Paul’s Conversion at Damascus

GOLDEN TEXT: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” —Philippians 3:8

ACTS 22:3-16

SAUL of Tarsus was a sincere and devoted servant of God before he was converted to Christ on the Damascus road, but he held a very wrong viewpoint. He verily thought he was doing God a service by persecuting the disciples of Jesus, but in reality he was fighting against God. This reveals that more than sincerity is required in order to be an acceptable servant of God. One needs also to know the will and plan of God, and to render him service in harmony therewith.

Being a devout and religious Jew, Saul would be acquainted with the messianic hopes of Israel. He knew that a Messiah had been promised by Jehovah, but he did not believe that Jesus was this Messiah. That the disciples of Jesus should be preaching that their leader had been raised from the dead was not only rank heresy to Saul but also, as he saw it, increased the deceptive power of this false religion which was spreading so rapidly.

While sincerity of purpose does not in itself make one a Christian, it is a necessary prerequisite for all those whom the Lord calls into his service. It was Saul’s sincerity that caused him to react as he did to the wonderful vision which was given to him on the Damascus road. He would know of the wonderful experiences of some of God’s servants in the past, when they were laid hold upon for divine service, so he recognized that this was a turning point in his life.

He saw the light shining above the brightness of the sun at noon-day, and he heard the voice asking, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Until then he supposed that he was stamping out merely the followers of Jesus, and that what he was doing would have no effect upon Jesus himself, for he supposed him to be dead. No wonder he inquired for the identity of the voice.

When he heard the explanation, “I am Jesus of Nazareth,” he instantly recognized the wrongness of his position, for he knew then that Jesus had been raised from the dead, that the disciples were right. Yes, now he knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the promised Christ, so he immediately inquired, “What shall I do, Lord?” He knew that he had been fighting against God, but was now being called into true divine service.

God often instructs the greatest of his servants through human instruments. Saul was arrested from his cause by a message direct from the resurrected Jesus, but instructions concerning the purpose of his calling and the nature of his work were to be given to him from a more lowly source. Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, was the one used by the Lord to give Paul his first instructions.

Paul was told that he was to bear the name of Jesus before Jews and Gentiles, and before governors and rulers. The Lord had told Ananias that he would show Paul what “great things he must suffer” “through faithfulness to the cause of Christ.—Acts 9:13-23

Paul’s trying experience in Jerusalem, when his enemies there endeavored to kill him, reveals the accuracy of the information Ananias was given concerning Paul’s suffering. Paul’s testimony to them emphasizes his resolute determination to serve his Master faithfully regardless of the cost. On his way to Jerusalem, he was warned by the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions awaited him there, but Paul’s reply to the brethren was, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”—Acts 21:13

Our Golden Text is another eloquent testimony of Paul’s appreciation of having been called out of darkness into the light of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. He had gladly suffered the loss of “all things” for Jesus’ sake, and in order that he might “win Christ.” Paul had now learned not only that Jesus was the promised Christ, but the glorious truth had been revealed to him that in reality the messianic promises included the true followers of Jesus also, that the Christ “is not one member, but many.” (I Corinthians 12:12-14) No wonder he wanted to “win Christ,” for this meant to him being a joint-heir in the messianic kingdom.

QUESTIONS

How does the life of Paul indicate that more than sincerity is required in order to be a Christian?

What would be one reason Paul responded so quickly to the vision given to him on the Damascus road?

How was Paul’s experience in Jerusalem related to the information given to Ananias?

What did Paul mean by “winning Christ”?

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