233. THE CONVERSION OF SAUL

"He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles".

The influence of the Gospel of the risen Christ was rapidly increasing. The appointed time had now arrived for the Gospel to go to the "uttermost parts of the earth". But the Gospel net had yet to encircle the one particular man who would make possible this full proclamation of Christ to the Gentile world. That man was Saul of Tarsus, a devout Pharisee, a son of Hebrew parents, and outstanding by the standard of legal righteousness according to the Law of Moses. However, in this state he was a loss to God, for he did not know Christ Jesus, the Lord (Phil 3:8-11). This lesson will show how this fiery and determined Jew was humbled and how the whole course of his life was changed by God's intervention. The persecutor was destined to become the Apostle bearing salvation to the Gentiles.

Acts 9:1-31 (compare Acts 22:1-22; 26:1-23)

SAUL'S EARLY LIFE.

By birth Saul of Tarsus inherited Roman citizenship, a privilege of considerable value in those times, bestowing aristocracy on its possessors. His birthplace, the city of Tarsus, was the principal city of the Roman, province called Cilicia, and was situated about 560 km. north of Jerusalem. It was a university city, a very important centre of Greek learning and commerce. We may be sure that in Tarsus Saul became familiar with Greek customs and philosophy. His familiarity is indicated by his knowledge shown in Athens (Acts 17) and by the fact that he spoke Greek (as well as Hebrew, Acts 21:40). Also in Tarsus, Saul would have learned the trade of tent-making which was to hold him in good stead later on. Everything in his experience was to fit him for a future work yet unknown: Roman citizenship, Greek education, Jewish religion. However, his overall direction had first to be changed, but when changed, his various qualifications would be fully utilised in the one great cause —the Gospel of Life.

As a youth, already schooled in the Law of Moses by strict Jewish parents, Saul went to Jerusalem as a "Son of the Commandment" to be educated by Gamaliel, one of the greatest of Jewish teachers (Acts 22:3). As time went by he became very devoted to Judaism, above many of his fellows of his own age in his intense eagerness to uphold the tradition of his ancestors (Gal. 1:14). Quite likely he saw Jesus and must have known of his crucifixion. No doubt Saul thought that it was a just reward for one so opposed to his precious Law! Jesus' growing group of disciples known as "The Way" must also be exterminated, thought Saul.

SAUL—THE CRAZED PERSECUTOR (verses 1, 2).

He believed the Law (the Torah) was supreme. Challengers to it, like Stephen, had to be removed. Acts 8:1-4 records the spread of the persecution under Saul who was making havoc of the ecclesia in Jerusalem. Think of the awful things he did:

1. He approved of Stephen's murder (Acts 8:1).

He shut up many of God's chosen ones in prison, binding both men and women.

2. He consented to the death of imprisoned believers, and He scourged many in synagogues, attempting to make them blaspheme (Acts 26:10-11).

Despite this, as has always been the case, persecution strengthens the cause of the Truth, and as we have seen those who were scattered from Jerusalem "went everywhere preaching the Word." Unconsciously, Saul was helping the preaching of the Gospel. However, he was determined not to be defeated. He relentlessly pursued the fleeing believers to Damascus, a city about 250 km. north and governed at that time by King Aretas, a king friendly to the Jews.

"Breathing out threatenings and slaughter" Saul had obtained letters from the High Priest and the Sanhedrin addressed to the rulers of the Damascus synagogue, authorising him to seize the Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem. This ruthless tyrant made haste to depart for Damascus.

SAUL — HUMILIATED (verses 3-9).

Full of brooding fury and hatred, and pushing behind him the advice of his teacher Gamaliel for non-involvement, Saul pressed on through the scorching midday sun, when suddenly an intense light brighter than the sun, flashed around the company of men. Dazzled and bewildered, all fell to the ground, speechless for terror. Then Saul heard a voice clearly calling, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" "Who art thou, Lord?" he asked,, and the answer came, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the pricks" (RSV. "It hurts you to kick against the goads"). Jesus of Nazareth! Alive! Stephen was right after all and he was wrong, so terribly wrong. He had been like an ox trying to go in the wrong direction, kicking against the goads.

Saul was trembling and astonished but said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" The Lord answered, "Arise, and go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:4-6). The voice told him that he had been appointed to turn people from darkness to light, that they may be forgiven and obtain life through faith (Acts 26:16-18).

Those with Saul had risen to their feet in the meantime but still stood speechless. They had heard a sound but had not heard the voice distinctly. They had not seen anyone. Blind and led by the hand, Saul was brought into Damascus, to the house of Judas in the street called Straight. He came not as he expected, in triumph, but as helpless as the prisoners he had intended to lead out of the city.

