Faith without religion.
Saul’s Transformation and Early Church Perseverance
In a recent teaching, we explored the transformative journey of Saul, later known as Paul, as depicted in Acts 9:23-31. Saul’s bold proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah in Damascus led to a plot against his life, forcing him to escape in a basket through the city walls. This dramatic escape underscores the lengths to which early Christians went to preserve their lives while spreading the Gospel.
Saul’s journey continued to Jerusalem, where he faced skepticism from the disciples due to his past persecution of Christians. However, Barnabas, a figure of encouragement, vouched for Saul, highlighting his genuine conversion and bold preaching. This endorsement was crucial for Saul’s acceptance among the apostles, illustrating the importance of advocacy and support within the Christian community.
The narrative also touches on the broader context of early Christian persecution and the strategic retreats that allowed the faith to flourish. Saul’s eventual departure to Tarsus brought a period of peace to the churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, allowing them to grow in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
The teaching further delves into the miraculous works of Peter, who healed Aeneas and raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead. These acts of healing were not just physical restorations but served as powerful testimonies that led many to believe in the Lord. The miracles performed by Peter highlight the early church’s reliance on divine intervention to validate and spread the message of Jesus.
This account reminds us of the enduring power of faith and the transformative impact of the Gospel. It challenges us to consider how we can be vessels of God’s work today, sharing the message of Jesus and witnessing the spiritual resurrection of those who come to believe.
Teaching Script:
Welcome
Prayer
Music
Silence
Acts 9.23-31
July 31st 2016
Milk
Okay, we left off with Saul being healed, receiving the Holy Spirit by a non-apostle disciple by the laying on of his hands (and who by all appearances had no hands laid on him) and then rising up, being baptized and then going to the synagogue and preaching Jesus as the Son of God.
We also read that the Jews there in the Synagogue were confounded by the wisdom of Saul in that he “proved”that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the Christos, the anointed one, the Son of God Himself.
What we read next only makes sense. Verse 23
Acts 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Okay, back to V23
Acts 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
As we said last week we really aren’t sure how much time has elapsed before they sought to kill him.
What we do know is Luke skips a piece of information related to Paul which is given us in Galatians 1:17. There we learn from Paul himself that he went into Arabia, and spent three years there and then returned again to Damascus.
Galatians 1:18 reiterates this by telling us that he did not go to Jerusalem until three years after his conversion. So this information needs to be included in what we are reading here in Acts 9.
We don’t know why Luke omits this fact about Paul but if we think about it Luke did not make his accounts exhaustive – he was trying to provide information that he felt was necessary to the story of Paul and his work in and around Damascus and then onto Jerusalem.
Additionally this may be why Paul INCLUDED the information in Galatians.
In any case the Jews of Damascus took counsel (laid out a scheme or plan) to kill him.
Why?
For the same reason they killed Christ and the same reason others have been assassinated or killed – either physically or socially – the powers that be did not have ANY other means of quelling his zeal or influence.
It’s proverbial – rock the boat and you get tossed overboard. There are entire volumes dedicated to the strategies and themes of maintaining control, the status quo and quelling rebellion.
But when you get someone in the employ of God – who do not fear man and his ways – you have a force that can often only be handled by death.
Today such physical deaths are less frequent than in more barbaric times and today we kill reputations and render other ineffective by and through character assassination rather than through actual assassination.
What the Jews were attempting to do here was a radical ex-communication . . . meaning they did not want Paul to communicate any longer.
Not to make any comparison to Paul but I’ve been through two major excommunications in my life with a number of lesser ones along the way.
The first major one was by the LDS Church. It was formally administered and once handed down went into effect.
This excommunication included fifteen men sitting around a table, all sides of the charges were heard, the thing got quite theatrical to tell you the truth as the powers that be put on quite a show, and the decision was handed down with dramatic imprecations. It was a little comical, to tell you the truth.
That being said it was far more in harmony with the spirit of reasonable measures to control and extricate a source the men in charge deemed dangerous.
The second major excommunication was much more barbaric and was meted out by a loose-net team of people claiming Jesus as Lord.
This unofficial (but official) tribunal was not handled by men around a table but began in online courts of public opinion where I was first vilified without a hearing or without a reasonable chance to present my cases.
At least the LDS offered that.
