b) Thousands were added by the Lord Himself to the Church (Acts 2:47)
2. Further Growth planned
a) The Lord’s vision for the Church
i) Jerusalem
ii) All Judea
iii) Samaria
iv) The end of the earth (Acts 1:8)
b) The Plans of God were revealed
i) They were not easy to comprehend
ii) They were even harder to fulfil
A GLORIOUS TRUTH
1. The hand of the LORD
a) It was a familiar OT phrase
b) It was a figure of speech
2. The word “hand” is called a metonymy
a) The “hand of the Lord” is a reference to God
b) It represents His personal involvement
SAUL: AN UNLIKELY CANDIDATE
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Acts 8:3
1Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2
1. He was creating havoc
2. He dragged men and women to prison
3. He was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.
8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Acts 9:3-9
1. The Lord spoke to Saul
a) He identified Himself as the One whom Saul was persecuting
b) He addressed another issue
Paul’s conscience that was like a painful goad pricking him
2. Saul’s response
a) He trembled before the Lord
b) He was astonished
c) He said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
3. Saul’s affliction
a) He was blind for 3 days
b) He ate and drank nothing in those days
THE LORD’S CALL TO ANANIAS
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in 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 vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [d]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Acts 9:10-19
1. The Lord instructed Ananias to go and heal Saul
2. Ananias protested
a) Saul had harmed many
b) He has authority to bind believers and send them to jail
3. The Lord’s Assurance
a) “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine” (Acts 9:15)
b) “To bear My name”
i) Before Gentiles
ii) Kings
iii) And the children of Israel”
c) ” For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)