Lesson 2 The Conversion of Paul

 Lesson 2

The Conversion of Paul 

Objective:  God's power is sufficient to turn the enemy into a friend. 

Bible Portion: Acts 9: 1 -18, 22: 1 - 21, 26: 1 -23 

Memory Verse: 1 Tim 1: 13 -16

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor, and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus, might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 

The most beautiful event in the early church's history is the conversion of Paul. The history of Paul's conversion is discussed in the 9th chapter of Acts by Luke.

After his education in Jerusalem, Saul went to Tarsus, his native place. He was absent in Jerusalem during Jesus's public ministry and the church's foundation. It clearly indicated that Paul didn't meet Jesus in person. He visited Jerusalem to debate with Stephen, a living warrior of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He could not stand before Stephen. His scholarship turned futile. The message of the preaching of Stephen in the 7th chapter of Acts made Paul thoughtful. Before Sanhedrin, he saw Stephen's face as the angel of god.  

Acts 6: 15 

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen and that saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 

Jews were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Saul felt discomfort at seeing Stephen's spirit filled and tabled about the vision of heaven and his prayer of forgiveness. Saul was staying there, permitting the Jews to kill Stephen, and he had kept his clothes (Acts - 7:58, 22:20)

At this, they covered their ears, and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 

And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. 

All the events made Saul thoughtful instead of submitting himself to the great truth of the gospel. He worked against it. He was bold to kill and destroy Christians than anyone his age mates. After the death of Stephen, a great persecution arose against the church. Saul was leading the persecutions. He behaved as a mad to destroy the church. He dragged off man and women from house to house and put them in prison. He killed many. 

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

(Acts 8:3)

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. 

(Acts 9:1,2) 

Saul saws against the Christians witnessing Jesus as Messiah. It was because of this blind attitude towards Jewish customs. But after receiving Jesus, he came to accept that he had behaved ignorant and folly, and those behaviors were punishable and shameful in the presence of God. 

The church was scatted out of Palestine at the time of persecution in the time of Stephen. But the churches were raised wherever they went. 

On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Sul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.  

(Acts 8: 1-5)

Christians emerged in Damascus, a leading city in Syria. Saul was so angry at this. So he planned to spread persecution out of Palestine. Sanhedrin and the chief priest had authority over Jews living anywhere. So Saul planned to execute the believers by getting a letter of authority from the chief priest. He was ready for an adventure with a group of men. But he was caught by the divine light of Jesus Christ. Whom he had been persecuting for some years. The disciples at Damascus were eagerly praying to God for mercy at hearing Saul's arrival. 

It took a week from Jerusalem to Damascus. The journey was through the wilderness on horses or donkeys. Thus they reached the gate of Damascus. Saul wished that his planning came to success. What happened then 

We got a complete form of events when we studied the three descriptions clearly. It was the light from heaven that flashed around them. It was brighter than the sun. It was concentrated on Saul. The men traveling with Saul stood speechless. They heard the sound, But the words were clear only to Saul. He heard in the Hebrew language." Why do you persecute me?"  Saul asked,  "Who are you?, Lord? ". Saul was surprised at the answer that he persecuted Jesus and his people. The answer from the lord was very clear. 

1. Jesus is the Lord

2. Persecuting the people of God is like persecuting the Lord. 

3. Listen to the second question from Saul, " What shall I do, Lord?" 

Saul's repentance was due to the work of the holy spirit.

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

(Rom. 10:9)

Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say,  " Jesus is Lord, " except by the Holy Spirit. 

(1 Corinthians 12: 3)

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. " Jesus replied, " Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

(Matt. 16: 16,17)

He made an end to all his activities; he wanted to go according to the will of his companions. What shall I do, Lord? The Lord asked him to go to Damascus, and he entered Damascus with the help of his companions. The world of the Lord was wonderful. Saul was blind for three days and did not taste any food. 

Thus Ananias got the vision from the Lord about the events. He was led to Saul. As he prayed for Saul, something like a scale fell from Saul's eyes. Then he was baptized and filled with the holy spirit. He stayed with the disciples for a while.