Once the vilification was accepted as merited, the excommunication slowly slipped in and took effect – to the point where I have absolutely zero contact with anyone in the faith outside those who attend CAMPUS or watch online and our supporters throughout the world who too have stepped outside of institutional faith.
I have on several occasions I have reached out to certain Pastors in the community over specific issues – one I called four times – and have never got a return call from any of them.
Three weeks ago a Pastor maligned my character to one of you and I got wind of it. I called him and asked if we could just discuss his facts – no call.
Excomminicated – attempting to silence all communications from the condemned.
Wanting to silence Saul the Jews in Damascus were doing the same thing – except in that day and age the act was by physical death. (Verse 24 and 25)
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Paul refers to this incident in 2nd Corinthians 11:32-33, where he says:
“In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king kept the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me; and through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped their hands.”
Cities were surrounded by high walls; and of course the gates were presumed to be the only way of escape. These enemies supposed that Saul would make an attempt to escape through the gates so they stationed guards there to intercept him.
So he was let down through a window in the wall in a basket which would have probably been used to bear other goods like food.
In reality Paul was being true to the words of Jesus who Himself said in Matthew 10:23:
“When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another,” and since Paul was pretty certain he would die if he remained in Damascus he secured his life by flight.
Now, either this occurred AFTER Paul had been taught by the Lord in Sinai or once He escaped Damascus he went to the Sinai Peninsula.
We don’t know. But between verse 25 and 26 I believe Paul went to Sinai for three years to learn of the Lord. (Then in verse 26 Luke adds)
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
So after being converted, preaching to the Jews in their synagogues in Damascus, going to the Sinai Peninsula to be trained of Christ, Saul went to Jerusalem and tried (assayed) to join himself to the disciples but they were all afraid of him.
Now, I tend to think that he was assaying to join the apostles but it says disciples so it could have included the apostles or maybe it was just some Christians in the City.
Whomever it was they feared him and it was most likely on some of the following grounds:
First, they remembered his violence against Christians from three years earlier and second, he disappeared for at least three years where nobody apparently had known of his whereabouts.
When we think about it, they were probably stunned that being converted by Christ he did not directly come to them for their advice and approbation.
Instead the man disappeared. We know human nature. This was a troubling situation so they were naturally quite reserved in their reception of him.
Note, however, that Luke does not give them a pass on their fears. He simply and straightly tells us they were apprehensive.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
All the way back in Acts chapter 4 we are introduced to Barnabas. Remember? We read the following:
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Because Cyprus was very close geographically to Damascus it is likely that Barnabas had gotten insight into Saul and decided to stand up for him as a character witness.
It’s probable that had Paul not had Barnabus’s endorsement he would not have received the apostles fellowship.
Now, it may seem strange that word of Paul’s conversion did not make it to the ears of the Apostles so what’s the deal with Barnabas having to have to step in and make the introduction.
First, his absence could have created a gap in their trust but we also have to take to other items into account.
First, communications were very sketchy at that time just by virtue or rumors and distance and mode but more importantly,
at this time a state of animosity and hostility existed between Herod and Aretas (who was over Damascus).
Josephus tells us this.
See Herod the tetrarch had married the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, but he had put her away.(Josephus, Antiq. b. xviii. chap. v. 1, 2.)
The result of this was a long war between them which could have interrupted the communication throughout much of that country.
So Barnabas stepped in a bridged the gap.
(verse 28)
We learn from Galatians 1 that Paul went only to Peter and James – maybe the others were not in town at the time of the initial introduction. At verse 28 it seems that Paul has been accepted as it says . . .
28 And he (Paul) was with them (the disciples/and or apostles) coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
Galatians tells us that the length of time Paul was there with Peter and James was fifteen days. Three years with Jesus, fifteen days with Man – a good ratio, I’d say.
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
Now, from this passage we get some insight back into the person of Paul.
Peter and James were in Jerusalem and had been there for years without suffering death.
Paul was there for 15 days and they sought to take his life. Remembering that Christ selected Paul to do what he was going to do we have to believe that Paul was doing what Jesus wanted Him to do and wanted Him to continue to be – bold.
We know that this boldness was part of his character – even before knowing the Lord. It stands to reason that he would continue on as the Lord had made him.
Fifteen days and they wanted him dead.
Who? Luke says that while in Jerusalem he got into it with the Grecians.
