Acts 9:21
All who heard him were astounded and asked, "Isn't this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"
All who heard him were astounded
This phrase captures the immediate reaction of those who witnessed Saul's transformation. The Greek word for "astounded" is "ἐξίσταντο" (existanto), which conveys a sense of being amazed or astonished to the point of being beside oneself. This reaction is significant because it underscores the dramatic change in Saul's life. Historically, Saul was known as a fierce persecutor of Christians, and his sudden shift to preaching the Gospel would have been shocking to those familiar with his past. This astonishment reflects the power of God's transformative work in an individual's life, serving as a testament to the authenticity of Saul's conversion.

and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem
The phrase "wreaked havoc" is translated from the Greek "πορθέω" (portheo), meaning to destroy or ravage. This word choice emphasizes the intensity and violence of Saul's previous actions against the early Christian community. The historical context here is crucial; Saul was a zealous Pharisee who actively sought to dismantle the burgeoning Christian movement. His reputation as a persecutor was well-known, particularly in Jerusalem, the epicenter of early Christianity. This question posed by the onlookers highlights the stark contrast between Saul's past and his present mission, illustrating the profound impact of his encounter with Christ.

on those who call on this name?
The phrase "call on this name" refers to the early Christians who invoked the name of Jesus in prayer and worship. The Greek word "ἐπικαλέω" (epikaleo) means to call upon or appeal to, indicating a deep reliance and trust in Jesus. This expression underscores the centrality of Jesus' name in the life of believers, as it represents their faith and identity. In the scriptural context, calling on the name of Jesus was a defining characteristic of the Christian community, setting them apart from other religious groups. Saul's previous mission was to suppress this very act, making his newfound advocacy for Jesus all the more remarkable.

And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
This question highlights the initial purpose of Saul's journey to Damascus. The phrase "take them as prisoners" is derived from the Greek "δεσμεύω" (desmeuo), meaning to bind or imprison. Saul's intent was to capture Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial and punishment. The mention of "the chief priests" points to the religious authorities in Jerusalem who were opposed to the spread of Christianity. This historical detail emphasizes the official sanction Saul had for his mission, underscoring the gravity of his conversion. His original intent was to further persecute the followers of Jesus, yet he became one of the most influential apostles, demonstrating the radical nature of God's grace and redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul (Paul)
Former persecutor of Christians who experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. He is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.

2. Jerusalem
The city where Saul previously persecuted Christians, known for its religious significance and as the center of Jewish worship.

3. Damascus
The city where Saul was headed to arrest Christians but instead encountered Jesus and was transformed.

4. The Disciples
Followers of Jesus who were initially skeptical of Saul's conversion due to his past actions.

5. Chief Priests
Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem who had given Saul authority to arrest Christians.
Teaching Points
The Power of Transformation
Saul's conversion is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Christ. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace, and even the most unlikely individuals can become instruments of His will.

The Importance of Testimony
Saul's past and his new life in Christ serve as a powerful testimony to others. Our personal accounts of transformation can be a compelling witness to the truth of the Gospel.

Overcoming Skepticism
The initial skepticism of the disciples highlights the challenge of overcoming doubt and fear. As believers, we must be open to the work of God in others, even when it defies our expectations.

God's Sovereignty in Redemption
Saul's account reminds us that God is sovereign and can use anyone for His purposes. Our past does not disqualify us from being used by God; rather, it can be a part of His redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Saul's transformation challenge our perceptions of who can be used by God for His purposes?

2. In what ways can our personal testimonies impact those around us, especially those who may be skeptical of the Christian faith?

3. How can we, as a church community, support and encourage new believers who have a difficult past?

4. What steps can we take to overcome skepticism and fear when we encounter someone with a dramatic conversion account?

5. How does understanding God's sovereignty in Saul's conversion help us trust Him with the seemingly impossible situations in our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 8:3
Describes Saul's previous actions of persecuting the church, providing context for the astonishment of those who heard him preach.

Galatians 1:23
Paul recounts how people were amazed that the one who persecuted the church was now preaching the faith.

