Acts 9 offers us one of the most amazing accounts in the entire book. Saul, who had been persecuting the church vehemently, was on the way to Damascus from Jerusalem to arrest Christians there. While He was on the way, Jesus appeared to Him in a vision. He asked, “Saul, Saul. Why are you persecuting me?” Saul responded, “Who are you, Lord?” (Saul’s response shows he knew this was no natural experience!) Jesus answered, “It is Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Through the experience Saul became blind. The folks in his group led him to Damascus. In Damascus, Ananias, a believer in Jesus, was also visited by God in a vision. He was told to meet Paul and pray for his healing. Ananias wasn’t keen on that idea, because Saul’s reputation had preceded him. Ananias was faithful, and as a result Saul was healed, baptized and started preaching that Jesus is the Christ in the synagogue in Damascus. Talk about an amazing conversion! Saul taught in Damascus until the Jews there set their sights on him. Saul left and wanted to go to the Church leaders in Jerusalem, but they were wary lest Saul was seeking to trick them. Barnabas, a trusted leader among the believers, vouched for Saul, so the rest accepted him. As a result of Saul’s conversion, the believers in the region experienced a time of peace.
We also read of Peter carrying out a couple of powerful miracles at the end of Acts 9. He healed a paralytic named Aeneus and raised a woman named Dorcas from the dead!
As we move to Acts 10, it is Peter’s turn to experience something amazing. We’re told at the beginning of the chapter a Roman centurion, named Cornelius, who was a devout follower of God was told in a vision to send for Simon called Peter. He sent messengers to find Peter, and when they did, they asked Peter to come to Cornelius’ house. Ordinarily, Peter, who was still following the ways of Judaism in addition to following Jesus, would not have obliged the request. But Peter had also experienced a vision, the same vision, three times. The vision was of “unclean” animals, being dropped down from heaven, and his being told, “Rise, kill and eat.” Peter argued that he had never eaten an unclean animal, but the LORD told him not to call what He called clean, unclean. Peter understood the vision to be an affirmation of his call to visit with Cornelius. He took other Jewish believers with him, and to their amazement, when Peter was preaching to Cornelius, his family and friends they were all baptized in the Holy Spirit. This caused a ripple through the church that continued to be discussed in Acts 11. The result of the incident is the believers glorified God for giving the Gentiles the opportunity to receive salvation, too.
Matthew 4 offers us the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by Satan. This occurred immediately after Jesus’ baptism and His being affirmed by His Heavenly Father. This reminds us that sometimes after a major victory or blessing in our lives, we are open to temptation. It seems counterintuitive, because such times seem to be times when we would be stronger than ever. But at such times we are also susceptible to pride. Jesus’ victory over Satan came because He remained focus on His Heavenly Father, and He didn’t seek to argue with the devil. He quoted Scripture in response to each temptation. This shows us how important it is for us to learn and live God’s word. After passing the temptation test, Jesus started His ministry in Galilee. He called people to repent because God’s Kingdom is at hand. He called the first four of the twelve disciples and offered them the opportunity to “fish” for people instead of fish. He also healed many people, showing us that the evidence of God’s Kingdom being present is our wholeness in body, soul, and spirit.