Conversions in Acts, Part 4

Introduction

Today, we look at the conversion of Saul who becomes, the apostle, Paul. This will take a bit as there are three passages that discuss his conversion.

This will be a two-part article as there is a lot of material to cover. Part 2 is found here, and, in a future article, we’ll look at his early days of preaching.

The main story takes place in Acts 9:1-19. The other two passages are as told by Paul, himself, when he gives a defense of who he is. The first defense is found in Acts 22:6-16 when he was before the people in Jerusalem who brought up false charges against him. The second time, he brought up his conversion, was before King Agrippa and Felix in Acts 26:11-16. I highly recommend you read all three passages to get the full understanding.

Meet Saul

The first time we hear of Saul of Tarsus comes at the conclusion of Stephen’s oration in Acts 7:58, and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. At first, you wonder why he’s mentioned at all as he appears to be no more important than a hat check girl at a social function. The bible, however, doesn’t just reference an individual for “window dressing”. We see his actual involvement here in Acts 8:1, Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Whether Paul was an actual member of the Sanhedrin and a “junior member in training” we do know that he was in favor of killing Stephen and anyone who were members of The Way; what they called Christians at the time. They saw them as another sect of the Jews.

His story then continues in Acts 9 where it says, Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)

Is There a Contradiction in His Conversion Story?

Three times we read of Paul’s conversion and each time there is a little more revealed concerning that scene. People have tried to state that the bible contradicts itself, in regard to the people who were with him and what they experienced. Here at the 3 verses:

As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:3-4) And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. (Acts 9:7)

“And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.” (Acts 22:9)

“at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. “And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 26:13-14)

The Solution!

First, we need to remember, that God wrote the bible which means that there is only one author. Secondly, the second and third passages concerning Paul’s conversion is Paul, himself, telling the story; again, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Finally, when you put all three passages together, you get the full picture!

Just looking at the first two, you can see what appears to be a contradiction; those who traveled with him heard the voice but didn’t hear the voice. Wait, what? Personally, I had the same concern. I knew that there were no contradictions in scripture, but I didn’t know how to resolve it. So, I asked someone. This is what we learned in the Ethiopian Eunuch’s conversion (Acts 8:30-31). If you don’t understand something, ask someone with a better knowledge.

He showed me the third passage which brought everything together. Jesus spoke to Saul in the Hebrew language, so while the men, who were with him, heard the voice, they didn’t understand it. To them, the voice may have been just noise; this is speculation of course.

Was Paul Saved on the Damascus Road?

Those who are against baptism being necessary for salvation believe that Saul was saved immediately after he heard Jesus’ voice. Let’s return to Acts 9 and take a closer look…

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:5-6) Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:8-9)

If Saul was converted at this very moment, where was the joy? You recall in my previous articles that I focused on the joy of those who were converted (Acts 2:41; 8:8, 39). Saul had no joy whatsoever. He was blind, he was led to the city by his associates, and he fasted for three days. If this is salvation, I don’t want it!

Notice the phrases that are highlighted, Saul asked what he must do and Jesus told him to travel to the city and there he would be told what he must do. This shows that not only was Saul not saved, he knew he wasn’t saved as he hadn’t been instructed in what he must do.

This is why so many “faith only” people miss out on the bigger picture. They conclude that since Saul saw, heard, and believed Jesus, he was saved. But why ask what he must do? Why was he blinded? Why did he fast and pray for three days? If he is saved at this moment, he was a very miserable disciple.

Conclusion

We’ll stop here and conclude in the next article. The focus, here, is to prove that you need more than just belief, or faith, to become a Christian. In Paul defense, in Acts 26, he said, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” (Acts 26:27) But Agrippa’s reply was, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28)

This proves that belief is not the only facet you need to become a Christian. Agrippa believed, but even he stated that he wasn’t a Christian. Confession, repentance, and baptism are just as essential.