Saul’s Conversion

Context

Jesus’ followers were sometimes known as those who belonged to “the Way.” By the time this story begins, disciples were living in Damascus, a major city north of Jerusalem, and gathering among its Jewish community.

Opposition was spreading too. Saul was already known for the harm he had done to believers in Jerusalem. Official letters from the high priest would allow him to extend that campaign to Damascus, placing both men and women who followed Jesus in danger.

Story

Saul went to the high priest while still breathing threats of violence against the Lord’s disciples. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found anyone there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he intended to arrest them and bring them bound to Jerusalem.

As Saul approached Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice call his name.

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Saul asked who was speaking. The answer came: it was Jesus, the one Saul was persecuting. Jesus told him to get up and enter the city, where he would be told what to do.

The men traveling with Saul stood speechless. They heard the sound but saw no one. When Saul rose and opened his eyes, he could see nothing. The man who had planned to lead prisoners back to Jerusalem now had to be led by the hand into Damascus.

For three days Saul remained blind. He did not eat or drink.

In Damascus, the Lord spoke in a vision to a disciple named Ananias. The Lord directed him to Straight Street and told him to ask at the house of Judas for Saul of Tarsus. Saul was praying, and he had seen a vision of Ananias coming to lay hands on him so that he could see again.

Ananias answered honestly. He had heard from many people about the harm Saul had done to the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. He also knew that Saul had come to Damascus with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who called on Jesus’ name.

But the Lord told Ananias to go. Saul had been chosen to carry Jesus’ name before the Gentiles—the non-Jewish nations—as well as kings and the people of Israel. Saul would also be shown how much he must suffer for Jesus’ name.

Ananias obeyed. He entered the house, placed his hands on Saul, and addressed him with two unexpected words: “Brother Saul.” He explained that Jesus, who had appeared to Saul on the road, had sent him so that Saul could regain his sight 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. After eating, he regained his strength and spent several days with the disciples in Damascus—the very people he had come to arrest.

Without delay, Saul entered the synagogues and proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God. Everyone who heard him was astonished. They knew why he had come to Damascus, and they remembered what he had done in Jerusalem. Yet now, instead of silencing those who called on Jesus’ name, Saul was joining them.

Saul grew stronger in his proclamation. He left his Jewish hearers in Damascus amazed as he showed that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s promised King. The man who had entered the city intending to stop the message was now declaring that Jesus is the Son of God.

What We Learned

• Jesus identifies closely with his people: Saul’s persecution of the disciples was persecution of Jesus himself.
• Saul’s transformation began with Jesus’ initiative, not with personal ambition or self-improvement. He was stopped, made dependent, and called into a new allegiance.
• Ananias spoke honestly about the danger, but he still obeyed the Lord and welcomed Saul as a brother.
• Saul’s calling was not a promise of comfort or success. He was chosen to carry Jesus’ name widely and to suffer for that name.
• Saul’s new message centered on Jesus: the Son of God and the promised Messiah.