Lesson 96: Jesus Chooses Saul
Why were the Christians afraid of Saul?
Comment 1:
The Christians were afraid of him because Saul persecuted them very cruelly. He would enter their homes, arrest both men and women, and throw them into prison. He had also been present when Stephen was killed, so they had reason to think that he was still dangerous.
Comment 2:
Saul did not just oppose the Christians with words. He actively sought out the disciples to harm them. He even asked for permission to go to Damascus and persecute the Christians there. That is why, when he arrived in Jerusalem as a convert, the brothers could not easily believe that he had changed.
Comment 3:
The brothers were afraid because they knew Saul’s reputation. To them he was one of the main enemies of Jesus’ followers. Their fear was understandable, but this account teaches that Jehovah can transform even a person who seems very far from the truth.
Comment 4:
Saul had persecuted the Christians so zealously that, when he tried to meet with them, they thought it could be a trap. They did not know whether his change was real. This shows that regaining the trust of others can take time, patience, and actions that prove a sincere change.
Comment 5:
The Christians were afraid of him because Saul had caused much suffering to the congregation. However, Barnabas took an interest in him and helped the apostles understand that Saul had truly changed. His example reminds us that we should not judge someone only by his past.
Why did Saul change?
Comment 1:
Saul changed because Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. That experience made it clear to him that he was persecuting Christ’s disciples and was therefore opposing Jesus himself. That strong correction led him to completely reconsider his way of thinking.
Comment 2:
Saul’s change was possible because he humbly accepted Jesus’ direction. Although he was an expert Pharisee with an important position, he listened to what he was told, went to Damascus, and allowed Ananias to help him. That shows that he was sincere and humble.
Comment 3:
After regaining his sight, Saul learned more about Jesus and became convinced that he was the Messiah. He did not just change his mind; he got baptized and began to preach with enthusiasm. His faith became evident by his actions.
Comment 4:
Saul changed because Jehovah saw that he could become a useful instrument to bring the good news to many nations. Jesus told Ananias that he had chosen him for that work. This shows that Jehovah can see possibilities in a person that others may not see.
Comment 5:
Saul’s change was profound because he completely left behind his former way of acting. He went from persecuting the Christians to courageously defending Jesus’ teachings. In time, he came to be known as Paul and served faithfully throughout his life.
Additional comments on Lesson 96: What do we learn in this lesson about Jehovah?
Comment 1:
We learn that Jehovah is very merciful. Saul had cruelly persecuted the disciples, but Jehovah did not consider him beyond recovery. He gave him the opportunity to change, learn the truth, and become a faithful Christian. That gives us hope for ourselves and for others.
Comment 2:
Jehovah can use imperfect people to accomplish his will. Saul had a very negative past, but he became a very valuable apostle. This teaches us that Jehovah does not look only at what someone was before, but at what he can become.
Comment 3:
We also learn that Jehovah directs the preaching work. Jesus chose Saul to bring the good news to many nations. This shows that preaching does not depend solely on human abilities, but on the direction and support of Jehovah.
Comment 4:
Jehovah helped Saul through other brothers. Ananias obeyed Jesus’ instruction, and Barnabas supported him when the others still distrusted him. This shows us that Jehovah uses the congregation to help, encourage, and strengthen those who are making spiritual progress.
Comment 5:
We learn that Jehovah can make his purpose advance even when there is opposition. Saul tried to destroy the congregation, but he ended up being one of its most courageous defenders. Jehovah can turn difficult situations into opportunities for his name to receive glory.
What practical lessons do we learn to apply in our life today?
Comment 1:
We should not think that a person is too far from the truth. Saul seemed to be one of the greatest enemies of the Christians, but he became a faithful servant of Jehovah. This encourages us not to stop preaching or to keep hope for those who seem unresponsive.
Comment 2:
Saul’s example teaches us that true repentance is demonstrated by visible changes. He did not just say that he had changed: he got baptized, preached, and endured opposition for Jesus. We too prove our faith when our actions agree with what we believe.
Comment 3:
We can imitate Ananias and Barnabas. Although they had doubts at first, they helped Saul become integrated into the congregation. We too can support those who are making changes, especially the new ones, the young, or those who come from a difficult past.
Comment 4:
This lesson helps us not to let the mistakes of the past discourage us. Saul had done serious things, but Jehovah allowed him to start over. If we repent sincerely and accept spiritual help, Jehovah can keep using us in his service.
Comment 5:
The account reminds us that we must be humble when we receive correction. Saul had to accept that he was wrong and completely change his way of thinking. That humility allowed him to learn the truth and become a very useful Christian.
