These small group Bible studies of Acts 9 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 Bible Study Guide – Paul’s Conversion to The Way
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Outline
I. Saul’s encounter with Jesus (1-9)
II. Ananias’ encounter with Jesus (10-16)
III. Saul’s encounter with Ananias (17-19)
I. Saul’s encounter with Jesus (1-9)
Discussion Questions
• What are your observations about Saul?
• What do you think motivated Saul to persecute the church?
• What was Christianity called at that time?
• What does the title “The Way” show us?
• What do you learn about God from this passage?
• What lessons can we learn from the fact that God chose Saul?
• When and how did you first encounter Jesus?
• Why does Jesus sometimes reach out to people supernaturally (as here) and other times naturally through people?
• Why did God blind Saul for three days?
• What does this teach us about how God uses difficulties in our lives?
• Can you share an example of a difficult or painful situation in your life that God turned into good?
• How does this story encourage you?
Cross-References
Matthew 5:10-12 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 – And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
1 Corinthians 3:19-20 – For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
Colossians 1:13 – He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Hebrews 12:6 – For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Saul’s background –
Saul was a Benjamite, a Pharisee trained under the famous Gamaliel, a Roman citizen, circumcised on the eighth day. He was an extremely zealous follower of Judaism (Philippians 3:5-6). Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews.
Prior to conversion, Saul was an enemy of Christ and His followers. He didn’t just scorn such people but traveled extensively to round them up for punishment. He was a man of action. However, the action he was taking was directly against God. Saul was an enemy of God and actively worked against God’s kingdom.
Later, Paul (after his name changed from Saul) often freely wrote about his wicked life prior to his conversion.
1 Timothy 1:13 – Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.
1 Corinthians 15:9 – For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
From this account, we learn two key lessons.
Lesson 1 # – It is possible to be deceived to the extent that you think you are serving God by doing evil things.
That has happened many times in history. Muslim terrorists have strapped bombs to themselves and committed suicide in large crowds in the name of serving Allah. Some self-proclaimed Christians have committed heinous acts in the name of God. Eric Rudolph bombed an abortion clinic in Alabama in 1998. In the Middle Ages, professing Christians went on crusades and fought wars in the name of Christ.
They are deceived and do not understand Jesus’ teachings. This is what He commanded.
Matthew 5:43-44 – You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Application – We need to practice spiritual discernment. Some things may sound good but are not. Other times, even the spiritual leaders in a country may be deceived. This was the case with Saul’s leaders and also during the Crusades. Study the Word and know the truth so you can properly discern which ideas are truly from God and which merely sound good.
Lesson #2 – No one is “too lost” for God to convert (Acts 9). Paul wasn’t just apathetic to the gospel. He persecuted believers with a vengeance. God miraculously intervened in his life to save him. God can and does do the same today. Therefore, don’t give up praying for and witnessing to your families and friends, even if it seems hopeless.
2. The Way –
One of the first terms for Christianity was “The Way.” It is a beautiful description of the Christian life. This term carries several important implications.
One Road
Firstly, it is a reminder that there are not many ways or paths to God. Universalists teach that there are many roads to God. As long as you are sincere, everyone will end up in the same place. Relativists say that “My truth is different from you truth.”
Jesus made an exclusive claim to be the only path to God.
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
“The Way” shows us that salvation is through Christ and Christ alone.
A Lifestyle
Secondly, this term shows us that our faith is a lifestyle. There is a proper way to live, a right way of doing things. It is not just head knowledge. Our faith in Christ is to be lived out. Specifically, we are to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. He showed us the way to do many things.
• The way to love – Romans 5:8
• The way to pray – Matthew 6:5-13
• The way to serve – Mark 10:45
• The way to forgive – Luke 23:34
• The way to resist temptation – Matthew 4:1-11
• The way to confront hypocrisy – John 8:1-11
• The way to be humble – Philippians 2:3-11
• The way to obey the Father – Luke 22:42
Reflect – Are you following the Way that Jesus taught or the way of the world? Which of these areas do you need to grow in? How can you do that practically this week?
Note that Saul was not going God’s way, though he thought he was.
