Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose shows Saul’s journey from resistance to surrender. God’s call breaks through pride, revealing His will and transforming lives. Saul learns that true submission means letting go of personal ambition to embrace God’s greater plan. This chapter teaches that obedience brings spiritual sight, leads to deeper faith, and enables every believer to move forward in Christ’s mission with confidence and purpose.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
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Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Romans 8:30, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:1, Acts 9:1, Acts 9:2, Acts 9:3-9, John 12:28-29, Matthew 24:14, Acts 9:5, Acts 9:10-19, 2 Timothy 2:12, 2 Corinthians 12:7, Acts 9:17-18, 1 Corinthians 14:18, Acts 9: 20-31, Mark 5:21-24, Mark 5:35-41, Acts 9:36-43,
The Calling and Purpose of Every Believer
Acts 9 shows us something very important. It centers on the conversion of the Apostle Paul. God chose Paul to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, i.e. most of us. From this point on, most of Acts will deal with Paul’s mission and ministry.
This raises a question: was Paul chosen, or are you chosen too? Many Christians today believe their primary calling is to live as best they can, attend church, and one day go to heaven. That is what most of the church world believes, not because they were told directly, but because that is what they have been shown.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
But the truth is deeper. God has not called us just to sit in a pew. He has called us to be transformed and to live with purpose. Romans 8 reminds us of this. It states that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. We are not just called by name, but called to be conformed to the image of Christ.
That is why we are saved. That is why we are converted. We are called to bear Christ’s likeness, to walk as He walked, and to live out His mission. It is challenging to reconcile this with the notion that merely sitting and waiting for heaven is sufficient. Scripture makes it clear—our calling is to be molded into the image of the Son so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Romans 8:30
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Romans 8:30 tells us something powerful. Those God predestined, He also called. Those He called, He also justified. And those He justified, He also glorified. Notice the tense—it says glorified, not will be glorified.
Most Christians believe they live the best they can, die, and then go to glory in heaven. That has been taught to them and passed down over time. But scripture does not exactly say that. The verse declares that glorification is already true for those in Christ, not just a future hope.
This raises a serious question. Do we wait until heaven to be glorified, or are we already glorified now in Christ? Many have been told that glory is only for “over yonder” after death. Yet the Bible speaks of a present reality. Our calling, justification, and glorification are part of God’s completed work.
To understand the real issue, Paul points us again to Romans 12. There we see where the problem lies—believers often fail to walk in this truth. They know the words, but they do not live as those who have already been transformed. Would you like me to elaborate on this in a teaching-style explanation that contrasts “traditional belief” with “biblical truth”?
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This is described as our reasonable service. To do this means laying ourselves on God’s altar and allowing the fire of the Holy Spirit to consume and purify us.
Then in verse 2, we are told not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The word “transformed” originates from the Greek metamorpho, meaning to be changed or transfigured. This exact word appears in 2 Corinthians 3, where we are told to be changed from glory to glory. This reveals that glorification is not only a future hope but an ongoing process. We are called to move from one stage of glory to another until we are fully transformed into the image of the Son.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The problem lies in the mind. Many Christians have been taught that their duty is to live the best life possible and then wait for glory after death. But Scripture calls us to transformation now. We are often tempted to conform to the world’s patterns, habits, and traditions. Even something as familiar as holiday spending can trap us in worldly priorities, leaving us in debt and unable to honor God as we should.
Paul makes it clear that we are not to be shaped by the world but renewed in our thinking. A fundamental transformation occurs when we seek the glory of Christ and allow our minds to be transformed. The actual battlefield is in our thoughts. If our minds are renewed, our lives follow, and we move from one level of glory into another, reflecting Christ more and more.
Go to Ephesians real quick. I’m going to get back in Acts. Ephesians 4.
Ephesians 4:1
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Tonight’s teaching focused on calling. We examine Paul’s calling, as well as your own and mine. Ephesians 4:1 says, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called.” The word vocation means calling. The verse makes it clear—it is not about sitting but about walking.
Walking refers to a lifestyle. It means being active in the body of Christ. It means meeting needs, serving others, and being a supply to the church. Here in this congregation, the spirit of service is strong, and many are willing to lend a hand. But in many churches today, people have come to think their role is only to sit and watch. That is the pattern they have seen, and it shapes their idea of Christianity.
