Lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P. O. Box 1173

Claypool, Arizona 85532

520-425-8345

pastorjohn@gila.net

Date: 05-21-00

Sermon Number: 016

Text: Acts 9:22-31

Building Our Spiritual Houses

Topics Addressed in this Lesson

(The fear of the Lord, Constructing the church, The comfort of the Holy Spirit.)

(Acts 9:3-6)  “And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; {4} and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" {5} And he said, "Who art Thou, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, {6} but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do."

When we last studied the book of Acts we looked at this section of scripture and it’s larger context.  This is, of course, the account of Saul’s/Paul’s conversion to faith in Christ.  To this point he had been a proud, zealous, Pharisee bent on destroying Christians and Christianity itself.  But God, being rich in mercy raised this man from spiritual death to life in and with Christ.  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the old enemy of God was gone and a son was born.  This son was to take the gospel to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles.  He was to be the instrument in the hand of God for writing much of the New Testament.  But his way was not to be easy.  His beginning and indeed his whole ministry was wrought with danger as we will see. 

Saul wasted no time after his salvation.  He immediately began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who would give him audience.  But many, indeed most, did not like what they heard.  Nevertheless, he persevered in teaching the truth.

(Acts 9:22-31)  “But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ”.   When Luke says that Saul proved that this Jesus was the Christ he means he proved it from the scriptures.  He was speaking primarily to the Jews who revered the Old Testament and taught it in their Synagogues faithfully.  So what better way to argue the case that Jesus was the Messiah than from their own scrolls.   That this is exactly what Saul did is revealed in the following verses.

Acts 18:5  “But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul (formally Saul) began devoting himself completely to the WORD, (The only Word that existed in Paul’s day was the Old Testament!) solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ”.

Acts 28:23 “And when they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the LAW OF MOSES AND FROM THE PROPHETS, from morning until evening”.  Folks the Old Testament clearly identifies Jesus the Nazarene as the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of all who come to Him by faith! 

After His resurrection Jesus reveled that the ancient scriptures were all written about Him!  Luke 24:44  “Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.  {45} Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”  If one is to be saved he must understand who Jesus is and that understanding comes only through the scriptures.  The term, scriptures, includes both testaments now but at the time they only had the Old. 

That the Jews took much offense at Saul’s proclaiming of Jesus as the Messiah is no surprise.  They had not only denounced Jesus, they had murdered Him.  To declare and teach that He was the “Promised One” was to accuse them of murdering their own Messiah and of making war against the God they pretended to worship.  Not only that, Saul was formally one of their own, a Pharisee of Pharisees.  He had since proved himself a traitor, defector, in their minds an apostate, and perhaps worse, Saul was a major embarrassment.  They had to do something about him.

{23} “And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, (Just as they had plotted against Jesus.) 24} but their plot became known to Saul.  And they were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;”

These men were at least consistent.   Anyone on their turf who insisted on teaching something contrary to what they taught would have to be killed.  They murdered Jesus, Stephen, now, if they could just get hold of him, they would murder Saul!  Why?  Because he was proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, the only Savior of sinners and they had murdered Him.

Before we move on lets spend a few minutes with the innocent looking phrase, “And when many days had elapsed . . .” At first glance these words appear to mean nothing or at least not much.  But with a bit of research it becomes clear that these “many days” refer to about three years.  Consider with me the words of Gal 1:15-24.  “But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased {16} to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, {17} nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. {18} Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, (Peter) and stayed with him fifteen days”.

As we discovered in the last lesson Paul went into Damascus after being saved but quickly left there and went away to Arabia.  He didn’t go up to Jerusalem to acquaint himself with the apostles, rather, he went away to Arabia.  Then he came back to Damascus to preach the word of God concerning Jesus Christ and then he made his way back to Jerusalem.  This was about three years after he was saved!  This is when the events we are looking at in today’s text took place.  This appears to be the period of time referred to by the phrase in verse twenty-three.  “And when many days had elapsed . . .”

So, if this is correct, and I believe it is, then the Jews had been rid of this guy for three years.  He was saved and then he disappeared.  While he was away he was increasing in wisdom, strength, and skill, so that when he returned to do battle he was formidable opponent.  He had no doubt been studying the scriptures, the same scriptures he had been taught as a youth but now quite differently.  Now he understood who they referred to, it was Jesus the Nazarene, the man who confronted him on the road to Damascus, forgave his sins, and gave him a new heart.

The scriptures, all the scriptures had to do with Him.

Very quickly after Saul’s return the Jews took counsel together to see how they would put him to death.  As I mentioned earlier Saul was an, embarrassment, a traitor, and defector.  So, they would kill him.  24} “ . . . but their plot became known to Saul.  And they were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death”.  They watched the gates, which made sense.  For the cities were surrounded by high walls and the only way in and out was through the gates, or so they thought. 

{25} “. . . but his disciples (students) took him by night, and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket”.   My first thought when I read this was , “better Saul than me”!  Ropes, a wicker basket, and a high wall, plus darkness, “Yikes!”  Nevertheless, it was the way God designed to preserve His servant so he could do battle another day.  He was lowered to the ground and went away to Jerusalem.  {26} “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he was TRYING to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple”.

