Act 9:23-43  Barnabas Took Him and Brought Him to the Apostles

[Study Aired March 5, 2023]

Act 9:23  And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
Act 9:24  But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
Act 9:25  Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Act 9:26  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
Act 9:27  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Act 9:28  And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
Act 9:29  And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
Act 9:30  Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Act 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Act 9:32  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
Act 9:33  And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
Act 9:34  And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
Act 9:35  And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Act 9:36  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Act 9:37  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
Act 9:38  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
Act 9:39  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
Act 9:40  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Act 9:41  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
Act 9:42  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Act 9:43  And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

In our last study, the Lord had demonstrated to us His power over every man and every nation and every religion on earth when He struck the fear of God into the heart and mind of His worst enemy and chief persecutor, Saul of Tarsus. Saul was operating under the auspices of the high priest in Jerusalem, signifying the religions of this world in every generation. This is not the time in which the Lord is working to save those who are under the sway of the religions of this world, but this is the time when the Lord is choosing a very “few” to come out of the religions of this world and, against all odds, stand firm on His Words. Saul of Tarsus signifies those few who were zealous for the religions of this world before the Lord turned them one hundred-eighty degrees and made them to become His servants, thus making them the zealous enemies of their former master, the religions of this world.

Saul of Tarsus, like all whom the Lord elects to become His servants, is given a “new name” (Isa 62:2, Rev 2:17), and later in these ‘Acts of the apostles’ he becomes Paul the apostle (Act 13:9).

Act 9:23  And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

“Many days” in this case refers to the “three years” Saul remained in Damascus preaching the gospel until he was forced to flee for his life:

Gal 1:17  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Gal 1:18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Act 9:24  But their laying await [the church of Saul’s day… the Jews] was known of Saul. And they watched the gates [of Damascus] day and night to kill him.
Act 9:25  Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

In fleeing Damascus, Saul was being obedient to the Lord’s words:

Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

It should be obvious that when the Lord tells us, “Resist not evil”, He is not commanding us to make ourselves a doormat for our enemies.

Mat 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Saul could have gone anywhere, but being converted to Christ he wanted to be with those who were converted before he was, and He wanted to meet “[his own flesh” (Isa 66:2)], the apostles in Jerusalem:

Act 9:26  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
Act 9:27  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he [Saul] had seen the Lord in the way, and that he [the Lord] had spoken to him [Saul], and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

This verse 27 makes it sound as if Barnabas had introduced Saul to all the apostles at Jerusalem, but as we will see, the only ‘apostles’ Barnabas brought Saul to see were ‘Peter and James the Lord’s brother’ (Gal 1:18-19).

In introducing Saul to Peter and James, Barnabas was speaking only what he knew for a fact was true. Barnabas had either heard from a reliable source or else had been in Damascus when Saul was preaching Christ. Either way, it was Barnabas who was comfortable enough to be seen with Saul and “brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that [the Lord] had spoken to [Saul], and how [Saul] had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

Act 9:28  And he was with them [Peter and James, the Lord’s brother] coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
Act 9:29  And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

“The Grecians” is not a reference to Greeks. The name refers to Jews who communicated in the Greek language and read the Greek Septuagint, the Torah, translated into Greek. Saul spent three years preaching the gospel in Damascus, but he lasted only three weeks preaching the gospel in Jerusalem before he once again had to flee for his life.

Act 9:30  Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

How did “the brethren know” that the Grecians “went about to slay [Saul]?” Many years later, after his name is changed to ‘Paul’, Paul himself tells us how he found out about the plans of the Grecians to slay him. He relates how it happened in Acts 22 after ‘Paul the apostle’ is almost beaten to death by the Jews before the Roman centurion rescues him from a Jewish mob and gives him permission to address  the multitude:

Act 22:1  Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
Act 22:2  (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
Act 22:3  I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Act 22:4  And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
Act 22:5  As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
Act 22:6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
Act 22:7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 22:8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
Act 22:9  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
Act 22:10  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
Act 22:11  And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
Act 22:12  And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
Act 22:13  Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
Act 22:14  And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Act 22:15  For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Act 22:16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Here now is how Saul of Tarsus learned that the Grecian Jews at Jerusalem were going about to kill him:

Act 22:17  And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
Act 22:18  And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
Act 22:19  And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
Act 22:20  And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
Act 22:21  And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

That was more than these “thousands of Jews… which believe and they are all zealous of the law” (Act 21:20) could take:

Act 22:22  And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Returning to Acts 9, the disciples took Saul to Caesarea and sent him home to Tarsus. We will not hear of Saul of Tarsus again until sometime later when Barnabas goes from Syrian Antioch to bring Saul back with him to Antioch and even then, even after Peter’s incredible experience in the house of the Gentile Roman centurion, no one was preaching to the Gentiles. This is what we are told after Peter’s sermon in the house of the Gentile Cornelius the Roman centurion:

