The Book of Acts
Lesson Number 42a
TRANSLATION LEGEND: ALT = Analytical-Literal Translation (2005), AMPLIFIED = Amplified Bible (1965), ASV = American Standard Version (1901), BBE=Bible in Basic English (1949), DRA = Douay-Rheims (1899), ERV = English Revised Version (1885), ESV = English Stand Version (2001), GNB = Good News (1966), GWN = God’S Word (1995), IE = International English, ISV = International Standard Version (1967), JPS = Jewish Publication Society (1917), KJV = King James Version (1611), L.ITV = Literal Translation of the Bible ((1976), LIVING = Living Bible (1971), MKJV = Modern KJV (1962), MONTGOMERY = Montgomery’s New Testament (2001), MRD = Peshitta-James Murdock Translation (1852), NAB = New American Bible (2002), NASB = New American Standard Bible (1977), NAU = New American Standard Bible (1995), NIB = New International Bible, NIV = New International Version (1984), NJB = New Jerusalem Bible (1985), NKJV = New King James Version (1979), NLT =New Living Translation (1996), NRSV = New Revised Standard Version (1989), PHILLIPS = J B Phillips New Testament (1962), PNT = BISHOP’S New Testament (1595), RSV = Revised Standard Version (1952), TNK = JPS Tanakj (1985), Webster = The Webster Bible (1833),WEYMOUTH = Weymouth’s New Testament (1903), WILLIAMS = William’s New Testament (1937), TYNDALE = Tyndale’s Bible (1526), WYCLIFFE = Wycliffe New Testament (1382), YLT =Young’s Literal Translation (1862).
---------- Lexicon and Bible Translation Codes with Identification -----------
LEXICON LEGEND: FRIEBERG = Friberg Lexicon, UBS = UBS Lexicon, LOUW-NIDA = Louw-Nida Lexicon, LIDDELL SCOTT = Liddell Scott Lexicon, THAYER = Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, LEH = LEH Lexicon, GINGRICH = Gingrich Lexicon
DISCLAIMER: The quoting of other translations is not to be taken as a condoning of them. My purpose is rather to show the remarkable diversity, and sometimes outright contradictions that exist among these various versions of Scripture. Our understanding of the Word of God ultimately depends upon our comprehension of the Lord Himself and His eternal purpose. Where this understanding is not present, we are shut up to scholasticism and conjecture, both of which are of the world, not of God.
ANANIAS SENT TO SAUL
“9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” (Acts 9:9)
INTRODUCTION
The narrative of our text begins with Saul in Damascus, having entered the city as he was instructed. He was instantly obedient, and was in no way hesitant to do was he was commanded. As soon as Jesus said, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do,” “Saul arose from the earth” and “they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus” (Acts 9:6,8). No exhortation was required, and no further instruction was given at this point. If Saul was to find out what he was to do, he had to go into the city – and he knew it. It only took one revelation for Saul to be convinced of the Source of the message: “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). At that instant Jesus revealed both Himself and the pangs of conscience that Saul of Tarsus was experiencing with great difficulty.
However, Saul learned there is no stereotyped manner in which the Lord makes Himself known. For example, Jesus did not make Himself known to Saul of Tarsus as He did to Mary when she came to the tomb, speaking tenderly to her and telling her to tell His brethren that He was going to ascend to His Father and their Father, and to His God and their God (John 20:16-17).
The Savior did not speak to Saul as He did to the two on the road to Emmaus, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets,” and expounding “ unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Later He revealed Himself to them “in breaking of bread,” at which time they recalled how their hearts “burned within” them as He talked with them and opened to them the Scriptures (Lk 24:32,35).
Jesus did not show Saul His hands and feet, as He did the other disciples (Lk 24:40), nor did He eat bread with him as He did with the other apostles and disciples (Lk 24:40-43). He did not expound the Scriptures to him, or open his understanding as as He did to the others following His resurrection from the dead (Lk 24:44-45). Nor, indeed, did He prepare Saul a meal, as He did His disciples during His third appearance to them (John 21:9-13).
