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This morning we are continuing through the book of Acts, the story of the early church. It has been quite an exciting ride for the early disciples so far. Remember that they had been following Jesus, convinced that he was the Messiah, the one who would overthrow their Roman oppressors and restore Israel to its former glory. But Jesus was brutally crucified, nailed to a cross, crushing his followers. But Jesus rose from the dead, proclaiming to them that His mission was not to overthrow Rome but to destroy the power of a bigger enemy, the devil, to overthrow death, to make a way by His death for people around the world, whose sins had separated them from God, to be brought back into relationship with God, both now and beyond the grave.

After his resurrection, Jesus spends time over a period of 40 days with his disciples. He then ascends to heaven, and sends His Holy Spirit to be the presence and power of God inside each believer. He sends the disciples out as witnesses to His life, death, and resurrection, calling people to turn from their sin and self-centeredness to faith in Jesus. Thousands of people are coming to faith in Jesus, and a multi-ethnic community has formed in Jerusalem that is growing like crazy, devoted to following Jesus and caring for everyone’s needs. But they also face a great deal of persecution. In chapter 7, we read about a Jewish religious leader named Saul who is dedicated to destroying this church, and by the end of chapter 8, a great persecution has broken out and most of the disciples are scattered among the neighboring countries. But God has plans for this man named Saul, and that is the focus of this morning’s reading in chapter 9.

Acts 9:1-31 - Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. 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.  3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"  5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.  6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."  7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  8 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.  9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.  10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.  11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."  13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."  15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."