The goal, however, is not to reflect what traditions say a Christian is, but to be what Scripture says a Christian ought to be. It does not matter what Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, or Catholic doctrines may say. What matters is what the Bible shows. Paul lived this out, and his life was contrary to the world. That same spirit should mark us today.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
If what we teach and practice ever starts to line up with the values of the world, it means we are conforming to the wrong image. As the New English Bible puts Ephesians 4:1, “As God has called you, live up to your calling.” That says it all.
Acts 9:1
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Acts 9 begins by showing us Saul, later known as Paul the apostle, breathing threats and bringing slaughter against the church. At this point, he was not an apostle but a persecutor. He caused havoc among believers with fierce determination. This very same man is the one who later wrote much of the New Testament. He authored Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and possibly even Hebrews. It is vital to recognize who he was and who he became.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Paul was one of the most active apostles who ever lived. The same zeal he used to persecute the church, he later used to spread the gospel. In the beginning, he was not content with driving Christians out of Jerusalem. He pursued them into Damascus and would have gone anywhere in the world to destroy the followers of Jesus. Yet after his encounter with Christ, he used that same fire to preach Jesus everywhere he could. He was not satisfied with reaching only Jerusalem, Damascus, Antioch, or even Asia and Galatia with the gospel. He pressed further until the gospel reached the entire known world.
Paul’s Transformation and Our Shared Calling
In his transformation, Paul went from being a persecutor to being persecuted. The one who once attacked the church as a Judaist became its chief target. We must understand his life, because in knowing him, we also come to understand ourselves. The same God, the same Lord Jesus, and the same Holy Spirit who called Paul also calls us. When God named Paul His servant, He gave us a model to follow. Each believer is also a servant, chosen to walk in His calling.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
This leads us to a question about vision. Paul was never satisfied with reaching only one city or region. He pressed forward until every creature heard the message of Christ. If he would not stop short, should we? Will we be content with only one congregation or one city, or will we strive to reach further? Paul’s life challenges us to think bigger. We are not called to remain small and limited. We are called to bear fruit, not just as an acorn, but to grow into an oak tree, and even into a forest.
The same Spirit that called Paul on the Damascus road is the same Spirit who calls us today. He is the same Lord who spoke to me, and He is the same Lord who has spoken to you. His calling for Paul was mighty, but it is no greater than His calling for us. The same Jesus who redirected Paul’s life has also redirected ours. The question is whether we will walk out that calling with the same zeal and commitment.
Outline of Acts Chapter 9
Let’s examine my layout of Acts Chapter 9. I have 1) Saul the Destroyer (Acts 9:1). 2) See the Way (Acts 9:2). 3) Saul Apprehended (Acts 9:3-9). 4) Ananias, the Midwife (Acts 9:10-19). 5) Saul’s First Many Days (Acts 9:20-31). 6) Sacraments of Peter (Acts 9:32-43).
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Acts 9:1
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Saul the Destroyer (Acts 9:1)
Paul’s Zeal Used for Persecution
On page 51, Saul is described as a destroyer, breathing out threats and slaughter. The Living Bible makes it clear, saying he was eager to destroy every believer. A brief synopsis from Philippians and Acts reveals how Paul described himself. He had the spirit of a Saul, and there are still people today who carry that same spirit. But on this page, we also begin to see the change in Saul’s life take shape.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The same zeal he once displayed in the covenant of circumcision, he later showed in his faith. Many of us have seen people like that—those who, when they finally give their hearts to Jesus, pour themselves thoroughly into serving Him. That was Paul, and for many of us, that is our own story as well. Paul was not satisfied with driving Christians from one city. He wanted them gone from the world. But after his conversion, he was just as restless in the gospel. He was not content to preach in one place but pressed forward to reach the whole world.
Paul’s vision calls us higher. He would not rest until the nations heard the message of Jesus. Similarly, we cannot remain small in our vision. Initially, churches minister to their own members. Then they reach their communities. But it should not stop there. The call of God is to get the world with the gospel of Christ. And this is possible. It is already happening, and we are called to take part in it.
All right, number two, and verse two,
Acts 9:2
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
See the Way (Acts 9:2)
I’m going to go through this chapter quickly because there are some points I want to address in the middle of it. See the way. Now, you need to know that at the beginning of Christianity and the book of Acts, they were called the people of the way. Have you ever heard that before? Verse two says, People of this way? Well, they were called the people of the way, and I want to give you a truth right here.
