Episode 8

Overview: On the way to Damascus to arrest Jesus-followers, Saul has a dramatic conversion. Philip is meeting the challenges of ministry in Samaria. Meanwhile, Pilate has some misadventures on his quest for greater influence.

Bible Connections: Acts 8:14-25; Acts 9:1-22.

Other Sources: Emperor Tiberius died in 37 AD, succeeded by his grand-nephew Gaius, nicknamed Caligula, who turned out to be pretty crazy.

Dramatic Imagination: It’s interesting to see Herodias helping Mary and Joanna against Caligula, but Herodias was no angel. It was she who had caused the beheading of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:8). Still, she was no friend of Caligula, who was allied to Agrippa, her husband’s main rival.

Entry

• What do you think was the most dramatic moment in this episode? Why?
• How did you feel about the conversion of Saul? Did you like how it was handled, or would you envision it differently?
• Of the Romans in the story—Tiberius, Caligula, Pilate, Claudia, even Agrippa or Antipas—is there anyone you actually like? Why or why not?

Dig Deeper

• What was Jesus saying to Saul at his conversion on the road to Damascus? (Compare what you saw with the account in Acts 9:3-6.) How did Saul respond?
• Why would Simon the Sorcerer try to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit? What made him think it was for sale? How did Peter respond?
• Ananias played a key role in this story, welcoming Saul, healing him, and transmitting God’s message to him. How do you think he felt about helping a notorious enemy?

Takeaway

• There’s a lot of taking sides in this episode. We see the gamesmanship of the Romans, the Herods, and the Caiaphas family. And here we find Saul going to “the other side.” But are the Jesus-followers taking that approach? Are they “taking sides” against their enemies or welcoming and loving them? How would you describe their approach? And in today’s fragmented world, what can we learn from them?
• Have you ever had a conversion experience—whether dramatic like Saul’s or quieter? What can you say about it?
• Saul received his mission: to be a light to the Gentiles. How would you define the mission God has given you?