"Saul's Conversion"
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Acts 9:1-9
Before and After Photos
Before and After Photos
Paul’s is dramatic.
Before, During, and After
Before, During, and After
Of Paul’s conversion.
Writer of Romans.
Before (vv. 1-2)
Before (vv. 1-2)
Still? (Acts 7:58-8:3)
Saul was on the opposing side against Christians.
Saul becomes the main enemy of the followers of Christ.
This was due to being a devout believer in Jewish teaching (Philippians 3:4–6, Galatians 1:13–14).
though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
He hated the followers of Christ (v. 1).
This is a way of saying that Saul's attack was the air he breathed.
This defined him to his core (Acts 9:13, Acts 22:5 ; Acts 26:10).
But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.
He is determined to defeat their cause (v. 2).
He received authority from the Jewish leadership structure, which had limited authority over the Jewish people by the authorization of and oversight of the Roman government.
Damascus was a 6 day journey on foot from Jerusalem.
Apparently Saul knew of Christians dwelling in Damascus, maybe because they had fled there from Jerusalem.
We don't know if "the Way" was a name chosen by the followers of Christ or others, or even why it was chosen, but Luke knew it (Acts 19:9, Acts 19:23, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Acts 24:22).
Paul was the least likely person to convert.
Consider what Saul said about himself (Acts 22:4–5, Acts 26:9–11).
There is no doubt that Saul was a radical enemy of Christ.
This is who Paul was by his own testimony.
During (vv. 3-9)
During (vv. 3-9)
Jesus Confronts Saul (vv. 3-7)
This is the glorious appearing of Christ to Saul (see also vv. 17, 27).
Saul knows he is seeing the Lord (supreme and divine master), but he wants to know more.
The apostles were right. Stephen was right. The disciples were right. Jesus is alive. He is the Christ.
So, who had Paul been persecuting? He was ultimately opposing the Lord Jesus Christ.
Instead of punishment, Saul received direction.
The men (v. 7) could confirm the event (Acts 22:9, Acts 26:14)
Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
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.’
But the fullness of it was exclusive to Paul (Acts 9:17, Acts 9:27, Acts 22:14, Acts 26:16, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 1 Corinthians 15:8).
And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;
But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Jesus Changes Saul (vv. 8-9)
How does this entrance into Damascus compare to Saul's originally intended entrance into Damascus?
He came to seek out Christians, and now he can't even see. He came self-determined, and now he is helplessly led. His life as he knew it was over. He has now begun an entirely different life - a complete 180.
After (vv. 10-31)
After (vv. 10-31)
Acts 9:20–31
2 Corinthians 4:4–6
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
This is what happened to Paul.
This is what happens to others.
Application:
Through the perspective of the reader of Acts
God furthers the cause of Christ in this event in a very dramatic way.
His purpose cannot be thwarted. We should trust Him.
Through the perspective of Paul (1 Cor. 15:9-10; Gal. 1:13-16; 1 Tim. 1:12-17)
Paul viewed this event as a case of illogical grace and it motivated him.
Our relationship with Christ is also a case of illogical grace and it should motivate us as well.
*** This is the writer of the letter to the church at Rome.
Benediction:
Scripture Reading: Acts 22: 1-21; Acts 26:9-18