Those were all appearances that took place prior to Christ’s ascension and enthronement – something that had taken place approximately seven-years before our text. Thus Saul experienced a special visitation, for he was one “born out of due time” (1 Cor 15:8). The revelation of Christ to Saul will take the form of “visions and revelations” (2 Cor 12:1), not with Jesus appearing with a body of “flesh and bones” (Lk 24:39).
Yet, in this initial revelation of Jesus, the theology of Saul was instantly changed. It obtained a new and different focus, and he threw overboard erroneous conceptions that he had held for some time. He required no orientation course, and it did not necessitate a lengthy period of time to unlearn the misconceptions he had adopted. This is a marvelous thing to consider, and I want to dwell longer upon it.
ENLIGHTENMENT
Enlightenment is a subject not often addressed by many of my professional teachers. While my father, unlearned in the religious schools of men, spoke often and with insight on this matter, I do not recall a single discourse, or period of time, in which the teachers to whom I was subjected spent time on this theme. Mind you, the Word of God speaks on the subject, but the scope of theological knowledge to which I was subjected in my educational experience was not large enough to take in enlightenment or illumination. Mind you, there was no denial of the reality of such an experience. Rather, it was limited to a certain cluster of men and a specific period of time. Nearly one thousand years before Christ David said, “the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (Psa 128:28). He also confessed that “the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psa 19:8). In Christ, conversion is associated with being “once enlightened” (Heb 6:4). The experience itself is described as light shining into the hearts of those who are thus born again: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6).
There is a body of knowledge that cannot be fully grasped by the unaided intellect of humanity. It pertains to realities that lie outside the scope of natural sense and aptitude – the human intellect being included. This is why it is written, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor 2:14). It is a serious error to overstate the capacity of the human intellect, viewing the Word of God as little more than a text book. The Word of God is the “seed” of the Kingdom (Luke 8:11). That is, the Word is what God uses to make men aware of His Person, purpose, will, and ways. However, without Divine involvement, men are not capable of deciphering the true contents of Scripture.
The Spirit also refers to our conversion as a time of illumination. “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions” (Heb 10:32). Other versions read “after being enlightened,” NASB and “had received the light.” NIV The world is a domain of darkness that must be penetrated by light from heaven. If that light is not given, the soul remains in darkness, ignorant of eternal realities.
This is precisely why Jesus opened up the understanding of the disciples concerning the Scriptures (Lk 24:45). It is why David prayed for understanding to be given to Him concerning the Law (Psa 119:34,73, 125,144,169). It is why Paul told Timothy to “consider” what he had written to him, and then prayed, “and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Tim 2:7).
There is also the matter of further enlightenment that is related to spiritual maturity (Eph 1:18). Peter referred to this expanded spiritual understanding in these words, which were delivered to those who are in Christ Jesus: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Pet 1:19). Paul also referred to this when he prayed for the enlightenment of the eyes of our understanding, in order that we might perceive the magnitude of what is found in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:15-19).
A HIGHER FORM OF KNOWLEDGE
At this point, we are not speaking of mere moral obligations, such as were initially made known in the Law and its attending ordinances. At its heart, enlightenment, or illumination, does not have to do with human responsibility. That area of knowledge has certainly been made known from heaven, but that is not the point of enlightenment. The day dawning is not descriptive of a time when it registers upon us what we are supposed to do. This has more to do with Divine intent than human obligation.
In the case of Saul of Tarsus, the disclosure of the Person of Christ was the revelation, not the direction given to him by Ananias. The comprehension of duty is a kind of lesser light that is seen more clearly in the greater light of the Lord’s Person and purpose. That is why we read, “For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light” (Psa 36:9). Once Saul of Tarsus was persuaded of the reality of Christ, he would be on the initiative to know what he himself was to do. And, indeed that is precisely what took place in our text.
A BESETTING SIN
It seems to me that the besetting sin of the American church is its lack of understanding concerning both the Person and purpose of God. Aside from the relatively few exceptions, the professing church is guilty of the sin of the Athenians – worshiping an unknown God (Acts 17:23).
