November 19

Acts 9-10 (biblegateway.com)

Salvation for All People

As the gospel spreads through persecution and reaches Samaria and beyond, God now works powerfully in two life-changing events—calling a fierce persecutor to salvation and opening the door of the gospel to the Gentiles, revealing that Christ came for all people.

Acts 9 — The Conversion of Saul, the Growth of the Church, and the Ministry of Peter

As the gospel continues spreading from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, Saul of Tarsus burns with hatred for the followers of Jesus. Still “breathing threats and murder” against the disciples (v. 1), he goes to the high priest to obtain letters giving him authority to arrest believers in Damascus. His mission is simple: destroy the church. But the risen Christ has a far greater plan, and one that will turn the greatest persecutor into the greatest preacher.

As Saul approaches Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashes around him (v. 3). The brightness overwhelms him, causing him to fall to the ground. He hears a voice calling his name twice: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (v. 4). This is not merely a heavenly sound; it is the risen Lord Himself. Saul responds, “Who are You, Lord?” and the answer changes his life forever: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (v. 5). The One Saul believes is dead stands alive with authority and mercy.

Jesus commands Saul to enter the city and wait for further instruction (v. 6). The men traveling with him stand speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one (v. 7). Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; he was blinded (v. 8). His physical blindness mirrors his spiritual blindness. He sees nothing outwardly, just as he has failed to see the truth inwardly. Led by the hand, the once-confident Pharisee enters Damascus humbled and broken. For three days, he is blind, neither eating nor drinking, wrestling with the reality that Jesus is Lord and waiting for the grace he once tried to destroy (v. 9).

In Damascus, the Lord appears to Ananias, a faithful disciple, in a vision, telling him to seek out Saul of Tarsus, who is praying (v. 10–11). Ananias hesitates, as he knows Saul’s reputation for harming believers (v. 13–14), but the Lord assures him that Saul is “a chosen instrument” who will bear Christ’s name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel and will suffer for Christ’s sake (v. 15–16). God’s sovereign purpose and enabling grace are already at work. The man who intended to stop the gospel will now carry it farther than he ever imagined. God’s call is never based on merit but on mercy.

Ananias obeys. He enters the house, lays hands on Saul, and calls him “Brother Saul,” a stunning word of acceptance from a former enemy. It is the gospel embodied—reconciliation made possible only through Christ. He explains that Jesus has sent him so that Saul may regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 17). Immediately, something like scales fall from Saul’s eyes, and he can see again. His restored sight reflects the deeper vision he has now received. He rises, is baptized as a public declaration of faith in Jesus, and takes food to regain strength (v. 18–19). The persecutor has become a disciple; the enemy has become a brother; the one who breathed threats now breathes prayer and praise.

Saul remains with the disciples in Damascus and begins to proclaim in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God (v. 20). Those who hear him are astonished. This is the same man who sought to destroy the church, yet now he boldly preaches the deity and Messiahship of Christ (v. 21). Saul grows stronger in faith and power, confounding the Jewish leaders by proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah (v. 22). His transformation is undeniable and complete, a testimony to the power of grace that can redirect even the most determined opponent of the gospel.

As his preaching spreads, opposition quickly rises. After many days, the Jews plot to kill him (v. 23). They watch the city gates day and night, hoping to capture him. But the disciples learn of the plan and help him escape. They lower Saul in a basket through an opening in the city wall (v. 25). The hunter becomes the hunted. The one who once threatened believers now depends on them for protection, a striking reversal that displays the unity and courage of the early church.

When Saul returns to Jerusalem, the believers are afraid of him and do not believe he is truly a disciple (v. 26). His past terror is fresh in their minds. But Barnabas, living up to his name “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36), takes hold of Saul, brings him to the apostles, and recounts his encounter with the risen Christ and his fearless preaching in Damascus (v. 27). Barnabas’s advocacy becomes the bridge for Saul’s acceptance. His willingness to stand beside a new convert shows how God often uses encouragers to open doors others are hesitant to trust.

Saul begins moving freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of Jesus (v. 28). He debates the Hellenistic Jews, but they also attempt to kill him (v. 29). When the believers learn of the threat, they escort Saul to Caesarea and send him to Tarsus, his hometown, where Christ will continue shaping him for future ministry (v. 30). This season of hidden preparation will later emerge as one of the most fruitful ministries in church history, reminding us that obscurity is often God’s classroom for future usefulness.

