ADULT STS LESSON 193 THE CONVERSION OF SAUL

MEMORY VERSE:
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 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” (Acts 9:3,6).

TEXT: Acts 9:1-43

The conversion of Saul marked an important milestone in the growth and development of the early Church. That such an outrageous and injurious persecutor would ever come to know the Lord and preach the same gospel, which he once destroyed, is not only a reason to appreciate the love of God but also His omnipotence and sovereignty. Described as a “young man”, his name is first mentioned in a cruel and evil act namely, the martyrdom of Stephen which he masterminded (Acts 7:58). To think that notorious sinners whose names are synonymous with evil in our communities cannot be forgiven and genuinely saved smacks of ignorance of the power of God’s grace, love and will (1 Timothy 1:14). As we shall see in this study, it was Saul’s genuine conversion that qualified him for service in the kingdom and made him a minister of the gospel to the Gentiles that were afar off, even “unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

SAUL’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST

(Acts 9:1-9; 26:11-15; 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Matthew 25:40; Luke 6:46; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 8:3; 1 Timothy 1:13)

The life of Saul before his conversion shows how dangerous an unconverted religious man can be. Though born a Roman citizen in the Greek city of Tarsus in 23:5,6). His strict religious training under Gamaliel, a Asia Minor, he was a Pharisee by birth and creed (Acts notable and celebrated Jewish Rabbi in Jerusalem made 3:5; Acts 22:3). He was learned but awfully ignorant of him versatile in the Jewish law and religion (Philippians the way of God. Before he was converted, Saul, like many other religious professors, claimed he had “a good conscience” while persecuting the church of Christ.

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus… And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (acts 9:3,4).

This sudden encounter with Christ on his way to Damascus marked the great change in his life. The light which enveloped Saul and his co-travellers was not ordinary. Its brilliance overpowered the brightness of the noonday. In that light, he had a vision of Christ and heard His voice for the first time. Barnabas was to declare later to other apostles “how that he [Saul] had seen the Lord in the way” (verse 27).

The sum total of all he experienced and heard on that road was his conversion and transformation. Conversion can be described as a turning around from self and Satan to God; it is turning from darkness to light, from unbelief to faith and reliance upon God. It can also be defined as “turning from idols [of whatever form] unto the living God”. It is characterised by a change of attitude, disposition, lifestyle, to the glory of God and obedience of the faith that is in Christ. Conversion is possible only through repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.

Saul’s complete change of attitude and Christlike behaviour after his encounter with Christ provide evidence of his conversion and salvation. Truly, “…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Saul’s companions certainly had the same wicked disposition as Saul. They travelled the same road, on the same mission of persecution, yet the Damascus road encounter left no permanent change in their lives. This teaches that salvation is a personal experience and everyone has to obtain it from the Lord. It is one thing to hear the word of God, and it is another to give it the attention and obedience it demands.

SAUL’S LIFE AFTER CONVERSION

(Acts 9:10-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; 2:13; Acts 26:18)

After Saul’s conversion, the Lord designed that further communication with him on His will was to come through a human agency, Ananias, rather than directly from heaven. He was thus taught early in his Christian life that appointed ministers of God are His representatives through whom He carries out His purpose on earth. It is obvious that we stand the danger of missing God’s instruction, guidance or correction when we do not esteem the human agent that He decides to use for us.

No doubt, Saul was under conviction and prayed to God for forgiveness as the enormity of his transgression against Christ dawned on him. He must also have prayed to receive the promised instruction on what to do next as evidenced by the response of Christ in sending Ananias.

Ananias’ initial apprehension about Saul gave way as a result of Christ’s assurance to him. Calling him “Brother Saul”, his words of comfort and prayer gave assurance to the heart of Saul, and Christ restored his vision.

“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized” (verse 18).

It is clear then that follow-up of new converts is the will of God. Through Ananias’ follow-up on Saul, who was later named Paul, he received divine healing and was filled with the Holy Ghost. Besides, he was also baptized in water and continued in fellowship with other disciples of Christ in Damascus. Above all, his preaching amazed those who had known his zeal in the Jewish religion.

“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (verse 20).

What a challenging example to believers!

PURPOSEFUL SERVICE AFTER CONVERSION

(Acts 9:23-31; 26:15-20; Galatians 1:15-24; Luke 1:74,75)

With the spiritual experiences obtained from Christ at the point of conversion, Paul began to preach to the Jews at Damascus with increasing strength and power of the Holy Spirit. His desire and commitment to obey the heavenly vision compelled him to identify with the persecution from the religious Jews who planned to kill Damascus church. Expectedly, his preaching provoked him. He got wind of their plot and escaped with the help of the disciples who “let him down by the wall in and members of the church were afraid of him but the a basket”.

When he arrived at Jerusalem, the disciples timely intervention and testimony of Barnabas assured the church that he was now converted. There, he abode in the fellowship of other disciples.

“And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him” (verse 29).

As his subsequent testimonies show, none of the things he suffered for Christ moved him from his initial steadfastness and consecration to Him. The present world is waiting for the testimony of believers as they obey the command to go and preach the gospel. A believer is saved to serve God in soul-winning and must be more zealous in doing it than religious fanatics who have a commission from Satan to destroy the Church of God.

THE HEALING OF A PARALYSED MAN

(Acts 9:32-35; 3:1-17; Mark 5:22,35-42; Luke 13:11-17)

“And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.”

