APOSTLE'S BIRTH TO HIS FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY (2)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Timeline from Apostle Paul's birth  to his First Missionary Journey

33 A.D.		The conversion of Saul  a) Paul requests and receives, from the High Priest, permission to go to Damascus to search for those who believe in Jesus. He is given the authority to arrest anyone who attends a Synagogue and professes belief in "the Way." Those arrested are to be taken back to Jerusalem for trial and punishment (Acts 9:1-2).   b) As Paul approaches the city, a burst of light suddenly appears and causes him to fall off his horse (Acts 9:3-4). He then hears the voice of Jesus asking why he is persecuting the church (Acts 9:4). Blinded, he is led to Damascus where his repentance leads to being healed, baptized, and becoming a Christian (Acts 9:4-18).
		What is the SANHEDRIN?  a) The Sanhedrin, or more properly the Great Sanhedrin, was the supreme council of the Jews composed of seventy elders plus the high priest. The Great Sanhedrin, who met daily in Jerusalem's temple, had jurisdiction over religious matters. They were the ones who arrested, tried, and condemned Jesus to death. b) The New Testament calls the Sanhedrin "the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people" (Matthew 26:3).

The End ...