The Mission: Studies In The Book Of Acts
#12: From Saul To Paul
December 6, 2006
1. Saul Of Damascus ...
■ Story Of How Pharisee Saul ... Became Apostle Paul ...
A. We really are blessed to have wonderful material on Paul ... not only his letters
1. Story of his life ... pre-conversion ... conversion ... early ministry ... shaped teaching
B. Really not Saul’s story ... story of God ... shaped, supported, used ... Saul ... God’s purpose
1. Acts ... Paul dominates ... continuation of God’s mission ... Jesus ... Holy Spirit
C. Last week ... saw how God was at work even prior to Saul’s conversion ...
1. Influence of three “cultures” dominating the area ... Jewish ... Roman ... Greek
2. The “goads” ... prodding Saul ... haunting ... especially Stephen’s teaching & death
D. Encounter with the risen Christ ... road outside Damascus ...
1. God’s finger prints on the event itself
2. Role this encounter would have ... the theology ... teachings of Paul
3. Raising up Ananias... ministry of healing ... fellowship ... encouragement
■ Saul ... Begins To Witness And Teach In The Synagogues Of Damascus ... “Amazed”
A. Proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah ... the Son of God ... increasingly more powerful
1. Not converted into a bible study ... converted into ministry ... sharing his story
2. Paul’s early “preaching” ... had two elements ... witness & apology
3. Saul became increasingly powerful ... not Saul’s power ... Holy Spirit
2. Saul Of Arabia ...
■ Despite What We See In Acts ... Saul Did Not Immediately Go From Damascus To Jerusalem
A. After short time ... went away to Arabia ... three years
1. Arabia ... desert ... either Nabatea ... or Arabian desert ... both near very Damascus
B. Scholars divided ... two issues having to do with Saul’s time in Arabia ...
1. Timing ... escape to Arabia ... or after his return
2. Purpose for the excursion ... time of preparation for ministry vs. preaching mission
C. Those who argue that Saul was led into the desert for preparation ... Galatians 1:11-12
1. Paul needed time to receive a full revelation ... time for transformation of character
2. Role of desert for both Moses & Jesus ... three years with Jesus
D. Preaching mission argument more persuasive ...
1. Galatians 1:15ff .. in context of call to preach ... evidence for being prior to Jerusalem
2. Tidbit from 2 Cor 11:32-33 ... speaks of Nabatean role in Damascus escape
3. Also provides help in answering “timing” question ... after return ... incentive to go
■ Why Can’t It Be Both ... Arabia As Both Preaching And Preparation ... Not Exclusive
A. Why can’t Saul learn to witness ... while witnessing ... working out theology in practice?
1. Same time .. on his own ... cut off from past ... can’t help but have “desert experience”
B. Study Paul’s life .. as with Peter .. growing to maturity as a disciple ... journey of a lifetime
1. 8 years of preparation & ministry ... before church in Antioch ... another 3 ... mission
2. Saul does not become Paul overnight ... gradual transformation ...
3. Source of encouragement to us ... any can be changed ... does not occur overnight
4. Not Paul’s story ... Paul does not work his way up ... God raises him up
3. Saul In Jerusalem ...
■ Saul Returns To Jerusalem ... Three Years After Leaving ... Reversal Of Fortune
A. Persecutor is now persecuted ... defender of culture ... man without a home
B. Saul’s goal ... Gal 1:18 ... time w/Cephas... leader w/James ... church in Jerusalem
1. Visit ... historesai ... visit for purpose of gathering information
2. Establish fellowship ... learn from leaders ... gain approval from those in authority
C. Believers (disciples) ... won’t see him ... allow him into their fellowship ... distrusted him
1. Not unreasonable ... residual anger ... fear ... skepticism ... self-righteousness
D. God’s story ... raises up Saul ... raises up others to assist Saul’s mission ... God’s purpose
1. Barnabas ... chapter 4 ... wealthy believer ... land ... believers ... son of encouragement
■ Galatians ... Saul Spends Two Weeks In Jerusalem ... Staying With Peter ... Also Saw James
A. Another time of preparation ... talking ... worshiping ... praying ... shadowing Peter
1. Preaching boldly in the name of the Lord ... gets in trouble again
B. Don’t really know what was shared .. imparted .. during visit .. glimpse from Paul’s letters
1. 1 Cor 15:3-11 ... basic outline of gospel ... and list of appearances ... He is risen!
2. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ... celebration of the Lord’s Supper
3. Life and teachings of Jesus ... Sermon on the Mount ... Romans 12 as an example
a. F.F. Bruce ... Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free ... Ch 11
■ Point I’d Like Us To See ... How God Is Equipping Saul To Become Paul ...
A. Natural talents ... gifts of the H/Spirit ... direct revelation ... sharing ... practical experience
1. All come together ... eventually ... incredible ministry of grace and hope ... not yet!
■ Apparently Saul Preaches In Synagogue Of Hellenists ... Stephen/Saul ...
A. Tremendous courage ... same conflict ... Saul is sent home to Tarsus ... minister another day
1. Why not same result as Stephen? Not God’s purpose for Saul ... God’s story