There are so many incredible stories tucked into the book of Acts that we just don’t have time to get into. They’ve all been included in your Bible by the Holy Spirit for good reasons. I can only encourage you to study and reflect on these.
This morning, I want to talk about what is “arguably,” the single greatest conversion story in all Christianity. I certainly wouldn’t minimize the conversion of the first disciples. Peter and Andrew, James and John, Matthew. Nor would I minimize the conversion of men like Luke, Barnabas, Stephen, or Philip. The truth is the Bible is highlighting just a handful of thousands of stories of people trusting Christ.
His Former Life :: Of all the stories, the story of Saul (who we commonly refer to as the Apostle Paul) is extraordinary. Saul was a Jewish man, born around A.D. 10., in the city of Tarsus, which is in modern Turkey. Keep in mind that Jews have been scattered all over the world from the earliest days of their history. The Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian empires took Jews captive… deported them to foreign lands, abused them, enslaved them. You’d be hard pressed to find a people on earth who have suffered so much as the Jewish people. Regardless, Jerusalem was always home-base for the Jewish people and this was true for Saul.
In Philippians 3, Paul alludes to his former life as a Jew. Now keep in mind that Saul or Paul’s name is used interchangeably in the New Testament. When he’s in a Jewish context he is referred to as Saul. When in a Roman or Gentile context it’s Paul. It’s not true that Saul underwent a name-change to Paul after his conversion—(you can look into this, I don’t want to wade through that right now).
But in Philippians 3:4-6 Paul says, “… If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.” This is important background information. Just because Saul grew up in Tarsus doesn’t mean he assimilated into Gentile culture. Like every devout Jew he was circumcised on the 8th day, coming under the covenant of the Law. He was a true blood or ethnic Israelite and Jew. He was of the Twelve Tribes. Father is Abraham, Jacob.
Saul stood out among his peers for three reasons… First, he was a Hebrew of Hebrews. One of the great Pharisees and Teachers in all Israel was Gamaliel. We read about Gamaliel in Acts 5:34. He is a “a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people.” Gamaliel is charged (along with fellow Pharisees) of determining the fate of Peter and John. He sends them out of the Sanhedrin and tells his colleagues to think carefully about what they might do to Peter and John.
In Acts 5:36-39 we read, “Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. So, in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.” Saul was an exceptional, leading student of Gamaliel. Saul would have mastered Hebrew thought and language, memorized the Law and Old Testament, and so much more. He was a leading Hebrew, a rising star.
Second, he was a Jewish zealot. Think of the Maccabean dynasty during intertestamental times—or any time. Think of the Levites in the days of Moses. Saul would have had zero tolerance for non-Jewish thought. Zero tolerance might be generous. He was murderous, violent, intolerant in persecuting the Church.
• In Acts 7:58 we discover that Saul was somehow the orchestrator of Stephen’s stoning and death, “they dragged [Stephen] out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
• In Acts 8:1-3 we read this chilling account: “Saul agreed with putting [Stephen] to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.”
• In 1 Timothy 1:13 Paul reflects back on his former life, “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief…” Saul was a Jewish zealot, an ignorant but no less terrifying terrorist of Christians. Ignorant of Christ, but no less a brilliant mind, a man whose intellect rivaled greatest of any philosopher or theologian in history.
Third, in regard to legalistic righteousness Paul says he was faultless. He kept the Ten Commandments faultlessly, like perhaps the Rich Young Ruler. But he also kept the expanded 600+ traditions and laws the Pharisees superimposed upon Mosaic Law. I don’t know who we’d even point toward today, there really is no equal to Saul in regard to his sincerity, devotion, holiness, zeal, and brilliance. And perhaps no equal in regard to his pride of the flesh.
His Awakening But…
But…. in the words of Paul. 1 Timothy 1:12-17, “I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” {KJV has “exceedingly great grace… extraordinary patience}
Acts 9:1-9, “Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. … “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.”
I asked my small group what they made of Acts 1:9. They said, “Saul was in shock 3 days and 3 nights!” There is an alternate translation of Acts 9:5. In the Old King James, some biblical manuscripts, include Jesus telling Paul, “Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” This is essentially the same thing Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin. “For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” The Sanhedrin was persuaded by Gamaliel, but now it was time for the student to be persuaded…. Only it’s the resurrected Christ standing before him who is now doing the persuading. A goad is a rod a shepherd uses to urge or persuade an animal to obey. If God is goading you, you better cooperate! “Saul, it’s very hard to kick or buck against the goads. i.e. You’re on the wrong side of God and truth!”
Now perhaps no passage illustrates the full extent of Paul’s conversion as Romans 9-11. In these chapters Paul is reeling from the deep anguish.
On the one hand… so many of his Jewish brothers and sisters are rejecting Christ (Just like he once did, and for same reasons)… In Romans 9:1-5 he writes, “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises. The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen.”
Yet on the other hand… he is rejoicing that Israel's rejection has led to massive Gentile response of obedience to gospel! Romans 9:30-32, “30 What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness—namely the righteousness that comes from faith. 31 But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law. 32 Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.” What an agonizing place to be—your own people rejecting the gospel, but then realizing over among Gentiles, there is extreme receptivity and faith!
His Awakening What is a man like Saul to do? In Acts 9:13-14 the Lord appears to a man named Ananias in a dream and tells him to receive Saul. Ananias is concerned and says to the Lord, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
Acts 9:15-19, “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Paul's response is much like what we've seen in Acts. He believes on Jesus. He repents. He trusts, confesses, acknowledges Jesus is Lord. He is baptized. They lay hands upon him to receive the Holy Spirit. His heart, eyes, mind are opened.
His Impact. We will have plenty to time to explore the impact of Paul’s life this coming fall. Acts 9:20b-22, “Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. 20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Acts 9:26-30, “When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews”
Acts 9:31, “So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”