Why did Jesus say to Saul, "Why are you persecuting me?" Study Acts 9 with context, apologetic analysis, and cross-references.
Dr. Lucas D. Shallua Commentary · Acts 9
Jesus said this because the church is His body. To persecute the church is to persecute Christ Himself. Jesus identifies with His people. The King is one with His church. When Saul dragged believers to prison, he was dragging Jesus. When he approved of Stephen's death, he was approving of the death of a member of Christ's body. The King suffers with His people.
Yes. Saul was truly converted. He saw the risen Jesus. He heard His voice. He was blinded by the light. He fasted and prayed for three days. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was baptized. He immediately began preaching Jesus as the Son of God. His conversion was radical and complete. The persecutor became the apostle. The King transforms hearts.
Ananias was afraid because he knew Saul's reputation. Saul had authority from the chief priests to arrest Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem. Ananias knew that Saul had done great harm to the saints. He was afraid for his life. But the Lord told him to go, and Ananias obeyed. The King gives courage to His servants.
Barnabas vouched for Saul because he was a son of encouragement. He believed in the power of grace. He was willing to take a risk on a former persecutor. He brought Saul to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord and preached boldly in Damascus. Barnabas's encouragement was crucial for Saul's acceptance into the church. The King uses encouragers to restore and integrate His people.
The persecution had scattered the church, but Saul, the chief persecutor, was now converted. The church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a season of peace and growth. The persecution did not cease entirely, but the primary threat was removed. The King gives seasons of rest and refreshment.
Yes. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead. He knelt down and prayed, and then he said, "Tabitha, arise." She opened her eyes and sat up. This is a resurrection, similar to the miracles performed by Jesus and the prophets Elijah and Elisha. The King has authority over death, and He works through His apostles.
Peter was staying with a tanner named Simon. A tanner was a tradesman who worked with animal hides, a profession considered unclean by some Jews because it involved contact with dead animals. Peter's willingness to stay with a tanner shows that his heart was already beginning to open to the Gentiles. The King is preparing Peter for the vision at Joppa and the mission to Cornelius.
Chapter 8 ended with Philip preaching throughout the towns from Azotus to Caesarea and the Ethiopian eunuch going on his way rejoicing. The gospel has spread to Samaria and to a Gentile official from Ethiopia. Now Luke turns to the most significant conversion in the history of the early church: Saul of Tarsus. Saul was the chief persecutor of the church. He approved of Stephen's death, ravaged the church, and dragged believers to prison. Now the risen Jesus confronts him on the road to Damascus. The setting moves from Jerusalem to Damascus to Lydda and Joppa. The chapter marks a major turning point. The King transforms His enemy into His apostle and gives the church a season of peace.
Some critics argue that the conversion of Saul is a legendary embellishment. But the narrative is deeply rooted in historical detail. The road to Damascus, the letters from the high priest, the street called Straight, the house of Judas, the disciples in Damascus, and the opposition from the Jews are all historically plausible. The most plausible explanation is that it preserves genuine historical memory. The healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha are also historically significant. The detail of Aeneas being paralyzed for eight years, the widows showing the garments Tabitha had made, the upper room, and Peter kneeling to pray are vivid and specific. The most plausible explanation is that they preserve genuine historical memory.
This study preserves the hard questions, explanations, context, apologetic note, and references from Dr. Shallua's Commentary.