Acts 9:1-20
God’s calling Saul was pure Grace.
Jesus came to Saul path in Damacus.
Saul heard God’s calling
Saul had clear plan while he was entering Damascus, but Jesus had different plan. Jesus steps into Saul life.
Jesus mercy, instead of punishing for all Saul violence against early church, Jesus gave new life and new purpose.
The Encounter: Near Damascus, a blinding light flashes from heaven, causing him to fall to the ground.
The Call: Jesus called Saul, while he was near Damascus. Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'" Acts 9:4
Immediate surrender ("What shall I do, Lord?") followed by blind obedience.
Purpose: Share the Gospel to the Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. Acts 9:15
God’s Promise: To protect him from his enemies and give him courage, for "no one will attack you to hurt you." Acts 18: 9-10
Blessings: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Sacrifice: Paul lifestyle has changed, from being a respected Phraisee Rabi. Paul embraced his new life, endure severe hardship, rely entirely on God after his Call.
Hardships: When God called Paul, He explicitly stated that Paul would suffer greatly for His name (Acts 9:16). A calling from God does not guarantee an easy life.
2 Corinthians 11:24–27:
Five times he received the 39 lashes from Jewish authorities.
Three times he was beaten with rods by Roman authorities.
Once he was stoned and left for dead.
Three times he was shipwrecked, once spending a night and a day drifting in the open sea.
He faced constant hunger, thirst, cold, sleeplessness, and the daily pressure of caring for the early churches.
Philippians 3:7–8, stating: "Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ... I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
Am I ready for God’s calling, His new life for me, His new purpose, sacrifices that I need to make, lifestyle changes, hardships.
Prayer: Today my prayer is be ready for God’s calling.
Acts 9:9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
v11 .. he is praying
Visions: v12 While waiting, Paul receives a vision from God showing a man named Ananias coming to place hands on him to restore his sight.
v18 .. He got up and was baptized,
This period is viewed as a time of profound spiritual transition, grief, and reflection of his past actions.
Immediate Damascus Preaching
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?
Damascus Escape in a Basket
Acts 9:23–25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
2 Corinthians 11:32-33 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Arabian Isolation (3 Years of reflection)
Galatians 1: 15-17 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted
Between Acts 9:25 and Acts 9:26, there is a gap of about 3 years. Paul details this in Galatians 1: 15-17
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nabatea-map.jpg
First Visit to Jersulaem (15 days with Peter)
Acts 9:26–28 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles ...28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord
Silent Years in Tarsus
Acts 9:29–30 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia,
Tarsus, Paul hometown in the district of Cilicia.
Galatians 1:21-24 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea... They only were hearing it said, 'He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.' And they glorified God because of me."
Saul then spent the next perhaps 10 years in this area of Cilicia and Syria. Nothing much is known other than what Paul wrote in Galatians 1:20-24
Acts 11:26 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
Barnabas came to Antioch (in Syria) as mentioned in Acts 11:26-30, went and found Saul in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch. They stayed at Antioch for about a year teaching the new believers. After this Barnabas and Saul went to Jerusalem, with aid to help the believers there. This is what Paul possibly refers to in Galatians 2:1
Galatians 2: 1 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
Note: This might refer to another Jerusalem trip he did Acts 15:1-2
https://www.biblestudy.org/maps/apostle-paul-travels-before-first-missionary-journey-large-map.html
Paul had a powerful encounter with the Lord. The Lord had announced the great call on his life and great things he would do. Paul had the
experience and understanding to start preaching right away – which he did. And yet for some reason, God did not get him going with his powerful apostolic ministry until ~10-14 years later. Why did God wait ~10-14 years? Even for the great apostle Paul, God took time to prepare him for the call He had for him.
What was Paul doing during the quiet time ?
Probably reviewing old testament in different lens ( earlier he knows from Jeweshish perspective )
Probably sharing Gospel locally in Tarsus Galatians 1:21
Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a
time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and
encouraged by the Holy Spirit,
it increased in numbers.