The Bible Recap – Day 323 (Acts 9-10) – Year 7

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble recaps Acts chapters 9 and 10, focusing on the dramatic conversion of Saul (later Paul), the early spread of the church, Peter’s transformative vision, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s family. Tara-Leigh unpacks the theological significance of these events, clarifies often-confusing biblical ideas, and offers encouragement for listeners praying for seemingly unreachable loved ones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Saul’s Dramatic Conversion (Acts 9)

• Background on Saul

  • Previously, Saul was a zealous persecutor of Christians ("the Way", named after Jesus’ declaration of being the Way).
  • He gains legal permission to hunt down followers of Jesus, but God “has a different plan.”
  • Quote:

    “God has a different plan—one in which Saul can’t get away from Him.”
    (00:35)

• The Damascus Road Encounter

  • While en route to Damascus, Saul is knocked down by a supernatural light.
  • Saul hears a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
  • Tara-Leigh highlights how Jesus identifies with His church:

    “Jesus is in heaven at the right hand of the Father, so how can Saul be persecuting him? In this question, Jesus makes it clear that he has united himself with the church.”
    (01:16)

  • Saul is blinded and led to Damascus.

• Ananias’ Reluctance and Obedience

  • God sends Ananias to heal Saul, despite Ananias’ initial concerns due to Saul’s reputation.
  • Tara-Leigh covers the “sainthood of the believer,” explaining that all followers of Jesus are saints, not just those who have died.

    “Scripture repeatedly identifies all believers as saints, dead or alive. Nice to meet you, I’m Saint Tara Leigh.”
    (02:28)

• Divine Collaboration

  • God invites His people to participate in His redemptive work—even when they feel unworthy or afraid.

    “We get the joy of being part of the plan of his redemption.”
    (03:40)

  • Ananias obeys, Saul is healed and baptized, and immediately begins preaching Jesus.

• Saul’s Immediate Impact and Rejection

  • Saul’s preaching stirs up such controversy that death threats force him to flee, eventually returning to his hometown, Tarsus.
  • Barnabas (previously introduced in Acts 4) vouches for Saul, facilitating his acceptance among the disciples.

2. Growth and Peace Amid Persecution

• Despite intense persecution, the early church “had peace and was being built up…walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. It multiplied.” (05:14)
  • Tara-Leigh contrasts this with Israel’s past repeated failures, crediting the indwelling Holy Spirit for this spiritual transformation:

    “This is the work of God the Spirit as he indwells believers—he is the difference maker.”
    (06:00)

3. Peter’s Vision and the Gentile Inclusion (Acts 10)

• Peter’s Vision Explained

  • Peter sees a vision of a sheet with all kinds of animals, commanded by God to “kill and eat.”
  • The vision’s main lesson: All foods are now clean, symbolizing the opening of God’s family to non-Jews.

    “God knows Peter only works in threes.”
    (07:02)

  • Tara-Leigh clarifies the different types of Old Testament laws:
    • Civil – for Israel as a nation
    • Ceremonial – related to temple practices, now fulfilled in Jesus
    • Moral – unchanging standards (e.g., Ten Commandments)

    “The ceremonial laws are no longer applicable because they apply to a temple that doesn’t exist and a sacrifice that has been fulfilled. Jesus is our perfect sacrifice and his blood has purified us.”
    (08:09)

• Cornelius’ Encounter

  • A Gentile centurion, Cornelius, is directed by an angel to summon Peter.
  • Peter, having just received his vision, accompanies Cornelius’ messengers.
  • Upon arrival, Peter rebukes Cornelius for trying to worship him:

    “Whoa, whoa, whoa, I’m not God. Don’t worship me. That’s weird and wicked. Stand up.”
    (09:44)

• The Gospel for All Nations

  • Peter preaches to a house filled with eager Gentiles, openly addressing Jewish-Gentile divisions:

    “There’s tribal diversity, but not tribal division. All are welcome in the family of God.”
    (10:11)

  • The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles; they’re baptized and request Peter stay to teach further.

4. Encouragement and Application (God’s Sovereignty)

• Tara-Leigh’s “God Shot”: The sovereignty of God in saving even the most unlikely people (like Saul/Paul).
  • Quote:

    “Saul’s story makes me so happy. It’s such an encouragement to know that when God wants someone, they’re his…A person doesn’t even have to be pursuing God to find him. They can even be actively working out a rebellion against him.”
    (11:03)

  • She draws a parallel with C.S. Lewis, who was “found by the very God he denied.”
  • Encourages listeners to keep hoping and praying for unbelieving loved ones.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Why does God do this? Can’t God just heal Saul’s sight? Why give two visions and make Ananias put on sandals and walk to a stranger’s house and maybe even put his life at risk? Because…God wants his people to be engaged in his process.”
  — Tara-Leigh Cobble (03:10)

• “This is the work of God the Spirit as he indwells believers, he is the difference maker.”
  — (06:00)

• “There’s tribal diversity, but not tribal division. All are welcome in the family of God.”
  — (10:11)

• “All of us who know God have been captured by the King of the universe, adopted into his family, and caught up in the greatest redemption story the human heart has ever known. He’s found us, and he’s where the joy is.”
  — (12:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Introduction to Saul’s background and persecution of the Way
• 01:10 – Saul’s encounter with Jesus and significance for the Church
• 02:15 – Ananias’ call and the doctrine of sainthood
• 03:05 – God’s desire for believers’ participation in redemption
• 04:03 – Saul’s healing, baptism, and bold preaching
• 05:14 – Early church’s unexpected peace and growth amid threats
• 07:02 – Peter’s vision and the three types of Old Testament law
• 08:40 – Cornelius, Gentile inclusion, and God’s timing
• 09:44 – Peter rebukes Cornelius; declaration of family unity in Christ
• 11:03 – God’s sovereignty in salvation; hope for unbelieving loved ones
• 12:30 – Summing up God’s redemptive joy

Tone and Style

Throughout, Tara-Leigh maintains a friendly, conversational, and encouraging tone, often using humor and relatable analogies to ground theological concepts. She makes a point to connect ancient stories to everyday faith and offers practical hope to listeners.

Summary

This episode covers the radical transformation of Saul and the momentous expansion of God’s family to all nations through Peter’s vision and Cornelius' conversion. Tara-Leigh highlights God’s persistent, sovereign grace in pursuing even the most unlikely people and reminds listeners that no one is beyond His reach. The episode is both an insightful biblical survey and an inspiring reminder that, as Tara-Leigh says, “He’s where the joy is.”