Verses 1-9 (see with 1 Timothy 1:12-16)
-
Saul was aggressive in his efforts to destroy the church, but God showed him mercy because he didn't know what he was doing.
-
Sometimes, the most aggressive people are really just blind and ignorant. Show mercy and kindness to these people, as mercy was shown to Saul. God may save them too!
-
Verses 10-16
-
Often the most unexpected people are chosen for great works (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
-
Being chosen for great works for God also includes suffering (verse 16).
-
-
Do not think that you will only be sent to people who are easy to talk to or who are easy to imagine becoming a believer. Be willing to talk to anyone!
Verses 17-19
-
Ananias was a regular believer; he was not an apostle. And God used him to bring healing and the power of the Spirit to Saul, who was now a new believer.
-
If God used Ananias for these works, believe that God can use you too!
-
Verses 20-30
-
A person can begin sharing Christ with others as soon as they are saved.
-
Verse 22. Learning and sharing the Word with others will help you grow stronger, as it helped Saul grow stronger.
-
-
As with Saul, it can be hard for new believers to become trusted by the church, especially if they had a dark past. This is ok.
-
Saul's conversion experience and his dramatic change in behavior helped to gain their trust.
-
If you are questioning a supposedly new believer, ask about how they first came to Christ, and find out how their behavior has changed, if indeed they have changed. If they were genuinely saved, there will be plenty of evidence.
-
-
Verse 31
-
Existing believers always need to be strengthened and new believers always need to be added. In your community, work toward both of these things. They are both important.
-
Seek to understand the fear of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. This will help the church greatly in its growth and tasks.
-
Verses 32-43
-
Verse 35. Even a single miracle can win over an entire town to Christ.
-
If you learn to hear from the Spirit, like Peter did (Acts 11:12), you will be able to know when you are being sent to bring healing or a miracle to a person.
-
Through knowing the Holy Spirit like this you will be able to have the confidence that Peter had here, when he knew that Christ was going to heal him (verse 34).
-
-
It is a good start simply to pray for the sick. This will help you grow as well.
-
-
Verses 39-40. Peter mimicked one of Jesus' methods here. Jesus also removed certain people from the room/house when He was going to raise someone in the house from the dead.
-
If you ever find yourself with the opportunity to pray for a dead person, it is a good idea in some cases to remove the people from the room who are crying or mocking.
- In the event of a resurrection, the sight can be fearful to those who are weak-minded. Removing the weak from a room is for their own sake.
-