Obviously, Apostle Peter had been engaged in the business of preaching, exhorting and strengthening the disciples. By this, he earnestly proved his renewed love for Christ by taking heed to the Master’s parting instruction to him to “feed my lambs…”

From Peter’s example, neither persecution nor incarceration should deter believers from getting involved and giving their best to evangelisation. As a minister with oversight responsibilities to God’s people, Peter travelled from place to place exhorting and strengthening the brethren to continue in the faith. It I was in the course of this conscientious ministry of serving the body of Christ and reaching the world for the Lord that “…he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda”.

There he healed Aeneas, a man that was sick of palsy or paralysis. In the healing of Aeneas, we find that Peter drew his attention to the Saviour. He said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole”. By shifting his focus to the Lord Jesus Christ, Peter did not pretend to perform the miracle by his own power. He wanted the recipient of the miracle to know that Jesus is the great Healer and Deliverer.

This is a contrast to what obtains in many religious circles where so-called men of God do not allow sincere seekers to see Jesus. They pride themselves in what the Lord uses them to accomplish and ascribe glory that belongs to Him to themselves. Such people will not be spared God’s judgment except they repent.

Also, by instructing the man to “arise, and make thy bed”, Peter stirred up his faith in Christ. Although God has given us great promises in His word, we must be ready to play our own part in order to enjoy them. It is instructive that Aeneas obeyed the apostle’s instruction “and arose immediately”. His healing produced great revival as “all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.”

People who do not doubt God or His ministers always receive miracles.

DORCAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND THE PURPOSE OF MIRACLES

(Acts 9:36-43; Ephesians 4:1; Deuteronomy 15:11; Proverbs 19:17; Hebrews 13:16)

“…And this woman was full of good works and almsdeed… and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:36,39).

Ordinarily, Dorcas in Greek or Tabitha in Syriac means “deer” – a graceful quick running creature. This woman lived up to her name because God’s grace was clearly manifest in her life. The quality of a Christian’s lifestyle is the acid test of the authenticity of his or her conversion. It is incongruous to claim relationship with Christ without corresponding display of Christlikeness.

“They which have believed in God [should] be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8).

A genuine Christian ought to lead a life of total conformity to Christ’s command. Whether sewing was her vocation or pastime, Dorcas teaches believers to devote their skills and aptitudes to the glory of God by using them to impact positively on others. Terrible consequences await those who neglect this practical aspect of the Christian faith (Matthew 25:31-46).

“And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died…” (Acts 9:37).

The Scripture did not indicate the name or nature of Dorcas’ sickness. Yet, this did not preclude the possibility of divine intervention before her demise. God, in His wisdom allowed this incident, not because He could not prevent it but obviously that His name might be glorified. When God permits somé incidents to happen in our lives, rather than question Him, we may as well wait to see His design and glory in them.

The raising of Dorcas to life was the first time an apostle would raise the dead. Raising the dead was not a matter of routine. For instance, before this time, Stephen had been stoned to death and neither Peter nor any of the other apostles attempted to raise him back to life. Perhaps, they were not so led of the Spirit. In that case, it was clear that the deacon had finished his work on earth, and had been accepted back home by the Lord he so loved and served.

However, the case of Dorcas was different. Operating under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Peter acted in a manner similar to the Lord’s, sent everyone out, and commanded Dorcas to “arise”. It is remarkable that he had a similar result as the Lord. This underscores the importance of being filled with the Spirit of God. He alone knows all things.

This miracle proves that God’s intervention in any matter involving any of His saints cannot be too late. Whether the required benefit comes early or late by human reckoning, God has a purpose for the time He chooses to act.

As was the case with the healing of Aeneas and Dorcas’ resurrection, the purposes of miracles are many.
First, it is to prove that God is in control and determines what happens and does not happen.
Second, it is to reverse the effect of Satan’s work on an individual or a situation; to defeat his plans or destroy his works (Luke 13:11- 17).
Third, it is to prove with indisputable finality that with God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37; John 11:14,15).
Fourth, they are meant to prove the presence of the Lord with His ministers (Mark 16:20).
Fifth, to reveal the minister God approves so as to protect sincere seekers from possible deceit (Exodus 8:19; Jeremiah 28:1-17; Luke 11:20).
Sixth, to facilitate faith, such that the direct beneficiaries or witnesses may be encouraged to believe in the true God.
Seventh, they are meant to glorify God, not to celebrate the recipient or deify the miracle worker.

However, believers who desire to be God’s agent in the miracle ministry must pattern their lives after the Lord’s. He or she must be a crucified vessel who is interested in God’s glory alone. They must be holy, seek to be filled with the Holy Ghost, partner with Him in every endeavour and be sensitive to His leading. Besides, there must be an evident commitment to the evangelisation project. This is because the miracle ministry is a weapon of witnessing to the world and drawing people’s souls to Christ.

Consequent upon the positive response of faith to Dorcas’ resurrection, Peter decided to tarry in the city of Joppa “many days”. His objective was obviously to make Christ known and get the new converts established in the Lord, teach them His way more perfectly, counsel, where necessary and get them committed to the Master’s commission. These ought to be the focus of every true minister of the gospel.

Questions for review:

1. How can a sinner become useful in the hand of God?

2. What is conversion, and how can a sinner be.converted?

3. Enumerate briefly the proofs of Saul’s conversion.

4. Why were Saul’s co-travellers not changed by the Damascus road encounter?

5. What challenge does Dorcas’ life present to contemporary Christians?

6. Explain the incident of Dorcas’ death and the fact of her resurrection.

7. What is the purpose of miracles in the Christian ministry?