What did Saul’s companions see and hear on the road to Damascus?
What Did Saul’s Companions See and Hear on the Road to Damascus? As Saul journeyed toward Damascus in hopes of persecuting more followers of Jesus Christ, “suddenly a light shone around him from heaven” (Acts 9:3). Saul “fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
Was Saul of Tarsus converted on the road to Damascus?
Home Posts One a Day Through the New Testament Acts 9: Was Saul… One of the most common errors taught concerning Saul of Tarsus is that he was converted and saved on the road to Damascus. The singular defense of this doctrine is Ananias’ use of the word “brother” (“ adelphos ”) in addressing Saul in verse 17.
What did Saul do to the Disciples of the Lord?
¶“ 1 Saul kept breathing out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus. The letters authorized Saul, if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, to bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2).
How long was Saul blind when he went to Damascus?
They heard the sound, but saw nobody. Saul arose from the ground. Although his eyes were open, he couldn't see anything. His companions led him by the hand, and took him into Damascus. Saul was blind for three days.
See more
What did Saul know about Jesus?
Saul recognized both his sins and the Lordship of Jesus. The "light that shone around him" (Acts 9:3) wasn't ordinary light. It was "from heaven" (Acts 9:3) and had supernatural power that had knocked him to the ground. Just as Saul was wondering about the cause of what had just happened, Jesus gave him the answer: “Saul, Saul, ...
What does it mean when Saul is speechless?
Also, the men who were on the road with Saul "stood" (Acts 9:7 below) speechless, which means that they were on foot; since a group can travel only as fast as its slowest member, having had companions on foot counters the speculation that Saul rode a horse to get to Damascus faster.
Is there a small sinner?
There aren't 'small' sinners and 'great' sinners, but just sinners. If we admit our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord, the discussion is short. It's only when we try to deny our sins or the Lordship of Jesus that the discussion and the goading drags on.
Did Saul walk on the road to Damascus?
Had Saul been riding a horse or walking on the road to Damascus? Some have argued that Saul must have been riding a horse, reasoning that since the road from Jerusalem to Damascus covered over 135 miles (220 kilometers), he would have wanted to ride a horse to get to Damascus faster .
Who commanded Saul to be baptized?
You see, Ananias recognized that Saul was still in his sins. Therefore he commanded him to be baptized and wash away his sins. A man who is still in his sins cannot rightfully be called a brother in Christ. The use of the term “brother” is not a title but rather an expression of Saul’s common Jewish heritage.
Who recognized Saul as a brother in Christ?
One of the biggest problems with the idea that Ananias recognized Saul as a brother in Christ is Ananias ’ own statement to Saul recorded by Luke in Acts 22:16. Recounting his conversion, Saul (now Paul) said that Ananias spoke the following words to him after he received his sight, “And now why are you waiting?
What is the most common error taught concerning Saul of Tarsus?
One of the most common errors taught concerning Saul of Tarsus is that he was converted and saved on the road to Damascus. The singular defense of this doctrine is Ananias’ use of the word “brother” (“ adelphos ”) in addressing Saul in verse 17.
How many times does Adelphos appear in the Bible?
Adelphos appears more than 340 times in the New Testament. Of the numerous commentaries I researched, only the IVP Bible Background Commentary gave the varied usages for the word as it is here translated “brother.”. They gave those usages as “coreligionists, fellow members of the same Greek association or fellow Jews.”.
What does Saul fall to the ground from?
In Acts 9:4, Saul “fell to the ground” - not from a horse, even if Caravaggio’s glorious painting has burned the image in our minds – and the scene is coming to an end when “Saul got up from the ground” (Acts 9:8).
What is Saul's conversion?
Saul’s conversion is the classic example of conversion in the Christian tradition, joined some centuries later by that of St. Augustine, in which a religious experience brings a person into a direct and overwhelming encounter with the divine. [1]
Why do you persecute me?
The voice that Saul hears asks him, “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Theologically, this is a redolent question, for it indicates that persecution of the disciples of the Lord is persecution of the Lord himself. If we accept that Saul did indeed have this religious experience of the risen Lord much as Luke describes it, we might see here the origin of Paul’s later understanding of the church as body of Christ, since persecution of one is persecution of the other.
What is the focus of Acts chapter 9?
With the beginning of chapter 9, though it might not be apparent initially, the focus of Acts is changing to Saul and the Gentile Mission. We will be told later that Saul is also called Paul (Acts 13:9), but at this point we only know that the one who was earlier persecuting the Christians is on his way to continue this persecution in Damascus when he has an experience of the risen Lord. Saul’s conversion is the classic example of conversion in the Christian tradition, joined some centuries later by that of St. Augustine, in which a religious experience brings a person into a direct and overwhelming encounter with the divine. [1]
What is the fullness of Saul's experience?
The fullness of it is a spiritual experience to which only Saul has access. This encounter, however, will be described again in Acts 22:1-21 and 26:9-18 and it will be important to pay attention to how it is outlined in these two occurrences also, for Luke himself will not be consistent in his description of the experience or who sees ...
What does "suddenly" mean in Acts 9?
Unexpectedly, the persecutor “suddenly” experiences “a light from heaven” (Acts 9:3). Johnson points out that “suddenly” ( exaiphnes) also appears in Luke 2:13 with the appearance of the heavenly choir and in Luke 9:39 when a boy is overcome by a spirit (Johnson, Acts, 162).
Did Saul have physical sight?
But “though his eyes were open, he could see nothing,” an example of the link between spiritual and physical sight. Saul is in a liminal state, still not clear about his encounter with Jesus and until he gains spiritual sight, he will not have physical sight.
