Theme Number 24 True Conversion - Saul of Tarsus

Saul meets Jesus on the Road to Damascus

Act 9:1  Now Saul, whose every breath was a threat of destruction for the disciples of the Lord,
Act 9:2  went to the High Priest and begged from him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, in order that if he found any believers there, either men or women, he might bring them in chains to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3  But on the journey, as he was getting near Damascus, suddenly there flashed round him a light from Heaven;
Act 9:4  and falling to the ground he heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
Act 9:5  "Who art thou, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," was the reply.

Conversion according to the Scriptures is a Transformation from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God.  Saul, the bigotted  fanatic of Judaism, breathed out threats and persecution to the Disciples of Jesus Christ. On the road to Damascus he met the Lord Jesus Himself and his life was for ever changed.
He was overpowered with a Light from heaven which blinded him for two days. Here was authority greater than he had ever encountered.
He fell to the ground hearing a voice, “Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting me?” it asked.
He asked from the ground, “ Who are you Lord?” and was answered.” I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting?” Now he acknowledged that he was no longer in charge and that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Blind he was instructed now what to do, instead of giving the instructions himself.

The Christian disciple Ananias was sent to heal him of his blindness through the laying on of hands. Ananias was definitely wary of this man who was such a persecutor of the Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he obeyed the heavenly vision and went to the street called Straight. Ananias also knew the prophetic Future of  this young man.
Act 9:15  "Go," replied the Lord; "he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of Israel.
Act 9:16  For I will let him know the great sufferings which he must pass through for My sake."

Saul was healed , filled with the Holy Spirit and was Baptised in water.Then he remained some little time with the disciples in Damascus.
Act 9:20  And in the synagogues he began at once to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God;
Act 9:21  and his hearers were all amazed, and began to ask one another, "Is not this the man who in Jerusalem tried to exterminate those who called upon that Name, and came here on purpose to carry them off in chains to the High Priests?"
Act 9:22  Saul, however, gained more and more influence, and as for the Jews living in Damascus, he bewildered them with his proofs that Jesus is the Christ.
Eventually the Jews attempted to kill Saul and he escaped to Jerusalem

Paul preaches and visits Jerusalem and returns to Tarsus. There is no need to despair of the conversion of those who commit the worst outrages against Christianity, for the power of the Lord Jesus is able to break down the stubborn will of one who is at the same time chief of legalists and chief of sinners. God chooses the instruments He would employ in His service, and is able to fit them for His designs by the power of His Spirit.