Nate Williams teaches on the conversion of Saul.
Acts 9:1-19 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
The Lord told him,
"Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Points - Saul hated Jesus, both in word and action – and that by our words and actions, we have hated Jesus. - Saul was a sinner, both in action and inheritance – and that by our actions and inheritance, we are a sinners - Saul wasn’t beyond the Grace of God – and that we aren’t beyond the grace of God. - Saul needed saving from himself- and we need saving from yourself
1 Timothy 1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Reflection Questions
1. So many of us believe we are on the straight and narrow. We believe that we are on a path that will bring us life, beauty and health. Consider the Road to Damascus, and how Saul thought he was heading towards life, but in fact was on a path that would lead him towards death. Ask yourself, is the path I’m on going to lead me to life, or is it going to bring me death?
Consider Jesus. He tells Paul that through his constant unbelief he is actually persecuting Jesus, the one who loves him. Could it be that you too have been persecuting the one who can save you from the path towards death?
Ask God to continue to reveal to you each day, that he’s been thinking about you. Ask him to continue to show you that He hasn’t ever stopped thinking of you and wants deeply to bring you LIFE. Let him show you that he has been, Perfectly Patient in dealing with your persecution of him, and will continue to be until you ask him to put you on the path towards life.