Acts 9:19-31
GETTING STARTED:
● This passage about the start of Paul’s ministry does not get very much attention
but it brings home a very powerful message. That when God saves us – he really
changes us. We witness in this passage what it means to go 180 degrees in a
brand new direction.
● Paul will be bold for Jesus. He has not yet taken the designation as the apostle
to the Gentiles – but that is coming.
BOLDLY PREACHING JESUS IN DAMASCUS. Acts 9:20-25
● Acts does not mention how long Paul was in Damascus but from Galatians we
know that it was about 3 years. In this time he will go out into the desert and be
discipled directly by Jesus.
● Through this interaction with Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit – Paul
becomes an unstoppable force for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Look again at
verse 22. They could not refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
● The result was that they wanted to kill him. But God had a plan for Paul and he
was able to escape at night with the help of other believers.
TAKE NOTE: Look at how God began to use Paul from the beginning. There is an
undeniable willingness in his life to serve the Lord. GOD WILL CHANGE YOU AS
MUCH AS YOU WILL ALLOW HIM.
THIS BOLD MINISTRY CONTINUES IN JERUSALEM. Acts 9:26-30
● At first the believers are afraid of Paul because of his past. But Barnabas – the
son of encouragement – convinced them that he was legit. When God is in
control of your life – he will give you favor with the right people.
● The church learned a key lesson of looking at the fruit of the ministry and not at a
person’s past. They took into account what was accomplished in Damascus.
● Paul will effectively preach Jesus to the Greek speaking Jews in Jerusalem. This
is the same crowd that stoned Stephen and they cannot refute Paul as they could
not refute Stephen. (Both had seen Jesus).
● They want to do to Paul what they did to Stephen – kill him. Paul will never let
the threats of opposition hinder him from preaching the Gospel. He relied on the
prayers of others to lift him up. Look at what he writes in Ephesians 6:19,20.
● So the church sends Paul to Tarsus – where he will minister for a season. During
this time the church will have peace and growth.
NOTICE: Read Acts 9:31. They lived in the fear of the Lord – Obedience – and with the
encouragement of the Holy Spirit – Power. Let’s live in the great combination of the
Lordship of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.