If knowing God is, in fact, “eternal life” (John 17:3), what can possibly be said in defense of a people who are ignorant of God – particularly since He has now been revealed in the Person of Christ (2 Cor 4:6)? Should not those who are unacquainted with the Lord tremble when they read that all who “know not God” will experience the “vengeance” of “flaming fire” (2 Thess 1:6).
NECESSARY OBSERVATIONS
Our text makes these observations necessary. Here we are faced with an aggressive adversary of the Lord Jesus. Like a warhorse, he has been breathing out “threatenings and slaughter” against the saints of the Lord. In fact, he is en route to Damascus to arrest and incarcerate any who are followers of Christ. Yet, in a moment of time, his entire perspective is altered, and his intentions are brought to a grinding halt. The single thing that caused this to happen was that he found out the truth about Christ’s Person, and the evil of what he himself had been doing. That moment of illumination moved him to ask, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6).
Now, my point for bringing this up is that many professing Christians have not yet come to this place – a place where they are not willing to do anything else until what Jesus desires is fulfilled. When Saul of Tarsus asked, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” it is to be understood that the will of Christ had become his preeminent consideration. As soon as he knew who Jesus was, he scrapped his intentions to arrest the followers of Jesus in Damascus. Now his compelling desire was to do what Jesus wanted. He knew nothing of receiving Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord!
In our time, all manner of explanations are offered for the absence of this compelling attitude. Some point to their background, some form of what men call addiction, or another reason they consider to be an adequate explanation for their lack of inquiry into the will of the Lord. However, in this day of salvation, there is no acceptable reason for not pursuing the will of the Lord with unparalleled aggressiveness. When other things are allowed to upstage doing the will of the Lord, a most serious deficiency has been revealed.
THE POWER OF THE TRUTH
There is a power inherent in the truth itself. Jesus referred to this when He said, “If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
No person is truly “free” who is not a disciple, and no person is a “disciple indeed” who fails to continue in the Word of truth. It is in that continuance that true discipleship is made known. Further, it is the acquaintance, or practical familiarity with the truth that liberates one from the enslaving properties of sin, enabling the individual to draw near to the Lord, obtaining mercy and finding grace to help in the time of need (Heb 4:16; 10:22).
Men resort to other helpers because they have not continued in the Word, and thus have not experienced the liberty for which they have been made free. Freedom from guilt is not the ultimate freedom, but is the prelude to freedom from the power of sin, and the consequent liberty to draw nigh unto God. All of this is being lived out in this text, and all within a relatively brief period of time.
It is good that we take due note of Saul’s response, for it is the unvarying characteristic of faith to obey. In fact, faith never disobeys. Disobedience is always the manifestation of unbelief, for which the Lord has an absolute and unvarying intolerance. No person who has been properly instructed what to do, yet fails to obey, is accepted by the Lord.
THE BANE OF DISOBEDIENCE
Although professing Christians have grown accustomed to disobedience within the professing church, there really is no place for it. Salvation makes no provision for disobedience. It is a sin that must be confessed, forgiven, and abandoned. If it is not, there is no hope of being saved, all profession notwithstanding. “Children of disobedience” are those in whom Satan himself is at work (Eph 2:2). It is further written that the wrath of God will come upon such (Eph 5:6; Col 3:6). Paul affirms that “the law” is made for the “disobedient” (1 Tim 1:9). He also classifies the “disobedient” as those to whom “nothing” is pure (Tit 1:16). Prior to the newness of life, we were referred to as being “disobedient” (Tit 3:3). Peter declares that Jesus is made a “stone of stumbling and a rock of offence” to those “which be disobedient” (1 Pet 2:7-8).
I am drawing attention to the seriousness of disobedience because of the obvious clash of such a response with our text. Saul’s obedient response came after a single appearance of Jesus, and one word from Him. Jesus did not appear to Saul several times, giving incremental revelations that led to a moment of conviction. This is in keeping with the nature of the responses that have been recorded in this book up to chapter nine – all exhibits of faith.