Cherubims Blocking the Way
In Genesis 3 and 4, God placed a cherubim with a flaming sword at the entrance of Eden. Its purpose was to block “the way” so that Adam and Eve could not return to the tree of life. That cherubim stood as a barrier, preventing humanity from re-entering the garden and accessing eternal life.
In Exodus 26, when God gave instructions for the tabernacle, cherubim were embroidered on the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Just as in Eden, the cherubim symbolized the separation between man and God’s presence. Only the high priest could go beyond the veil, and only once a year.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The Veil and Cherubim Removed
But when Jesus died, Matthew 27 tells us that the veil was torn from top to bottom. God Himself ripped it apart. This act showed that the cherubim no longer stood between humanity and God. Through Christ, “the way” into the holiest place is open, and the way back to the tree of life has also been restored.
Access to the Tree of Life
Jesus declared, “I am ‘the way,’ the truth, and the life.” He is the one who gives us access to life in God’s presence. The cherubim have been removed, and nothing stands in the way of believers entering into the holy of holies. Christ is not only the way, but also the way of truth that leads to life. Through Him, we can come directly to the Father and partake of the life that was once barred from man.
This is why the early Christians were called the people of “The Way.” And that name still applies today. We walk in Him, and He walks in us. We are still the people of “The Way.” The barrier has been removed, and we now have full access to God’s presence and to eternal life.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Number three, Saul apprehended of Christ, page 52.
Acts 9:3-9
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Saul Apprehended (Acts 9:3–9)
Paul’s conversion is recorded three times in the book of Acts—chapter 9:3-9, chapter 22:1-21, and chapter 26:1-18. Each account gives details of what happened on the Damascus road. A key part of the event was the light from heaven. One passage states that it was midday, yet the brightness was greater than that of the sun itself. This shows it was not natural light, but the light of the Son of God.
That same light is within believers today. Christ in us, the hope of glory, is the light the world needs to see. Paul experienced it outwardly on the road to Damascus, but we carry it inwardly by God’s Spirit. It is the testimony of Christ shining through us.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Hearing the Voice
Another part of Paul’s conversion was the voice he heard. Acts 9:7 says that the men who traveled with him heard a sound but saw no man. In Acts 22, it is also recorded that they did not truly hear or understand the voice that spoke to Paul. This detail is important. It shows that sometimes others around us may hear something, but they do not hear the same voice we hear.
This truth applies to our walk with God today. There will be times when we hear His Word and receive His voice in ways that others do not. They may see a light, they may hear a sound, but the personal call of Christ comes to us directly. God speaks into our lives in a way that outsiders cannot fully grasp. That is part of walking with Him—hearing His voice even when no one else does.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
John 12:28-29
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
In John 12:28-29, Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Your name.” A voice came from heaven in response. Some who stood nearby said it thundered, while others said an angel had spoken. But Jesus knew it was the Father. This shows that not everyone hears the same thing when God speaks. Some only hear noise, others think it is something spiritual, but those who truly walk with Him recognize the Father’s voice.
This connects with the idea of 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold believers. Outer court believers only hear thunder. Pentecostal or spiritual-minded people may hear angels. But the mature, 100-fold believers recognize the Father’s voice. The goal for every Christian is not to stop at hearing sounds or seeking spiritual signs but to know and hear God Himself.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
There will always be people who do not hear the same voice you hear. Some will only catch glimpses—a sound, a flash of light—while you receive a clear word from God. That is part of your walk. Scripture describes God’s voice as a trumpet. Isaiah was told to lift his voice like a trumpet, and Revelation speaks of seven trumpets, each carrying a message. These trumpets are symbols of God’s word declared to His people. The last trumpet points to a final message that will bring fulfillment.
So the question is, what sound are we truly hearing? Are we content to hear thunder? Do we only describe it as an angel? Or will we listen until we recognize the voice of the Father? That is the call of the Spirit—to know Him directly, beyond every other sound.
Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
In Matthew 24, Jesus explains that the end will come when a specific message is preached. He says it is “this gospel of the kingdom” that must go forth to all nations. Over the centuries, many messages have been restored, including justification by faith through Luther, the teachings of the Anabaptists, divine healing, the Pentecostal outpouring, and the Charismatic movement. These were all important. But Jesus pointed to the final message: the gospel of the kingdom.
