ONLINE ACTS LESSON 15 – THE DAMASCUS ROAD ENCOUNTER

Acts 9:1-9
GETTING STARTED:
● At the end of chapter 7 we read that Paul – Saul held the coats of those who
stoned Stephen and Paul gave his approval to what was done.
● This means that he witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit released through the
powerful forgiveness that Stephen spoke as he was brought directly into the
presence of Jesus. Not only did Stephen forgive – but he boldly proclaimed that
he saw the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand.
● This witness will explode with a powerful encounter on the road to Damascus.
Saul has one plan – but God has another. LET’S READ THE STORY.

WHO ARE YOU LORD? Verses 3-9
● Jesus demonstrates his power to Saul in order to bring him to repentance and to
salvation. There is a bright light and a clear voice. Jesus asks the first question:
Why are you persecuting me.
● Saul is convinced that he has met the master – the true Lord and now he asks –
Who are you LORD? You are in charge – you are Lord – and I need to know you.
● Jesus answers – I AM JESUS. Present tense – alive tense. Your persecution of
my church is persecution of me.
● The sign of Saul’s surrender to the Lord is his obedience to Christ’s command.
Go to the city and wait – you will be told what is next.

THE LESSON FOR ALL OF US: The salvation of Jesus is not weak – it is strong. He is
mighty to save. When you meet him – your new plan will be His plan for your life.

A FAITHFUL OBEDIENT BELIEVER. Verses 10-16
● Think about the power in Ananias’ first response – Yes Lord! When we say yes –
it releases the power of God through our life. God always uses the willing.
● The yes is tested by what seems to be a very unusual request. Go minister to
Saul – he is my chosen instrument.

LISTEN: We must believe what the Word says – What the Lord says above the reports
of others. It was not a matter of what Saul had done – but a matter of who he had
become. NOW – he is the chosen instrument of the Lord.

JESUS MINISTERS TO SAUL THROUGH ANANIAS. Verses 17&18
● Saul regains his sight and he is filled with the Holy Spirit. This brings forth
physical sight and spiritual sight. Now – there is new leadership and power in his
life. Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit is empowering and leading.
● In obedience – Saul is baptized.

2 TAKEAWAYS FOR TODAY: 1. No one is too lost. Paul will call himself a trophy of
God’s grace – the worst of sinners. It was true. 2. The powerful witness of forgiveness
and love will win over hate and vengeance. The Holy Spirit used Stephen’s witness to
bring salvation to Paul.

ONLINE ACTS LESSON 14 – THE SPIRIT LED WITNESS

Acts 8:26-40
GETTING STARTED:
● Chapter continues to follow the ministry of Philip – an evangelist – a person with a
calling to bring the Good News to people who had not yet heard. Philip was very
strong in this calling and gifting from God.
● He will be led by God – through an angel and by the Holy Spirit – to bring the
Good News to an influential person from Ethiopia. He was the treasurer under a
powerful Kandake or Candace queen in Ethiopia.
● This treasurer is reading out loud a messianic prophecy from Isaiah.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEAN INTO THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING. Verses 29&30.
● When the Spirit spoke to Philip to go over alongside the carriage – Philip ran over.
There was no hesitancy – just immediate obedient response. One of my favorite
verses in Scripture is Galatians 5:25 from the NIV – Since we live by the Spirit, let
us keep in step with the Spirit.
● Philip continues to follow the leading of the Spirit by stepping into the obvious
open door.

LESSON: As the Spirit strategically positions us – let’s be willing to step into the obvious
open doors. Like – praying for someone who has just shared their need with you.

LOOK FOR THE OPENING TO TALK ABOUT JESUS. Verses 31-35
● The question was an obvious opening to talk about Jesus – who is the prophet
talking about? Philip answered his question – and then went on to tell the rest of
the story about Jesus.
● A big part of being led by the Spirit is a spiritual awareness to step into these
moments as they are happening. It is disappointing to realize it was there after
the moment has passed. This is why we need to start our day in prayer – so we
can be surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

THE SUPERNATURAL CONFIRMATION. Verses 36-40.
● The clear indication that this person has come to faith in Christ is his desire to be
baptized. He is so enthusiastic about his new faith that when he sees water he
says – Why not now?
● Philip continues to stay in step. He baptizes this new convert and when they
come out of the water Philip is immediately caught up to another location. This is
the word from 1 Thessalonians 4:17 that we use for rapture. Philip takes the first
rapture test run. It is the Greek word harpoza – caught up – snatched away.
● Signs and wonders always support the Good News – they bear witness to the
Lordship of Jesus. This miracle powerfully confirmed the Ethiopian’s faith.
● At the end of this chapter – Philip continues to preach the Good News through the
open doors where the Spirit leads.