➪ The disciples were to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5,14-2:1 ).
➪ On the day of Pentecost convicted inquirers immediately obeyed the word delivered to them (2:38,41).
➪ The apostles, when told to preach all the words of life in the Temple, immediately obeyed (Acts 5:20-21).
➪ The Samaritans obeyed, when Philip preached the Gospel to them (Acts 8:12).
➪ Philip, when told to go to the desert road leading to Gaza (Acts 8:26-26).
➪ Philip, when told to join himself to a certain chariot (Acts 8:29-30).
➪ The Ethiopian eunuch, when Philip preached Christ to him (Acts 8:36-38).
➪ Saul of Tarsus, when told to go into the city of Damascus and await word concerning what he was to do (Acts 9:6-8).
➪ Now, we will be confronted with a certain disciple who responded to Divine direction to go to Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:10-17).
➪ Upon hearing what he was to do, Saul of Tarsus was obedient (Acts 9:18; 22:16).
This is the manner of New Covenant life, fulfilling the 110th Psalm, which describes life under the Messiah: “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power” (Psa 110:1-3). It is the result of the law of God being written upon their hearts and mind, knowing the Lord, being devoted to God, and God to them, and having their sins remitted (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). There is no such thing as a Christian or a church that perpetually lacks the characteristic of obedience. In fact, any professing believer who is disobedient cannot possibly substantiate any claim to being a child of God, saved by grace, or justified by faith. While we are not licensed to sit in judgment upon others, it is the business of every individual claiming identity with Jesus to examine themselves to see whether or not they are in the faith, and Christ is in them (2 Cor 13:5).
EXAMPLES OF HESITANCY
It is true that there are at least three examples of hesitancy to respond immediately to the Lord. These are not intended to be standards, and were each characterized by unique circumstances. Yet, because men may tend to hold them forth as justifying the lack of an immediate response to the Lord, I consider it needful to make a few brief remarks concerning them.
➪ GIDEON. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, announcing that he had been chosen to deliver Israel, he asked for a sign of the truth of the message. Gideon asked the Lord to confirm that He would save Israel by his hand. (1) He would put a fleece of wool on the ground. If the dew was on the fleece only, and the ground remained dry, he would know it was the Lord. (2) This having taken place, Gideon then asked that the Lord not be angry with him. One more time he would put down the fleece. If the fleece was dry, and the dew was upon all the ground, then he would be assured deliverance would come from his hand. This being done, Gideon was convinced he had been called to deliver Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:36-40). Aside from the fact that those were spiritually primitive times, God had delivered Israel into the hands of the Midianites, and there had been a long time since He had communicated with Israel. Such circumstances are not to be compared with this day of salvation in which the presence of the Lord has not only been vouchsafed to His people, but extensive revelation has been given to them.
➪ JONAH. When Jonah was commanded to go to Nineveh and preach “against it,” he fled “unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (John 1:1-2). After his experience in the belly of a great fish, “the Lord came to Jonah the second time,” telling him go to Nineveh and deliver the “preaching” that would be given to him. This time Jonah did go, preaching that the city would be overthrown in forty days. Later, when the Lord interrogated him concerning his actions and attitude, he replied, “I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil” (Jonah 4:2). While there is no way to sanctify Jonah’s response, the times in which he lived, together with his elementary reasoning concerning Divine intent put him at a decided distance from the time of the New Covenant. He is among those who were not made perfect without us (Heb 11:40).
➪ PETER. When the Lord sent Peter to deliver the Gospel to the Gentile household of Cornelius, He first gave him a vision of a net let down from heaven containing “all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air” (Acts 10:12). The command was given, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter responded, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). This was done three times, with no explanation being given. Eventually, the Lord directed Peter to go with three men who came to him from the household of Cornelius. As Peter talked with Cornelius, he acknowledged he had now seen the significance of the vision. The Gentiles, who were technically “unclean,” were no longer to be viewed in such a manner – now that Jesus had put away sin and reconciled the world to God. Peter’s initial response is to be understood in view of the transition that was being made from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. By “transition,” I do not mean to include the ineffectiveness of the Old or the effectiveness of the New. It was the transition of understanding that was taking place (Heb 8:13). That period of time is not to be compared with this day, when the “more sure word of prophecy” has been declared and delineated with power.
