Bible Study series: Acts 9:17-25. Jesus revealed many things to Saul, before he preached. He did not speak from the hip.
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At the link to the original post, next, I write more commentary and dig a little deeper into the Greek. I also offer a section titled Observations for Discipleship at the end. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided in the commentary section for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Acts 9:17-25
17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and as he placed his hands on him, said, “Brother Saul! The Lord sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the road you were traveling on, so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And instantly something like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw again. He got up and was baptized. 19 Then, after eating food, he was strengthened.
He was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God!” 21 Everyone who heard him were beside themselves with amazement and were saying, “Isn’t this the man who was devastating those in Jerusalem who called on this name, and has he not come here so that he could bind them and lead them back to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul was growing empowered all the more and stirred up the Jews living in Damascus, as he was demonstrating that this one is the Messiah.
23 As many days drew to completion, the Jews conspired to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. They even stood by the gates day and night, so that they could kill him. 25 But his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, by lowering him in a basket. (Acts 9:17-25)
Comments:
This is Paul’s Personal Pentecost; the Jerusalem / Judean Pentecost was in Acts 2:1-4; the Samaritan Pentecost happened in Acts 8:14-17; the Gentile Pentecost will be in Acts 10:44-48; and Pentecost for John the Baptist’s followers will happen in Acts 19:1-7. The Pentecost that launched the others was in Jerusalem / Judea.
17:
At first glance it appears that Ananias commissioned Saul, when he was adamant that no apostle commissioned him (Gal. 1:1, 11-20), yet since Ananias was not an apostle, how do we square the appearance that Ananias commissioned him (see Acts 22:14-16; 26:16-18)? Bruce teaches us that Ananias simply repeated what Jesus told him to say. Ananias was private disciple and a mere mouthpiece; there is no official commission of the same level as what the apostles in Jerusalem could give him. “Ananias uttered the words, but as he did so, it was Christ himself who commissioned Saul to be his ambassador” (comment on v. 17).
“brother Saul”: He is now a full participant in the Christian community, the Way.
“filled with the Holy Spirit”: He got what he needed right then. However, v. 18 says nothing about his prayer language, but we know he received it because he himself says so (1 Cor. 14:18). So he either got this gift right then, and Luke does not mention it, or he got it later. Who instructed him in how to receive it later? We don’t know. But I think he got it then, though Luke does not need to mention because he assumes that prayer languages is part and parcel of receiving the Holy Spirit. If an author of a NT book talks about salvation, he does not need to go into details every time. He may have already done that, or he figures the meaning is built into the word. Likewise, Luke does not need to mention this manifestation of receiving the Holy Spirit every single instance. Recall that the Corinthians believed and were baptized, and the verse never says they were filled with the Spirit, but we know they got their prayer languages and were eager to express this God-ordained gift (Acts 18:8).
Baptized, Filled, and Full of the Spirit: What Does It All Mean?
In Acts, Luke links receiving prayer languages with being filled with the Spirit in three instances:
1.. The 120 disciples at the birth of the church, and many of whom knew Jesus from the beginning or early on (Acts 2:1-4).
2.. Cornelius and his household, who were Gentiles, and they needed their own Pentecost (Acts 10:44-48).
3.. The disciples who believed (in the Messiah), but knew only the baptism of John (Acts 19:1-7).
These three cases seem to serve special purposes, specifically three classes of recipients who would illustrate three broad categories of possible converts to the Jesus Movement or the Way. The church had to be born in power and fire and this speaking gift. Gentiles receiving this gift means that it is open-ended for all Gentiles for all time—you and me. As for John’s converts, some scholars say a million people went out to see John, who had predicted the Messiah would baptize in the Spirit and fire.
However, Paul’s experience proves that Luke does not have to link the fullness of the Spirit and prayer languages every single time. As noted, Paul received the fulness of the Spirit, but his prayer language is not mentioned at that time (Acts 9:17-18). However, we know that he used this gift very often (1 Cor. 14:18).
Are ‘Tongues’ the Sign of Baptism with Spirit in Acts?
It is the argument of this commentary that when Luke does not record the gift of prayer languages or prophecies, both Spirit-inspired utterances, one in a language unknown to the speaker, while the other is known, then these gifts still prevailed at key moments in Acts. The Corinthian church is the perfect example. In Acts 18:1-17, Paul ministers in Corinth for at least eighteen months, and nothing is said about the fulness of the Spirit and those two gifts, but the Corinthians had them (and others) in abundance (1 Cor 12-14). Luke expects us to fill his omissions with the power of the Spirit because the entire sweep or context of his book is charismatic. Linking the fullness or baptism of the Spirit with prayer languages in every verse that talks about this fullness would be like Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, intervening to tell his readers on every other page, “Don’t forget! We’re on a whaling ship!” The author assumes the readers know this from the context—from the entire charismatic book of Acts. New Testament narratives are very elliptical (omit things).