ONLINE ACTS LESSON 13 – THE GOOD NEWS ARRIVES IN SAMARIA

Acts 8:4-25

GETTING STARTED:
● In Acts 1:8 – Jesus had laid out the progression of the Good News and where His
followers would go. Jerusalem, throughout Judea, In Samaria, and to the ends of
the earth. This is the story of the Good News coming to Samaria.
● Luke introduced Philip in chapter six as one of the seven who would help with the
widow distribution. Like Stephen – he had other ministry gifts. He operates in the
gift of evangelism. And chapter eight tells his story. It is important to see that the
12 apostles are not trying to control ministry – but through the Holy Spirit they
seek to release the gifts that God is giving to the body of Christ.

THE REALITY OF JESUS AND HIS POWER DRAW PEOPLE
● Philip does a great job of lifting up Jesus and allowing God to do miraculous
signs. As a result – many are saved and baptized.
● The ministry is powerful – evil spirits are cast out – lame people start walking and
the Kingdom of God is proclaimed – the name of Jesus Christ is exalted. This is
what revival looks like.

PETER AND JOHN COME TO LEND THEIR SUPPORT
● Good News travels fast and the leaders in Jerusalem send Peter and John to
check out what God is doing.
● They liked what they saw – but realized immediately something important was
missing. These followers had not yet received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. So
they prayed for them and they received.
● While it does not mention specifically that they speak in tongues when they
receive – Simon, the local sorcerer sees that they received when hands are laid
on them. He offers money to control this gift. This will be a problem.

TAKE NOTE: This is a very important passage that supports that salvation and the
Baptism in the Holy Spirit are separate works of Grace given from God.

THE SIMON SITUATION
● Before the Gospel of Jesus had taken over – Simon was the one everyone looked
to as a spiritual authority. He controlled the miracle scene.
● He was called the Great One – the Power of God. But then everyone was
introduced to the true Great One – Jesus and to what true miracles and power
look like. Even Simon himself became a believer and was baptized.
● But he couldn’t take not being in control. Look again at Acts 8:18-24.
● Peter set him straight with very direct language. Sometimes love requires bold
truth. It seems that Simon wanted to repent. Hopefully he is sincere.
● What is settled is this – the Holy Spirit is God – not a commodity to be controlled.
He comes to lead the church and empower the church – He will not be controlled
by manipulative people. WE PRAY – Breathe on us – bring life to us Holy Spirit.

ONLINE ACTS LESSON 12 – THE WITNESS OF STEPHEN

Acts 7:51- 8:3
GETTING STARTED:
● Stephen has been arrested and falsely accused of wanting to destroy the holy
Temple and that he speaks against the law of Moses.
● The truth was that Stephen was full of faith – power – grace – and the Holy Spirit.
Through his powerful preaching and teaching marked by signs and wonders –
many were being saved including many of the Jewish priests. He knew the law
of Moses and he understood the role of the Temple.
● The first 50 verses of chapter 7 demonstrate his understanding of the Temple – of
the role of Moses – and of the history of Israel. He basically demonstrates that
God has never been limited to a house built with human hands and that he is
now speaking through Jesus – the one you murdered but who is alive and now at
the throne of God. Listen to what he says to them at the end of chapter 7.

THE BOLD WITNESS OF STEPHEN. Acts 7:51-53
● Stephen understood that 2 things went on at the same time – Jesus was
intending to give his life – and God was using the plotting of evil men who wanted
to kill Jesus. He confronts these leaders with the truth about what they did.
● You can reject Jesus as Lord – but He is still the Lord. They did not want him to
be the Messiah – but He is the Messiah. This truth enraged the hearers.

STEPHEN SAW JESUS STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. 7:54-56
● Look at the contrast – His hearers are full of rage and hatred – but Stephen is full
of the Holy Spirit – filled with boldness and power – but also with amazing grace.
● He sees Jesus – standing for him – thrilled at the bold witness. We know the
Lord’s position is seated at the right hand of God – but here – He stands.

LISTEN: God is for you – not against you. Realize today – that your Savior is standing up
for you – He will always be in your corner. If God is for you – who can be against you?

STEPHEN – FULL OF GRACE – SPEAKS FORGIVENESS. Acts 7:57-8:3
● What a powerful contrast – Stephen with his last breath speaks forgiveness. His
focus is on Jesus as he breathes his last and this focus leads him to forgive.
● In contrast – Saul holds the coats of those who stoned Stephen and gave his
approval to their act of murder.
● But now the weight of Stephen’s witness sits upon Paul. It will eventually
overtake him on the Damascus road. But while he resists the Holy Spirit – his
anger and rage drive him to persecute the church.

THE TRUTH: Paul has been confronted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The convicting
work of the Holy Spirit is on him. It was brought to him by a man who was FULL. Full of
faith – power – AND GRACE. FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. BE THAT WITNESS.