Three dark days of repentance followed. Saul refused to eat or drink. We may be sure he was searching his heart. Yes, the visitation of the risen Jesus was real. He must obey the voice that demanded that he change his way. Jesus of Nazareth was the suffering yet resurrected Messiah after all. After three days of prayer and meditation, the impression of the risen Christ still clearly on his mind, Saul's repentance from his blaspheming and cruel ways was complete. Though blind, Saul was now beginning to see the whole purpose of God in His Son. That truth was more powerful than his own ferocious efforts to eradicate it.

ANANIAS SENT TO SAUL (verses 10-19).

While Saul was repenting, another man in Damascus received a message from Jesus. Ananias was told to go to Saul, lay hands on him and give him his sight. Hesitating at first because of Saul's fearful reputation, Ananias finally went to Saul. When he laid hands on Saul, immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and his sight was restored. Ananias then told him the purpose of the vision on the way confirming what Saul had heard:

"The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shall be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. " —Acts 22:14-15.

Saul was to be a chosen vessel bearing Christ's name to Jew and Gentile. Humbled but converted by the incidents, Saul was immediately baptised to wash away his sins. Then he ate and was strengthened, and given the Holy Spirit. Saul then set out to rebuild the things he had before pulled down.

SAUL BEGINS HIS WORK (verses 20-31).

We can quite clearly see that Saul's direction in life had been changed, once and for all. In the words of Romans 6:4, 6 (which deals with baptism), he was now walking in "newness of life," his "old man" or self having been "crucified" with Christ. But one thing had not changed — his vigour and zeal. Is it at all surprising to find that Saul began at once to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God, even in the Jewish synagogue of Damascus? The Jews were amazed at his change of message. He preached that they "should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for (worthy of) repentance" (Acts 26:20). Even though Saul himself was only a new disciple, none could resist his powerful arguments.

Galatians 1:17 tells us that Saul's next move was to go to Arabia for three years. The main reason for going to this area south-east of Damascus was probably to prepare for his later work and reflect on the reality and momentous significance of his conversion. Study and prayer was required to give him a better understanding of the Word of God.

Equipped with this insight, Saul returned to Damascus. His preaching steadily increased as he confounded the Jews in this city by the proofs he gave that Jesus must be the Messiah (Acts 9:22). Opposition grew and eventually the Jews laid a plot to kill him. Saul escaped by being lowered in a basket down the walls of Damascus. How humbling this was. "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" was beginning to come to pass.

From Damascus, Saul made his way to Jerusalem. Three years had passed since he left Jerusalem on his mission of persecution and terror. Now he was returning on a mission of truth and peace. He thought the apostles there would gladly receive him. Imagine his surprise when he was viewed with suspicion, and rejected. It was not until he won the friendship of Barnabas, who introduced him to Peter and James, that he was given the right hand of fellowship. For a time he enjoyed fellowship with the brethren there, but in that city were many of his former Jewish friends. Though they were still very zealous for Judaism, Saul wanted to try to preach Jesus Christ to them. Soon he was found debating the truth with the very people who had brought about the death of Stephen. Opposition against him mounted quickly and one day while praying in the Temple, Christ appeared to him in a vision, directing him to leave Jerusalem and preach to the Gentiles (cp. Acts 22:17-21).

Once more, with the aid of brethren, Saul escaped to Caesarea, and was sent to Tarsus, his city of origin. Thus began what is probably the most exciting and adventurous preaching career ever recorded — Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13).

LESSONS FOR US:

The change in Saul illustrates for us the meaning of baptism. Baptism represents leaving behind of the old ways of life and the adopting of a new Christ like way. Saul's repentance (change of mind) was followed by conversion (turning to God), forgiveness of sins and finally by living a new kind of life with new objectives, befitting his repentance (Acts 26:20).

Although we may not be converted in such remarkable circumstances as Saul, nevertheless, God calls us to repent and be converted, so that our lives can be profitable to Him. Even you and I have a mission to fulfil, to preach to others. Suffering will come but the end result is a place in God's eternal kingdom. So do as Saul did — quietly think about the fact that God calls you, and then act with sureness and humbleness of mind.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield) — Vol. 13, pp. 53-56, 65-78

"Paul the Apostle" (W. H. Boulton) — pp. 18-31

"The Trial" (R. Roberts) — pp. 171-183

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Describe Saul's youth and life before his conversion.

2. What happened to Saul of Tarsus whilst on the way to Damascus?

3. For what purpose was Saul converted and how did he begin to fulfil this purpose immediately after his conversion?

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Describe Saul's conversion to Christ. Using the incident of Saul's conversion as an example, explain the
   meaning of repentance, conversion, baptism and newness of life.