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Paul joined himself to the disciples - Acts 9:26
Paul joined himself to the disciples - Acts 9:26
Saul the persecutor. At least that is how he is introduced in Acts. Then comes his remarkable conversion story. This story gets repeated 3 times with varying amount of details, but one central point: the reason for his change was that Jesus appeared unto him. Then, having had to flee Damascus, he comes to Jerusalem. The persecutor now a disciple. Thus he tries to ‘associate’ with the disciples. Not that you need this, but the Greek word is defined: to begin an association with someone, whether temporary or permanent—‘to join, to join oneself to, to become a part of. (Louw-Nida on προσκλίνομαι).
After Barnabas vouches for him, Paul “was WITH THEM, moving about freely in Jerusalem…” (vs. 28). Paul didn’t just ‘join the church’, he joined himself to the disciples, he became part of the disciples, he was WITH THEM. Such should be the attitude of all disciples. Wherever they are, they join themselves to the other disciples in that area.
The disciples “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.” Paul would become part of this.
Among the disciples, “there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 5:34-35). Paul would join them in this.
When difficult times came, like the arrest and beating of the apostles, the disciples gathered together and prayed. Paul would have joined them.
Paul joined himself to the disciples and was with them coming in and going out. Have you joined yourself to the disciples?
Hugh DeLong