Remember, this would in almost all probability refer to Jews who had been Hellenized, who were perhaps from Greece, and though influenced by Greek culture were still faithful Jews that were in Jerusalem due to their allegiance to the faith.
Listen to verse 29 again:
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
(Verse 30)
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Which was Paul’s native city. So another escape by Paul from death. Because it was part of Cilicia we believe this was when Paul says (in Galatians 1:21)
“Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.”
Luke then adds the results of Paul leaving that area and says:
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
In other words persecutions against Christians ceased once Paul was moved out of that region.
In all probability the persecutions ceased partly from the fact that most of the Christians had been spread out due to the earlier persecutions that began at the time of Stephan’s death.
Of course Paul, who once led the persecutions had converted. One Dr. Lardiner adds the following historical insight which provides us with another potential reason the Christians experienced peace during this time, saying:
“Soon after Caligula’s accession, the Jews at Alexandria suffered very much from the Egyptians in that city, and at length their oratories there were all destroyed. In the third year of Caligula, A.D. 39, Petronius was sent into Syria, with orders to set up the emperor’s statue in the temple at Jerusalem. This order from Caligula was, to the Jews, a thunderstroke. The Jews must have been too much engaged after this to mind anything else, as may appear from the accounts which Philo and Josephus have given us of this affair. Josephus says, that ‘Caligula ordered Perronius to go with an army to Jerusalem, to set up his statue in the temple there; enjoining him, if the Jews opposed it, to put to death all who made any resistance, and to make all the rest of-the nation slaves. Petronius, therefore, marched from Antioch into Judea, with three legions and a large body of auxiliaries raised in Syria. All were hereupon filled with consternation, the army being come as far as Ptolemais.'”
(see Lardner’s Works, vol. i. pp. 101, 102; Lond. Ed. 1829.)
In other words the Jews were too busy and worried over these events to be too worried about the Christians – so it’s another reason they had peace during this time.
This account also give us insight to the military and political pressures that were mounting in Jerusalem and which would culminate in its total destruction in 70 AD.
At this point our narrative stops discussing Paul and turns again to Peter.
This return to Peter will happen three more times – once here in chapter 9, then again in all of chapter 10, then in the first half of chapter 11 – and then Peter and the others will essentially exit the scene until we get to the Epistle of James at the end of the New Testament. All the rest of the content it will be provided by Paul.
So let’s read:
Acts 9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
Just as a side FYI, and for those at home not familiar with Mormonism, the phrase, “And it came to pass,” is employed 396 times in the entire Bible – 336 times in the Old and sixty times in the New.
As a mark of true plagiarism, the Book of Mormon appeals to the phrase 1011 times more, totaling the unhealthy number of 1407 times in the much shorter book.
Put it this way –
The Book of Mormon has around 268,000 words and the Bible has around 783,000. This means that the phrase, “And it came to pass” is used in the Book of Mormon every 38 words and it is used in the Bible every 386 words.
An interesting indication of plaguerism.
Anyway . . .
And it came to pass, as Peter passed through all quarters, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named Ahee-nee-as, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
Aeneas is a Greek name so in all probability he was a Hellenist who for eight years suffered from the palsy, which we have determined on a number of accounts means some sort of feebleness or form or paralysis (since the Greek word is “paraluoo”)
34 And Peter said unto him, “Ahee-nee-as, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
We’ve talked a lot about New Testament apostolic healings and so I won’t go into them here but we can’t help but note whom Peter says has healed him – Jesus Christ.
Enough said – verse 35.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Because the man’s affliction had been with him for eight years it’s probably that the people of the communities were familiar with him.
What did the healing (that Jesus did through Peter) accomplish?
“Conversions” or as Luke puts it, “all that were from that area turned to the Lord.”
I can’t let this go, friends.
Why were these saints “blessed” with witnessing healings (which assisted them in conversions in their areas) and yet we seem to be absent of them – at least to the degree that they occurred here in the New Testament?
There are several responses to this. One is
“These same type of healing-miracles are still happening as much today.”
Second, some says that they were for that time and age to reach a people who were historically accustomed to viewing miracles as God at work.
Third, other say that the miracles for us today are those whose lives and hearts changed since medical advances are often able to do today what was not available to the people then.
You decide.
Luke now takes us to another healing done at the hands of Peter and in doing so brings him to the place in chapter ten where Peter will be asked to do something very important to the Good News going to the world.
