Acts (8)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Luke 24.27

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 9 (Lesson 8) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 9.1-9.
Acts 9 is pivotal in the story of the ongoing work of the Lord, and not just because it recounts the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. But this is a good place for Luke to begin, because Saul represented a formidable challenge for the followers of Jesus. Luke wants us to know that not even the most determined resistance can keep the Lord Jesus from carrying out His work of restoring the world and all things unto Himself.

For reflection
1.  Saul’s story is familiar and wonderful. Jesus has borne with this raging, murderous, zealot long enough. He lures him out of the safe confines of Jerusalem to blast him to life on a dusty desert road. Paul would later say that his conversion was a kind of pattern for all conversions (1 Tim. 1.16). In what ways is Saul’s conversion a pattern or template for conversion generally?

2.  It was not Christians Saul was persecuting, but Christ, Who identifies so closely with His Body that He sees us as one with Him! The church is the Body of Christ, and each believer is a member of that Body (1 Cor. 12). Jesus identifies with and is jealous for His Body. How is it evident that your church identifies with and is jealous for its Head?

3. “Get up and move along; I’ll tell you the rest later.” Saul is helpless under the converting grace of God. All his bluster, all his zeal, all his power to resist Jesus, blown away in a flash and Word of forgiving, glorious grace. God is sovereign in the Gospel. When He shines His love on someone, all that person can do is obey. In your life at this time, whom would you describe as “not likely to believe the Gospel”? Are you praying daily for these people to meet Jesus? When you do pray for them, what should you pray?

4.  Another Saul, son of Kish, was the first king in Israel. He was a complete failure. He brought disgrace on the nation and his own tribe of Benjamin for the rest of Israel’s history up to Jesus’ day. Saul of Tarsus, a descendant of Benjamin, would “boast” in this lineage, but only to show the futility and unworthiness of any such claims as currying favor with God. Saul of Tarsus, redeemed, symbolizes the redemption of rebellious Israel. His story – and name – introduced at this point, both sums up what the ongoing work of Christ has achieved, and points ahead to where it will continue to unfold. Explain:

5.  Saul the Pharisee was captive to unbelief, sin, and blind religious zeal. Jesus took him captive to truth, grace, and life, and gifted him for the ongoing work of the Kingdom (Eph. 4.8). In what ways does Paul’s experience of coming to faith in Jesus resemble your own?

Summary
As a historian, Luke can’t tell us everything about the ongoing work of Christ. He will select his stories in order to press a point, a story line or narrative that will create a line or trajectory to guide others in taking up the work of the Lord. Here we are reminded that, though powers of various kinds be arrayed against us, they cannot overcome or prevail against the power of the Lord. But what kind of power is the power of the Lord? How does it operate?

Closing Prayer
I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
Arise, O LORD,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
With Your hand from men, O LORD,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Psalm 17.6-15

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. This is the work of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. Read more about the implications of this work in our new book, The Kingdom Turn (click here).

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