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The Conversion of Saul
Acts 9:3-4
3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”Full bible text
Acts 9 verses 9 to 19.
1 ‘But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.’
1 ‘But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.’
About this painting
In the early days of the Christian community, after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Christians - 'those who were of that Way', verse 2 - have been severely persecuted from Judaism since the stoning of Stephen. Acts 8. Paul / Saul, a young, gifted, fanatical Pharisee, also participates in this, authorized by the high priest and the High Council in Jerusalem. Saul 'breathes threats and murder'. He 'destroys the church' (8 verse 3), and thinks he is doing 'a service to God'. John 16 verse 2.
The persecution causes Christians to flee, including to Damascus. Saul asks the high priest for authority to persecute and capture them there too.
Near Damascus, a light suddenly shines around him, brighter than the sun. Saul and his companions fall to the ground. Jesus Christ Himself appears to him and addresses him in Hebrew: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
“Who are you, Lord?”, “I am Jesus, whom you persecute; it is hard for you to turn your heels against the pricks.”
The last sentence refers to unwilling draft animals that back up against an iron pin. It marks Saul's resistance to God's work.
The church is the 'body of Christ', so Saul is persecuting Christ Himself.
The encounter with the exalted Christ brings about a deep change in Saul in one fell swoop. He tremblingly asks, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
Blind, but with opened spiritual eyes, he is brought to Damascus. God sends the disciple Ananias to him.
In verse 15 of this chapter the Lord says about the Jew Saul:
“For he is a chosen instrument of mine, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and the kings, and the children of Israel.”
Acts 22 verse 14: 'And he (Ananias) said, The God of our fathers has predestined you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice of His mouth,
15 For you must be witnesses before Him before all men of what you have seen and heard."
In 1 Timothy 1 verse 15 Paul / Saul writes:
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 But for this reason I have been shown mercy, so that Jesus Christ might show all His patience in me, the chief of sinners, as an example to those who would believe in Him to eternal life.”
The persecution causes Christians to flee, including to Damascus. Saul asks the high priest for authority to persecute and capture them there too.
Near Damascus, a light suddenly shines around him, brighter than the sun. Saul and his companions fall to the ground. Jesus Christ Himself appears to him and addresses him in Hebrew: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
“Who are you, Lord?”, “I am Jesus, whom you persecute; it is hard for you to turn your heels against the pricks.”
The last sentence refers to unwilling draft animals that back up against an iron pin. It marks Saul's resistance to God's work.
The church is the 'body of Christ', so Saul is persecuting Christ Himself.
The encounter with the exalted Christ brings about a deep change in Saul in one fell swoop. He tremblingly asks, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
Blind, but with opened spiritual eyes, he is brought to Damascus. God sends the disciple Ananias to him.
In verse 15 of this chapter the Lord says about the Jew Saul:
“For he is a chosen instrument of mine, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and the kings, and the children of Israel.”
Acts 22 verse 14: 'And he (Ananias) said, The God of our fathers has predestined you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice of His mouth,
15 For you must be witnesses before Him before all men of what you have seen and heard."
In 1 Timothy 1 verse 15 Paul / Saul writes:
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 But for this reason I have been shown mercy, so that Jesus Christ might show all His patience in me, the chief of sinners, as an example to those who would believe in Him to eternal life.”