Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Reading for July 14th

 Read Acts 9.1-9. In 9.1-31: The call of Saul (see also 22.6-16; 26.12-18). In verses 1-2: Saul's pursuit of the disciples of the Lord is confirmed by Paul's letters (1 Cor 15.9), but Luke's stress on the active collaboration of the high priest and Temple authorities (see also 9.14; 22.5; 26.10, 12) raises the question whether they had such powers of extradition. The letters to the synagogues were common means of introduction or recommendation (see Acts 28.21; 2 Cor 3.1). Acts tells nothing more about the mission to Damascus or "all the towns" (8.40). The Way is a designation of the followers of Jesus used by both members and adversaries (19.9, 23; 22.4; 24.14, 22). In verse 3: The light from heaven is a sign of divine presence (see Lk 2.9; 9.29; 10.18; 17.24; 24.4: Acts 22,6; 26.13). In verses 4-5: Repeating Saul's name recalls the call story of Moses, also in a divine display (Ex 3.1; 1 Sam 3.4, 10), revealing that Saul is persecuting the Lord Jesus in the person of his followers (Lk 10.16). In verse 7: Acts' three accounts of this event differ on who saw or heard what ( see 22.9; 26.13). In verse 8: Saul's temporary blindness is probably a divine judgment (13.11, 17-18; Isa 6.9-10, cited in Acts 28.26-27). In verse 9: Saul was apparently fasting (v. 11; 13.1-3). Comments or Questions..

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