Saul's Conversion

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Acts 26:8-18

I. Saul’s conversion (tell the story)

A. The early part of Acts records the death of Stephen for the sake of Christ

B. A young man named Saul watched the coats of the men who stoned Stephen to death.

C. Saul was studious in learning the law and the Pharisees’ traditions. He lived a strict life and was very zealous for God. Saul supported Stephen’s murder for he hated the church.

D. Motivated and emboldened, Saul joined the great persecution of Christians that caused them to scatter from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria.

E. He burned with rage as he entered the houses of Christians and dragged men and women to prison. He raided synagogues where Christians would meet. He hated Christians so much he tried to force them to renounce Christ When the council put Christians on trial, Saul would vote for their death. He traveled to other cities to find Christians to bring bound to Jerusalem. One day as he traveled to Damascus hunting Christians his world changed.

F. About noon, Saul saw a light whose glory outshone the sun.

G. Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice call from the glorious light, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

H. Saul realized this being was exceedingly great and asked who spoke. Imagine his shock when the voice said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.“

I. What might have run through Saul’s mind?

J. Jesus! No, Jesus is dead; the rulers crucified that traitor. The apostles and Christians were liars saying Jesus lived. It is true! Jesus has been raised from the dead to reign in glory at the right hand of God! And I am his enemy!

K. Jesus told Saul to go to Damascus to hear what he must do.

L. Saul, who started his journey boldly ready for the church to scatter at his presence when he arrived in Damascus, entered that city blind, being led by his companions, and humbled by the heavenly vision. For three days he fasted and prayed; his world had shifted from its axis and would never be the same. He was physically blinded when he saw the glory of Jesus but spiritually his eyes were opened to see the reality of Jesus.

M. God sent Ananias to tell Saul what he must do

N. As with Cornelius, Jesus could have told him on the road to Damascus or he could have sent an angel with the message. Ananias laid hands on Saul and he received his sight

O. God chose His servant Ananias to proclaim salvation to Saul.

P. Saul certainly believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God and was ready to proclaim it. He decided to turn from his misguided ways to follow Christ.

Q. He only lacked one thing: forgiveness of sins

R. When Ananias came to Saul, he told Saul of God’s intention for him both to suffer and preach the gospel. Ananias asked, “Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” His baptism was urgent—“Why are you waiting?” Though he had seen Christ and prayed and fasted for three days since that time, his sins had not been forgiven; he had not been converted. He had to be baptized to wash away his sins. The power was not in the act of baptism or the water in which he was immersed but in his obedience to God’s command. Through baptism he called on Christ to save him.

S. He was no longer blind, physically or spiritually, and was now part of Christ and went forth teaching the gospel first to the Jews then to the Gentiles.

II. Did he have an unfair advantage over the rest of us?

A. Some may argue that Jesus appearing to Saul gave him an advantage over people today: “If I saw Jesus and knew He was real I would obey.”

B. Saul could have explained away the vision or refuse Jesus’ mission.

C. Many walked with Jesus on the earth, hearing His profound message and witnessing mighty miracles He performed yet turned back from Him. The Israelites at Mt. Sinai and later Solomon heard the voice of God but quit following Him later in life. However, Paul told King Agrippa that he did not disobey the heavenly vision (Acts 26:19); a foolish thing to say if it were impossible to disobey Jesus.

D. Paul paid a greater price to be a Christian than we will ever face

E. Acts 9:16: He had to suffer much for Christ’s sake

F. 2 Timothy 1:8: he was a prisoner suffering for Christ2 Corinthians 11:22-31 – great suffering for Christ If this is an unfair advantage, I don’t want it.

III. Saul was an example of salvation by grace

A. He lived under the Jewish Pharisaical system in which he tried to earn his salvation by the works of righteousness.

B. Romans 10:1-4 – Like his countrymen, his zeal was without knowledge Romans 3:20-28 – Saul could not be saved by the works of the Old Law Saul thought persecuting the church was a great work for God.

C. Paul is an example of God’s grace through Jesus in that he was saved despite the works he had done.

D. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 – By the grace of God this persecutor was saved1 Timothy 1:12-17 – Example of God’s longsuffering Philippians 3:7-11 – All works were rubbish compared to Christ

E. If God forgave one who persecuted Christians, pressured them to blaspheme, and put them to death, He will forgive your sins, though they be many.

IV. Conclusion: Christ does appear to us in His glory through the word. Will you obey?