Lesson 97: Cornelius Receives Holy Spirit
Why did Peter refuse to eat unclean animals?
Comment 1:
Peter refused to eat unclean animals because throughout his life he had obeyed the Law of Moses. That Law prohibited the Jews from eating certain animals, and Peter had always respected those rules. So when he saw the vision, he reacted by saying that he had never eaten anything unclean.
Comment 2:
Peter’s reaction shows that he wanted to obey Jehovah. He did not refuse out of rebelliousness, but because he thought that eating those animals would be disobeying the Law. However, the vision helped him understand that Jehovah was teaching him something new and more important.
Comment 3:
Peter still needed to understand that, with Jesus’ death, the Law’s restrictions on foods no longer applied to Christians. The vision prepared him to understand that Jehovah was willing to accept people of all nations.
Comment 4:
Although Peter had accompanied Jesus, he still had some deeply rooted ideas from his Jewish upbringing. The vision helped him adjust his way of thinking. This shows that even faithful servants need to keep learning and let Jehovah correct their viewpoints.
Comment 5:
Peter refused to eat unclean animals because he associated those foods with something forbidden. But Jehovah showed him that he should no longer consider unclean what God had declared clean. The vision was a lesson that went far beyond food.
Why did Jehovah tell Peter to go to the house of a Gentile?
Comment 1:
Jehovah told Peter to go to Cornelius’ house to teach him that he is not partial. Cornelius was not a Jew, but he feared Jehovah, prayed, and did good things. Jehovah wanted to show that people of any nation could become his servants.
Comment 2:
The vision helped Peter understand that he should not consider non-Jewish people unclean. When he arrived at Cornelius’ house, he recognized that God accepts those who respect him and do what is right, regardless of their origin or nationality.
Comment 3:
Jehovah brought Peter to Cornelius’ house so that the Gentiles could also hear the good news about Jesus. That opened a new stage in the preaching work, because it became clear that the message of the Kingdom was not only for the Jews.
Comment 4:
Cornelius was a sincere man who was seeking to know Jehovah, but he needed to receive instruction about Jesus. Jehovah arranged for Peter to go to him to answer his prayers. This shows that Jehovah cares about people who have a sincere heart.
Comment 5:
Jehovah wanted Peter to overcome any prejudice he might have. On seeing that Cornelius and his family received holy spirit, Peter clearly understood that Jehovah accepted them. That experience helped the whole congregation understand that the Gentiles could become Christians.
Additional comments on Lesson 97: What do we learn in this lesson about Jehovah?
Comment 1:
We learn that Jehovah is not partial. He does not value people by their nationality, culture, language, or social position. Jehovah accepts those who fear him and do what is right. That helps us appreciate his love and his justice even more.
Comment 2:
Jehovah listens to the prayers of sincere people. Cornelius was not a Jew, but he prayed constantly and wanted to do what was right. Jehovah answered his prayers by sending Peter to teach him about Jesus and the way of salvation.
Comment 3:
We also learn that Jehovah guides his servants step by step. First he prepared Cornelius through an angel, and then he prepared Peter with a vision. In that way he made sure that both of them understood that this visit was part of his purpose.
Comment 4:
Jehovah can help us correct prejudices or ideas that we hold very deeply. Peter was faithful, but he needed to broaden his way of viewing the Gentiles. Jehovah corrected him patiently. That shows that he understands our limitations and helps us make progress.
Comment 5:
This account shows that Jehovah wants the good news to reach everyone. Cornelius, his family, and those who were with him received holy spirit and got baptized. Jehovah desires that people from any place have the opportunity to know him and serve him.
What practical lessons do we learn to apply in our life today?
Comment 1:
We learn not to judge people by their origin, appearance, culture, or economic situation. Jehovah is not partial, and we want to imitate him. When we preach, we should treat everyone with respect and think that anyone can respond favorably to the truth.
Comment 2:
Peter’s example teaches us to be willing to adjust our way of thinking. Sometimes we may have deeply rooted customs or ideas, but we should let the Bible and Jehovah’s direction help us correct them with humility.
Comment 3:
Cornelius teaches us that Jehovah values those who seek him sincerely. Although he did not yet know the whole truth, he prayed and did what he could to please God. We can imitate him by having a humble attitude and a desire to learn more about Jehovah.
Comment 4:
This lesson encourages us to respond quickly to Jehovah’s direction. Cornelius sent his men right away, and Peter went with them even though he did not understand everything at first. When we obey Jehovah’s guidance, we can share in very good things.
Comment 5:
We also learn the importance of opening our home and our heart to spiritual teaching. Cornelius gathered his family and other people to listen to Peter. His example encourages us to share what we learn and help others draw close to Jehovah.
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