“Conversions in Acts” — What did they do to become Christians?
Part 5.
Over the past several weeks, we have noticed four specific conversion accounts in the Book of Acts:
The 3,000 on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38, 41).
Those in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:1-12).
“Simon the Sorcerer” (Acts 8:13).
The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40).
We now come to Acts 9 where we read about the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.
The Background
While this text provides the original account of when Saul became a Christian, the conversion story is repeated later in the Book of Acts (Acts 22:1-16; 26:12-18).
We are first introduced to “Saul of Tarsus” back in Acts 7. Those who stoned Stephen (the first Christian martyr) laid their garments at the feet of a “young man named Saul” (Acts 7:58).
Saul was blood-thirsty for Christians and wanted to wipe them out completely. He approached the high priest and obtained “letters” (perhaps arrest warrants) that would allow him to travel to Damascus on a “journey of destruction” (Acts 9:1).
He was on a mission to persecute the church of Christ which, as we will notice from the text, was also a persecution of the Christ of the church.
Jesus Appears to Saul on the Road to Damascus
Damascus was about 140 miles northeast of his location so it would have taken about a week to arrive there. The Bible says that if he “found any who were of the Way,” he would bring them bound to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2).
As he and his companions traveled, they approached Damascus at about noon one day (Acts 22:6). Saul was then blinded by a bright light from Heaven which was described as being far more intense than the glare of the sun (Acts 26:13). In the midst of the light, the resurrected and exalted Jesus Christ appeared to Saul (Acts 9:17).
Saul then heard these words: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Consider the implication: Luke recorded that Saul persecuted the church (Acts 8:3) and yet Jesus told him that he was persecuting Him (Acts 9:4). When one persecutes the church, they are persecuting Jesus Who is the Head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18) and the Savior of the body (Eph. 4:4; 5:23).
What Jesus Told Saul to Do
After Saul heard these words, he responded with a question: “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.”
Notice that Saul was not saved the moment he saw the resurrected Lord nor was he saved the moment he heard His voice and believed. Jesus told Saul to “arise,” “go,” “hear” (you will be told), and “do” (what you MUST do).
Saul knew there was something to be done and that it was a “must.” Furthermore, his response would necessitate obedience in a plurality of matters (hearing, responding properly, obeying).
While Saul Waited
For the next three days, Saul could not see a thing and did not eat or drink anything (Acts 9:8-9). A certain disciple named Ananias was sent by God to preach the Gospel to Paul (Acts 9:10).
The Lord told Ananias that he would find Saul “praying” (Acts 9:11). Dear friend, if the “sinner’s prayer” were true, wouldn’t this have been the perfect opportunity for Saul to “ask Jesus into his heart?” Ananias could have simply said, “Saul, you are already praying so just repeat after me…,” but that is not what the Bible says!
Ananias Comes to Saul
As we continue through the text, we read of the conversion of Saul:
“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus” (Acts 9:17-19).
Notice the formula: He heard the word of the Lord, believed, repented (“Lord, what will you have me to do,) and responded to the Gospel by immediately being baptized.
This harmonizes beautifully with Acts 22:16: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Saul (also known as Paul) would go forth to preach the Gospel to multitudes (Col. 1:23) and write powerful epistles as an inspired apostle of Jesus Christ (John 16:13; 1 Cor. 14:37; Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1; Tit. 1:1).
He was converted the same way as the 3,000 were on the day of Pentecost, those in Samaria, Simon the Sorcerer, and the Ethiopian Eunuch.
Please carefully consider the evidence that is being presented regarding these “conversions in Acts” to grasp what is essential to one’s salvation and the simple pattern that is clearly evident!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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