Bullet Point Bible

Saul's Encounter on the Damascus Road

¹ Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats to murder the Lord's disciples, went to the high priest² and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, either men or women, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.³ As he was going along, approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"⁵ So he said, "Who are you, Lord?" He replied, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting!⁶ But stand up and enter the city and you will be told what you must do."⁷ (Now the men who were traveling with him stood there speechless, because they heard the voice but saw no one.)⁸ So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, he could see nothing. Leading him by the hand, his companions brought him into Damascus.⁹ For three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank anything.

Saul's intense opposition to "the Way" (an early name for Christianity) is highlighted, showing his zeal rooted in his Pharisaic background (Acts 22:3, Philippians 3:5-6).
The authority sought from the high priest indicates the perceived threat Christianity posed to established Judaism and the extent of the Sanhedrin's influence, even outside Judea.
The sudden, blinding light signifies a divine Christophany, a direct encounter with the resurrected and glorified Christ.
Jesus identifies Saul's persecution of believers as persecution of Himself ("{{why are you persecuting me?}}"), revealing the deep union between Christ and His Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Saul's question "Who are you, Lord?" shows immediate recognition of the divine nature of the speaker, even before knowing His identity.
The companions heard the sound but didn't see Jesus or understand the words (compare Acts 22:9), emphasizing the personal nature of Saul's call.
Saul's physical blindness symbolizes his previous spiritual blindness to the truth about Jesus.
The three days of blindness, fasting, and prayer represent a period of intense repentance, reflection, and transition for Saul.
This dramatic event marks the turning point for the man who would become the Apostle Paul, commissioned to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

Ananias Ministers to Saul

¹⁰ Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias," and he replied, Here I am, Lord.¹¹ Then the Lord told him, "Get up and go to the street called 'Straight,' and at Judas' house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying,¹² and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again."¹³ But Ananias replied, "Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem,¹⁴ and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on your name!"¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."¹⁷ So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."¹⁸ Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,¹⁹ and after taking some food, his strength returned.

God uses an ordinary disciple, Ananias, demonstrating that ministry is not limited to apostles.
Ananias's initial hesitation is understandable given Saul's fearsome reputation, highlighting the perceived danger and the radical nature of Saul's conversion.
God overcomes Ananias's fear by revealing Saul's divine election and future mission (Acts 9:15). Saul is God's "chosen instrument."
Saul's mission field is explicitly defined: Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel, foreshadowing the scope of his apostolic ministry detailed in his letters.
The mention of future suffering (Acts 9:16) contrasts sharply with Saul's previous infliction of suffering and underscores the cost of discipleship (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Ananias's address "Brother Saul" signifies immediate acceptance and fellowship within the Christian community, despite Saul's past.
The restoration of sight and the filling of the Holy Spirit occur through the laying on of hands, a common practice in Acts for healing and imparting the Spirit (Acts 8:17, Acts 19:6).
The "scales" falling from his eyes is a powerful metaphor for the removal of spiritual blindness.
Saul's immediate baptism signifies his identification with Christ and his entry into the Christian community.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Damascus

¹⁹ and after taking some food, his strength returned.

Saul's transformation is immediate and radical, moving from persecutor to proclaimer in the very synagogues he intended to target.
His core message is the divinity of Jesus ("He is the Son of God"), a central tenet of Christian belief.
The amazement of the listeners underscores the dramatic and unexpected nature of Saul's conversion. His former reputation made his current preaching astonishing.
Saul's effectiveness ("grew more and more powerful," "baffled the Jews") demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit working through him and his skill in interpreting scripture (Acts 17:2-3).
The shift from amazement to hostility mirrors the reaction Jesus often received; Saul now experiences the persecution he once inflicted.
The plot against Saul's life marks the beginning of the suffering Jesus predicted (Acts 9:16).
His escape in a basket parallels other biblical escapes (Joshua 2:15) and highlights the danger he faced. This event is also mentioned by Paul himself (2 Corinthians 11:32-33).
This period in Damascus likely included his time in Arabia mentioned in Galatians 1:17-18, which Luke omits here.