None of the above responses were indicative of the New Covenant era. They were not the norm, or standard, and are not to be considered as though they were. The obedience reported in the book of Acts is the standard, and represents the normal response to Divine direction. I do not consider it necessary to further establish this truth (although that is certainly possible).
THE EXPERIENCE OF SAUL OF TARSUS
The impact of Saul’s experience on the road is confirmed in his body and in his spirit. He has been “apprehended,” and he knows it (Phil 3:12). Now, he is waiting for appropriate instruction, and he does not have any idea as to its source – only that someone will tell him what he “must do.” He is not on a research mission, nor is he to launch into a scholastic quest for answers. He is to wait, and that is precisely what he does. He has no idea how long he is to wait, yet does so with patient determination.
This will be the first test of his faith. Jesus has given no indication of how quickly the required instruction will come – only that it surely will come. In the meantime, Luke turns our attention to the individual whom heaven has chosen to tell Saul what he “must do.” He is not one of the apostles, or even Philip, who has had excellent success delivering the message of Jesus. In fact, this is the very first time we read of this disciple – and the last as well.
It is obvious that he is a faithful person, and himself instructed in the ways of the Lord. At the first, however, after hearing the name of the one to whom, he is sent, he will be a bit hesitant. His hesitancy is not the result of unbelief. Rather, it is the result of ignorance. However, the Lord will clarify the mission, and Ananias will quickly go, doubting nothing. Once again, willingness is seen as the standard.
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS
“ 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” Other versions read, “For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything,” NIV and “for three days he was not able to see, and he took no food or drink.” BBE
What thoughts must have been coursing through the mind of Saul! No doubt the recollections of Stephen and his stoning must have been summoned from his memory for profound consideration. After all, Saul had “consented” unto his death (Acts 8:1; 22:20). Indications are that he was not able to dismiss this experience from his thinking.
I do not doubt that his prodigious mind walked too and fro through the Scriptures, considering them with Jesus of Nazareth in mind. It seems to me that his first preaching confirms that his thinking had been solidly focused upon Jesus Christ and the prophecies of Him in the Scriptures. His very first activity is described in these words: “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). What exhilarating insights he must have had – and they all were the result of the revelation of Jesus Christ!
Perhaps Saul recalled with repentance and tears those into whose houses he had entered, binding both men and women and taking them off to prison (Acts 8:3). Then there were the times when he had testified against those who believed in Jesus, and gave his consent to their death (Acts 26:10). And what of the times he entered into their synagogues, compelling disciples to blaspheme (Acts 26:11). Surely Saul of Tarsus found out that “the way of transgressors is hard” (Prov 13:15).
It ought to be noted that blindness is ordinarily a very disconcerting experience. Yet, in this case, Saul’s mind was active as he waited, tarrying for further instruction from the Lord. It would be good if such traits were common in the Western church.
For Saul, eating and drinking were not in his thoughts – not now that he had seen the Lord’s Christ and been made aware of his own wayward conduct. He thought that he was serving the Lord, but he was actually the enemy of the Lord. Now, eating and drinking were easily forgotten. His mind was focused, and his heart was supple.
There are very real spiritual experiences that dwarf the compelling appetites of the flesh. Job once said, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). I will go so far as to say that until this is experienced to some significant measure, spiritual growth and further illumination are not possible. This accounts for the condition of many emaciated and malnourished souls.
CONCLUSION
This brief lesson provides an introduction to the text that follows. It brings lucidity to the account, explaining why Saul eagerly did everything he was told, and set out immediately to declare Christ in the very city in which he sought to arrest believers. It provides us with a rich commentary on the effectiveness of “by grace through faith” (Eph 2:8).