acts 15:36–40).
48/49–51*	Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (with Silas) from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, southern Galatia, Macedonia, notably Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea; and then on to Achaia, notably Athens and Corinth (Acts 15:36–18:22).
49	Claudius expels Jews from Rome because of conflicts about Jesus (Acts 18:2); Paul befriends two refugees, Priscilla and Aquila, in Corinth (Acts 18:2–3).
49–51*	Paul writes 1–2 Thessalonians from Corinth (Acts 18:1, 11; also compare Acts 18:5 with 1 Thess. 1:8).
51	Paul appears before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12–17).
50–54*	Peter comes to Rome.
52–57*	Paul’s Third Missionary Journey from Antioch to Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece (Acts 18:23–21:17).
52–55	Paul ministers in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20).
53–55*	Mark writes his Gospel, containing Peter’s memories of Jesus; perhaps within a decade, Matthew publishes his Gospel, which relies on Mark and other sources. Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (Acts 19:10).

54	Claudius dies (edict exiling Jews repealed); Priscilla and Aquila return to Rome and host a church in their home (see Rom. 16:3–5).
54–68	Nero reigns.
55–56*	Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (Acts 20:1, 3; 2 Cor. 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2, 4; see 1 Cor. 16:5).
57*	Paul winters in Corinth and writes Romans (Acts 20:3; see Rom. 16:1–2; also see Rom. 16:23 with 1 Cor. 1:14); travels to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1–16), visits with James the brother of Jesus (Acts 21:17–26), and is arrested (Acts 21:27–36; 22:22–29).
57–59	Paul is imprisoned and transferred to Caesarea (Acts 23:23–24, 33–34).
60	Paul begins voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1–2); he is shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta (Acts 27:39–28:10).
60–70*	Letter to the Hebrews is written.
62	James the brother of the Lord is executed by the Sadducean high priest Ananus.
62–63*	Peter writes his first letter (1 Peter) from Rome (1 Pet. 5:13).
62*	Paul arrives in Rome and remains under house arrest (Acts 28:16–31); he writes Ephesians (see verses for Colossians), Philippians (Phil. 1:7, 13, 17; 4:22), Colossians (Col. 4:3, 10, 18; see Acts 27:2 with Col. 4:10), Philemon (see Philem. 23 with Col. 1:7; Philem. 2 with Col. 4:17; Philem. 24 with Col. 4:10; also see Col. 4:9). Luke, Paul’s physician and companion (see Col. 4:14), writes Luke and Acts.
62–64	Paul is released, extends his mission (probably reaching Spain), writes 1 Timothy from Macedonia (see 1 Tim. 1:3) and Titus from Nicopolis (Titus 3:12); he is rearrested in Rome (2 Tim. 1:16–17).
63–64	Work on the temple complex is completed.
64 (July 19)	Fire in Rome; Nero blames and kills many Christians.
64–67*	Peter writes his second letter ( 2 Peter). Jude writes his letter. Paul writes 2 Timothy (see 2 Tim. 4:6–8). Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome.
66	First Jewish-Roman War begins with a riot between Greeks and Jews at Caesarea; Roman procurator Gesius Florus (A.D. 64–66) is murdered and a Roman garrison wiped out; Menahem, son or grandson of Judas the Galilean, murders the high priest Ananias and seizes control of the temple; Nero dispatches Vespasian with three legions.
67*	Romans destroy the Qumran community, who beforehand hid the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls in nearby caves; the church in Jerusalem flees to Pella (Matt. 24:15–16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20–22); John migrates to Ephesus with Mary, Jesus’ mother.
68	Nero commits suicide; year of the three emperors.
69	Rebellion quelled in Galilee and Samaria; Vespasian summoned back to Rome to become emperor.
70 (Aug. 30)	Titus, Vespasian’s son, after a five-month siege of Jerusalem, destroys the temple after desecrating it; the temple’s menorah, Torah, and veil are removed and later put on display in a victory parade in Rome; the influence of the Sadducees ends; the Pharisee Johanan ben Zakkai escapes and convinces the Romans to allow him and others to settle in Jamnia, where they found a school.
73 (May 2)*	Before Roman general Silva breaches the fortress atop Masada following a two-year siege, 936 Jewish rebels commit suicide.
75	Titus has an affair with the Jewish princess Berenice, sister of Agrippa II (Acts 25:13, 23), whom he later abandons because of the scandal.
77	Pliny the Elder writes Natural History.
77–78	Josephus publishes Jewish War in Rome.
79	Pompeii and Herculaneum are destroyed by eruption of Vesuvius; Pliny the Elder dies attempting to investigate.
81	The Arch of Titus, celebrating his destruction of the temple, is erected in Rome.
81–96	Domitian, Titus’s brother, persecutes Christians among the Roman nobility, including his own relatives Clemens and Domitilla.
85–95*	John writes his letters (1–3 John), probably in Ephesus.
89–95*	John writes his Gospel, probably in Ephesus.
93–94	Josephus publishes Jewish Antiquities in Rome.
94	Domitian exiles philosophers from Rome.
95*	Amidst persecution, Clement, a leader in the Roman church, writes his Letter to the Corinthians (1 Clement) appealing for peace between the young men and elders.
95–96*	Exiled by Domitian to Patmos, John writes Revelation (Rev. 1:9).
96–98	Nerva, the first of five “good” emperors, ends official persecution.

* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or

Parallels in the Ministries of Jesus, Peter, and Paul in Luke–Acts

Luke shows Peter and Paul continuing the ministry of Jesus in the book of Acts. Representative examples are cited on the chart below.

Type of Ministry	Jesus	Peter	Paul
Preaching that the OT is fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah	Luke 4; 24	Acts 2; 3	Acts 13; 17
Casting out unclean spirits	Luke 4:31–37	Acts 5:16	Acts 16:16–18
Healing the lame	Luke 6:6–11	Acts 3:1–10	Acts 14:8–10
Raising the dead	Luke 7:11–17	Acts 9:36–43	Acts 20:7–12
Healing by a touch, a shadow, or cloths	Luke 8:42–48	Acts 5:15	Acts 19:11–12

God’s Sovereignty in Salvation as Seen in Acts

God ordained the cross	God calls, adds, and appoints many to eternal life	God gives faith and repentance; God cleanses and opens hearts
2:23 “Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” 3:18 “what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled” 4:27–28 “there were gathered together . . . Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do whatever your hand . . . had predestined to take place”	2:39 “the promise is to . . . everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself ” 2:41 “there were added that day about three thousand souls” 2:47 “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” 5:14 “believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” 11:24 “a great many people were added to the Lord” 13:48 “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed”	3:16 “the faith that is through Jesus” 5:31 “God exalted him . . . to give repentance to Israel” 11:18 “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” 15:8–9 “God . . . having cleansed their hearts by faith” 16:14 “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” 18:27 “those who through grace had believed”

Major Sermons in Acts

Speaker	Text	Audience
Peter	2:14–36	Jews in Jerusalem
	3:11–26	Jews in Jerusalem
	10:34–43	Cornelius’s household
Stephen	7:1–53	Jews in Jerusalem
Paul	13:16–47	Jews in Pisidian Antioch
	17:22–31	Greeks in Athens
	20:18–35	Church elders in Ephesus
	22:1–21	Jews in Jerusalem
	24:10–21	Felix and his court
	26:1–29	Agrippa and his court

