The Conversion of Saul
Introduction:
The conversion of Saul might very well be the most famous conversion
in all of the New Testament. The Book of Acts records three
accounts of his conversion: Acts 9 [Luke’s recording of it as it
happened], Acts 22 and Acts 26 [Paul’s retelling of it]. Two
important questions will be answered in this lesson: 1. When
was Saul saved? 2. How was Saul saved?
Text:
Acts 9:1-19
Body:
I.
On the Road to Damascus
(Acts 9:1-9)
Acts 9:1-2
“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples
of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked letters from him to
the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the
Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
NKJV
Saul
was passionate about destroying this new movement – the Way. After
persecuting Christians in Jerusalem, he then turned to areas outside
Jerusalem. (Acts 26:9-11) “Indeed, I myself thought I must do
many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also
did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison,
having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were
put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them
often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being
exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign
cities.”
NKJV
He got arrest warrants from the high priest so he set out for
Damascus, 140 miles N.N.E. of Jerusalem.
Acts 9:3-5
“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone
around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a
voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And
he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom
you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the
goads.’”NKJV
Nearing Damascus at noon an extremely bright light shone from
heaven. He and his companions fell to the ground. A voice spoke to
him in Hebrew and said, “Saul, Saul.” He probably knew he was in
trouble! The voice identified himself as Jesus. So Saul had been
wrong. Jesus was alive. By persecuting Christians, Saul had been
persecuting Jesus. It was “hard to kick against the goads.” A goad
was a long, pointed stick used to prod stubborn animals. Saul had
resisted the Lord’s “goading” him to become a Christian.
Acts 9:6
“So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me
to do?’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and
you will be told what you must do.’ ”
NKJV
Saul wanted to know what he could do. Was there any hope for him?
The Lord revealed that he needed to go on to Damascus and it would
be told him what he must do.
Acts 9:7-9
“And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a
voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when
his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand
and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight,
and neither ate nor drank.”
NKJV
The vision of Jesus was for Saul’s eyes only. He couldn’t see; so
he was led by hand. He was overcome with remorse, no doubt
remembering all the Lord’s disciples that he had put to death.
He could not eat or drink. Saul now believed in the resurrected
Christ, he was penitent, and he had even confessed Jesus.
(Acts 22:10) “So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said
to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus and there you will be told all
things which are appointed for you to do.’ ”
NKJV
But the guilt of sin still ate away at his soul. He was still
lost!
II.
Saul Meets Ananias in Damascus
(Acts 9:10-19)
Acts 9:10-16
“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to
him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am,
Lord.’ So the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go to the street called
Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of
Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a
man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he
might receive his sight.’ Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have
heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your
saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief
priest to bind all who call on Your name.’ But the Lord said to
him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before
Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him
how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’ ”
NKJV
Ananias was chosen by God as a messenger. (Acts 22:12) “Then a
certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good
testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,”
NKJV
Paul was told to go to a street called Straight. This street, about
a mile long, is still in Damascus. Ananias was told about Saul and
that he was praying [probably begging for mercy from the Lord].
Ananias was reluctant to go because Saul was a persecutor of the
saints – those who call on the name of Christ. (Acts 2:21)
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the
Lord Shall be saved.”
NKJV
While Ananias called Saul a persecutor, Jesus called him a chosen
vessel. (Acts 26:16-18) “But rise and stand on your feet; for
I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and
a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things
which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish
people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to
open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in
Me.”
NKJV
Acts 9:17-19 “And Ananias went his way and entered the house;
and laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,
who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you
may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’
Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he
received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when
he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some
days with the disciples at Damascus.”
NKJV
Ananias didn’t argue with the Lord. He just obeyed His command.
Saul’s sight was restored. In Acts 22:14-15, “Then he said, ‘The
God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and
see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be
His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.’ ”
NKJV
Ananias alluded to the fact that Saul will be an apostle of Christ.
Then Saul is told to be baptized and wash away his sins.
III.
When and How Was Saul Saved?
·
Some say Saul was saved on the road to Damascus when Jesus appeared
to him. This can’t be true because after appearing to Saul, the
Lord told him to go to Damascus and it would be revealed to him what
he must do. When he got there, Ananias told him “to wash away his
sins.” (Acts 22:16) “And now why are you waiting? Arise and
be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the
Lord.”
NKJV
So Saul’s sins still had to be forgiven. He was still lost while on
the road to Damascus.
·
This text also reveals how Saul was saved. The vision of the Lord
had not saved him. His prayers and fasting had not saved him
either. He was saved when his sins were “washed away” in the waters
of baptism. This agrees with what Peter proclaimed in Acts
2:38. “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and
you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ”
NKJV
·
We also see from the conversion of Saul what it means to “call on
the name of the Lord.” One acknowledges Jesus as Lord by being
baptized, by His authority for the forgiveness of sins.
Conclusion:
We should always let the Bible speak for itself. It clearly reveals
that the penitent believer must confess the name of Christ and be
immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins.
Bobby Stafford October 25, 2015 [Evening]
Acts: Lesson 23 Acts 9:1-19
