How and When was Saul Saved?
by Timothy Glover
It is often taught that Saul was saved on the road to Damascus. This was certainly Saul’s turning point. Yet, if Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, he did not know it. We learn in Acts 8:39 that the saved Ethiopian went on his way “rejoicing.” Paul does not fit this description. Instead, he enters the city and spends three days in prayer neither eating nor drinking. This does not represent a man who is aware of sins being forgiven.
Again, if Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, the Lord did not know it because he told him to go into the city to be told what he must do. For what reason must he do something? He had something to do to correct his lifestyle and thus it was something he had to do to be saved. It was not an option. When Paul asked what he should do, Jesus told him that he must do something but he would have to wait until he found out in the city of Damascus.
Thirdly, if Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, Ananias did not know it. When Ananias approached Saul, he said, “Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins..” (Acts 22:16). This would not have been said to a man who had already had his sins washed away, would it? Ananias clearly thought that Saul was still unforgiven.
The text tells us in verse 18 that Saul arose and was baptized. Notice the order given in Acts 22:16 when Paul later recounts this same event. First, he was told to arise. Second, he was told to be baptized. Finally, he was told to wash away his sins. Now, Saul obviously believed Christ as seen on the road to Damascus. His fasting and prayer evidenced repentance, yet his sins were not washed away. When were they washed away? They were cleansed when he did what he was told to do in the city—to be baptized. This shows conclusively that faith and repentance alone was not sufficient by itself to obtain salvation.
In 1Tim. 1:12-17, Paul speaks of the longsuffering of God to save him, the chief of sinners. No one is so bad that God cannot save him or her. Still, it is conditioned upon complying with God’s will. Who does the saving? God does the saving. But, he does it when we do what we are told to do in order to have our sins washed away.
I hope you will be saved as they were saved in the first century! Deciding to turn your life around, arise and be baptized and wash away your sins just as Saul of Tarsus did nearly 2,000 years ago. Until you have done so, you are yet in your sins. Please contact me if you have any questions.
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