1 Timothy 1:13-16
Paul reflects on his past as a persecutor and the grace he received, emphasizing God's mercy and the transformative power of the Gospel.
Amazement's OpportunityP.C. Barker Acts 9:21
Christian BrotherlinessJ. W. Burn.Acts 9:17-23
Divine BrotherhoodJ. W. Munday.Acts 9:17-23
Saul ConvertedW. H. Davison.Acts 9:17-23
The New Convert Proving His SincerityR.A. Redford Acts 9:19-22
Saul At DamascusE. Johnson Acts 9:19-25
The Texture of Human LifeW. Clarkson Acts 9:19-30
People
Aeneas, Ananias, Barnabas, Dorcas, Grecians, Judas, Lud, Peter, Saul, Simon, Tabitha
Places
Azotus, Caesarea, Damascus, Galilee, Jerusalem, Joppa, Judea, Lydda, Samaria, Sharon, Straight Street, Tarsus
Topics
Amazed, Astonished, Attacking, Bound, Bring, Bringing, Calling, Carry, Chains, Chief, Continued, Destroyed, Exterminate, Full, Hasn't, Havoc, Hearers, Hearing, Hither, Intending, Intent, Isn't, Jerusalem, Laid, Priests, Prisoners, Purpose, Raised, Saying, Tried, Waist, Wonder, Worshippers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 9:21

     5461   prisoners
     5784   amazement
     5962   surprises
     7330   chief priests
     7565   Sanhedrin

Acts 9:1-30

     5108   Paul, life of

Acts 9:20-21

     2369   Christ, responses to

Acts 9:20-22

     7755   preaching, importance

Acts 9:20-25

     5817   conspiracies

Library
'This Way'
'Any of this way.'--ACTS ix. 2 The name of 'Christian' was not applied to themselves by the followers of Jesus before the completion of the New Testament. There were other names in currency before that designation--which owed its origin to the scoffing wits of Antioch--was accepted by the Church. They called themselves 'disciples,' 'believers, 'saints,' 'brethren,' as if feeling about for a title. Here is a name that had obtained currency for a while, and was afterwards disused. We find it five times
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church
'So the Church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was multiplied.'--ACTS ix. 31 (R.V.). A man climbing a hill stops every now and then to take breath and look about him; and in the earlier part of this Book of the Acts of the Apostles there are a number of such landing-places where the writer suspends the course of his narrative, in order to give a general notion of the condition of the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Grace Triumphant
'And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them hound unto Jerusalem. 3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? 5.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Copies of Christ's Manner
'And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.... 40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and, turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise.--ACTS ix. 34, 40. I have put these two miracles together, not only because they were closely connected in time and place, but because they have a very remarkable and instructive feature in common. They are both evidently moulded upon Christ's miracles; are distinct imitations of what Peter had
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Paul's First Prayer
First, our text was an announcement; "Behold, he prayeth." Secondly, it was an argument; "For, behold, he prayeth." Then, to conclude, we will try to make an application of our text to your hearts. Though application is the work of God alone, we will trust that he will be pleased to make that application while the word is preached this morning. I. First, here was AN ANNOUNCEMENT; "Go to the house of Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he prayeth." Without any preface, let me say, that this was the announcement
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
"Go and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."--ACTS ix. 11. "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting."--1 TIM. i. 16. God took His own Son, and made Him our Example and our Pattern. It sometimes is as if the power of Christ's example is lost in the thought that He, in whom is no sin, is not man as we are. Our Lord took Paul, a man
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

"To Me to Live is Christ"
PHILIPPIANS i. 21. In connection with ACTS ix. 1--18. THERE is no more significant sign of the days in which we live than the interest society seems to be taking in the biographies of great men. Almost all the more popular recent books, for instance--the books which every one is reading and has to read--come under the category of biography; and, to meet the demand, two or three times in each season the market has to be supplied with the lives, in minute detail, of men who but for this would perhaps
Henry Drummond—The Ideal Life

