Conversion of Saul
by Timothy Glover
The Acts of the Apostles has been a book of conversions. Christianity has been known for finding the origins of things from the Bible. Genesis, the book of beginnings, tells of the origins of the earth, man and woman, sin, and sacrifice. Acts, on the other hand, gives an account of the origins of conversion beginning with Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost. The accounts harmonize with each other considering the place to which each individual had come in the process of conversion. In other words, if one had no knowledge of Jesus, the natural place to begin in the process is belief. Although, this was not necessary to mention to those who already believed. This is the only reason that would explain some variation.
This article deals with the conversion of Saul in Acts 9:1-19. One should also compare Acts 212:1-16 and 1 Tim. 1:12-17. Saul, born is Tarsus, was a Pharisee, being a Jew from his mother’s side. He was also a Roman citizen as was his father. His citizenship gave him an advantage in preaching to which he appealed for his protection. He was a tentmaker by trade and was taught the Jewish religion under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 22:3; 26:4, and Gal. 1:14).
Saul was a persecutor of the church (7:58;8:1) searching for those who followed Jesus of Nazareth. He either took them into synagogues and scourged them until they blasphemed the name of Christ (26:11) or threw them into prison (8:3, Gal. 1:13). As difficult as it may seem, Saul thought he was doing right by his actions (Acts 26:9; 23:1). If a good conscience is the all-important ingredient to being right with God, Saul was right. Surely, one must have a clean conscience. Yet, it is no guarantee that one is right with God. One cannot be right without a good conscience. But, it is not the only thing necessary to our salvation. Saul’s life illustrates that truth very well.
One day, Saul made a trip to Damascus, having received permission from the high priests, to bind every Christian and bring them to Jerusalem. Approaching Saul would have been dangerous for any preacher as with Philip in Acts 8. A greater explanation for approaching Saul more direct is to qualify him to become an apostle. Jesus spoke to Saul on the way saying, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” Trembling, Paul asks what he should do. He was told to get up and go to the city and “it shall be told thee what thou must do.” In another article of this issue, we will determine just when Paul was saved and why. Consider it with me carefully.
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