These small group Bible studies of Acts 9:20-31 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Acts 9:20-31 Bible Study – Saul’s Early Ministry
Outline
I. Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues (20-22)
II. Saul escapes in a basket (23-25)
III. Saul in Jerusalem (26-31)
I. Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues (20-22)
Discussion Questions
• What lessons can you learn from Saul in these verses?
• Why was he so passionate?
• Is there anything you can do to grow in passion for the Lord or does God cause that?
• Should a new believer immediately start preaching? Sharing the gospel? Why or why not?
• How did the people react to the change they saw in Saul’s life?
• In what ways were you transformed when you were born again?
• Have you witnessed any people with a radical transformation after coming to Christ?
• What do we learn in verse 22 about the importance of apologetics in sharing the gospel?
• What arguments do you think Saul would have used to “prove” that Jesus was the Christ?
Cross-References
Mark 16:15 – And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 5:19 – “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
Acts 17:2-3 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
Acts 1:3 – He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Saul immediately proclaimed Jesus –
Acts 9:20 – And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
Saul gives us a great example here. After his conversion, he immediately starts preaching the gospel. His life had been changed and he wanted everyone to know and believe the same good news that he did. He did not wait to go through seminary before sharing the gospel. Neither did he first get his P.H.D. Certainly, Saul was more knowledgeable about Scripture than your average convert. Yet he hadn’t been with Jesus for three years like the disciples. Most likely, he had not witnessed Jesus’ ministry. Saul didn’t know all the answers, but he did know one thing for sure, Jesus was the Son of God.
In today’s world, church leaders might have sent Saul to seminary for years before allowing him to start ministering. This would have been a mistake. Sometimes you have to strike while the iron is hot. Saul was passionate and on fire, ready to share with anything that was breathing. The best plan would be to set him loose.
Saul is not the only Biblical figure to start testifying immediately after salvation. In Mark 5, Jesus casts a legion of demons out of a possessed man. This man was the village lunatic, terrifying any passersby with his wild antics. He became a follower of Jesus and was immediately transformed. This is what Jesus told him.
Mark 5:19-20 – “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
Jesus did not train this man. This man did not go to seminary or Bible school, or even a short-term training.
Probably one hour after his salvation (and he was a very evil man before), Jesus sent him out to share the gospel. The man did not know a lot and he could not have answered many questions. But he knew what Jesus had done for him and he could tell this to others. Imagine how the people would have reacted when this “lunatic” started testifying of Jesus. The transformation in him would have been powerful evidence of Jesus’ power. That life change would be more persuasive to many than the most seasoned and logical argument.
Application – God wants us to actively tell others what He has done in our lives. You don’t have to have the answers to all the questions. You don’t have to be a seminary graduate. Every person who has been touched by Christ can share about it. Don’t tell others what you don’t know. Tell them what you do know. Tell them what Christ has done for you! Tell them how He has changed your life. People can and do argue with many things, but your personal testimony is hard to argue with.
Share your testimony and the gospel to friends and family members from the moment you believe. Do not wait until your excitement grows cold.
At the same time, your changed life should give credibility to your words.
Psalms 96:3-4 – Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
2. He is the Son of God –
In Acts 9 we do not see an extensive record of what exactly Saul was preaching. However, we do see the main point.
Acts 9:20 – “He is the Son of God.”
This is the crux of the gospel message. It was especially relevant to the Jews who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Saul’s message was not complicated. He had a singular focus, prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Son of God.
Reflect – What message are you preaching?
Christians might have a lot of different messages. Some of them may distract from the key message that we want to convey. Later, Paul would say that his goal was simple, to preach Christ crucified.
1 Corinthians 1:23 – But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.
Here are some other messages the church might be known for.
• LGBTQ is bad.
• Support conservative politicians.
• Wokeism is bad.
While these things are true, they are not the main message we should be preaching. We should be preaching the way, the truth, and the life. Preaching Christ is what we should be known for.
Another point is that Saul was clear in what he wanted to convey. Whatever arguments and thoughts he shared supported the key, central point that Jesus is the Son of God. That is good preaching. If you preach, your listeners should be able to understand one key message when you finish. Be focused and clear.
3. His life transformation was stunning –
Acts 9:21 – And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”
Saul was a murderer bent on destroying Christians. Now he was their loudest spokesman! Jesus changes lives. A person who is truly saved will be different.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflect – Is that changes always this fast?
