The Conversion of Saul

Who gave Saul permission to go to the synagogues in Damascus and bind the saints of God and bring them to Jerusalem for trial?

"And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the HIGH PRIEST, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them - bound unto Jerusalem" (Acts 9:1, 2).

What happened to Saul just before he reached Damascus in his wicked search for every man or woman whom he found calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus?

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul,, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men who journeyed with him speechless hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man; but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight...and neither did eat nor, drink" (Acts 9:3-9).

Whom did the Lord send to visit Saul at the home of Judas on Straight Street in Damascus?

"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named ANANIAS; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, behold, I am here Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9:10-16).

What two experiences did Ananias tell Saul that God had sent him there to assist him in receiving?

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 9:17).

Did Saul receive his sight and the baptism of the Holy Ghost as Ananias had said?

"And immediately there fell from his eyes as It had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose and was baptized" (Acts 9:18).

What, did Ananias say, to Saul after he had received his first experience, that is, received his sight by Ananias laying hands on him (Acts 9:17)?

"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

Does the preceding Scripture not teach that one's sins are washed away in the blood of Jesus by being filled, or baptized with the Holy Ghost?

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Rev. 1 -5).

The literal meaning of the word "conversion" is a rebirth. A converted person is one who has been reborn, born from above, born of God. Several things are to be noticed about this experience. The new birth, or conversion, is just as definite as the first birth, the physical birth.

The experience of conversion is not a long-drawn- out experience. It takes place in a moment a time. There may be a long experience leading up to it, but the experience itself is instantaneous. The very moment the Holy Ghost comes into the heart, that very moment the individual is born again, or converted. It is spiritual in that it is an experience wrought out in a person's spirit. It is entirely different from reformation.

Not only does the baptism of the Holy. Ghost show that one is converted and that he is cleansed from sin, but the desire to commit sin is even removed by this holy relationship between one and his maker. John points this out quite clearly by saying: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us our sins, and to CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness" (l John 1:9).

When one meets the conditions and receives the experiences, as stated here by John, there is nothing to keep the Holy Ghost out of his life. And, as we are told in the words of Saint John, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He SHALL TESTIFY (speak) OF ME" (John 15:26). Now, when the Comforter (Holy Ghost) testifies through our spirits, we find it to be in an unknown tongue, that is to us, but not to God,. nor to whomsoever He might direct it. At Pentecost, He directed the unknown tongues of the 120 disciples to the Jews of various countries, who had come to the Harvest Festival.

May I join the Apostle Paul as I conclude this message: "Let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret, for if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but MY understanding is unfruitful" (l Cor. 14:13, 14).

A tremendous reaction is developing inside the nominal church today due to a formidable split over this subject of tongues. As one news reporter has so timely and graciously stated: "It is an experience in the lives of one group against an argument in the lives of another."' I think this reporter has summed it up in a nutshell, don't you my dear reader? I know you do if you have been converted, with the Spirit of God in your life bearing witness with the Word of Truth.

This experience does not take place apart from Christ and His atonement. It is the divine application of the atonement to the heart. It in wrought out by the union of Christ and the human spirit. The Scriptures describe it in words like this: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them"; "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (Eph. 2:10).

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