Acts 9:1–19a: The Lord is Gracious
Introduction
While Saul’s membership in the synagogue that handed over Stephen to the Sanhedrin is likely (“Cilicia”; Acts 6:9), we formally met Saul in Acts 7:58, when the witnesses against Stephen had laid down their garments at his feet during Stephen’s stoning. Then, Luke informed us in Acts 8:1 that Saul had personally approved of Stephen’s execution. Finally, Luke told us that “Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). This persecution had scattered the church, resulting especially in bringing the gospel to Samaria through the evangelistic efforts first of Philip, and then of Peter and John (Acts 8:4–25). In this passage, we will see Saul continue his persecution of the church; however, in an extraordinary way, we will also see a more powerful truth: the Lord is gracious to sinners.
Discussion Questions
1. What have we seen about Saul so far (Acts 6:9; 7:58; 8:1, 3)? How does he continue in his path at the beginning of Acts 9? Where is Damascus? What does the comment about “men or women” suggest (v. 2)? Why does Jesus state twice that Paul has been persecuting him (vv. 4, 5)? What does that communicate about Christ’s relationship to his people? How is Paul’s physical blindness a fitting sign to reflect the nature of his spiritual blindness?
2. What does the name “Ananias” mean (v. 10)? What does Ananias’s response, “Here I am, Lord,” echo from the Old Testament? Why is it significant that Saul had “seen in a vision” that Ananias would come to restore his sight (v. 12)? Why is Ananias hesitant to go (vv. 13–14)? How does the Lord Jesus reassure Ananias of the necessity of his mission (v. 15)? How does Jesus’ response in v. 15 communicate grace toward Ananias, toward Saul, and toward others?
3. What will Saul’s mission be, once he regains his sight (vv. 15–16)? What is significant about the fact that Ananias calls Saul “brother” in v. 17? What should we take from the description of how “something like scales fell” from Saul’s eyes (v. 18)? How does the restoration of Saul’s physical sight parallel his newly found spiritual sight (v. 18)? How does the story of persecuting God’s people in or from Syria, a vision of bright light, being struck blind, and eating parallel 2 Kings 6?
4. How should the story of Jesus’ conviction of Saul for his sin convict us of our own sin? Why do you think that Jesus sends a minister to declare his grace to Saul? How do ministers today bear witness for Jesus about the law and gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? How does Jesus’ protection of his people communicate God’s grace toward the church? How does Jesus’ grace toward Saul extend the hope of the gospel to sinners today? How should you respond to this story?
