Threats
and Danger do not stop Progress
Acts
9:20-31
Jerry
A. Collins
5/18/03
SCC
Ä What
does it take to stop you from witnessing of Christ?
Ä How
is Barnabas an encouragement to Paul?
Ä Why
is the name ‘Jesus’ important in our witness?
Sometimes
some of the most amazing and unbelievable transformations take place in
people’s lives. I attended the 20th anniversary of
Bridge to Life, a ministry designed to assist struggling marriages and
strengthen healthy ones. A couple who used to be divorced shared about their
reconciliation and subsequent
remarriage to each other after months of separation. God, they
said, had accomplished an amazing transformation in their lives. Those who knew
them may have thot it
unbelievable. Luke wrote the following information in Acts 9:20-31 so that we
would understand the transformation that had taken place in Saul of Tarsus’
life. He does that by stressing the genuineness of Saul’s conversion and
revealing to us the radical change it made in his life. As unbelievable as it
may have seemed, Saul was a changed man.
1. A LIFE TRANSFORMED BY
CHRIST BECOMES A WITNESS OF CHRIST 19b-25
Confession is vital to a
vigorous Christian life. Romans 10:8-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus
as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall
be saved for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness and with
the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation.
The testimony of Saul does
not await his growth but accompanies it. He begins to witness immediately vs.
20. Notice the relationship between his witness in vs.
20 and in vs. 22. First is the fact he had discovered on the Damascus road
namely Christ was the Son of God vs. 20. Second, is seen an increase in his comprehension
of how the facts of Jesus’ life and death fulfilled Old Testament prophecy vs.
22. So there is an implied growth in strength related to an increased
understanding and depth in the Word (both the oral facts of Jesus’ earthly
ministry later written down and the OT). So he is able now to prove the truth.
So if we begin by testifying to what we know, our basic experience with Christ,
God will give us more. The discussions provoked by witnessing will force us to
study and dig more deeply as was likely the case with Saul. Notice that his
witness increases in it’s effectiveness. (1) vs. 21 he
amazes (they were beside themselves, struck out of their senses; same response
to Jesus Mk 2:12; 5:42; 6:51) and in vs. 22 he confounds (to be bewildered,
confused). (2) vs.20 he preaches or proclaims and in
vs. 22 he proves. He used this strategy of preaching in the synagogues on his
missionary journeys (1st 13:5; 2nd 17:2; 3rd
19:8). We also learn that our witness may have a three-fold effect: (1) It amazes those who have known us before vs. 21. The Jews
find it hard to believe this is the same person and in a sense it is not! His
reputation in Jerusalem had raised havoc there. We always speak of those things
that are vital to us and for Saul and us it is Christ. (2) It confounds those
who oppose us with their arguments vs. 22. Saul had the finest education 1st-century
Judaism could offer and these Jews could not hope to match his knowledge of the
Scripture. Once he understood who Jesus was, he had the key that unlocked the
whole OT and put that vast knowledge to use brilliantly proving that this Jesus
was indeed the Messiah. Our skillful use of God’s Word can confound anyone who
might resist it’s truth. (3) It arouses those who
reject the message and may lead to suffering in our lives vs. 23-25. Here is
recorded his first taste of the suffering ordained for him by the Lord vs. 16. Though
this antagonism could have been aroused much sooner, it does not come until
Saul has spent many
days vs. 23 of witnessing while he simultaneously increased in strength. So
God waits until His servant has acquired this strength so that he is able to
bear the suffering associated with the witness. If witnessing leads to this in
our lives it is for our eternal good For to you it has been
granted for Christ’s sake not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake experiencing
the same conflict you saw in me and now hear to be in me Phil 1:29-30 It
is clear from 2 Cor 11:32-33 that a joint effort
between the governor and of Jews conspired to kill Saul. Ironically, the
persecutor becomes the persecuted. He had entered the city blind and he leaves
it in a basket for his life.
2. BOLD CONFIDENCE IN & CONFESSION
OF CHRIST’S NAME GENUINE MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP 26-30
Discipleship is principal
background of this chapter (1, 10, 19, 25, 26). Paul
becomes the ideal disciple and Acts 9 commences his career as a disciple
unsurpassed in Christian history. First, converted Saul cannot
immediately prove his discipleship vs. 26. We know that for 3 years after his
conversion he was in Arabia and then stayed in Damascus to witness (Gal
1:15-19) before traveling to Jerusalem. The apostles had not met him personally
yet so their suspicions aroused. Second, another disciple vouches
for him and offers a twofold proof of Saul’s discipleship each beginning with
the word how. (a) How he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had
talked to him vs. 27. This is the first step in discipleship--salvation.
Saul’s personal experience with the Lord was a true conversion. (b) and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of
Jesus vs. 27. For the 1st time disciples are described as those who call
on the name of the Lord Jesus. In their hour of trial disciples appealed with
confidence in a Name and throne higher than Caeser’s.
Barnabas willingly reached out to a new convert in Jerusalem as Annanias had done in Damascus. God used these men to
prepare and reveal a genuine disciple who boldly displayed confidence in and
confession of Jesus Christ. God wants to use you this way. Third,
he resumed Stephens work of debating Hellenistic Jews
29. Ironically God replaces Stephen with one who had approved his death as a
replacement in witness of Christ. Fourth, they now want to
eliminate Saul as they had Stephen vs. 29-30. Whereas Stephen life cut off,
Saul escapes the same plotters living years of fruitful service. God is
sovereign in the differing careers of his disciples! Twice in Acts 9 Saul flees
danger vs. 25 & 30. Boldness in discipleship not
synonymous with being reckless. He does not brazenly walk thru Damascus
gate or persist witnessing in Jerusalem. The disciple does not seek suffering
but obedience to God’s Word. It is not wrong to avoid suffering unless by doing
so we avoid the will of God. Notice at every crucial point fellow xians help him (Ananias, the
disciples 25, Barnabas 27, the brethren 30). So God is preparing him to explain
the relationship of ministry within the body of Christ by these encounters.
3. THE THIRD PROGRESS REPORT 31
Church here is singular probably referring to all
believers at this time. Saul’s departure from Israel brot
greater peace and the church was being built up, going on in fear/comfort &
increased accordingly