Acts 9-10
Read these Chapters
Acts 9: Saul's
Conversion and Early Ministry
The chapter opens
with Saul, a fierce persecutor of the early Church, obtaining letters from the
high priest to arrest Christians in Damascus. However, on his way, a brilliant
light from heaven surrounds him, and he hears the voice of Jesus questioning why
he is persecuting Him. Struck blind by this encounter, Saul is led to Damascus,
where after three days, a disciple named Ananias is instructed by the Lord to
visit and restore Saul's sight. Ananias is initially hesitant, knowing Saul's
reputation, but he obeys. Saul's sight is restored, and he is baptized. Almost
immediately, Saul (later known as Paul) begins preaching in the synagogues that
Jesus is the Son of God, astonishing both the believers and the Jews who knew
of his former zeal against Christians. The Jews plot to kill Saul, but he
escapes with the help of the disciples. Saul then goes to Jerusalem and tries
to join the disciples there, but they are wary of him. Barnabas vouches for
Saul's genuine conversion, and he is accepted. After speaking boldly in the
name of Jesus and facing threats, Saul is sent to his hometown of Tarsus. The
chapter concludes with a description of the church throughout Judea, Galilee,
and Samaria experiencing peace and growth.
Acts 10: Peter and
Cornelius Cornelius, a Roman
centurion who fears God and is well-regarded for his charitable acts, sees a
vision of an angel instructing him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, in Joppa,
Peter has a perplexing vision of a large sheet descending from heaven filled
with all kinds of animals, both clean and unclean according to Jewish dietary
laws. A voice tells him to kill and eat, but Peter refuses, citing the laws.
The voice responds that what God has made clean, Peter shouldn't call unclean.
This happens three times, leaving Peter puzzled. As he contemplates the vision,
messengers from Cornelius arrive. The Spirit tells Peter to go with them
without hesitation. Upon reaching Cornelius' house in Caesarea, Peter realizes
the true meaning of his vision: God shows no partiality and the gospel is for
everyone, not just the Jews. Peter preaches to Cornelius and his household, and
as he speaks, the Holy Spirit falls upon all the listeners. Seeing this, Peter
commands that they be baptized in the name of Jesus. This event marks a pivotal
shift in the early Church's understanding – that salvation through Christ is
available to all nations.