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The word “kingdom” often raises concern, but it is entirely biblical. Just as apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers are scriptural, so is the kingdom. Matthew 24:14 makes it plain. The gospel of the kingdom will be preached as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come. The world has already heard many gospels, but has it truly heard the gospel of the kingdom? According to Jesus, that is the message still to be declared.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Persecuting the Church is Persecuting Christ
This connects to Paul’s conversion. On the road to Damascus, the Lord stopped him in his tracks. Saul was persecuting the church, and in doing so, he was persecuting Jesus Himself. Jesus said, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” To touch the church is to touch Christ, because believers are His body and His bride. The church is flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones.
Saul was dragging God’s people away as if they were nothing. But that was the bride of Christ. You do not mistreat the bride without facing the Husband. To drive the point home, Jesus knocked Saul off his donkey (although it doesn’t say that, but that’s how I visualize it). It was a dramatic reminder that the church is precious to Christ, and those who persecute it are persecuting Him directly.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Acts 9:5
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
On the road to Damascus, Paul knew immediately that he was experiencing a divine visitation. When the heavenly light came, he asked, “Who art thou, Lord?” He expected to hear the names of God used in the Old Testament—Jehovah, El Shaddai, or El Elyon. Instead, the answer shocked him. The voice said, “I am Jesus.”
This was the very name Paul hated. To him, Jesus had been cursed, hung on a tree, and rejected according to the law Saul/Paul knew so well. In Paul’s eyes, Jesus was unclean. But in that moment, everything changed. Paul realized the truth—Jesus is who He claimed to be. The one Saul persecuted was truly Lord. That revelation shattered his thinking. Sometimes truth does that. Those who resist kingdom truth may even react with hatred and persecution, but when Christ reveals Himself, it transforms the mind.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Transformation and Change
Paul then spent three days in blindness, without food or water. During that time, his old way of thinking was stripped away, and the revelation of Christ began to take root. That pattern remains for us. Transformation starts in the way we think, in our minds. The word of the Lord changes our minds, breaking us free from old beliefs and opening us to His truth.
In Acts 9:4, Jesus called to him, “Saul, Saul.” This was no small detail. Throughout Scripture, God has called others by name—Abraham, Moses, and Samuel. Now Saul joins that company. This shows the seriousness of God’s call. He speaks with intimacy and urgency. And just as He called their names, He calls ours. It may be Roger, Roger, or James, James, but His voice makes it clear. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. He has not called any of us to sit. Each of us has work to do in His kingdom.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Acts 9:10-19
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
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 Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Ananias, the Midwife (Acts 9:10–19)
God confirmed His will to Paul the same way He always does—through apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists. Paul heard God’s voice, but the Lord still sent a man named Ananias to confirm it. This shows us that God uses His people to establish and guide His work. Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus, and that blindness became a picture of both humanity and religion without Christ. The world is blind, but so is a religious system that only talks about what God did yesterday or promises something for tomorrow, while leaving nothing for today.
Paul himself was very religious, yet he was still blind. Religious people can sit and repeat traditions, but they cannot see the life and truth right before them. God’s purpose is not to keep us in religion but to call us into His kingdom. Just as Paul could not come to God without being called, none of us can come to God without being called. It is God’s Spirit that calls, and the same Spirit that called Paul has also called you and me. We have been apprehended for the kingdom, and we are placed into this time by God’s sovereignty.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
This truth matters now more than ever. Paul was called to reach cities like Damascus, Antioch, and Cyprus. But today, the same God calls us to reach our own cities and communities. The times are urgent, and we live at the end of an age. Scripture shows that history is moving toward its fulfillment. The veil has been torn, the cherubim have been removed, and the way into God’s presence is open. However, it will require sacrifice, prayer, fasting, and persistence to walk into it fully.
Travail, Midwifing, and the Example of Ananias
Paul spent three days blind and broken. Those three days of travail reflect other periods in Scripture—the three days Jonah spent in the belly of the fish, the three days Abraham traveled with Isaac, Israel’s three-day journey from the Red Sea, and Christ’s three days in the tomb. For Paul, it was a season of inner struggle, a birthing of new life. Many of us have experienced similar seasons. We knew God was working within us, but the outcome was not yet clear. In time, it became evident that He was bringing us into life and purpose.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The church today is much the same. The world has seen religion and empty forms, but it is waiting for the true kingdom to be revealed. Just as Saul needed Ananias to midwife him into his calling, so the world is waiting for the church to rise up and bring forth the kingdom of God in power.