I have heard many testimonies of people coming to Christ.
• People with foul mouths who never cursed again.
• Drug addicts who went straight off drugs.
• Alcoholics who never drank again.
Yet it doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes growth is more gradual and slow. I have one friend who was into drugs before salvation. After coming to Christ, he never did that again. He told me that God immediately took those desires away. But in some other areas of his life, growth was a much longer process.
In all cases, giving one’s life to Christ results in change.
Matthew 7:17 – So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
Reflect – How has your life changed after coming to Christ?
Your changed life should attract unbelieving friends and family to the Lord. They should look at your life and say, “Wow, you have changed!”
Application – Evaluate your life before and after salvation. List 1-3 areas that you have grown. List 1-3 areas where you are unsatisfied with the amount of growth. What are some habits that are still the same that you need to change for God’s glory?
4. Saul’s life and preaching were persuasive –
Acts 9:22 – But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Saul was very persuasive. He sought to prove to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. This reminds us of the importance of apologetics.
Jesus Himself used evidence to prove to the disciples that His resurrection was genuine (Acts 1:3).
Application – Every believer should be able to give a defense for why they believe in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). You should be able to make a well-reasoned and clear argument for why you believe what you believe about God. Some of the points could touch on personal experiences, life transformation, and testimonies. Others could be more objective arguments from history, archaeology, Scripture, etc. Spend a few minutes and write down five reasons why you believe that God is real and the Bible is true. Are these convincing? How might opponents of the gospel respond to these? Can you anticipate their questions and counters?
Keep in mind that different reasons resonate with different people. Some are very interested in science and biology. Others are more likely to be moved by an offer to pray for them or a practical tip on communication that comes from Scripture. Be ready to speak to people where they are and according to what is helpful for them.
In all cases, love in action should go side by side with reasoned arguments.
The following quote (attributed to St. Francis, but likely a direct quote) demonstrates this point, “Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.” It is necessary to use words, but the key point remains. Our deeds are often what truly open people’s hearts to the gospel.
1 John 3:18 – Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
II. Saul escapes in a basket (23-25)
Discussion Questions
• Why didn’t Saul’s conversion or his arguments convince the religious leaders that Jesus was the Christ?
• How open were they to Saul’s sharing?
• What should we do if the people we are sharing with are hostile to the gospel?
• Who helped Saul? How could have disciples so quickly?
• What is a disciple?
• Is it wrong to run from persecution?
• Stephen did not run and Saul did. What principles can we get from this?
Cross-References
John 15:18-19 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Acts 20:22-24 – And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Matthew 7:6 – Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. There is a target on the back of the people God uses –
Acts 9:23 – When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him.
From this, we learn a basic principle. Where God is working, Satan is also often working. Satan is like a chess player opposing the Grand Master. Saul was strong evidence that Jesus’ resurrection was true and Satan therefore wanted to remove Saul from the board.
Application – Do not be surprised if opposition arises to your ministry for God. Expect it. Remain humble and dependent on the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:12 – Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
2. His disciples –
Acts 9:25 – But his disciples took him…
Saul had been a believer only a short time, but he already had disciples. Saul did not only preach the gospel to the masses. We see from this that he had quickly followed Jesus’ model and commandment to make disciples. This is a key way to spread the gospel through reproduction and multiplication (which we see in verse 31) rather than addition.
Reflect – What is a disciple?
A disciple is a student of a teacher. Disciples at that time followed the life and teachings of a rabbi. In essence, they were followers. Christians at that time in history clearly understood that belief in Jesus meant following His example and teachings. An intellectual assent to theology did not make a Christian. Somewhere along the line, that concept started to fade. Now there are many people who claim to be Christians who do not even seek to follow Jesus at all. They would not claim to be followers of Jesus.
I met a German man who told me he was a Christian. Yet he does not believe in the Bible or Jesus’ resurrection. He does not go to church or follow Jesus. This person took the name of Jesus but is not His disciple.
A real disciple cannot pick and choose what He obeys or follows. He is required to obey his teacher.
Application – Be a disciple and a disciple-maker.
3. There is a time to run and a time to stay –
Acts 9:25 – But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
When Saul heard of the plot to kill him, he escaped the city. His followers helped him. It was a dramatic exit from the wall as his enemies were watching the city gate.