And the story involves a town called Joppa. (verse 36)
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
Joppa was a seaport town, situated on the Mediterranean, in the tribe of Dan, about thirty miles south of Caesarea, and forty-five north-west of Jerusalem.
It was the principal seaport of Palestine; and was quite popular and historically significant.
Why? It is believed that Jonah was in Joppa when he was called by God to go to Ninevah to preach.
Apparently there was a woman there named, “Tabitha,” which is a Syriac name that means antelope. This might be strange to us but it was not unusual for people in the middle east to give the names of graceful or beautiful animals to young women.
Unfortunately Tabitha translated into Greek comes out Dorcas – a not . . . so pretty word but in the Greek means a roe or a doe.
Tabitha is a woman described as full of “good works” which included acts to the poor (referred to as almsdeeds here in the KJ). Verse 37
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
It’s sort of interesting to me but among most cultures it is customary to wash the body before it is buried or burned. I suppose it’s a sign of respect but its functional purpose escapes me.
Anyway by placing her in the upper chamber scholars say that it was unlikely that they believed Peter would heal her.
In other words they placed her body in a location where it was believed she was gone for good.(Verse 38)
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
There was about six miles distance between where Peter was in Lydda and Joppa.
Because Tabitha was a woman “beloved for her works” its probable that the people were upset with her passing and reached out to someone that they trusted (or had heard about in the faith) and while its certainly possible that they hoped that he would restore her to life this reason is not mentioned here by Luke.
Also, it could be that they didn’t believe it was in the Apostles realm to raise the dead as they had not yet performed this miracle yet – even in the case of Stephan.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
It is probable that the widows there who were mourning over the passing of Dorcas were recipients of her benevolence and this is supported by the fact that when Peter arrived they emotionally showed him the material gifts she had created for them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Peter had seen Jesus do the same thing before – clearing the room . . . we have to wonder why this was done.
Does the presence of people weeping inhibit raising the dead? Does their unbelief and their emotions somehow interfere with what was to be done? Did Peter need to concentrate and needed silence? Was it a private affair?
I don’t know the answers so I won’t attempt one. All we can say is both Peter and Jesus cleared the room of mourning people when they raised the dead.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
Big miracle. Breaking it down the woman was sick unto death and died.
Peter kneeled, prayed, turned and spoke – looking at her saying: “Tabitha, arise.”
And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up, and then he gave her his hand, and lifted her up and then he called the believers and the widows and presented her alive to them.
And listen again to the result of this (Verse 42)
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
This was a similar response to when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead too. Many believed on the LORD.
Listen – the miracle could not have solely been to raise Tabitha – though that was a great benefit – especially to Tabitha.
But it was done to bring many to the Lord.
Apparently and in consideration of the audience, it would not have benefited bringing people to the Lord by raising Stephan and so it didn’t happen.
But here, it had power and legs, and touched many people so much they believed.
And of course, this story pictures the healings of those dead in sin today –
We were all once dead – dead to the things of the Spirit.
We have people kneel and pray for our recovery and rebirth.
Those people speak to us – they, in effect “tell us to arise – to come to new life through faith in Jesus. And our eyes are opened, and we look right at them (like Dorcas looked at Peter) and we, animated by the Spirit of the Lord, sit up and take notice. We awake from death by the Spirit and we sit up from our deathbed.
And like Dorcas those who have called to us extend their hands and help lift us up – to stand on our own two feet.
And then we are also presented to others in the faith, as a people brought back from the dead.
This is what we are all doing when we share Jesus with others – we are doing what Peter did, performing miracles and helping literally raise people from the dead.
John the Beloved says in 1st John 5:12
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
I take that passage seriously and literally and no matter how animated or lively or active or “with it” a person appears in this world, if they have the Son they have life and if they do NOT have the Son of God they do not have life – which means that they are dead.
In John 5:25 Jesus said:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead
shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
You wanna do miracles today? Share Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life and gently, lovingly help people believe.
Do this and you will literally watch people go from being dead to rising up to new life . . . by and through His name.
(beat)
Last verse of chapter 9
43 And it came to pass, that he (Peter) tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
We will see next week that Peter is in the perfect place now and here at Joppa in the house of Simon the Tanner will be called to leave and go and bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Interestingly, the people of Ninevah were also gentiles. And Jonah was reluctant in the call on his life to reach them.
We will see a similar initial reaction in Peter – next week.
Q and A