Ananias plays an essential role in Paul’s story. The key point about him is not only his obedience despite fear, but how an ordinary disciple confirmed the commission of the most zealous apostle. Ananias was not the one who called Saul. It was Christ Himself. Yet God used Ananias, through the laying on of hands, to confirm what the Lord had already declared. This shows that apostles are not appointed by men; they are called directly by Jesus. If the risen Christ commissioned Paul in such an unusual way, then He can and will continue to raise up apostles in our day.
Ananias also teaches us what submission looks like. When the Lord spoke, he said, “Behold, I am here, Lord.” Even though he feared Saul’s reputation and the danger of arrest, he still obeyed. This shows the difference between a Christian and a disciple. A Christian often does things their own way, while a disciple does what the Lord commands—even when it is not easy or desirable.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Ananias was called a disciple, a word that means “disciplined one.” A disciple is someone who is shaped and guided by God’s word, not personal preference. The Christian world is full of people who live by the “my way” standard. But a true disciple lives by the “Lord’s way.” It becomes “The Way.” This is what distinguished Ananias. He set aside fear, trusted the word of the Lord, and fulfilled his role in confirming Paul’s calling.
The lesson here is simple but weighty. God’s work often depends on disciplined obedience, not personal comfort. A disciple follows Scripture as their guide and rule for life. This is the calling for every believer—to move beyond being a casual Christian into the disciplined life of a disciple.
Ananias in Acts 9 shows us this choice. The Lord told him to go lay hands on Saul, His chosen vessel. It would have been easy for him to think, “Why not me? Why am I just an errand boy?” Yet his role mattered deeply—he was the one God used to confirm Paul’s calling. This teaches us that obedience, even in seemingly small matters, is essential in God’s plan.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The Calling and the Cost
Being a chosen vessel, however, is not only about honor but also about suffering. The Lord told Ananias that Paul would suffer greatly for the sake of His name. This truth is often overlooked in a world that emphasizes only prosperity and blessings. But scripture is clear—those who will reign with Christ must also suffer with Him.
The real question, then, is whether we are ready to embrace both sides of the call. Do we want to be chosen vessels? Then we must accept that suffering comes with the assignment. Kingdom life is not about ease, but about obedience, discipline, and walking faithfully through every season the Lord allows.
2 Timothy 2:12
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The same man we see in Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus, later became Paul the apostle and wrote in 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.” That truth stands in sharp contrast to the easy messages we often hear today. Many portray the Christian life as smooth and carefree, but scripture makes it plain—if we expect to reign with Christ, suffering will be part of the journey.
Paul understood this firsthand. From the beginning, the Lord told him that he would suffer many things for His name. Paul’s sufferings were not minor inconveniences. In 2 Corinthians 11, he lists shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, hunger, and constant dangers. These were not written as mere autobiographies. They were written to show us the price of serving Christ. Anyone who is truly apprehended by Him and devoted to His work must be ready to endure hardship for the kingdom’s sake.
This aspect of the gospel is rarely emphasized today. Many prefer to hear about blessings, comfort, and prosperity rather than suffering and sacrifice. Yet Paul’s life teaches us that suffering is not punishment but often the path of obedience. It was through great suffering that he revealed the glory of Christ and fulfilled his calling.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
So if we want to be like Paul, we must face the truth honestly. To be chosen, to do the work of the kingdom, to reign with Christ, we must also be willing to suffer with Him. That message is not popular, but it is biblical. Paul’s life was a living testimony of it. And for us, the same principle applies—the crown comes after the cross, and glory comes through endurance.
2 Corinthians 12:7
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul speaks about his personal challenge—a “thorn in the flesh,” something persistent that troubled him deeply. Compared to Paul’s experiences, many Christians react strongly to even minor criticisms or setbacks. There is often a mindset that God should feel grateful for their presence in church, and that any discomfort justifies giving up. But Paul endured far greater trials—nights adrift at sea, beatings, robberies, and betrayals from close companions.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Paul’s attitude toward suffering was radically different. He accepted it as part of following Christ and never threatened to quit. He lived and died for the name of Jesus, and his life was the proof. The question is: what does our life show? Much of the Christian world is content with comfort and easy promises, imagining that Christian faith is simply about blessing. The reality, however, is far deeper. True faith means conforming to Christ’s image, facing opposition, and overcoming in times of difficulty. Paul reminds us that only those willing to suffer will reign, and those who deny Him will also be denied.
