The thirteenth chapter is a turning point in the book. Todd penner is the author of numerous essays on the acts of the apostles, including the book in praise of christian origins. The conversion of paul the book of acts amazing facts. As was stated, acts is the second part of what was originally a twopart, single volume i. The historian luke tells us that stephens executioners laid their garments at the feet of saul acts 7. I am jesus whom you are persecuting, but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. Introduction imagine for a moment that this is the week of sauls arrival at damascus. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the author. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document. He went to the high priest and asked for permission to go to damascus to arrest those of the way. It is not just in the book of acts that the importance of sauls conversion is evident. If you have enough children, have a small group be angry jews and another group be disciples. The beheading of james and the imprisonment of peter.
The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of. Placing his hands on saul, he said, brother saul, the lordjesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming herehas sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the holy spirit. The first glimpse we have of saul is at the martyrdom of stephen acts 7. Luke was from antioch but traveled with paul all over southern europe and the middle east.
God took a christianhating murderer and transformed him into historys greatest christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the new testament. Here you learn all about saul, paul, and the book of acts. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. Therefore, it is reasonable to include lukes purpose for acts as falling under his purpose for the book of luke. Sometimes a person gives the condensed version of the story. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion.
His education was completed at the feet of gamaliel in the city of jerusalem acts 22. Secondly, the criticism fails to take into account the epochal nature of the conversion of saul, and its importance in the divine scheme of things. Saul in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to. What is the story of saul of tarsus before he became the. Acts of the apostles book of acts bible movie visual bible.
Jan 25, 2018 in my opinion, acts of the apostles was actually written to make paul a lesser character in the early church. Saul received a vision of the resurrected christ while en route to damascus. Later in the book of acts we learn that for a few years at the end of this period, sauls work for christ was largely confined to syria, where he served as a pillar of the church in antioch acts 11. Paul was first mentioned in the book of acts, acts 7.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. What importance does saul have in the book of acts from. It is as though he, who gloried in being above all things a hebrew of the hebrews, heard himself claimed as such by him who spoke from heaven, called as samuel had been. In acts 8, we learned that saul was trying to destroy the church. The initial record of sauls conversion acts 9 is not pauls account. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read pauls own testimony, he expands on it. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. May 10, 2014 acts of the apostles book of acts bible movie visual bible. Oct 04, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Scholars think he was probably a few years younger than jesus, which means he was in his 30s when he first appears as a young man 7.
The book of acts is not only a book of history, but also a book of conversions. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout judea and samaria. Paul also wrote books in the new testament, romans philemon. Perhaps acts 9 will inspire us to trust in the leadership of the holy spirit more. Saul in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to replace judas. The long by biblical standards story includes a programmatic statement that describes the course that sauls work will. A devout hellenistic jew, of the tribe of benjamin, born in tarsus of cilicia, saul was a member of the pharisees and was taught by none other than gamaliel, whom we have already met acts 5. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that luke, a companion of the apostle paul, wrote the books of luke and acts colossians 4. Most notable is the incongruity between pauls gospel message in acts and the message we see in his letters, especially romans and galatians.
Although this study will focus on the conversion of saul of tarsus paul, let us first consider eight examples of conversions found in the book of acts. Mentioned only in acts of the apostles, saul is the name of the apostle paul before his conversion and his first missionary journey. Papers were granted and saul, and some other men, set off. The book of acts is the record of that commission beingcarried out.
In my opinion, acts of the apostles was actually written to make paul a lesser character in the early church. How to recognize the guidance of god, how to know the directions of life, and to find the will of the holy spirit in these matters. If one genuinely wants to know what to do to be saved, he can read the book of acts and find the biblical answer. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. Paul was raised in a nice jewish home in tarsus, which is located in modern day turkey 21. What explanations can you give for sauls fanatic hatred toward christians. Acts says nothing of paul the letter writer, and he is not called an apostle except in one instance acts 14. If you read the bible you would know that paul is saul and saul is paul a little confususing, i know but if you dont read, you have come to the right place. The book of acts niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 44 duration. The offering sent by barnabas and saul to the jerusalem elders. Abeka 8th grade bible book of acts test 1 flashcards quizlet.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, saul, saul, why persecute you me. Saul was present for the death of stephen, and he held the garments of those who did the stoning acts 7. Church persecution at the hand of saul of tarsus acts 8. Acts second telling of pauls conversion occurs in a speech paul gives when he is arrested in jerusalem. What importance does saul have in the book of acts from the. But ye shall receive power, after that the holy ghost is come upon you. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Stephen and the hellenists in lukan apologetic historiography bloomsbury, 2004. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. What efforts did saul go to in order to persecute christians vs. May 02, 2020 the book of acts shows how god essentially took a group of fisherman and commoners and used them to turn the world upside down acts 17. Kjv the book of acts is the historical link between the. Chapman believes that in the book of acts, luke uses the names saul and paul to draw comparisons between king saul and saul of tarsus. Tarsus is also given in acts as the home town of saul.
Jan 02, 2020 it is quite possible that saul was present for the trial of stephena trial that resulted in stephen becoming the first christian martyr acts 7. To put it differently, the account of saul s conversion in acts 9 is but the first of three accounts, the other two coming from the lips of paul himself. Saul became ruthless in his pursuit of christians as he believed he was doing it in the name of god. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Counting acts, 15 of the 27 books of the new testament are written by or about paul, which makes him a serious contender for the second most important person in the bible. Acts 9 conversion of saul object lesson for children. What about the multiple accounts of pauls conversion. A pivotal point in the book of acts is when saul of tarsus the apostle paul meets jesus on the road to damascus and is converted. In comparison to pauls own account in the epistles, acts of the apostles has completely reversed the role of the apostle paul. Actually starts in verse 15, i am jesus, who you are persecuting. Saul of tarsus condensed bible encyclopedia online.
Acts 9, new international version niv the bible app. Start studying abeka 8th grade bible book of acts test 1. God had designs for this bright young man, and in his sovereignty he was prepared to knock saul off his high horse. The book of acts niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 44. The lord told him to enter the city, and he would be told what he must do 9. The missionary call of barnabas and saul, recorded in the thirteenth chapter of the book of acts is replete with practical helps in a problem that bothers many christians. A turning point in acts comes when saul of tarsus whose name is first given as paul later in acts. Choose volunteers to act for paul, a few men traveling with paul, jesus, and ananias as you read. Paul if you read the bible you would know that paul is saul and saul is paul a little confususing, i know but if you dont read, you have come to the right place. With caroline vander stichele, he cowrote contextualizing gender in early christian discourse. It is quite possible that saul was present for the trial of stephena trial that resulted in stephen becoming the first christian martyr acts 7. The beginning verses of acts make it clear that acts is a sequel of the story started in luke and written to the same man named theophilus, generally a title ascribed to highranking roman officials. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to jerusalem.
As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Later, in a vision to ananias of damascus, the lord referred to him as saul, of tarsus. The apostles name change and narrative identity in acts. Like king saul, saul of tarsus is a member of the chosen people of israel and may exercise a prophetic gift acts. Scripture tells us that he breathed threats and murder against the church. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. The long by biblical standards story includes a programmatic statement that describes the course that saul s work will take in the second half of this book. It is remarkable that here only, in the original greek, and in acts 9. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history.
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