Acts 9:19b-31

Introduction

I. Paul in Damascus

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. (2 Cor. 11:30-33)

A. The Force & Focal Point of Paul’s Preaching

“This is what it means to be on fire, to be fervent!” John Chrysostom

B. The Radical & Noticeable Change of Paul’s Life

“‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc … among those who call upon this name?’ Well, ‘Yes he is,’ and, ‘no he isn’t’! ‘Yes, he is the same man, Saul from Tarsus, Hebrew of Hebrews, Gamaliel’s prize student, Pharisee, Nazarene persecutor.’ But ‘no he isn’t the same man’—he is [now] a baptized Christian, a preacher of the gospel of Jesus, a ‘new man in Christ.’” Bruce Milne, The Acts of the Apostles: Witnesses to Him ... to the Ends of the Earth (p. 218)

II. Paul in Jerusalem

A. His Endeavor to Join with the Disciples

B. His Encouraging Friend Barnabas

Conclusion

“A church is not a group of friends you’ve picked, it’s a group of brothers and sisters God has picked for you.” Mike Horton