Trained By Christ

Acts 9:19-25

Saul had just spent the three days between his salvation and baptism in prayer and fasting, becoming physically weakened.

“And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.” (Acts 9:19)

Ananias had been told that Saul was a chosen vessel in Acts 9:15. “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” Acts 22:14-15 describes what he told Saul. “And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.” After a few days to recuperate, the Holy Spirit led Saul into Arabia to be taught of Christ. Paul gives additional detail in Galatians 1:15-17.

“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.” (Galatians 1:15-17)

In Acts 1:20-22, Peter quoted Psalms in calling for another person to take Judas’ position as an apostle. He then stressed it had to be some one who had been taught by the Lord. In choosing Matthias, the apostles overlooked the fact that Jesus could teach another class. Saul appears to have spent his boyhood in Tarsus during the time Jesus ministered, then later came to Jerusalem to study with Gamaliel, who was mentioned in Acts 5:34. It was during his three years in Arabia that Paul saw and was taught by Jesus as he mentions in I Corinthians 15:8-9. “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” It was this period that qualified him as an apostle. After completing his training, Saul returned to Damascus.

“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. “ (Acts 9:20-22)

They hadn’t forgotten How adamantly opposed to Christianity Saul had been, even as far from Jerusalem as Damascus was. That he had completely reversed himself really attracted notice. While he had been taught by Christ himself, only practice trusting God and using the things he had learned developed his spiritual strength. Just as muscles only become strong with use, spiritual power requires use to develop.

Because of his training as a Pharisee, Paul was uniquely equipped to show the Pharisees where they misinterpreted the scripture, and demonstrate conclusively that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. His former associates undoubtedly viewed his teaching as a betrayal, and turned against him.

“And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.” (Acts 9:23-25)

Knowing he would leave the city sooner or later, his enemies watched the gates to try and catch him so they could kill him. God caused Saul to learn about the plot, and a group of Christians helped him escape from the city by letting him down over the wall in a basket so his enemies didn’t see him leave. He then proceeded back to Jerusalem.