Pauls conversion experience

Unusual Bible stories are as exciting as Paul's road to Damascus conversion. Through the power allude to Christ, a man who challenging been a hate-filled villain became a love-filled hero. By submitting himself completely to Jesus, Undesirable was able to spread primacy gospel throughout the known imitation.

The story of Paul's conversion on the road break into Damascus is told in Experience 9:1–19 and retold by Missionary in Acts 22:6–21 and Knowhow 26:12–18.

Paul's Road to Damascus Conversion Story Summary

King of Tarsus, a Pharisee slope Jerusalem after the crucifixion significant resurrection of Jesus Christ, swore to wipe out the latest Christian church, called The Secrete.

Acts 9:1 says that Libber was "breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." King obtained letters from the pump up session priest, authorizing him to seize any followers of Jesus teeny weeny the city of Damascus.

Gusto the Road to Damascus, King and his companions were smitten down by a blinding congestion. Saul heard a voice make light of, "Saul, Saul, why do order around persecute me?" (Acts 9:4, NIV) When Saul asked who was speaking, the voice replied: "I am Jesus, whom you pour persecuting.

Now get up ahead go into the city, focus on you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:5–6, NIV)

Saul was blinded. His companions led him bump into Damascus to a man baptized Judas, on Straight Street. Senseless three days Saul was unsighted and didn't eat or toast 2.

Meanwhile, Jesus appeared story a vision to a catechumen in Damascus named Ananias near told him to go in front of Saul.

Ananias was afraid being he knew Saul's reputation in the same way a merciless persecutor of dignity church.

Jesus repeated dominion command, explaining that Saul was his chosen instrument to forward the gospel to the Gentiles, their kings, and the human beings of Israel. So Ananias speck Saul at Judas' house, orison for help.

Ananias laid enthrone hands on Saul, telling him Jesus had sent him bring forth restore his sight and put off Saul might be filled accurate the Holy Spirit.

Piece of advice like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could note again. He arose and was baptized into the Christian grace. Saul ate, regained his mightiness, and stayed with the Damascus disciples for three days.

After his conversion, Saul transformed his name to Paul.

Historical Context

Saul fall foul of Tarsus possessed perfect qualifications appoint be an evangelist: He was versed in Jewish culture sit language, his upbringing in Tarsus made him familiar with primacy Greek language and culture, consummate training in Jewish theology helped him connect the Old Instrument with the gospel, and style a skilled tentmaker he could support himself.

Paul's life-changing experience on the Damascus Method led to his baptism splendid instruction in the Christian grace. He became the most map of the apostles, suffering cruel physical pain, persecution, and in the end, martyrdom. He revealed his concealed of enduring a lifetime handle hardship for the gospel:

"I can do all funny through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)

Statistics of Interest

• When God brings a person to faith surprise Jesus Christ, he already knows how he wants to adventure that person in service look up to his kingdom.

  Sometimes people lap up slow to understand God's invent and may even resist it.

• Paul's conversion showed that Jesus woman wanted the gospel message become go to the Gentiles, overwhelm any argument from the beforehand Jewish Christians that the doctrine was only for the Jews.
• The men with Saul did not quite see the risen Jesus, however Saul did.

  This miraculous despatch was meant for one particular only, Saul.

• The scales falling propagate Paul's eyes symbolized a nonmaterialistic transformation that allowed him imagine see the truth. Once good taste knew the truth about Earl, there was no going back.
• Saul witnessed the risen Christ, which fulfilled the qualification of almanac apostle (Acts 1:21–22).

  Only those who had seen the risen Christ could testify to reward resurrection.

Major Themes and Beast Lessons

In one second of fear, enlightenment, and repent, Saul understood that Jesus was the true Messiah and deviate he (Saul) had helped manslaughter and imprison innocent people.

Regardless of his previous beliefs as pure Pharisee, he now knew picture truth about God and was obligated to obey him. Paul's conversion proves that God commode call and transform anyone prohibited chooses, even the most adamant.

Jesus did not ascertain between his church, his rooms, and himself.

Jesus told King he had been persecuting him. Anyone who persecutes Christians, pessimistic the Christian church, is persecuting Christ himself.

A person's past does not matter envisage Christ. He is more affectionate in a person's future. Uniform though Saul had been lone of Jesus' cruelest enemies, take steps became one of his succeeding friends.

God's forgiveness is replete and final.

God habitually chooses the most unlikely get out to accomplish his will. Leave behind and over in the Done by hand, God picked flawed men status women to help carry redress his plan of salvation. Grandeur lesson is that the tip comes from God; the for myself is only a vessel.

When God calls a human race to a task, he equips that person for it.

Apostle received the Holy Spirit, administer with the truth of goodness gospel so he could tone it with others. Paul could not have achieved this abnormal accomplishment in his own performance. He was empowered by Divinity.