Acts 9:3 – “Now as he went on his way.”
Saul was not going God’s way. He was going his own way. In the end, there are only two ways: God’s way or our way.
Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
The way is not easy. It is narrow!
3. Saul’s encounter with Jesus –
While Saul was doing his own thing, Jesus took the initiative to reach out to him. Jesus could have just let Saul go down his own road, but He graciously chose to intervene. From this, we can learn several key lessons about God’s character.
Lesson #1 – God takes initiative to reach out to us in our state of sin. He does not wait for us to become “good” or to make the first move.
1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us.
John 15:16 – You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Lesson #2 – God is gracious. Grace means giving us a gift we don’t deserve. Saul did not deserve salvation. Neither do we. Saul was guilty of murdering a righteous follower of Christ, Stephen. He persecuted many others. Instead of taking vengeance, God showed him mercy.
As he reflected on this, Paul recognized it was only God’s grace.
1 Corinthians 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Lesson #3 – God sometimes uses supernatural means to reach the lost. His normal method is to use other people. Even in this story, we see that he used Ananias. But God does not use people exclusively. We shouldn’t try to put God in a box. If He wants to reach a certain person, He will do so, sometimes with supernatural means.
There are many credible stories of God doing just that in recent years in predominantly Muslim countries. One awesome book that may open your eyes to what God is doing in the Middle East is Dreams and Visions by Tom Doyle.
Among many other testimonies, Doyle recounts the story of a devout Muslim named Ali. Ali was a Muslim. He had no interest in Christianity and had never read the Bible. One night, he had a dream of a man dressed in white. The man said to him, “Ali, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Follow Me.”
Ali was shocked. He didn’t know what to think. Out of curiosity, he decided to get a Bible and came across John 14:6, just the very words from his dream. He realized that the man in white was Jesus and decided to give his life to Christ.
There are many such stories in this book. These have been carefully researched and documented.
It should comfort us to know God is at work saving people. He did not stop working after the New Testament was finished.
4. Jesus wants to have an encounter with you.
Reflect – How did Jesus reach out and save you? How were you going your own way before your encounter with Jesus?
Encountering Jesus doesn’t just need to be a thing of the past. It is not a one-time thing. He wants to talk to you every day. He is inviting you into His presence to be with Him, spend time with Him, and grow your relationship. He invited the people to drink the living water, to eat the bread of life. He invited those who are weak and heavy laden and promised rest.
The invitation is open. Let us meet with Him daily.
The Bible compares our relationship with Christ to marriage. How would your wife like it if you met her on your wedding day and then never saw her again? How good would your marriage be if you said “Hi” once a week and lived the rest of your life on your own? To strengthen your marriage, you need to seek to deepen your relationship daily through conversation and sharing time together.
Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Psalms 27:8 – You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.
Seek to be with Him daily.
5. The exchange between Jesus and Saul –
• A light shone from heaven. That got Saul’s attention and pointed to the divine nature of the encounter.
• A voice asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Jesus starts off with a question. The question was designed to get Saul to reflect on his actions and eventually come to the conclusion that they were misguided.
• Saul replies, “Who are you, Lord?” He asks for an introduction.
• Jesus replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” It would have been quite annoying for Saul if Jesus had answered, “Guess” or “You should know.” He practiced clear communication. That is a good lesson for us to follow today as well. Don’t ask people to guess what you are thinking.
• Jesus gave instructions about the next step Saul was to take. God often doesn’t tell us twenty steps down the road what we should do. But He does show us what we need to do next. Step by step He leads us, not mile by mile. We see this principle throughout the whole passage.
• Saul’s companions heard the voice, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Something extraordinary had happened but it was intended primarily for Saul.
6. Saul went blind –
God showed a lot of restraint in not disciplining Saul more for what he had done.
Reflect – For what purpose do you think God blinded Saul?
• It was a wake-up call. Saul was going in the wrong direction and needed to change.
• It was symbolic of the fact that Saul had been spiritually blind.
• It was evidence that the encounter was real and supernatural. The blindness would convince Saul that it wasn’t just a hallucination or indigestion.
• It may have been a form of disciple because of what Saul had done to the church.