Major Events in the Life of the Apostle Paul

A.D. 5–10?	Born in Tarsus, an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 28; Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); raised in either Jerusalem (Acts 22:3?) or Tarsus
15–20?	Trained as a Pharisee by Gamaliel I (Acts 22:3; 26:5; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:5–6)
30/33?	Death, resurrection of Christ
31–34	Present at Stephen’s stoning; persecuted Christians (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:4a; 26:9–11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6)
33/34*	Converted, called, and commissioned on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–11; 26:12–18; Gal. 1:15–16)
33/34–36/37	Stays in Damascus a short time (Acts 9:19b); leaves for Arabia (2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17); returns to Damascus (Gal. 1:17; Acts 9:20–22?); escapes through city wall to avoid arrest (Acts 9:23–24; 2 Cor. 11:32–33)
36/37*	Meets with Peter, sees James, in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18) Hellenists seek to kill him; flees to Tarsus (Acts 9:28–30; Gal. 1:21)
37–45	Ministers in Syria/Cilicia (2 Cor. 11:22–27?)
44–47*	Ministers with Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:25–26) Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10)
46–47	First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26): 1.5 years?
48*	With Barnabas, spends “no little time” in Antioch (Acts 14:28; Gal. 2:11–14); writes Galatians
48–49*	Returns to Jerusalem for the apostolic council (Acts 15); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30–33), but dispute over John Mark causes them to part ways (Acts 15:36–41)
48/49–51*	Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): 2.5 years?
49	Paul and Silas travel to southern Galatia through Asia Minor, on to Macedonia (Philippi [1 Thess. 2:2]); Thessalonica [1 Thess. 2:2; Phil. 4:15–16]; and Berea [Acts 17:10–15]), and then to Achaia (Athens [1 Thess. 3:1] and Corinth [2 Cor. 11:7–9])
49–51*	Spends 1.5 years in Corinth (Acts 18:11); appears before Gallio (Acts 18:12–17); writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians
51	Returns to Jerusalem? (Acts 18:22)
52–57*	Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23–21:17): 5 years?
52	Travels to Antioch, spends “some time”; travels through Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23)
52–55	Arrives in Ephesus (Acts 19:1; 1 Cor. 16:8); ministers for three years (Acts 20:31) and writes 1 Corinthians; makes brief, “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1), then returns to Ephesus and writes “severe letter” (now lost) to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3–4; 7:8–16)
55–56*	Travels north to Macedonia, meets Titus (Acts 20:1; 2 Cor. 2:12–13); writes 2 Corinthians
57*	Winters in Corinth (Acts 20:2–3; 2 Cor. 9:4), writes to the Romans from Corinth; travels to Jerusalem; is arrested (Acts 21:27–36)
57–59	Transferred as prisoner to Caesarea, stays for two years (Acts 24:27)
60*	Voyage to Rome; shipwrecked, spends three months on Malta (Acts 28:11); finally arrives in Rome
62*	Under house-arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31), writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon
62–67	Released from house-arrest in Rome, travels to Spain (?), writes 1 Timothy (from Macedonia?) and Titus (from Nicopolis); is rearrested, writes 2 Timothy from Rome, is martyred

* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or

Luke

Luke was a doctor (Col. 4:14) and a faithful companion of Paul, accompanying him on several journeys. He was with Paul throughout his two-year imprisonments in both Caesarea and Rome. He is the author of the Gospel bearing his name and the book of Acts, where he records his travels with Paul. Little else is known about Luke. Most scholars believe that he was a Gentile. This is based in part on the fact that Paul does not include Luke among the “men of the circumcision” who were his fellow workers (Col. 4:10–11). How Luke came to know Christ is not revealed, though his thorough acquaintance with the OT suggests that he may have been a “God-fearer” like Cornelius before becoming a Christian. (Acts 21:1–8)

Paul

Author of 13 out of the 27 NT books, Paul is one of the most important people in the history of the Christian faith. Born in Tarsus with the Hebrew name “Saul,” he was both a Jew and a Roman citizen. He came to Jerusalem as a young man to be educated by Gamaliel, the most famous rabbinic scholar of that time. After approving the stoning of Stephen, Saul helped lead a great persecution against the church (8:1–3). Then, on his way to Damascus to arrest believers, he was dramatically converted to the faith (9:1–31). Paul would eventually go on three missionary journeys, winning many people to faith in Christ and establishing churches in cities all across the Roman Empire. He was especially effective in explaining the gospel to Gentiles. Paul faced brutal opposition throughout his ministry and eventually was imprisoned. He wrote many of his letters while under house arrest and later in prison in Rome, before being martyred for his faith. (Acts 9:1–22)

Study Notes

Acts 9:1–2 The account of Saul resumes from 8:3. Saul’s papers from the high priest may have been official legal documents or letters of introduction to the synagogues at Damascus. belonging to the Way. A description of Christians, referring either to the way of salvation (16:17; compare Jesus’ teachings in Matt. 7:14; John 14:6) or the true way of life in relation to God (see Acts 18:25–26; compare Ps. 1:6; 27:11) or to both together. The expression also occurs at Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22.