Saul in Jerusalem and Departure to Tarsus

²⁶ When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple.²⁷ But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.²⁸ So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.²⁹ He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to kill him.³⁰ When the brothers found out about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced peace and thus was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church increased in numbers.

The disciples' fear in Jerusalem was justified, given Saul's recent history as their chief persecutor. Trust had to be earned.
Barnabas ("Son of Encouragement," Acts 4:36) plays a crucial role as a mediator, vouching for Saul's genuine conversion and bridging the gap between Saul and the Jerusalem apostles.
Barnabas's testimony focuses on Saul's encounter with the Lord and his subsequent bold preaching, validating his transformation.
Saul repeats his pattern from Damascus: bold preaching, particularly debating with Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) Jews, which provokes murderous opposition (similar to Stephen in Acts 6:9-14).
The apostles' decision to send Saul away to Tarsus (his hometown) was both for his safety and perhaps to allow tensions to cool. This marks the beginning of Saul's "silent years" before his later ministry launch from Antioch.
With Saul's departure, a period of peace and growth ensues for the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, highlighting the impact of his intense, confrontational style.
The church's growth is attributed to living in "the fear of the Lord" (reverence and obedience) and the "encouragement of the Holy Spirit."

Peter Heals Aeneas in Lydda

³² Now as Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.³³ He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because he was paralyzed.³⁴ Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Get up and make your own bed!" And immediately he got up.³⁵ All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Luke shifts the focus back to Peter, demonstrating the parallel ministry and authority of the leading apostles. Peter is strengthening the churches ("traveling around").
Lydda was a significant town on the coastal plain (Sharon) northwest of Jerusalem.
The healing of Aeneas, paralyzed for eight years, echoes Jesus' healings (e.g., the paralytic in Mark 2:1-12) and demonstrates Christ's continued power working through the apostles.
Peter explicitly attributes the healing to Jesus Christ ("Jesus Christ heals you"), emphasizing that the power is not his own.
The command "Get up and make your own bed!" serves as immediate proof of the complete healing.
The miracle serves as a powerful witness, leading to widespread conversion ("turned to the Lord") in the region of Lydda and the plain of Sharon. This shows the evangelistic impact of signs and wonders.

Peter Raises Tabitha

³⁶ Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.³⁷ At that time she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they placed it in an upstairs room.³⁸ Because Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Come to us without delay."³⁹ So Peter got up and went with them, and when he arrived they brought him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him the tunics and other clothing Dorcas used to make while she was with them.⁴⁰ But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.⁴¹ He gave her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive.⁴² This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.⁴³ So Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man named Simon, a tanner.

Joppa (modern Jaffa) was a coastal port city near Lydda.
Tabitha (Aramaic) / Dorcas (Greek) is praised for her "good works and acts of charity," particularly towards widows, embodying Christian virtue.
The disciples sending for Peter shows their faith, possibly hoping for a miracle even after her death. Washing and laying the body in an upper room were standard burial preparations.
The widows' weeping and displaying Dorcas's handiwork emphasize her practical love and the community's loss.
Peter clearing the room before praying mirrors Jesus' actions when raising Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:40), possibly for focused prayer or privacy.
The act of kneeling in prayer before commanding Tabitha to rise shows dependence on God's power. The direct command "Tabitha, get up" echoes Jesus' words (Mark 5:41 - "Talitha koum").
Raising Tabitha from the dead is a significant miracle, demonstrating God's power over death through Peter, similar to Old Testament precedents (Elijah in 1 Kings 17:17-24, Elisha in 2 Kings 4:32-37) and Jesus' own ministry (Luke 7:11-17, John 11:1-44).
As with the healing of Aeneas, this miracle leads to many believing in the Lord in Joppa.
Peter lodging with Simon, a tanner, is significant. Tanning involved handling dead animals and was considered ritually unclean by strict Jews (Leviticus 11:39-40). Peter's willingness to stay there foreshadows the breaking down of purity barriers, preparing him for the vision and encounter with Cornelius in the next chapter (Acts 10).

Additional Content

²⁰ and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This man is the Son of God."²¹ All who heard him were amazed and were saying, "Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?"²² But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.²³ Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him,²⁴ but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him.²⁵ But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a basket.

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Acts 9