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Conversion of Saul

Acts 9,22,26

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I. Saul of Tarsus

• Born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia• A free-born Roman citizen• Highly educated

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Acts 22:3

• [3] I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel,

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• He was a zealous persecutor of the church• Acts 9:1• [1] And Saul, yet breathing out

threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

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Acts 26:9-11• [9] I verily thought with myself, that I

ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.• [10] Which thing I also did in Jerusalem:

and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them..

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• [11] And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities

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• He was converted to Christ• He was a faithful Christian and an

apostle• Paul wrote about ½ of the N.T.

books

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II. His conversion

• Acts 22:16• [16] And now why tarriest thou?

arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

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•III. Great lessons for us

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•1. Saul’s conversion – one of the great

evidences for N.T. Christianity

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• What could have changed this persecutor and led him to become a Christian?

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Gal. 1:13-14• [13] For ye have heard of my conversation

in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:• [14] And profited in the Jews' religion

above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

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Phil. 3:4-7• [4] Though I might also have confidence in the

flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:[5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

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• [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

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Acts 20:22-24

• [22] And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:• [23] Save that the Holy Ghost

witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

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• [24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

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• Paul was fully convinced of the truth of N.T. Christianity

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•2. Miracles do not forgive sins

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• He saw Jesus --- heard Him speak --- was blinded and then made to see again – but these things did not save him

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Acts 9:6

• [6] 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.

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Acts 22:16

• [16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

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•3. Fasting and praying are not the way we

obtain salvation

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Acts 9:9

• [9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.• (Acts 22:16)

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•4. Baptism is essential to

salvation

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Acts 2:38

• [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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•5. We learn the limitations of the

conscience

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Acts 23:1

• [1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

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Acts 26:9

• [9] I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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• The conscience must be trained – taught• “One must not cease to search

for truth simply because his conscience is clear.”

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Conclusion

• The conversion of Saul is recorded 3 times in the book of Acts• ---And now why are you waiting?

Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’