C. The mission of Saul 9:1-31

The writer focused our attention next on a key figure in the spread of the Christian mission and on significant events in the development of that mission to the Gentiles. Peter's evangelization of Cornelius (ch. 10) will continue to advance this theme. Luke has given us three portraits of significant individuals in the evangelization of Gentiles: Stephen, Philip, and now, climactically, Saul. He stressed that Saul's conversion and calling to be an apostle to the Gentiles came supernaturally and directly from God, and Saul himself played a passive role in these events. Paul retold the story of his conversion and calling twice in Acts 22 and 26 and again in Galatians 1. Its importance in Acts is clear from its repetition.³⁸⁷Saul became God's primary instrument in taking the gospel to the Gentile world.

 1. Saul's conversion and calling 9:1-19a

Luke recorded the conversion and calling of Saul to demonstrate the supernatural power and sovereign direction of God. Saul's conversion was one of the most miraculous and significant instances of repentance that took place during the early expansion of the church.³⁸⁸His calling to be God's main missionary to the Gentiles was equally dramatic.

 2. Saul's initial conflicts 9:19b-30

The changes that took place in Saul were important because of his subsequent activity. Luke wrote this pericope to note those changes so his readers would understand why Saul behaved as he did. Luke stressed the genuineness of Saul's conversion by showing the radical change it made in him.

 3. The church at peace 9:31

Notice that "church"is in the singular here. This is probably a reference to the Christians throughout Palestine--in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria--not just in one local congregation but in the body of Christ. Saul's departure from Palestine brought greater peace to the churches there. He was an extremely controversial figure among the Jews because of his conversion. Peaceful conditions are conducive to effective evangelism and church growth (cf. 1 Tim. 2:1-4). The church continued to experience four things: inward strengthening, a proper attitude and relationship to God (in contrast to Judaism), the comfort (encouragement, Gr. paraklesis) provided by the Holy Spirit, and numerical growth.⁴¹²

This statement is Luke's third major progress report on the state of the church (cf. 2:47; 6:7; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:30-31). It closes this section dealing with the church's expansion in Judea and Samaria (6:8-9:31). The Lord had added about 3,000 who believed to the core group of disciples (2:41). Then He added more who became Christians day by day (2:47). Shortly He added multitudes of new believers (5:14). Then we read the number of disciples increased greatly (6:7). Now we read that the church ". . . continued to increase"(9:31).

"When the Spirit of God has His way in the hearts and lives of believers, then unsaved people are going to be reached and won for Christ."⁴¹³