There is a spiritual tragedy in settling for shallow faith. Christians often discuss glory and paradise, but often overlook the commitment that Paul exemplified. God wants people who will do His work, even when it brings them into hard places. True conversion means life is never the same again. Just like when God touched Jacob, he walked differently from that moment on. A total change marked Saul’s conversion. He never walked the same again. You may stumble, but the direction of your journey is forever changed.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Spiritual Midwife Role
Ananias played the role of a spiritual midwife for Saul, guiding him into the kingdom and making sure the change was complete. Many of us have had someone like that, who helped us enter the faith and ensured we got off to a good start. Real change is evident when, no matter what happens, you get up, brush yourself off, and keep moving forward. That is the mark of genuine conversion.
Acts 9:17-18
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was baptized in water. According to Acts 9:17, Ananias was sent primarily to help Paul regain his sight—removing the scales that blinded him. Just like Paul, each of us needs someone along our journey to help us see more clearly and remove spiritual blindness.
Receiving Sight and the Holy Spirit
The role of Ananias was to lay hands on Paul, so he could receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Only after this happened did Paul go on to be baptized in water. Sometimes, God sends people into our lives to help us break free from things that block our spiritual vision. These “Ananias” figures help us move forward and grow in faith.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The account shows the importance of spiritual guidance and the work of the Holy Spirit. True transformation occurs when obstacles are removed and God’s Spirit fills us, leading to obedience and new life. Every believer needs moments when scales fall away and they see clearly what God wants for them. Only then do we step into real transformation and begin walking in God’s purpose.
It said Saul was filled with the Spirit, but did it say he spoke in tongues? Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 14. Someone on the recording is going to say, Well, it didn’t say spoke in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:18
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Paul, the apostle we have been studying, wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:18, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all.” This same Paul was baptized in the Holy Spirit before he was baptized in water, as we see in Acts 9 and in other places, such as Cornelius’ house and among the believers at Ephesus. This pattern is consistent in Scripture and shows the reality of the Holy Spirit’s work in the early church.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Paul’s experience highlights that receiving the Holy Spirit is a real and powerful part of Christian life. The biblical record makes it clear that this was a normal and expected part of the lives of believers. For those who have experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s story affirms that it is genuine and essential.
Another important lesson from Paul’s early days as a Christian is his submission to church leadership. Although he was a bold preacher and apostle, Paul respected and submitted to the other disciples and leaders, both in Damascus and later throughout the church. Authentic ministry is marked by humility and willingness to serve under godly authority. Paul not only taught submission—he lived it himself. This example remains vital for anyone serving in ministry today.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Saul’s First Many Days (Acts 9:20–31)
Acts 9:20-31
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 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?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Multiplication and Building
Acts 9:31 records that the churches multiplied and were edified. “Edified” means to build up, construct, or confirm, almost like architecture. In a literal sense, believers began to build churches, developing structures and meeting in various locations. These early steps laid a foundation for the growth and organization of the Christian community.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
When we talk about the power of God in the Holy Spirit, many think of dramatic gifts—prophecy, healing, miracles, and raising the dead. These are indeed amazing and real. But another power is equally important: the ability to truly love one another. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is just as vital. Scripture teaches that people will recognize authentic followers of Christ not by their gifts, but by the fruit they bear. The foundation starts at home. A man who does not love his wife should not stand in the pulpit, no matter how gifted he is.
The sacraments and miracles performed by Peter and others were amazing, but the impact of true conversion does not come only through signs and wonders. It is easy to dismiss miracles and healings as coincidences or medical advances, especially in today’s world. Yet real power is seen in practical obedience—husbands loving their wives and wives submitting to their husbands, as the Scriptures teach. Unfortunately, many Christians fail in this area. Broken homes and families do not reflect the love of Christ.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
True spiritual strength is demonstrated in everyday relationships, especially in the home. The message is simple: genuine Christianity is not just what happens behind the pulpit or in public miracles, but in the way we live with and love one another. That is the true power of the Holy Spirit at work.
Sacraments of Peter (Acts 9:32–43)
On page 57, a crucial point is worth noting: real ministry involves visiting people. Peter set this example. He went out, he visited, and he connected with others. Ministry that does not reach out and visit is not genuine ministry.
