9.20.2010

Paul's Conversion

  • A light from Heaven blinds Saul (Acts 9.3, 22.6, 26.13).
  • Saul falls to the ground and a voice says to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (9.4, 22.7, 26.14)
  • Saul asks, "Who are you, Lord?" (9.5a, 22.8a, 26.15a).
  • Jesus identifies himself (9.5b, 22.8b, 26.15b).
  • Paul asks, "What shall I do, Lord?" (22.10a)
  • Jesus says, "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (26.15b-18).
  • At this point, Paul has faith in Jesus. He has confessed Jesus as his Lord (22.10a) and Jesus has appointed him as his servant (26.15b-18). However, Paul has not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit and thus has not been saved (Romans 8.9b).
  • Paul's companions lead him to Damascus (Acts 9.8b, 22.11a).
  • Paul waits for three days without eating or drinking (9.9).
  • Jesus sends Ananias to Paul (9.10-16, 22.12).
  • Ananias tells Paul that he has been sent so that Paul may receive the Holy Spirit (9.17b).
  • Paul regains his sight (9.18a, 22.13).
  • Ananias tells Paul to "be baptized and wash [his] sins away" (22.16b).
  • Paul is baptized (9.18b)
Paul is saved not when he comes to faith in Christ, but three days later, when he is baptized and receives the Spirit.