NL 441: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Damascus

NL 441- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to DamascusIntro (00:00:00)Context is Key (00:01:00)Overall Context‘Ad’ Break (00:05:29)Text Me (00:06:45)Section 1: Acts 9:1-9 “A Funny thing happened on the way to Damascus”Section 2: Acts 9:10-18a “Do What Now?” (00:19:20Addendum 1: Galatians 1: “Paul’s Side” (00:31:12)Foreshadowing: Next Week on Tales of Faith (Acts 16, Paul and Silas go to Prison) (0That’ll Preach (01:00:30)Sermon ThoughtsTeaching ChildrenIntro (00:00:00)L: Greetings, and welcome back to Tales of Faith, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary. I am n.A: And I am n. This is episode 441 for the Third Sunday of Easter Sunday on April 19, 2026, though we are recording on April 14th, so if something major has happened between when we record and when you listen, then we won’t be able to comment on it.L: Today we are talking about Acts 9:1-19a, the conversion of Paul, and will be using the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. So let’s get started with the Context:Context is Key (00:01:00)Overall Context* Book of ‘Acts’ or the Acts of the Apostles’* Part of the Luke/Acts Cinematic Universe* Acts’ view of the Early church* Received HS on Pentecost, which then sent them out* Tight-knit commune in which everyone’s needs were met, Peter is one of the most prominent leaders* Recently a Deacon, named Stephen was the first Jesus-follower to be martyred* This began a persecution of ‘the Way’ by the Jewish authorities, led by a Pharisee named Saul.* Saul will be eventually known as the Apostle Paul, and the second half of Acts will primarily follow his missionary journey.* Paul Cynamatic Universe* By the time the book of Acts was written, the writings of Paul had been widely distributed.* He does make reference to persecuting the church and being trained as a pharisee (Galatians 1)* Makes no mention of blindness.* History* We know there were early struggles over dominance of the christian movement.* James (the brother of Jesus, and/or the Elder)* Mary Magdalene* Paul the Apostle* Peter the Rock (aka. Simon, Cephas)* The early institutional church saw Peter as the victor, and treated him as such.‘Ad’ Break (00:05:29)L: Today’s episode is brought to you by GPS™, The Godly Positioning System. Have you ever wondered if you were on the right track, if you were doing what God wanted you to do?A: Do you ever wish that there was a clear sign to know if you were going the wrong way, well be careful what you wish for.L: With GPS’s patented redirection system, you will get a clear sign from the Living God if you are outside of God’s will. Signs may include: loud noises, visions of Jesus, whirlwinds, plagues, and more. With these clear signs, you can get back on track, and on with your day. Try GPS right now!A: Warning: not all people react to GPS in the same way, discrepancies may arise from those nearby as to what was seen or heard; GPS may cause you to do something that you really, really, really don’t want to do; may cause temporary blindness; use with caution, and always make sure that instructions are in line with the breadth of scripture and not a psychotic break. Use only as directed.L: Use GPS, because killing in the name of God is always wrong, even when it aligns with your political ideology.Text Me (00:06:45)Section 1: Acts 9:1-9 “A Funny thing happened on the way to Damascus”L9 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing;[a] so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.* 9.8 Other ancient authorities read no oneSection 2: Acts 9:10-18a “Do What Now?” (00:19:20A10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision[b] a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul[c] and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.b. 9.12 Other ancient authorities lack in a visionc. 9.17 Gk himAddendum 1: Galatians 1: “Paul’s Side” (00:31:12)L11 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin, 12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.13 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when the one[b] who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me,[c] so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with any human, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterward I returned to Damascus.18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days, 19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. 20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.b. 1.15 Other ancient authorities read Godc. 1.16 Gk in meForeshadowing: Next Week on Tales of Faith (Acts 16, Paul and Silas go to Prison) (0That’ll Preach (01:00:30)Sermon ThoughtsTeaching Children Get full access to Tales of Faith at talesoffaith.substack.com/subscribe