One of the most significant things recorded about Peter is what happened at Joppa, where he raised the dead. This act connects Peter to the prophets Elijah and Elisha, who also raised the dead in the Old Testament, and to Jesus, who performed the same miracles in the Gospels. Notably, Peter was present with Jesus when He raised the dead. This shows that Peter learned from Jesus and followed in His steps. The acts of visiting, serving, and demonstrating God’s power all marked Peter’s ministry. Real ministry means being present with people, bringing life, and following the example that Jesus set.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Mark 5:21-24
21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Let’s look at Mark chapter 5, starting at verse 21. This passage tells the story of Jairus, a synagogue leader, whose daughter was near death. Jairus came to Jesus, fell at His feet, and pleaded for help. Jairus asked Jesus to come and lay hands on his daughter so she would be healed and live.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
The passage goes on to show how Jesus responded with compassion. He went with Jairus, and despite interruptions along the way, Jesus ultimately restored the girl to life. This event is important because it demonstrates how Jesus performed miracles with personal involvement—a pattern that His disciples, including Peter, later followed.
Peter witnessed many miracles of Jesus, including the raising of the dead. When Peter later raised the dead in Joppa, he was following the example set by Jesus. This shows that authentic ministry means learning from Jesus’ life and actions. The disciples were not just spectators. They observed, learned directly from Him, and put those lessons into practice in real-life situations.
The story underscores that Jesus showed His followers how ministry is done: through compassion, faith, and hands-on action. Peter carried out what he had seen Jesus do, confirming that authentic ministry is modeled after Christ Himself.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Mark 5:35-41
35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Jesus Models Faith and Ministry for Peter
In Mark 5, beginning at verse 35, messengers arrive to tell Jairus that his daughter is dead and that there is no need to bother Jesus any longer. But Jesus responds immediately and urges Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe. He allows only Peter, James, and John to accompany him to the house. This group witnesses what is about to take place.
When Jesus arrives, He sees people mourning and crying loudly. He tells them not to weep, explaining that the child is not dead but only sleeping. The crowd laughs at Him in disbelief. Still, Jesus puts everyone else out of the house, keeping only the parents and His three disciples—Peter, James, and John—inside the room with the little girl.
He takes the girl by the hand and speaks to her gently and with authority, saying, “Damsel, arise.” Immediately, she gets up and begins to walk. By putting out the doubters and surrounding Himself with faith, Jesus demonstrates the power of belief and personal ministry.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
This moment is critical because Peter is right there, seeing how Jesus ministers in a hopeless situation. It is a lesson in compassion, faith, and action. Later, Peter would use this same approach when he performed miracles in his own ministry. Jesus showed him by example how to trust God, cast out doubt, and minister with boldness. This serves as a model for how true ministry should be carried out.
Acts 9:36-43
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
In Acts 9:36, we read about Tabitha (also called Dorcas), a woman known for her good works and helping others. She became sick and died, and her friends cared for her and set her body in an upper room. When they heard Peter was nearby, they sent for him, knowing that a miracle might happen through apostolic ministry.
Raising the Dead—Peter at Joppa
Peter responded to their call and entered the room. The widows stood by, weeping and showing the clothing Tabitha had made. Peter then put everyone out of the room, knelt down, and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes and sat up.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
Ministry Learned by Imitation
This story echoes the example Jesus set in Mark 5. Peter did not invent his approach—he learned directly from Jesus, observing and following what his Lord had done. Ministry works this way: we learn from those who have gone before us. Like the Ethiopian eunuch said, “How can I understand unless someone shows me?” The same principle applies to all aspects of serving, teaching, and leading in the church.
Authentic ministry is passed on by example. By spending time with Jesus, the disciples became more like Him and learned how to do His work. Everything Jesus did, they did. He even promised that His followers would do greater things. The path to effective ministry is straightforward—learn from faithful leaders, grow under their guidance, and apply those principles in practice. The foundation of all real ministry is imitation, instruction, and obedience.
The main message here is the importance of sitting under genuine ministry and allowing yourself to be ministered to. Actual growth comes when you connect with spiritual leaders who pour their lives into you, just as Jesus poured His life into the disciples. Ministry is about giving, about transferring life and wisdom from one person to another. Those who receive this ministry will become teachers and shepherds in their own right.
Acts Series Chapter 9: How to Submit to God’s Purpose
It is not wrong to repeat what good ministers say or do. The disciples repeated the words and actions of Jesus, and that is how true ministry spreads. The most effective way to become an effective minister is to find strong leaders, learn from them, and closely follow their example.
Acts Series Chapter 9 Audio
Acts Series Chapter 9 Audio
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