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Part 4
Saul's Conversion
The conversion of Saul is recorded in the Book of Acts, chapter 9, verses 1-19. Saul, who later became known as Paul, was a devout Jew who persecuted Christians. One day, while he was on his way to Damascus to continue his persecution of Christians, a bright light shone from the sky and knocked him to the ground. Saul heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Saul asked who was speaking, and the voice replied, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest."
Saul was blinded by the light, and his companions led him to Damascus. He remained there for three days without food or drink. Meanwhile, Jesus appeared to a Christian named Ananias and told him to go to Saul. Ananias was afraid of Saul because of his reputation as a persecutor of Christians, but Jesus assured him that Saul was now a chosen vessel to bear his name before the Gentiles.
Ananias went to Saul and prayed over him, and scales fell from Saul's eyes. Saul regained his sight, and Ananias baptized him. Saul's conversion was a dramatic turning point in his life. He had been so zealous to persecute Christians that he had become blind to the truth of Jesus Christ. However, after his encounter with Jesus, he became one of the most influential leaders in the early Christian church.
The moral of the story of Saul's conversion is that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Even someone as fervent in their opposition to Christianity as Saul can be transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. Saul's conversion shows us that God's love can overcome any obstacle, and that anyone who turns to him with a sincere heart can be forgiven and redeemed. It teaches us to never give up on anyone, no matter how entrenched they may seem in their beliefs or behaviors.