Reflect – Should we run from persecution?
You may be surprised to know that Jesus’ answer to that is, “Yes.” He directly told the disciples to “flee” persecution in one town and go to the next.
Matthew 10:23 – When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
In the second part of the verse, you can see Jesus’ logic. The mission to share the gospel will not be finished before Jesus returns. In other words, there is always another town you can go to.
Consider this scenario.
A. Die here preaching the gospel
B. Go somewhere else and don’t preach the gospel
If these were the two options, then there would be a strong case for the first choice.
However, a more accurate scenario is reflected below.
A. Die here preaching the gospel
B. Escape with your life and use it to preach elsewhere
In this case, the second option is often wise. That is the choice that Saul made.
We should never deny our faith, but it is not wrong to leave an area of intense persecution so that we will have more freedom to share somewhere else.
Having said that, there are times to “hold your ground.” Stephen was martyred in Acts 6. The Holy Spirit clearly led him to give his life by preaching a powerful sermon to the Sanhedrin. His martyrdom positively impacted the early church in a deep way.
Later in his life, Paul would go to Jerusalem even though he knew he would be captured there (Acts 20:22-24). Jesus also walked knowingly to His death in Jerusalem.
Therefore, there are clearly times to continue preaching even in the face of likely death. We see such martyrs commended as well.
Revelation 12:11 – And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
This question has no one-size-fits-all answer. We should be bold and never deny our faith. At the same time, we should be wise and not throw away our life needlessly. Finally, we should invest our time in sharing with those who are interested, not those who are hostile (Matthew 7:6).
III. Saul in Jerusalem (26-31)
Discussion Questions
• How did the disciples in Jerusalem react?
• How did Barnabas treat Saul?
• What can we learn from Barnabas?
• How can you help newcomers feel welcome to your Christian group?
• Can you think of anyone in your Christian circle who is new and may be encouraged if you reach out to welcome them?
• What was Barnabas’ method for getting Saul accepted into the church?
• What happened when Saul preached at Jerusalem?
• What does it mean that the church walked in the “fear of the Lord?”
• How about “in the comfort of the Holy Spirit?”
• Is your church multiplying? Why or why not?
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 13:7 – Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Romans 12:6-8 – Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation.
2 Timothy 2:2 – And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. The disciples were afraid of him –
Acts 9:26 – And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.
The initial reaction of the believers in Jerusalem was fear and distrust. They suspected Saul of some trickery, a ruse to catch them. It was a normal reaction.
If Heinrich Himmler went to a synagogue and said he had converted to Judaism, he would have been met with similar distrust.
Reflect – How would you have reacted if Saul came to join your church one Sunday morning?
2. Barnabas welcomed him –
Not all the believers shunned Saul. Barnabas went out of his way to welcome Saul. He first listened to his story. Then he introduced Saul to the apostles and told them about Saul’s conversion.
Barnabas displayed a profound ability to forgive. He did not hold Saul’s sins against him but forgave as Jesus did. This was a man who understood God’s grace, lived in it, and extended it to others.
Many believe that Barnabas had the gift of encouragement. He played a vital role in Saul’s early ministry, welcoming him, vouching for him, and helping him gain a platform for ministry.
Barnabas was originally named “Joseph,” but his apostles gave him the name “Barnabas” because of the way he encouraged others.
Acts 4:36 – Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement).
Barnabas took the risk to befriend Saul when he really needed one.
Application – Go out of your comfort zone to befriend newcomers in your church or Christian circle. Consider if there is a new person or family whom you can reach out to as Barnabas did with Saul.
3. Saul continues preaching –
Thanks to Barnabas’ help and likely the apostles’ support, Saul actively preached in Jerusalem. All of his preaching was “in the name of the Lord.” It was for the Lord, not for his own reputation.
4. Saul escapes again –
Another plot is discovered against Saul’s life and he flees again. It is a good thing he did because much of the rest of Acts and the New Testament is either an account of Saul or written by him!
5. The church grew and multiplied –
Acts 9:31 – So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
The church had spread and now covered Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. The first three areas of Jesus’ gospel spreading imperative in Acts 1:8 were covered. Most of the rest of Acts and the New Testament cover the fourth area, “the ends of the earth.”
