It is remarkable that here only, in the original greek, and in acts 9. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, saul, saul, why persecute you me. The book of acts is the record of that commission beingcarried out. May 10, 2014 acts of the apostles book of acts bible movie visual bible. As was stated, acts is the second part of what was originally a twopart, single volume i. Acts says nothing of paul the letter writer, and he is not called an apostle except in one instance acts 14. 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. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of acts niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 44. Saul was present for the death of stephen, and he held the garments of those who did the stoning acts 7. What explanations can you give for sauls fanatic hatred toward christians.
With caroline vander stichele, he cowrote contextualizing gender in early christian discourse. What importance does saul have in the book of acts from the. The thirteenth chapter is a turning point in the book. I am jesus whom you are persecuting, but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. In acts 8, we learned that saul was trying to destroy the church. He went to the high priest and asked for permission to go to damascus to arrest those of the way. Later, in a vision to ananias of damascus, the lord referred to him as saul, of tarsus. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. 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. 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. But ye shall receive power, after that the holy ghost is come upon you. Saul of tarsus condensed bible encyclopedia online. 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. 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. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Paul was first mentioned in the book of acts, acts 7. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Paul also wrote books in the new testament, romans philemon. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion. What about the multiple accounts of pauls conversion. The offering sent by barnabas and saul to the jerusalem elders. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book.
Scripture tells us that he breathed threats and murder against the church. 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. God took a christianhating murderer and transformed him into historys greatest christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the new testament. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. In comparison to pauls own account in the epistles, acts of the apostles has completely reversed the role of the apostle paul.
God had designs for this bright young man, and in his sovereignty he was prepared to knock saul off his high horse. Abeka 8th grade bible book of acts test 1 flashcards quizlet. Sometimes a person gives the condensed version of the story. Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the author. 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. In my opinion, acts of the apostles was actually written to make paul a lesser character in the early church. 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. Todd penner is the author of numerous essays on the acts of the apostles, including the book in praise of christian origins. Saul became ruthless in his pursuit of christians as he believed he was doing it in the name of god. 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. 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. Kjv the book of acts is the historical link between the. The apostles name change and narrative identity in acts.
This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of acts. The conversion of paul the book of acts amazing facts. Acts second telling of pauls conversion occurs in a speech paul gives when he is arrested in jerusalem. Most notable is the incongruity between pauls gospel message in acts and the message we see in his letters, especially romans and galatians. 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. Paul was raised in a nice jewish home in tarsus, which is located in modern day turkey 21. A turning point in acts comes when saul of tarsus whose name is first given as paul later in acts. Therefore, it is reasonable to include lukes purpose for acts as falling under his purpose for the book of luke. The first glimpse we have of saul is at the martyrdom of stephen acts 7. Church persecution at the hand of saul of tarsus acts 8.
Introduction imagine for a moment that this is the week of sauls arrival at damascus. What is the story of saul of tarsus before he became the. If one genuinely wants to know what to do to be saved, he can read the book of acts and find the biblical answer. 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 in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to replace judas.
The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. Perhaps acts 9 will inspire us to trust in the leadership of the holy spirit more. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout judea and samaria. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. Tarsus is also given in acts as the home town of saul. 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 book of acts niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 44 duration. The lord told him to enter the city, and he would be told what he must do 9. 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. 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.
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 historian luke tells us that stephens executioners laid their garments at the feet of saul acts 7. Papers were granted and saul, and some other men, set off. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. 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. The book of acts is not only a book of history, but also a book of conversions. The long by biblical standards story includes a programmatic statement that describes the course that sauls work will. Saul in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to.
Stephen and the hellenists in lukan apologetic historiography bloomsbury, 2004. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of. What efforts did saul go to in order to persecute christians vs. Start studying abeka 8th grade bible book of acts test 1. Choose volunteers to act for paul, a few men traveling with paul, jesus, and ananias as you read. 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. Acts 9 conversion of saul object lesson for children. 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. 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.
Acts of the apostles book of acts bible movie visual bible. His education was completed at the feet of gamaliel in the city of jerusalem acts 22. Actually starts in verse 15, i am jesus, who you are persecuting. 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. 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. Acts 9, new international version niv the bible app. Luke was from antioch but traveled with paul all over southern europe and the middle east.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. The initial record of sauls conversion acts 9 is not pauls account. Mentioned only in acts of the apostles, saul is the name of the apostle paul before his conversion and his first missionary journey. 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. Here you learn all about saul, paul, and the book of acts. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document.
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. Jan 25, 2018 in my opinion, acts of the apostles was actually written to make paul a lesser character in the early church. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. 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. It is not just in the book of acts that the importance of sauls conversion is evident.