The Conversion of Saul

Scripture reading: Acts 9:1-9

Hallelujah. This morning, we’re continuing with our sermon series in Acts. And our passage this morning comes from Acts 9:1-9.

Acts 9:1–9 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

We’re looking at one of the great days in the history of the church. The day Saul was converted.

By birth, he was a Jew. By citizenship, a Roman. By education, a Greek. By grace, a Christian.

The event of Saul’s conversion is recorded for a total of three times in the book of Acts. Once in chapter 9, and two more times in chapters 22 and 26. The one in Acts 9 is by far the shortest account, mostly because it comes from the perspective of Luke, the author of Acts. So here it says “He heard a voice.” But the later accounts come from Saul himself, so they say “I heard a voice.”

Saul here is actively working against the church. At this point, he’s the main villain. The NLT translation says that he was “eager to kill the Lord’s followers.”

Acts 26 tells us that many of the saints were locked up because of him, and there would be a vote as to whether they lived or died.

Acts 26:10 ESV

10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.

Saul was the guy who always voted to put Christians to death.

Do you know a person like this? I don’t. But we all know people whose hearts are hardened toward Jesus. Nothing we say or do can get through to them. And often times we feel there’s no hope for them.

But here’s some hope for us. They’re not as bad as Saul, right? And if God can save Saul, God can save our loved ones. Amen?

Now, what happened to Saul?

It says that suddenly a light from heaven shone around him, and a voice spoke to him. Acts 22:6 tells us that this happened about noon time. It was the time when the sun was shining the brightest.

Acts 22:6 ESV

6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.

This happened so that the glory of the light of Christ would not be confused with the light of the sun. Noon time in the middle east is a terrible time to be outdoors, and yet how much brighter was the glory of Christ, that Saul and his companions were paralyzed by it.

It was the glory of the transfiguration which Jesus revealed only to Peter, James, and John at the mount of transfiguration.

It says this happened while Saul and his company were on their way to Damascus. And Jesus appears to Saul and says in verse 6 to rise and enter the city.

Acts 9:6 ESV

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

So Saul was already near the city of Damascus. And waiting in that city was a disciple of Jesus called Ananias, who God commands to lay hands on Saul, to fill him with the Holy Spirit.

There are people whose lives seem to be heading completely down the wrong path. But we can and must hope in God’s plan, that no one is beyond redemption. Their sins may be great, but the precious blood of Jesus outweighs them all.

Now, Saul’s not the only one in this story. He’s got his own band of people together with him. And they all see the light, and they all hear the voice.

Acts 22:9 ESV

9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

Acts 9:7 ESV

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

So they all saw the light and heard the voice, the Word of God. But only Saul understood the voice. Acts 26 tells us that Jesus spoke to him in Hebrew.

Acts 26:14 ESV

14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

The people with Saul were probably his fellow Pharisees, so they all would have understood Hebrew. But even then, they heard the voice but did not understand.

In the same way, the Pharisees memorized the Old Testament and the Law of God, but they did not recognize the Author when He came to them.

They had eyes but could not see. They had ears but could not hear.

So let us conclude with this final point. What was the condition for understanding the voice of Jesus?

Acts 9:15 ESV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Saul was chosen. You have to be chosen by God. And if you are chosen by God, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a good person or a bad person.

Does that sound unfair? Let us consider things from Saul’s perspective. What did Saul deserve for his crimes against the Lord? We sing songs of praise not because Saul got what he deserved, but because he was forgiven. He was forgiven. That’s amazing grace.

And for the people we love who don’t yet know the Lord, who don’t yet understand God’s Word or see the light of the glory of Christ, they too need to be forgiven. And how can they be forgiven unless someone prays for them and intercedes. God, forgive them!

Did anyone pray for Saul? Yes.

Acts 7:57–60 ESV

57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Deacon Stephen prayed for Saul.

And please believe that when Jesus said the same words on the cross, He prayed them for you and for me.

So then, how shall we pray for our loved ones? Let us borrow the tried and tested prayer of Stephen and of our Savior: “God, do not hold their sins against them!” Lord, have mercy!

And as we intercede for them this morning, let us pray that the light of heaven will shine upon them, and that the sin that blinds their minds will be forgiven and removed, that they would believe in the gospel and the Word of God.