Luke summarizes this period with a note of peace and growth: the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experiences peace, is built up, walks in the fear of the Lord, and increases through the comfort of the Holy Spirit (v. 31). What began with persecution has resulted in powerful, Spirit-led expansion. The same Spirit who sent Philip, saved Saul, and now, strengthened, the church multiplies their witness across the region.

As Saul’s story pauses, the narrative turns back to Peter. Traveling through the region, he comes to Lydda, where he finds Aeneas, a man paralyzed for eight years (v. 33). Peter looks at him and says, “Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed” (v. 34). Aeneas rises immediately, and the miracle leads many in Lydda and Sharon to turn to the Lord (v. 35). The authority Peter speaks with is not his own; it is the continuing work of the risen Christ through His servants. The power Jesus exercised on earth continues through His apostles as they trust His name.

In nearby Joppa lives Tabitha (also called Dorcas), a beloved disciple known for her kindness, charity, and good works (v. 36). She becomes ill and dies, and the believers prepare her body for burial (v. 37). Hearing that Peter is near, they send for him urgently (v. 38). When Peter arrives, widows show him the garments Dorcas made, tangible expressions of her love and service (v. 39). Her ministry to the vulnerable becomes her testimony, and the grief of the widows reveals how deeply her faith touched the community.

Peter sends everyone out, kneels, and prays. Turning to the body, he says, “Tabitha, arise” (v. 40). The Lord restores her to life. She opens her eyes and sits up, and Peter presents her alive to the believers (v. 41). The news spreads throughout Joppa, leading many to believe in the Lord (v. 42). Peter stays many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner (v. 43), a quiet detail showing Peter’s growing willingness to cross traditional boundaries, preparing him for the Gentile mission in Acts 10. A tanner handled dead animals, something ceremonially unclean, hinting that Peter’s heart is being prepared to embrace those once considered “unclean” as well.

Acts 9 reveals the power of Christ’s enabling grace to transform even the hardest heart. Saul is not forced into salvation; instead, the Holy Spirit convicts, enlightens, and empowers him to respond freely in faith, demonstrating that no one is beyond God’s reach. Ananias’ obedience shows how God often works through ordinary believers who choose courage over fear, making them instruments of His will. His willingness to welcome an enemy reminds us that obedience often requires trusting God’s character more than our own understanding. Barnabas’s role highlights the importance of encouragement in the body of Christ and how one faithful believer can open doors for another’s calling and ministry.

Persecution also plays a surprising part in the advance of the gospel, reminding us that hardship cannot hinder God’s work but often accelerates it. Finally, Peter’s miracles affirm that the risen Christ continues His ministry through His people, strengthening our confidence that the Lord still works powerfully through the church today. The chapter closes with a church strengthened, multiplied, and united, evidence that Christ’s mission moves forward through transformed hearts, faithful obedience, and the Spirit’s guiding hand.

Acts 10 — God Opens the Gospel to the Gentiles: Cornelius, Peter’s Vision, and the Spirit Poured Out

As the early church continues to grow, the Lord now turns the gospel outward in a decisive and history-shaping way. The mission Jesus spoke of, reaching “all nations” (Acts 1:8), begins to unfold in a powerful and unmistakable moment. Through Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, and Peter, a devoted Jewish apostle, God reveals that the salvation offered in Christ is for the whole world. The barriers of race, culture, and tradition give way to the grace and sovereignty of God.

In Caesarea lives Cornelius, a Roman centurion of the Italian Cohort. Though a Gentile, he is devout, fears God, gives generously, and prays continually (v. 2). His reverence shows the work of God already stirring in his heart. He is drawing Cornelius toward truth, preparing him for the full message of Christ. About the ninth hour, an angel appears to him in a vision, calling him by name (v. 3–4). The angel tells Cornelius that his prayers and gifts have ascended as a memorial before God. He is instructed to send men to Joppa to find Simon Peter, who is staying with Simon the tanner (v. 5–6). Without delay, Cornelius sends two servants and a devout soldier to carry out the Lord’s command (v. 7–8). God is orchestrating events on both sides, bringing together those who seek truth and those called to proclaim it.