Study Notes

Acts 9:3 Damascus was 135 miles (217 km) northeast of Jerusalem, a six-day journey by foot. Damascus was an oasis on the border of the Arabian desert and on the main route from Mesopotamia to Egypt.

Study Notes

Acts 9:4 Jesus’ reference to Saul’s persecuting me shows his close identity with his followers: to persecute Christians was to persecute Christ.

Study Notes

Acts 9:5 “Who are you, Lord?” Though Paul was physically blinded by the bright light (see vv. 3, 8–9), he indicates elsewhere that he actually saw the risen Christ on this occasion (see v. 27; 1 Cor. 9:1).

Study Notes

Acts 9:7 Saul’s companions heard the voice but saw no one. In his later testimony to the Jews, Paul spoke of them seeing the light but not understanding the voice (22:9). They had no vision of Jesus nor did they hear his message to Saul, but they could testify to a brilliant light and a sound.

Ephesians Fact #3: Visions

Fact: Visions

Study Notes

Acts 9:10 The Lord is Jesus and not the Father (see v. 17). Ananias’s response, Here I am, is like that of OT people such as Abraham (Gen. 22:1, 11), Jacob (Gen. 46:2), Moses (Ex. 3:11), Samuel (1 Sam. 3:4–8), and Isaiah (Isa. 6:8).

Study Notes

Acts 9:11 The street called Straight is one of the world’s oldest continually occupied streets, still existing today. Tarsus. See note on v. 30.

Study Notes

Acts 9:15 Later in Acts, Saul (later called Paul) preaches to Gentiles, to kings (Agrippa II, ch. 26), and to the children of Israel.

Study Notes

Acts 9:18 something like scales fell from his eyes. This physical event was a symbol that Saul’s spiritual blindness had been overcome. He could now see and understand the truth (see 2 Cor. 3:14 for a related image). was baptized. Through baptism, Saul made an immediate public declaration of his faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

Costly Obedience

In Acts 9:1-19, we’re given one of the clearest pictures in all the Scriptures of how the gospel transforms a life. This passage also shows us what it looks like to respond with costly obedience.

Church history is filled with stories of people who were once living in rebellion against God only to be radically changed by the power of the gospel. Few stories are as striking as Saul’s. He wasn’t indifferent to God; he was passionately persecuting “the Way” with relentless intensity.

Then everything changed.

The blazing glory of the risen Jesus knocked him to the ground on the Damascus road. Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” This was a recognition of deity. The man who had hunted Christians heard the voice of the very One he hated: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

And that raises the question for us: Is Jesus Lord? Scripture is clear—he is. The better question is, are we submitted to his Lordship?

Costly obedience is the natural response to true faith. But Saul isn’t the only one asked to obey.

Ananias is given a command that doesn’t make sense from a human perspective: Go to Saul, the very man who has been terrorizing believers. Ananias’ hesitation in Acts 9:13 is understandable. This is dangerous. This could cost him everything. Yet he goes.

That’s a trait of authentic faith. Obedience when it’s hard. Obedience when it’s costly. Obedience when it requires trust over comfort. It’s not the absence of fear; it’s obedience despite fear.

Jesus is still confronting people with his glory and still calling his followers to obedience. Maybe today he’s asking you to share the gospel with someone who intimidates you, forgive someone who wounded you, turn down a promotion that would cost you, give sacrificially when your budget is already tight? The cost is real, but the one who calls you is the same risen Lord who met Saul on the road.

Will you trust him enough to obey?

Respond Now

Read Philippians 3:3-9, sit in silence, and set a timer for five minutes. Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anything you’re still holding on to that’s preventing you from Christ Jesus being the Lord of your life. Perhaps you’ve already placed your faith in him for eternal salvation, but are you living like he’s Lord of your daily life? Write down whatever comes to mind during this time.