November 19: Acts 9-10

November 19, Acts 9-10

Acts Continued…

Acts 9 Well well… Obviously, lots going on here. The story of Saul becoming Paul is one of massive importance. Saul was killing and arresting Christ followers with 100% tenacity. He was committed to his cause, albeit the wrong one, but committed none the less. What Saul experienced is a bit unique, but I believe that sometimes Jesus has to literally knock us off our feet in order for us to stop with our own agenda and pursue His. At least, that is how it is for me… I am a busy man that has a thick head at times. I am working on being more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Saul was then brought to Christ by a man who was afraid of him because he was so horrible to Christians. He was instantly baptized, out of obedience. Using his tenacity - he went right to work preaching that Jesus was the Christ!!! That is what I am talking about Saul. The religious leaders wanted Saul dead, so his disciples snuck him out of the city at night… 

Peter, through the power of Jesus name, healed a bedridden man. Many people were coming to Jesus because of this miracle… Then Peter, through the power of Jesus name, brings Tabitha back from the dead. She was good people and charitable!

Peter was then staying with Simon, a tanner. Interesting side note - according to Jewish law, Simon the Tanner would have been perpetually unclean - he was always around dead animals getting their skin… and this is who Peter was living with.

Bakers Commentary Summary puts this chapter this way: “Paul travels to Damascus to persecute the church, arrest the believers, and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he approaches Damascus, brilliant light from heaven flashes around him. He hears the voice of Jesus, who asks him why he is persecuting him. Blinded by the light, Paul is led to Damascus, where he fasts for three days.

Jesus calls Ananias and sends him to the house of Judas on Straight Street, where Paul is staying. After objecting to the assignment and hearing reassuring words from Jesus, Ananias goes to Paul. He places his hands on Paul, who then receives his sight and is filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul is baptized, ends his fast, and is strengthened.

Paul preaches in the synagogues of Damascus, but in time experiences so much opposition that he fears for his life. His converts let him down in a basket on the outside of the city wall. He escapes to Jerusalem, where he is introduced to the apostles through the tactful words of Barnabas. Paul debates the Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem, again is threatened, and travels to Caesarea and Tarsus.

Peter performs two miracles, one in Lydda, where he heals bedridden Aeneas, and the other in Joppa, where he brings Dorcas back to life. Many people believe in the Lord, and Peter stays with Simon the tanner.”

Acts 10  Bakers Commentary Summary: “Cornelius, who serves as centurion in the Italian Regiment stationed in Caesarea, is a devout God-fearer. He supports the poor materially and spends much time in prayer. At one of his prayer sessions, an angel appears to him and instructs him to summon Simon Peter from Joppa. Cornelius dispatches two trusted servants and a devout soldier to Joppa to request that Peter come to Caesarea.

In Joppa, Peter spends time on the flat roof of the house where he is staying. As he prays, he falls into a trance and in a vision sees a large sheet filled with all kinds of animals coming down from heaven. Peter hears a voice telling him to kill and eat. He objects, saying that he has never eaten anything unclean. But the voice informs him that God has removed the distinction between clean and unclean. Three times this happens, and while Peter puzzles over the meaning of his vision, the messengers from Caesarea arrive. They invite Peter to come to the house of Cornelius.

Two days later, Peter and his fellow travelers enter Caesarea, where Cornelius welcomes them. A large circle of Cornelius’s friends awaits Peter. He explains that God has told him that he should not call anybody unclean; that is, Peter should accompany the messengers. Cornelius relates the visit and the message of the angel. Then Peter preaches the Good News to his Gentile audience. Suddenly the Holy Spirit descends on the Gentiles, which amazes the Jewish Christians. The Gentiles speak in tongues, glorify God, and are baptized. Peter stays with them for a few days.”

Peter gives Cornelius and his friends and family the Gospel summary, “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” What happens when people hear the Truth about Christ? Often times, life change. In this case, “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.” People who truly meet Jesus cannot be the same after. That is the power of God.

To sum it all up: 

• When Christ gets your attention - does He have to whisper to you or blind you? Does the Spirit have to hit you with a hypothetical 4x4 post across the head or are you walking in the Spirit so much that you hear the whispers?
• Paul is one of my favorites. I can relate to him quite a bit, personality wise. Passionate and dedicated, focused and a leader. I want to emulate many of his character traits. 
• The gospel summary above - so awesome to see and hear. Jesus did all that and changed the world…
• I will say it again - People who truly meet Jesus cannot be the same after. That is the power of the one true God.