Until now we have looked at the persecution of the church that resulted from Stephens martyr and especially the evangelism of Phillip that began in Samaria. However, when we come to chapter 9 Luke changes the topic to the conversion of Saul. Saul’s conversion was an extremely important even in the history of the church. In Acts Saul’s conversion is repeated 3 times (22:3-16, 26:9-18)
There are many reasons why Saul’s conversion was so important.
1. The fact that Saul who persecuted the church became a follower of Christ is proof that Christianity is real, has power, and is full of glory.
2. In Acts 1:8 we are told that the Gospel would spread from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Saul’s conversion is the beginning of the Gospel being spread to the ends of the earth.
3. Last week we studied about the conversion of the Ethiopian. Saul’s conversion is just the opposite of the Ethiopian’s conversion. The Ethiopian was searching for God. He came from far away to worship in Jerusalem. In other words, he was zealously searching for God. He read the Bible. He invited Philip up into his chariot to explain to him what the Bible was teaching. Saul, on the other hand, had no intention of believing in Christ. He was an enemy. He wouldn’t even discuss anything with Christians. He just killed them. Even this type of person is saved. Both of these conversions were totally different. Even so both were God’s way of leading them to Christ. Therefore, God uses many means to bring people to him. This passage teaches us this.
Today let’s look at how Saul became drawn to Christ. Let’s look at 3 aspects of his conversion.
I. Saul who persecuted the church (vs.1-2)
Here we are told how Paul wanted to kill the Christians and with what force he did so. This can be seen by the word, “still”, in verse 1. He consented to the death of Stephen. After that he stormed the churches by dragging men and women out of their homes and putting them in prison. (8:3) However, that didn’t put an end to the persecution. He was “still” threatening to persecute the church. That zealousness spread to Damascus that was 210 kilometers from Jerusalem. He was not only persecuting the church in Jerusalem, but also churches far away from there. Also his zealousness caused him to ask the high priest to write a letter to the synagogue in Damascus asking him to find Christian men and women and to send them back to Jerusalem. This was to show that this wasn’t a one man movement, but that it was proper to punish the Christians. He wanted to punish the Christians in the outer areas of Judea. He had confidence that to persecute the Christians was to be faithful to God. He was a scholar of the law. He was faithful to the law. He was confident that there was no one more faithful than himself. By his thinking a person that was put on a cross was to be cursed. Deut. 21:23 It was unthinkable that such a person would be raised or that he was God. Someone who said such a thing was blaspheming God and couldn’t be forgiven. This caused him to become so zealous in persecuting the Church. Saul’s mistaken knowledge and mistaken zealousness caused him to walk down the wrong road in his life.
II. Saul meets Jesus (vs.3-7)
As Saul was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven came upon him and he fell down. We know from Acts 26:13 that this was not the light of the sun because it was brighter than the sun. Also those that were with him could not see the light. This was a light for Saul only.
When Saul received the light, he fell to the ground and he heard a voice, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Those who were with him didn’t hear the voice either. This voice too was just for Saul. Saul received a special inspiration from God.
Saul answered the voice, “Lord, who are you?” The word used for Lord is the word that is used for “Yahweh”, the God of Abraham. In other words, at this point, Saul already knew that it was God who was talking to him. In verses 5-8 is God’s answer to Saul’s question. In other words, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” By using “I” and “you”, God is emphasizing that it is a one on one relationship. Jesus is changing Paul by have a relationship personally with him. We try to change ourselves. Even when we think we can change, it is difficult for us to really change. When we come face to face to others then it becomes possible to change. That’s when we are able to see our real selves. By Jesus approaching Saul on a one to one basis, he was able to see himself in a way that he never had before.
What did Jesus mean when Jesus answered “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”?
1. It means that Jesus who died on the cross is alive. It means he rose. It means what the disciples said in Jerusalem is true.
2. It means that Jesus is the glorious Lord. Saul thought that anyone who died on a tree was cursed. Therefore, he thought that Christians who made Christ their Lord should be persecuted. He thought he was doing the proper thing and was part of his ministry to God. If Jesus is blessed by God, and is living gloriously, then everything that Saul had done up to now was wrong.
3. This wasn’t just being wrong, but was a huge sin toward God. It was also a sin towards the Christians who believed in Jesus’ glory.
4. Jesus has deep compassion and forgiveness towards such huge sinners. Up until now what Saul has done was against Christ and unforgivable sin, but against this Saul, Jesus says, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. He does give a long sermon. He just says, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. In other words He is Jesus who forgives him. These words were a message of God’s love. Jesus loves those who don’t deserve it. Jesus forgave Saul. In I Tim. 1:15 Saul (Paul) makes that confession.
If a person is loved and forgiven, it is only by the grace of God. Saul received this grace. However not just him, but it is promised to all that believe in him. Anyone who repents of their sin, and believes in Christ, will be forgiven.
When Saul met Jesus, his thinking and life was turned upside down. To realize that everything that you believed and stood up for was wrong is an extreme shock. However, to become a person of God, this is a very necessary process. This happens by meeting Christ. Our Christian life requires that we daily meet Christ.
III. 3 days experience in Damascus (vs. 8-9)
Next let’s look at how Saul who met Jesus was changed. When Jesus said, ““I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”, Saul became blind. This was because of the great shock that he received. He wasn’t able to see or eat. He was in this condition for 3 days. In the Bible 3 stands for completion. After Saul met Jesus he experienced 3 days that were like death. It was like Jesus when he died on the cross and was buried for 3 days. But, on the 3rd day Jesus rose again. That was the same too. Before Saul became Paul he spent 3 days in perfect humbleness. It was the experience of death. This experience is necessary for us to become a person of God. For us to be changed from a person of this world to a person of God, it is important that we completely die to this world. Then we will be able to have a real meeting with Christ.
For you, what is Damascus? In order for Saul to live a life that pleased God, he gave his life to God. However, before he had the wrong knowledge and values, and was heading the wrong way, but at Damascus, he was turned around. He realized that Jesus was Christ. Do you have any thinking like Saul that is wrong? Who is the Christ that you know? What is the center of your life? Even if you believe in Christ and attend church, in reality are there other things that are in the center of your life? If that’s the case, then that is like Saul zealously going to Damascus. Just like it was necessary for Saul to have a 3 day experience in Damascus, we need to quit walking and listen to God’s word. There we must meet Jesus. Then just as Saul became Paul, we will be changed into a vessel of God. We will be able to give our lives to Christ. Therefore, let us appear before God and he will change us into his likeness.