What was Saul's conversion?
Saul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus was the beginning of an incredible journey. And while not all conversions are as startling as Saul’s, each of us is commissioned by Jesus to live in obedience to Him ( John 14:15 ), love one another in His name ( 1 John 2:23 ), “know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship ...
Who was the man who went by the name of Saul?
Paul, who went by the name of Saul at that time, was on his way to Damascus with a letter from the high priest of the temple in Jerusalem giving him authority to arrest any who belonged to “the Way,” meaning those who followed Christ. So intent was he on “opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth” ...
What happened on the road to Damascus?
The events that happened on the road to Damascus relate not only to the apostle Paul, whose dramatic conversion occurred there, but they also provide a clear picture of the conversion of all people. While some have an extraordinarily dramatic conversion known as a “Damascus Road experience,” the conversion of all believers follows ...
Where did Saul receive his commission?
Even though Saul received his commission from Jesus on the road, he still had to go into Damascus and be told what to do—meet with Ananias who laid hands on him, receive the Holy Spirit, be baptized, and be received by the disciples there ( Acts 9:15–16, 19; 22:12–16 ). At Damascus, he also went for three days without eating or drinking, ...
What did Jesus say in Acts 26:9?
So intent was he on “opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth” ( Acts 26:9) that in “raging fury,” he breathed “threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.”. Here was a man who truly hated Christ and all who were associated with Him.
What is the meaning of the phrase "Damascus Road Experience"?
The phrase “Damascus Road experience” is used to describe a conversion which is dramatic and startling.
Why did Saul's message of forgiveness of sins and “a place among those who are sanctified by?
His message of forgiveness of sins and “a place among those who are sanctified by faith” must have also astonished Saul because the Jews were convinced they alone had the place of honor in God’s eyes. There is no discrepancy or contradiction among these three accounts.
Why was Saul sent to Damascus?
People who speak of “Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus” may think that conversion is an ephiphany and a conviction forced upon those the Lord has chosen. In fact, it is a hearing of the word by a human ministry, and a personal decision to believe and obey that message. That's why Saul was sent into Damascus and Ananias was sent to him. The Lord may have made an exception of Paul in the manner in which he confronted Saul on the road. But he made no exception in the manner by which Saul would subsequently be converted.
Where did Saul ask for letters?
He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus. The letters authorized Saul, if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, to bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2).
Why did Saul head northwards?
Saul heads northwards to try to head it off at Damascus in southern Syria, and stop it spreading further north . The Way. At this point the terms “Christians” and “Christianity” had not become common (Acts 11:26). The new religion was known as “the Way”, and its followers were called “disciples” (eg Acts 19:23,30).
What did the glory of the light do to Saul's eyes?
The glory of the light (Acts 22:11) had caused some kind of scale to form on his eyes (Acts 9:18). Saul’s companions were not affected in that manner, although they saw the light as Saul did. This blindness was therefore a personal lesson and a sign to Saul from Jesus.
What did the Lord say to Judas?
The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street named Straight. Inquire at the house of Judas for someone named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, and has seen a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him to give him back his sight.” " (Acts 9:9-12). Saul s Conversion.
What does Acts 9:1-19 mean?
This page is a verse by verse study of Acts 9:1-19. These verses describe the conversion of Saul with the assistance of Ananias.
What did the Lord call to him in a vision?
The Lord called to him in a vision, ';Ananias! '. Ananias said, 'Behold Lord, here I am.' 11 The Lord said to him, 'Arise, and go to the street named Straight. Inquire at the house of Judas for someone named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12 and has seen a vision.
Where did Saul live when Jesus was crucified?
Saul was blinded by Jesus and this made him dependent on others which limited his leadership. Now Saul lived in Jerusalem where Jesus ministered and was crucified, therefore he probably heard Jesus’ teachings, saw his miracles, and his crucifixion.
How long was Saul blind?
Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
Was Saul a Roman citizen?
Saul’s parents worked for the Roman government and even thought they were Jewish. They became Roman citizens therefore Saul was a Roman citizen at birth. Saul was well educated and trained by the premier teacher Gamaliel, who taught Saul how to become a Pharisee.
What did Saul do to the church?
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison ( Acts 8:3 ).
What does Saul represent?
Saul represents the world. Saul was so passionate about his Jewish convictions that he started a mistreatment crusade against any individual who had faith in Jesus. For what reason would the Jews need to oppress Christians to the extent that Saul was sent to Damascus?
What Happened on the Damascus Road?
” Light always covers darkness. In a dark room, the lights are turned on, we turn our heads toward the bright light, but we shield our eyes. The light was so bright that Saul fell to his knees. “And he fell to the earth” ( Acts 9:4 ).
Why Was Paul Chosen?
The Lord tells Ananias to go and tells him why. Paul is a chosen vessel. He received the call of duty. Ananias submits to God’s will. Faith in Christ brings incredible blessings yet regularly extraordinary sufferings as well.
Did Paul see Jesus?
Paul alludes to this experience as the beginning of his new life in Christ ( 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8; Galatians 1:15-16 ). At the focal point of this awesome experience was Jesus Christ. Paul did not have a dream nor see a vision; he saw the risen Christ himself ( Galatians 9:17 ).
Who discovered Paul and welcomed him as his brother?
Ananias discovered Paul, as he had been told, and welcomed him as “Brother Saul.” Ananias dreaded this gathering since Paul had come to Damascus to abuse the believers and take them in chains back to Jerusalem.
Did the Holy Spirit fill Paul?
Obviously, the Holy Spirit filled Paul when he regained his sight and was baptized. We see that Paul’s physical and spiritual needs are met. The men then had fellowship.
