Acts 9:1-2

AT JERUSALEM. Acts 9:1-2.

Acts 9:1

But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Acts 9:2

and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:1-2 Now we are back in Jerusalem. What is happening? Well, what was the condition of the city when we left?. The situation has not changed nor improved for Saul is yet breathing threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. Yea, he is not satisfied to wreck havoc only among the church in Jerusalem. He can not rest with this, his zeal in his mad opposition would take him to any and all places where Christians might be found. When Saul hears of Christians in Damascus he immediately takes steps to carry his persecution to this city.

275.

Where was Saul during the events of the life of Philip? What was he doing?

276.

Why do we not hear any more of Saul after he is first mentioned in Acts 7:58?

ENTRANCE TO DAMASCUS

By the new French road through the Merj or meadow, west of the city. The large building on the right, with its many domes and two slender minarets, is the Tekiyeh, or hospital for pilgrims, built by Sultan Selim I in AD 1516.

About 130 miles northeast of Jerusalem was the city of Damascus. It is situated in a fertile plain at the foot of Mount Hermon. It was at the head of the most important small state of ancient Syria, and probably no other city of the present day can trace its history so far back in the annals of the world. (Historical Geography p. 80.) Paul entered this city with his eyes closed by the power of God. How many cities do we enter with our eyes closed to the needs of the people of its streets and shops? The world is doomed. The instability of earthly things is apparent everywhere. Saving souls is the only thing worth while. It ought to be the chief end of every man's life. It was for Paul; is it for you?

The high priest of Jerusalem would, by virtue of his office, have jurisdiction over the Jews of all synagogues. Hence, Saul went to the high priest that he might secure letters that would grant him authority to go into the synagogues of Damascus and ferret out all the disciples of the Way, whether men or women. Saul intended to treat those of Damascus as criminals. He hoped to bring them bound in chains to Jerusalem. Such arrests were not ordinarily permitted in a foreign city. They could be carried out here because the governor of the district was in sympathy with such action. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:32).