The Conversion of Saul

MEMORY VERSE: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” —Philippians 3:7

ACTS 9:19-31

SAUL of Tarsus was a bitter persecutor of the brethren in and around Jerusalem. He had consented to the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He was on his way to Damascus on a further mission of persecution when “suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. … And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”—Acts 9:3-6

Thus, miraculously, this persecutor of the brethren was led to recognize that he was doing wrong, and he offered himself to serve the One who he had sincerely believed was an imposter, a false Christ. He was taken to the house of a brother in the Lord named Judas, on a street called “Straight.” Through a vision, Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, was sent to see Saul. Ananias hesitated because of Saul’s past activities, but the Lord said, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.”—Acts 9:15,16

Paul remained “certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” (vss. 19,20) How could Saul, or Paul, as he was afterward called, so quickly be prepared to preach the Gospel of Christ? We are to remember that this sincere servant of God was undoubtedly well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures. He would know of the messianic promises, and would understand what the Messiah was destined to accomplish. He had believed that Jesus was a false Messiah, but now that his mind was disabused of this error, all he needed to do was to place Jesus in the messianic promises and identify him as truly the Son of God, and he was ready with the message.

Besides, Paul was now filled with the Holy Spirit, which was a source of great enlightenment to him. In preaching Christ in the synagogues he doubtless explained that it was necessary for Christ to die in order to redeem the world from death. What a message he must have had for his fellow Jews there in Damascus, and later in all the synagogues in which he proclaimed the Gospel of Christ! Paul was chosen to be an apostle not only to the Gentiles, but to “the children of Israel” also.—vs. 15

How surprised the Israelites in Damascus must have been! They probably knew that he was scheduled to be in the city, but, as they thought, to persecute the Christians. Instead of this, he was endeavoring to convert them to Christianity! They were “amazed” and said, “Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?”—vs. 21

“But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.” (vs. 22) Many days passed while Paul continued his ministry as an ambassador for Christ. The Jews could not refute his argument, so they tried to silence him through persecution. Blessed are those who, when they cannot answer an argument, are humble enough to investigate further to see if perchance they themselves may not be opposing the truth.

Paul’s newly acquired enemies, having plotted to kill him, watched the gates of the city day and night to prevent his escape. But Paul knew of their plans, and through the help of the disciples, was lowered over the walls in a basket, eluding his persecutors, and he went to Jerusalem.

But when Paul appeared among the disciples in Jerusalem they were very much afraid of him, until they became convinced that he had really experienced a conversion, and was now one of them instead of being against them. Barnabas sponsored him and explained what had happened to Saul on the way to Damascus. Then he was permitted to associate freely with them. In Jerusalem also “he spake boldly in the name of the Lord.” Here again the result was threatened death. Then the brethren in Jerusalem helped him to leave the city and sent him to Tarsus, his birthplace. Our memory verse indicates that the things which he formerly considered gain, he now counted of no value.

QUESTIONS

Relate Paul’s experience on the way to Damascus.

How was Paul ready so quickly to preach the Gospel?

Should we become bitter toward those whose arguments we cannot refute?

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