In other words, Spirit-inspired languages (archaically called ‘tongues’) belong to all Christians everywhere in the early church. This gift does not need to be shouted from the rooftops in every other verse. It is assumed in the Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered church.
It is similar to his omitting water baptism in key places. Often he does say that new converts got baptized: Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12-13, 35-38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:14-15, 31-33; 18:8; 19:5), Yet in other cases water baptism is not brought up for new converts: Acts 9:42; 11:21; 13:12, 48; 14:1; 17:12, 34). Believe it or not, but during Paul’s and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, Luke does not record even one disciple who got water baptized, even though numerous people were said to have converted. However, we can be sure that every new convert was water baptized. Luke expects us to fill in these omissions. This is why I have nicknamed him Luke “the Omitter” or “the Condenser.”
For more information, please see:
Are ‘Tongues’ the Sign of Baptism with Spirit in Acts?
What Are Signs and Wonders and Miracles?
“placed his hands”: In the OT, the ritual of laying on of hands had these functions: it ordained Levites (Num. 8:10); it ordained leaders (Num. 27:18, 22-23); it transferred guilt to the sacrificial animal (Lev. 16:20-21).
In the NT, the ritual transfers healing (Mark 6:5l; Luke 4:40; Acts 28:8); it transfers the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6); it ordains missionaries (Acts 13:3); it ordains church leaders (Acts 6:6; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6).
From those verses, Renewalists believe these things about laying on of hands: (1) hands can be the conduit of the presence and power of God; (2) public acknowledgement that the leaders or friends are close to and support the receiver of the hands; (3) the leaders or friends identify with the receiver; (4) combining all three, it means commissioning. Here it means the fourth.
Further, Renewalists believe those four points because they have seen it happen with their own eyes. And it starts and ends with God, not the human vessel. It is shortsighted for the human vessel to take on the burden that he is the source of the power supply. “Hey everybody! Look at me! I’m powerful, and you’re not!” He is in danger of being shipwrecked.
18:
“baptized”: this means total immersion. So John the Baptist could be renamed “John the Dipper” or “John the Immerser.” When Jesus said that the disciples will be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5), he meant that they will be immersed in the Spirit, in their spirit and soul. We are a package deal, so it is unwise to believe that our spirits our filled, but not our souls. Even our bodies are touched (Rom. 8:11). God loves all parts of us, body, soul, and spirit.
Conversion first. Water baptism second. Water does not save, but Jesus does. Salvation goes beyond initial justification or initially being declared righteous. It involves one’s whole life. And being water-baptized for the washing away of sins means that water symbolically washes away one’s sins.
19-21:
He stopped his fasting from shock or from his personal intensity. Maybe both. He was a very intense Pharisee, and his whole world was rocked. This motivated him to go on a total fast. Now it had to end.
Gal. 1:15-19 says that Paul went Arabia, while Luke says that Paul spent a short period in Damascus. In his epistles Paul is summarizing major portions of his life. As usual, compressing and stretching time is a legitimate presentation of a sequence of evens in ancient writings. Don’t let the hostile hyper-critics turn molehills into mountains.
See v. 30, below, for a table of events and sequences.
“He is the Son of God!”: or literally, “this one is the Son of God!” This is the only time in Acts that the full title “Son of God” appears. “Jesus is preached as the unique promised one of God; he is certainly seen in a glorified state, given Saul’s experience of him” (Bock comments on vv. 19b-20). How deeply Jesus impacted him! He used to hate the name of Jesus and persecute him through the body of Christ, but now he preaches it. Never write off even the most stubborn man or woman you know.
He seems so versed in the Messiahship of Jesus that it makes me wonder whether Saul really did hear the apostles preaching in Jerusalem, a short time ago, before his conversion experience.
6. Titles of Jesus: The Son of God
When Did Jesus “Become” the Son of God?
“beside themselves with amazement”: Of course they would be stunned, astounded or confused (other translations of the verb).
Saul transferred his zeal of a Pharisee over to the Way. No doubt Jesus himself revealed some truths to him about Messianic prophecies.
“disciples” see v. 1 for more comment.
Here is Luke in his Gospel: Jesus is talking to Cleopas and an unnamed traveler: “And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things about himself” (Luke 24:27).
