Acts 9 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 9 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• Saul’s conversion occurred approximately 35-36 A.D.

• Saul (Paul) spent time in Damascus and Arabia (Galatians 1) from approximately 36-39 A.D.

• Saul visited Jerusalem approximately 39 A.D.

• Saul’s trip to Tarsus, the healing of Aeneas, and the raising of Dorcas from the dead occurred between the years 39-43 A.D.

• *It is important to read Galatians 1 when putting together a timeline of the events mentioned in Acts 9.

CHARACTERS:

• Saul (Paul) – A Pharisee who violently persecuted the early Jewish Christians.

• Ananias – A disciple who lived in Damascus. God sent him to find Saul on the “street called Straight.”

• Peter – One of the 12 Apostles.

• Aeneas – A man paralyzed for 8 years who was healed by Jesus.  

• Dorcas – A disciple “full of good works and acts of charity” who died of illness.

WHERE:

• The chapter begins with Saul making a trip from Jerusalem to Damascus.

• After being run out of Jerusalem, Saul went to his hometown of Tarsus.

• Peter met Aeneas in Lydda and Dorcas in Joppa

OUTLINE:

• JESUS APPEARS TO SAUL (PAUL) ON HIS WAY TO DAMASCUS (9:1-9):

  • Saul, a Jewish Pharisee, was threatening and murdering the disciples of the Lord.

  • He received permission from the High Priest to go to Damascus and arrest Christians.

  • On the road to Damascus, a light from heaven appeared around him and he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

  • The voice belonged to Jesus, and He told Saul to go into Damascus and wait in the city until God sent him further instructions.

  • After speaking with Jesus, Paul could not see because of the brightness of the light (22:11).

• PAUL IS BAPTIZED AFTER SPEAKING WITH ANANIAS (9:10-18):

  • A disciple named Ananias lived in the city of Damascus.

  • God appeared to him in a vision and told him to find Saul of Tarsus.

  • Initially, Ananias resisted, having heard of Saul’s hatred of Jesus’ disciples.

  • God assured Ananias Saul was a “chosen instrument” of His.

  • When Ananias found Saul, he laid his hands on him and he regained his sight.

  • Saul was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.  

• PAUL PROCLAIMS JESUS TO THE JEWS OF DAMASCUS (9:19-25):

  • Paul went to the synagogue in Damascus and started telling people Jesus was the Son of God.

  • He “confounded the Jews” with his arguments.

  • The Jews plotted to kill him, but he escaped the city when his fellow disciples lowered him over the city wall in a basket at night.

• SAUL VISITS JERUSALEM (9:26-31):

  • Saul went to Jerusalem and wanted to join the believers, but they were all afraid of him because they knew his reputation.

  • Barnabas took Paul and introduced him to the Apostles.

  • Paul began preaching in the city, but the Hellenists wanted him dead.

  •  Paul left Jerusalem and went to Tarsus.

• THE HEALING OF AENEAS (9:32-35):

  • Peter met a paralyzed man named Aeneas in Lydda.

  • Peter healed him in the name of Jesus and amazed the residents of Lydda.

• DORCAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD (9:36-43):

  • Tabitha (translated Dorcas) was a disciple who lived in the city of Joppa.

  • She became ill and died.

  • Peter travelled to Joppa and raised her from the dead.

APPLICATION:

• Through Jesus’ blood, forgiveness is available to everyone!

• If you are worried that God won’t forgive you for your past sins, study the story of Paul.

• Paul murdered Christians for professing faith in Jesus.

• He was an active enemy of everything Jesus came to accomplish.

• Yet Jesus was willing to forgive Him and use him to build the Kingdom of Heaven.

• God loves renovating sinners.

• The Bible describes us as clay in the hand of the Master Potter (God).

• No matter what you’ve done in your past, He can reshape you for His service.