Page 52 - Acts Student Textbook

Did Paul start his assignment immediately? (9:20-21)

Yes he did! In 9:20, Luke tells us that "he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, He is the
Son of God'" This is an IMPERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. It can mean (1) the beginning of an action or (2)
repeated action. What irony! He came earlier with a letter from the High Priests in Jerusalem to the
synagogues in Damascus to persecute the followers of Jesus and now he came to the same
synagogues preaching Jesus as the Messiah (cf. v 21). As regards to the usage of the title ‘Son of
God', this is the only place in the book of Acts (except for the quote of Ps. 2:7 in Acts 13:33). Its OT
background reflects its significance: (1) the nation of Israel (cf. Hos. 11:1); (2) the King of Israel (cf. 2
Sam. 7:14); and (3) the Messiah (cf. Matt. 2:15). Paul's strict monotheism is being redefined!

What was the content of Paul’s message? (9:22)

Interestingly, in 9:22 Luke records, "Saul kept increasing in strength... by proving that this Jesus is the
Christ." This is an IMPERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE. It took some time for Saul's gifts and skills to develop. In
context this refers to Paul's preaching and debating skills (cf. TEV). See, even Paul had to grow in the
skill. Key to this development was his drive to practice. The word "proving", means to conclude (cf.
Acts 16:10; 19:33) and by extension, to prove. Paul's method was much like Stephen's. They both
used OT passages and their fulfillment in the life of Jesus of Nazareth to prove that He was the
Messiah promised in the OT.

How about Paul’s sufferings, did they begin early? (9:23)

Yes they did! We are told by Luke in 9:23 that "When many days had elapsed the Jews plotted
together to do away with him." We must take into account Paul's personal account found in Gal.
1:15-24, where he spent a long period of time in Arabia. Here Uttly helps us with background, “In
this context Arabia refers to the Nabataean kingdom (ruled by Aretas IV, who reigned from 9 B.C. to
A.D. 40) just southeast of Damascus. The three-year period probably reflects somewhere close to
eighteen months. Jews counted part of a day as the whole day (cf. Matt. 26:61; 27:40, 63); this
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reckoning was also used of years.”
The Jews apparently stirred up the civil authorities (cf. 2 Cor. 11:32-33). This must have been
humiliating for Paul because he mentions this very event in his discussion of weakness in 2
Corinthians 11. He had to escape the plot to survive, Luke records in 9:25, "by night…through an
opening in the wall." This must refer to a window in a private house whose back wall was part of the
wall surrounding the city (cf. 2 Cor. 11:33; Josh 2:15; 1 Sam. 19:12).

Paul runs to Jerusalem (9:26). This was apparently eighteen to thirty-six months later (cf. Gal. 1:15-
24). This verse shows the level of skepticism in which the Jerusalem believers held their former
persecutor. Apparently Acts records several of Paul's visits to Jerusalem after his dramatic
conversion. Here are the number of visits Paul makes to Jerusalem: (1) 9:26, first visit (2) 11:30, relief
visit (3) 12:25, after mission (4) 15:2, Jerusalem Council (5) 18:22, brief visit with the church (6) 21:17,
visit with James and the elders and resulting Nazarite vow and arrest.

Summary growth report (9:31; cf. 6:7)

PART THREE: ACTS 9:32-12:24
The Extension of the Church “as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch” (11:19)

29 Uttly, (Acts 9:23).
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