The next day, as the men draw near to Joppa, Peter goes to the rooftop to pray around the sixth hour (v. 9). Hungry, he falls into a trance and sees a large sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals, clean and unclean alike (v. 11–12). A voice commands, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat” (v. 13). Peter protests, insisting he has never eaten anything common or unclean (v. 14). But the voice responds, “What God has made clean, do not call common” (v. 15). This happens three times, confirming that God is declaring a fundamental shift. The vision is not merely about food; it is about people. The dividing wall between Jew and Gentile is being torn down. God is preparing Peter to see what he has never seen before: the gospel is for all nations.

While Peter is perplexed about the vision, the men sent by Cornelius arrive at the gate (v. 17–18). At that moment, the Spirit speaks to Peter, telling him to go with them without hesitation because God has sent them (v. 19–20). Peter goes down, identifies himself, and learns why they have come (v. 21–22). He invites them in as guests, already taking a step beyond traditional boundaries by welcoming Gentiles into a Jewish home. The next day, Peter sets out with them, accompanied by some of the believers from Joppa (v. 23). God is moving Peter one step at a time toward a fuller understanding of His redemptive plan.

The following day, they enter Caesarea. Cornelius is waiting with his relatives and close friends, having gathered them with eager expectation (v. 24). When Peter arrives, Cornelius falls at his feet in reverence, but Peter lifts him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man” (v. 25–26). Entering the house, Peter finds a large gathering of Gentiles ready to hear the Word. He acknowledges that it is normally unlawful for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile, but God has shown him not to call any person common or unclean (v. 27–28). God has changed Peter’s heart. He asks why they have sent for him, and Cornelius recounts his vision, affirming that they are all present before God to hear the message the Lord has commanded Peter to give (v. 29–33). This openness reflects the posture of a heart already being drawn by God’s grace.

Peter begins by confessing a truth that has now become crystal clear: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality” (v. 34). The gospel is not confined to nationality or heritage. In every nation, those who fear God and pursue righteousness are welcomed by Him and invited to receive the full truth of Christ (v. 35). Peter proclaims the message of peace through Jesus Christ, declaring Him Lord of all.

He recounts the ministry of Jesus, including His anointing with the Spirit, His works of healing and deliverance, His death on the cross, and His resurrection on the third day (v. 36–40). Peter testifies that the risen Jesus appeared to chosen witnesses and has commanded them to preach to all people (v. 41–42). He concludes with the heart of the gospel: “To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (v. 43). This is salvation by grace through faith, offered freely to all.

While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on all who hear the Word (v. 44). The Jewish believers who came with Peter are astonished because the Spirit is poured out on Gentiles just as He was on Jewish believers at Pentecost, and they hear them speaking in tongues and magnifying God (v. 45–46).

God leaves no room for doubt. The same Spirit, the same salvation, the same gospel. Peter declares that no one can withhold baptism from those who have already received the Spirit (v. 47). He commands them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, sealing their new identity as believers. Cornelius and his household then ask Peter to remain for a few days (v. 48), eager to grow in their new faith.

Acts 10 unveils the fullness of God's redemptive plan, that salvation is offered to every nation, not based on birth, culture, or background, but on faith in Christ. God’s enabling grace is clearly at work as He prepares both Cornelius and Peter, drawing one toward truth and reshaping the other’s understanding of who can be saved. The chapter reveals that God removes barriers we often hold onto, inviting His people to see others through His eyes and to welcome all who respond to the gospel.

The falling of the Holy Spirit upon Gentile believers demonstrates that the same transformation, forgiveness, and new life available to Jews is equally available to anyone who believes. This truth calls the church to embrace unity in Christ, live without partiality, and boldly proclaim the message of salvation to all people, trusting God’s work in hearts even before we arrive.

Conclusion

Acts 9–10 reveal the unstoppable grace and mission of God. Saul’s conversion shows that no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s saving power. The gospel does not depend on human worthiness, as Jesus transforms hearts by His grace. Cornelius and his household show that salvation is offered to all people, and the Holy Spirit confirms that those who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, are fully welcomed into the family of God.

For believers today, these chapters remind us that God saves by grace, calls us to obedience, and breaks down barriers that divide. We must never underestimate who God can save or where He may send us with the gospel. The same Savior who changed Saul and welcomed Cornelius still transforms lives today. The gospel is truly for all, including every nation, every background, and every sinner willing to believe.