The Future of Christ's Kingdom First Group of Epistles the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians Introduction to the Epistles of Paul +Epistolary Writings. + --The
STUDY VII THE FUTURE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM FIRST GROUP OF EPISTLES THE FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLES OF PAUL +Epistolary Writings.+--The New Testament is composed of twenty-seven books, twenty-one of which are Epistles. Of this latter number thirteen are ascribed to Paul. It is thus seen how largely the New Testament is made up of Epistles and how many of these are attributed to the Great Apostle. In the letters of men of great prominence and power of any
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The New Testament Text and Its History.
The history of the New Testament text naturally falls into two main divisions, that of the manuscript text, and that of the printed text. A few remarks will be added on the principles of textual criticism. See PLATES at the beginning of this book. [Transcriber's Note: Transcriptions of the Plates are at the end of this e-book.] I. THE MANUSCRIPT TEXT. 1. The preservation of the primitive text of the gospels from all essential corruptions, additions, and mutilations has already been shown
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Sharon. Caphar Lodim. The Village of those of Lydda.
Between Lydda and the sea, a spacious valley runs out, here and there widely spreading itself, and sprinkled with villages. The holy page of the New Testament [Acts 9:35] calls it Saron: and that of the Old calls the whole, perhaps, or some part of it, 'the plain of Ono,' Nehemiah 6:2, 11:35; 1 Chronicles 8:12... The wine of Sharon is of great fame, with which they mixed two parts water: and remarkable is that they say concerning the houses of Sharon. R. Lazar saith, "He that builds a brick house
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Caphar Tebi.
And this village neighboured upon Lydda, situate on the east of it. "R. Eleazar had a vineyard of four years' growth; on the east of Lydda, near Caphar Tebi." Of it there is this mention also:-- "They sometime brought a chest full of bones from Caphar Tebi, and they placed it openly in the entrance to Lydda. Tudrus the physician and the rest of the physicians go forth"--(namely, that they might judge, whether they were the bones of men or no; and thereby, whether they were to be esteemed clean or
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Sources and Literature on St. Paul and his Work.
I. Sources. 1. The authentic sources: The Epistles of Paul, and the Acts of the Apostles 9:1-30 and 13 to 28. Of the Epistles of Paul the four most important Galatians, Romans, two Corinthians--are universally acknowledged as genuine even by the most exacting critics; the Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians are admitted by nearly all critics; the Pastoral Epistles, especially First Timothy, and Titus, are more or less disputed, but even they bear the stamp of Paul's genius. On the coincidences
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

The Knight of God
Heinrich Suso Acts ix. 16 As the song of him who singeth, Playing on a harp of gold, So to me was Christ's evangel In the days of old. Thus across the lake of Constance Went I forth to preach His Word, And beside me sat the squire Of a noble Lord. None in all the ship so knightly, None so bravely dight as he-- "Tell me," I besought, "thine errand Yonder o'er the sea." "I go forth," he said, "to gather Many a knight and noble bold; They shall tilt at joust and tourney, Whilst fair eyes behold.
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Such, we May Believe, was that John the Monk...
21. Such, we may believe, was that John the Monk, whom the elder Theodosius, the Emperor, consulted concerning the issue of the civil war: seeing he had also the gift of prophecy. For that not each several person has a several one of those gifts, but that one man may have more gifts than one, I make no question. This John, then, when once a certain most religious woman desired to see him, and to obtain this did through her husband make vehement entreaty, refused indeed this request because he had
St. Augustine—On Care to Be Had for the Dead.

Whether any Preparation and Disposition for Grace is Required on Man's Part?
Objection 1: It would seem that no preparation or disposition for grace is required on man's part, since, as the Apostle says (Rom. 4:4), "To him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt." Now a man's preparation by free-will can only be through some operation. Hence it would do away with the notion of grace. Objection 2: Further, whoever is going on sinning, is not preparing himself to have grace. But to some who are going on sinning grace is given, as is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Form of this Sacrament Is: "I Absolve Thee"?
Objection 1: It would seem that the form of this sacrament is not: "I absolve thee." Because the forms of the sacraments are received from Christ's institution and the Church's custom. But we do not read that Christ instituted this form. Nor is it in common use; in fact in certain absolutions which are given publicly in church (e.g. at Prime and Compline and on Maundy Thursday), absolution is given not in the indicative form by saying: "I absolve thee," but In the deprecatory form, by saying: "May
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether one Ought to Dispute with Unbelievers in Public?
Objection 1: It would seem that one ought not to dispute with unbelievers in public. For the Apostle says (2 Tim. 2:14): "Contend not in words, for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." But it is impossible to dispute with unbelievers publicly without contending in words. Therefore one ought not to dispute publicly with unbelievers. Objection 2: Further, the law of Martianus Augustus confirmed by the canons [*De Sum. Trin. Cod. lib. i, leg. Nemo] expresses itself thus: "It is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Beginning of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Coin of Thessalonica] Turn to the list of books given in the beginning of your New Testament. You will see that first come the four Gospels, or glimpses of the Saviour's life given by four different writers. Then follows the Acts of the Apostles, and, lastly, after the twenty-one epistles, the volume ends with the Revelation. Now this is not the order in which the books were written--they are only arranged like this for our convenience. The first words of the New Testament
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
1. OLD TESTAMENT. 2. NEW TESTAMENT. 3. THE CHURCH; CHRISTENDOM; KINGDOM. II. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. 1. IN PROPHECY AND PROMISE. 2. HISTORICALLY FOUNDED. III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Conditions of Entrance; Characteristics. 1. REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. 2. FAITH IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. REGENERATION. 4. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST--BAPTISM. 5. ADHERENCE TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE. 6. CHARACTERISTICS. IV. FIGURES UNDER WHICH THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED. 1. THE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. THE TEMPLE OF
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

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