Why were these saved Jews afraid of Saul?  The answer is obvious.  They remembered his former persecution of Christians.  Many, no doubt, remembered his involvement in the stoning of Stephen.  Where had this man been for three years.  What has he been up to?  Was the rumor of his conversion true or not?  We all know that when notorious sinners profess to be converted, in this case a murderer, it is natural to be suspicious of them for a time until the fruit of the Spirit begins to show itself.  Many people profess faith for all the wrong reasons.  Was Saul one of those?  What was his motivation and reason for wanting to join the Christians?  Was he a Jewish spy or the real thing?  Had it not been for Barnabas, Saul may have never been accepted by the local Christians.  {27} “But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus”. 

How had Barnabas become convinced of Saul’s conversion?  Some think that the two had known each other before Saul was saved.  Whatever the case, the apostles, and the church at large, accepted the testimony of Saul on the recommendation of Barnabas and the new apostle was free to go to work, which he did.  {28} And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. {29} And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. (again) {30} But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. (Saul’s hometown.) {31} So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase”.

Saul was safe, and the church enjoyed peace and spiritual prosperity.  Why?  One’s first instinct might be to connect this to Saul.  He was saved so the church was not being persecuted.  This line of thinking, however, cannot be supported simply because Saul had been out of the picture for three years.  During that time it was the rest of the Jewish leadership that was responsible for the persecution of the Christians.  So to what does the statement refer?  Why was it that the Church was enjoying this season of peace.  The Jewish historian seems to answer the question when he reveals  something about the political climate at the time.  He wrote,  

"Caligula sent Petronius to go with an army to Jerusalem, to set up his STATUES in the temple, (This would have been an abomination to say the least.  God in the first commandment forbids the use of images of any sort in the worship of Himself.) telling him that if the Jews opposed it, to put to death all that made resistance, and to make all the rest of the nation slaves.  Petronius, therefore, marched from Antioch into Judea, with three legions, and a large body of auxiliaries raised in Syria.  All were filled with anxiety and fear.  The Jews, then, gathering together, entreated Petronius in the first place for their laws, in the next place for themselves.  Petronius was moved with their solicitations, and, leaving his army and the statues, went into Galilee, and called an assembly of the heads of the Jews at Tiberius; and, having exhorted them without effect to submit to the emperor's orders, said, 'Will ye then fight against Caesar?'  They answered that they offered up sacrifices twice every day for the emperor and the Roman people; but that if he set up the images, he might as well sacrifice the whole Jewish nation; and that they were ready to submit themselves, their wives, and children, to the slaughter."  All this was taking place, it appears, about the same time Saul showed up at Jerusalem.

So, the peace the church was enjoying had to do with the Jews being distracted by Roman persecution directed against them.  They were concerned with their own survival and had no time to persecute Christians.  During this period of rest the church was blessed in many ways.   They were being built up or edified.  They were walking in the fear of the Lord.  God the Holy Spirit was comforting them.  Plus, the church continued to grow numerically.

The Greek word used for our English “built up, or edified” is a construction term and has to do with building a house or an “edifice”.  The word takes in the whole project, the planning, laying the foundation, building the walls, and finishing the interior.  It includes decorating and furnishing for occupation.  Luke is telling us that the church was under construction and the work was proceeding nicely.  The foundation had been laid and the walls were going up.

The church is often referred to in terms like this.  Look with me at 1 Pet 2:1-5.  “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, {2} like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, {3} if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. {4} And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, (Jesus is elsewhere referred to as the chief corner stone, the stone which the builders rejected.) but choice and precious in the sight of God, {5} YOU ALSO, as living stones, are being BUILT UP AS A SPIRITUAL HOUSE for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”.  Individually we are living stones, individual components of building that is the church of Jesus Christ.

Consider also the words of Eph 2:19-22.  “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, (in relation to God and His people) but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, {20} having been BUILT upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, (The foundation is the Gospel as the apostles and prophets set it forth.) Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, {21} in whom the whole BUILDING, (the church and all who make up the church) being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; {22} in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit”.  The church and its individual members are the holy edifice in which God the Holy Spirit dwells.  We are a building under construction by God who will at last complete the project.  However, we must not conclude that we are merely observers.  Rather, we builders of our own spiritual houses and must be careful to use the finest materials available.  Look with me at a couple of instructive passages.