• It was a blessing in disguise. It was uncomfortable in the short-term, but it may have saved Saul’s soul for eternity. God sometimes uses severe trials to motivate people to repent. What other similar Biblical examples can you think of?
In addition to the blindness, Saul fasted for three days. It was as if he was waiting for God to make the next move. The Lord gave him some time on the bed to rethink his life choices before sending Ananias with a message of good news.
II. Ananias’ encounter with Jesus (10-16)
Discussion Questions
• Does God still work through visions?
• What do you learn from Ananias’ original response to God, “Here I am, Lord?”
• What did God tell him to do?
• How did Ananias respond? Was his response reasonable or disrespectful?
• What do you learn about God’s purpose for Saul here?
• Why would Saul have to suffer (16)? Was it because he caused others to suffer?
Cross-References
Matthew 5:44 – But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Galatians 1:15-16 – But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.
Isaiah 42:6 – I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.
2 Timothy 2:21 – Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. The Lord communicated to Ananias through a vision –
There is no verse that says that God will stop using visions. In fact, there are verses that indicate God will work through visions even in the last days (and in the last days, the Bible is already complete).
Joel 2:28-29 – And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
However, here a few key points on dreams and visions.
• Not every dream or vision is a message from God. Most are not. Our minds are active. That activity often continues after we sleep.
o Ecclesiastes 5:3 – For a dream comes with much business.
• Some visions are from Satan. Muhammad and Joseph Smith describe encounters with an angelic being. This apparent angel of light was likely Satan, and if not, then one of his top minions.
• We should test the spirits (1 John 4). God will never contradict Himself. Therefore, a dream or vision from Him will never be contrary to Scripture. We should compare everything with Scripture, as it is the final objective authority.
• If you have a vision from God, you will know. In the Bible, those who had visions from God knew it was from Him. They weren’t wondering about a dream, “Is this from my God or my own mind?” They knew. If God wants to communicate with you, you will know. If you are unsure, it is very likely not from God.
Let us not automatically discard every dream or vision. But neither should we believe they are all from God either. Use wise discernment and remember that Scripture is the final authority.
2. Ananias’ encounter with the Lord –
The Lord commands Ananias to go and lay hands on Saul so that his sight can be restored. It was a clear instruction.
Ananias was hesitant. He pointed out that Saul was hostile to the faith and was persecuting the church. Going to heal him wasn’t exactly a mission most believers would have volunteered for. When God gave Jonah a mission to reach out to Israel’s enemies by preaching at Nineveh, he ran away.
Reflect – Was Ananias questioning of the Lord improper?
The Lord does not rebuke Ananias but gives him further information about how He plans to use Saul.
To Ananias’ credit, he didn’t question the Lord more. He quickly obeyed. Here is an example of following the Way. God’s way was very different from Ananias’ way. This is not how Ananias would have chosen to do things. We wouldn’t choose to do it this way either. But instead of insisting on his own ideas, Ananias humbled himself and submitted to God.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Application – Being a follower of Jesus means that we are to follow His way instead of our own. Often, that is very difficult. Often, we don’t understand. It may take us out of our comfort zone. What is something God is asking you to do that conflicts with your own way? Will you humbly submit to God’s way, though it is difficult?
3. God confirms the vision on both sides –
Acts 9:12 – And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.
Jesus told Ananias to go. He told Saul that Ananias was going. And He told Ananias that He told Saul that he was going.
God was a very clear communicator. By doing this, there would be no miscommunication. There would be no confusion. It would confirm to both of them that God was in this. Saul would know that Ananias was sent by God and therefore listen to him. Ananias would have confirmation that he was in the will of God and hadn’t misunderstood or hallucinated.
Exodus 4:27 – The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.
God did a very similar thing in Acts when he told Aaron and Moses to meet each other in the middle of the wilderness. He gave the instruction to both sides. When it happened as God said, they would have even more confirmation that God was sovereign and working on their behalf.
Application – Communicate clearly with others to eliminate misunderstandings.
4. Saul would be an instrument before the Gentiles –
Acts 9:15 – But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
The Lord was not required to answer Ananias’ implied question. He was the authority. He could have stopped after the command, “Go.” But God was gracious. He explained Himself rather than saying, “I am the boss. Just do it.”