Act 11:19  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Act 11:20  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians [Jews], preaching the Lord Jesus.
Act 11:21  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Act 11:22  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Act 11:23  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Act 11:24  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Act 11:25  Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Act 11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Here is Paul the apostle’s chronology of all of this:

Gal 1:18  Then after three years [at Damascus] I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
Gal 1:20  Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Gal 1:21  Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia [When Barnabas came and fetched him from Tarsus];
Gal 1:22  And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: [As ‘Saul of Tarsus’ he had met none of the apostles but Peter and James the Lord’s brother]
Gal 1:23  But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Gal 1:24  And they glorified God in me.

Saul spent fifteen days in Jerusalem, and, for whatever reason, he met only Peter and James the Lord’s brother. The other apostles there in Jerusalem did not meet Saul until fourteen years later at the so-called Jerusalem conference of Acts 15. Paul continues to give us his chronology of events in Galatians 2:

Gal 2:1  Then fourteen years after [fleeing Jerusalem] I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. [To the Jerusalem conference of Acts 15, concerning whether Gentiles must be physically circumcised]
Gal 2:2  And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Gal 2:3  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal 2:5  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Gal 2:6  But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Gal 2:7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision [only (Acts 11:19)].

Now let’s go back to Acts 9 after the disciples took Saul of Tarsus down to Caesarea and sent him home to Tarsus, and continue our study:

Act 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

The holy spirit now sends Peter to preach to the Jews “throughout all quarters” including a city called Lydda, which is about twenty-five miles [40 kilometers] west of Jerusalem, and 16 miles [22 kilometers] east of Joppa. Joppa, modern-day Tel Aviv, is a city on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. Joppa is approximately 34 miles south of Caesarea.

Act 9:32  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the [Jewish] saints which dwelt at Lydda. [25 miles west of Jerusalem]
Act 9:33  And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

The holy spirit acts strategically healing people who have been known by everyone to have been afflicted for a long time. Aeneas had been afflicted for eight years.

Act 9:34  And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
Act 9:35  And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

This sickness was for the same purpose as the man who was born blind:

Joh 9:1  And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
Joh 9:2  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Joh 9:3  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

To whom are the works of God made manifested? The answer to that question is to be found in the next chapter of this book of the Acts of the Apostles:

Act 10:40  Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Act 10:41  Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

Peter was not an elitist, he, like the Lord Himself, was simply telling the Truth, and this is the Truth of why the man in John nine was born blind and this is why Aeneas was “eight years… sick of the palsy”:

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

All our afflictions and trials are for each other because we are all filling up what is behind of he afflictions of Christ in our bodies for His body’s sake, which is the church:

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Lydda was 16 miles east of the seacoast city of Joppa. Joppa is the home of Simon the tanner with whom Peter will soon be spending some time after he performs this next miracle of raising a woman from the dead:

Act 9:36  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Act 9:37  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
Act 9:38  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa [16 miles west], and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

Dorcas is already dead, and Peter did not wait four days, as Christ did with Lazarus, but dead is dead. These people were apparently hoping for another ‘Lazarus’ type of a miracle, and they were not disappointed:

Act 9:39  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
Act 9:40  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Act 9:41  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

Once again, the holy spirit is working miracles which no one could gainsay. Everyone in Joppa knew this lady and all the good and selfless deeds she had done for all in need.

Act 9:42  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Act 9:43  And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

“Many days” is a phrase that is used to convey any time period from the forty days Christ appeared to his disciples after His resurrection (Acts 13:31) to the three years Paul spent preaching the gospel in Damascus:

Act 9:23  And after that many days were fulfilled [three years (Gal 1:18)], the Jews [at Damascus] took counsel to kill him:

Gal 1:18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Act 13:31  And he was seen many days [“forty days”] of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

Act 1:3  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

The phrase ‘many days’ is obviously an unspecified number of days, yet it is obviously more that just the fifteen days Saul of Tarsus spent with Peter in Jerusalem after fleeing for his life from Damascus.

In our next study we will see how the Lord is slowly but surely and inextricably bringing His Jewish disciples to relinquish their confidence in their Jewish flesh:

Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

The holy spirit now has Peter in Joppa, about 34 miles, or 55 kilometers, south of Caesarea, the home of the Gentile Roman centurion, to whom the Lord will now send Peter as the holy spirit begins the process of revealing to the Jewish Christians that Gentiles can now become the spiritual seed of Abraham.

Peter’s visit to the home of Cornelius will be the subject of our next study.