(1 Corinthians 3:9-15)  “For we are God's fellow workers; (Paul speaks of himself and the other apostles.) you (that is us) are God's field, God's building. (He speaks of the church, all who trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.) {10} According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. BUT LET EACH MAN BE CAREFUL HOW HE BUILDS UPON IT. {11} For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  (The foundation of Christianity is the good news about Jesus Christ indeed it is Jesus Christ.  The good news is that He is the only Savior of sinners, who saves all who come to Him by faith.  All spiritual buildings that do not have Christ as the foundation, will crumble at the judgment.  After one has come to Christ for salvation he begins to build his house, his Christian life, his theology, and practice of life.) {12} Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, (These enduring and valuable earthly treasures correspond to enduring and valuable spiritual counterparts.  I speak of rightly dividing the word of truth, and of properly and applying it to one’s life.  I speak of developing a God honoring theology, an understanding of God based on the scriptures.  This includes living in accord with knowledge, shunning sin, and pursuing righteousness.  Such a house not only has a good foundation but the whole building will stand the judgment of God.  But, I am sad to say, one can build a veritable shack on a good foundation.) {12} Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, (These last three elements are perishable, consumable, quite temporary, and worthless.  They too have their spiritual counterparts.  They would refer to bad theology and practice.  When one has a wrong understanding of who God is, and who he is, his spiritual house will be quite shoddy and weak.  His house will sway in the wind and will not bring glory to God.  If one believes and teaches that which is not true about, God, man, and Christ, he is building with wood, hay, and straw.  There are many in the church who have fled to Jesus for salvation, the foundation is in place, however, the rest of their understanding is so skewed it is almost worthless to them or to others.  In the end . . . ) {13} each man's work will become evident; for the day (judgment) will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. {14} If any man's work which he has built upon it (the good foundation which is Jesus) remains, he shall receive a reward. {15} If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire”.  In other words failing to build with the right materials wont cost you your salvation but it will cost you rewards and you will not bear a proper witness for God while here on earth.  We must be careful how we build the church of Jesus Christ whether we are speaking of the collective or of our individual spiritual houses.  The church in Jerusalem enjoyed peace for a time and while they were resting they were building on the foundation that is Jesus Christ.  The supply of materials was the Apostles teaching of truth.

Part of the evidence that they were indeed building with the right materials is that they were

“. . . going on in the fear of the Lord”.  The King James version says they were “Walking in the fear of the Lord”.  This is always the result of using the right materials in the construction of our spiritual houses.  The apprehension of truth changes a person’s life.  What does it mean to “Walk in the fear of the Lord”?   One man puts it this way, “Keeping a continually tender conscience; hating and fleeing from all sin; having respect to every Divine command, precept, and teaching; dreading to offend Him from whom the soul has derived its being and its blessings”.  A moment in the scriptures will help us understand the fear of God.

Psalms 111:10  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever”.

Proverbs 1:7  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction”.

Proverbs 8:13  "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate”.

Proverbs 14:26  “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge”.

Proverbs 14:27  “THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, That one may avoid the snares of death”.

Proverbs 16:6  “By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And BY THE FEAR OF THE LORD ONE KEEPS AWAY FROM EVIL”.  To say that the Jerusalem church was “going on in the fear of the Lord,” means that they were living in respect of their Father’s desires as revealed in the scriptures.  They were always trying to learn and then do what was pleasing to the Lord.  They were in possession of an abiding love for God and reverence for His name and honor.  They were fearful of doing anything to defame Him.  They were, as all Christians are, children bent on seeing the smile and not the frown of their Father.  This again is proof that these early brothers were using good material to build their spiritual houses.  For the truth about God and man moves the believer to live for the God who saved him.  Here is gold, silver, and precious stones.

Finally the Jerusalem church was enjoying the “comfort of the Holy Spirit”.   The word comfort speaks of coming to one's aid, it includes encouragement, and consolation.  Why did these Christians need the comfort of the Holy Spirit?  Because their lives were hard, the future was not clear, the persecution had been fierce and it would surely return.  They needed comfort because they were people, sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.  They had within them the remnants of the old man they used to be and they were constantly at war.  Many of them needed encouragement because they had no homes or jobs.  Their faith in Christ had cost them all creature comforts.  Such things are hard to bear and understand.  These people needed and received the comfort of God the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit comforts us primarily through the word of God.  So we might ask,  “What words the apostles brought to their attention so they might be comforted?”

We can’t know for certain but we do have the words of Jesus and of the apostles as found in the New Testament.  In John 14:16 Jesus said,  "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. 18  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you”.  (In the person of the Holy Spirit) Surely the Apostles brought this precious promise to the people’s attention so that by it they might be comforted.

Perhaps in reference to the hardships of life they were reminded that “. . . the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”.  Romans 14:17 

Or maybe the content of Ephesians 1:13 and following was shared with them.  “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed (preserved, kept safe, secured) in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, (a guarantee of our future and eternal salvation) with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”

Then there is 2 Thessalonians 2:16.  “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word”.  This comfort comes only and exclusively from God the Holy Spirit through His truth.

When a church or the individual members of the church are building wisely on the foundation, which is Jesus Christ, these things will always be present.  There will be peace within the person and the church collectively.  The Christian will be living his life in the fear of the Lord.  I do not speak of the fear of His coming judgment or the fear of losing one’s salvation.  For “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Rather, I speak of love, awe, respect, and, reverence for God, which motivates us to live righteously before God and man.  Those who use the right materials in their spiritual house will enjoy the comfort of God the Holy Spirit in both hard and easy times.  They will have assurance and peace.  For in living for the Lord they make their calling and election sure.  That is, they find assurance of salvation both now and for eternity.  And finally, when individual Christians and the church builds properly on the foundation which is Jesus, the church will grow numerically.  For biblical evangelism is nothing more or less than walking in the fear of the Lord in the presence of the unbelieving.