The Lord also knows the motivation behind our questions. Mary and Zachariah ask similar questions. The angel answered Mary but rebuked Zachariah. He is patient and answers sincere questions.
Application – If you have children, they will likely ask you “why” about many things. When they are young, they need to learn to respect and obey authority. You can tell them, “Just do it.” As they get older, you need to be patient and explain to them the “why.” This will help them to better obey while training them to use their own minds. It is part of the growing process.
5. Saul would be an instrument before the Gentiles –
God had a plan for Saul. Paul would later say that he was “set apart” by God for this plan before he was born.
Galatians 1:15-16 – But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles.
God intended for Paul to be the flag-bearer, to take the gospel to the Gentiles. He had set Paul apart for this even before his birth. Paul did not know this, but God did. God had a plan for Paul’s life, and He also has one for you.
From this, we see that God is sovereign. He uses sinful people to carry out His plans and decides to use them even before they are born.
God set Paul apart. He had a plan for him, a calling. For a while, God let Paul go. Paul lived his life his way. But according to His timing, God intervened. Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision, and Paul’s life was transformed. The rest of Paul’s life story is about how he zealously pursued God’s calling for him.
God’s plan for Paul was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. This wasn’t a new plan. We catch hints of it from way back in Genesis 3 and 12, and then many more verses on it throughout the Old Testament. God had a plan for the whole world even before creation. Nothing could stop it from being fulfilled.
The gospel was not only for one people group. It was for the world! This work is still ongoing. Will you be part of it?
6. Paul would suffer for Christ –
When Ananias brought up the suffering Saul caused the church, the Lord told him that Saul, in turn, would suffer much for Christ. Saul’s sins would be forgiven, and he would have standing before the Lord because of Christ. But that did not mean that all the consequences of his sin would be removed.
Saul would face much of the same types of suffering he inflicted on others. This is a real case of “you reap what you sow.” During those times, Saul likely thought back to how he had persecuted others. These experiences combined would have helped him grow in compassion toward others and also humility.
This prophecy was fulfilled in Paul’s life. He faced all types of intense suffering because of his service to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).
III. Saul’s encounter with Ananias (17-19)
Discussion Questions
• What do you learn about Ananias from his words, “Brother Saul?”
• What does this word show us about family? About forgiveness?
• Is there anyone at your church you find it difficult to call “brother” or “sister?” Why?
• What Scriptures could encourage us to treat other believers (even the annoying ones, or those who have hurt us) as brothers and sisters?
• Ananias is not as famous as Saul, but played a very important role. What can we learn from his story?
• Was Saul baptized before or after he ate? What can we learn from this?
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. “Brother” –
The first word out of Ananias’ mouth to Saul is “brother.” After all the things Saul had done to the church, Ananias forgives him and welcomes him into the family. Christ does not treat us as our sins deserve, and Ananias did not treat Saul as his sins deserved.
The message of the gospel is that Jesus treats us as brothers instead of enemies.
John 20:17 – Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.
Application – Who do you need to forgive and treat as a brother or a sister instead of as an enemy?
2. And be filled with the Holy Spirit –
Through Ananias, God gave something greater to Saul than restored eyesight. Saul received the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, Saul would not have been able to accomplish any of the things for God that he did.
God gives a mission. Then He gives us a Helper so that we can accomplish that mission.
No matter how hard you try, you cannot change someone’s heart. You cannot convince them to believe in Jesus. No matter how diligent, persuasive, or passionate you are, you cannot complete the mission on your own. Changing hearts is the work of the Holy Spirit.
3. Saul was baptized immediately –
He didn’t beat around the bush. He got straight to it! The first step was to be baptized and publicly declare himself to be a follower of Jesus.
It is amazing that Saul was baptized before he ate food. He hadn’t eaten in three days. That is a wonderful example of prioritizing the things of God over himself. It reminds us of Jesus’ attitude.
John 4:32-34 – But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
4.Saul’s conversion is evidence that Jesus’ resurrection is real –
There is no other good reason for him to switch sides.
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