In this passage Jesus commissions his disciples:
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said to them that in this way it was written that Christ must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and in his name repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses to these things. 49 Now be attentive. I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But you settle in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:45-49)
Paul’s commissioning by Jesus and Paul’s retreat into Arabia (Nabataea) (Gal. 1:17) must have followed a similar pattern, as Jesus explained the Scriptures to him during Paul’s study. Paul also went there to preach.
Note how Peter proclaimed Jesus in Acts 3.
That’s how Paul proclaimed Jesus. In Acts 22:3-16 and 26:9-18, he simply recounted his story—how Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. That’s all you have to do too. Just tell your story of how you met Jesus.
“name”: see v. 15 for a closer look.
22:
“was growing empowered”: The verb is in the imperfect tense, which suggests incomplete or unfinished or ongoing empowerment, so another translation could be “was being empowered.” Saul was continually being empowered. Other meanings, depending on the context: “invigorate, strengthened” “summon up vigor, put forth energy”; “to acquire strength; to be invigorated, be strong.”
“stirred up”: It can also mean “confuse, confound, trouble”; in the passive it means “be amazed and excited.” The point is that his fellow-Jews were getting challenged, compelling them to act. Would they accept Jesus as their Messiah? No, they persecuted him and were about to kill him. The shoe is on the other foot (see vv. 23-25). For us today, just preach Jesus, and leave the results in God’s hands.
“demonstrating”: Saul was putting together Scripture and Christ’s resurrection and appearance to Saul, and proving that Jesus was the Messiah. Other meanings, depending on the context: “bring together, unite,” “hold together; knit together,” “conclude, infer,” “demonstrate, prove”; “instruct, teach, advise.” Here it means “demonstrate” or “prove.” Polhill: Luke described him as “proving” (symbibazō) that Jesus is the Christ. The Greek word means to join or put together and seems to picture his assembling Old Testament texts to demonstrate how Christ fulfilled them. No wonder the Damascene Jews were astounded and totally unable to respond to the skillful interpretations of the former student of Gamaliel” (comment on vv. 19b-22).
Never be afraid to get into a friendly discussion or debate with a skeptic or disbeliever. Please learn about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from a lot of websites, and study Messianic prophecies. Here is a table of them:
At that link, there is a table of verses in the OT, quoted by the NT. But Jesus also fulfills the themes and types and concepts in the OT, like the entire sacrificial system.
23-24:
“many days”: Luke is imprecise, but Paul says in Gal. 1:17-20 the following:
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 with Cephas [Peter] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. (Gal. 1:17-20, NIV)
So Paul says that he stayed in Damascus and then went to Arabia, and back to Damascus. He writes that after three years he went to Jerusalem. There is no sequential or timeline contradictions here. Luke is vague about the timeline and omits Arabia; there is nothing wrong with an ancient historian omitting data points. They did this all the time. Recall my nickname for Luke: “the Omitter” (or “the Condenser”).
Let’s keep going.
Now the shoe is on the other foot! He’s the one who has to flee for his life. He’s in Damascus, and he will reverse the steps of the fugitives he was pursuing and head for Jerusalem. They had been fleeing all over, including Damascus. Everything is reversed. More poetic irony (see above in vv. 3-9, for more information).
“known”: Word Study: Knowledge
25:
“disciples” see v. 1 for comments. I note here that this is the only time in Acts that “disciples” means those who follow someone other than the Lord. Already Saul gathered disciples around him. His leadership was anointed of God.
His being lowered through a hole—probably a “window”—is recounted here:
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. (2 Cor. 11:32-33, NIV)
Aretas IV (the Fourth) (9 B.C. – A.D 40) was a ruler of the Nabataean kingdom (“Arabia”), where Paul spent some time (Gal. 1:17). Aretas oversaw Damascus.
The basket was a large one, and the noun is used only here and in Matt. 15:37; 16:10 and Mark 8:8, 20. See also 2 Cor. 11:33, where Paul describes his narrow escape.
In some life-settings, it is dangerous to proclaim the gospel, such as in the Islamic world. Be careful, and do not feel like a coward if you have to leave the area, when your life is threatened. Saul did here (see Matt. 10:23).
Should Christians Fight or Flee Persecution?
GrowApp for Acts 9:17-25
1. This is Saul’s personal Pentecost. Have you had yours, so that you were empowered by the Spirit?
2. Saul grew more and more powerful in his testimony and in his knowledge of the Messiah. How have you grown in your knowledge of God so that you can discuss the gospel message with unbelievers?
RELATED
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?
SOURCES
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