A C T S     O F    T H E      A  P O T L E S   Chapter 9  v 1-18

 

In this Chapter, we have the story of the most famous conversion in history, being that of Paul; and his first meeting with the Lord

Paul a Greek speaking Jew, who was born in Tarsus in the land we know as Syria.  He was first named Saul, and was a well educated man, but took the name of Paul.  He was a Pharisee, a member of a religious Party which believed in life after death, and held with conviction.

 As a Pharisee, spent his role as a persecutor of Christians, having them arrested and sometimes killed.  He believed he was serving God. In the pursuit of this he obtained  permission from the High Priest to travel to Damascus, and enter any Synagogue.  Prior to starting the journey, he was present at the stoning to death of Stephen, a disciple of Jesus.  This seemed to upset Him as he started the journey.

Soon after beginning on the Damascus Road, a light blinded him and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, why do you persecute me?  Paul answered, who are you Lord?  The reply was, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do. 

The men with him were speechless; they heard the sound but did not see any body. Paul got up but could not see, so they led him by the hand into Damascusand for three days he did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias, who was called by Jesus, and told to go to a house in Straight Street, where Paul was waiting in a blind state, and lay hands on him to restore his sight.  Ananias was shocked for people knew Paul as a persecutor who was going to arrest all Christians  in the city. Jesus told Ananias that God had chosen Paul, to be serving with Jesus to tell the Gentiles about Jesus and make them Christian, and will show Paul how he will suffer for serving Jesus.

Ananias did as he was asked, laying hands on Paul to restore sight, and then baptizing him to fill him with the Holy Spirit.

Paul began his new life serving Jesus with devotion, enduring much hardship by beatings, chased out of cities, imprisoned for preaching, and other unpleasant happenings.  He was the greatest missionary, making numerous missions, wrote thirteen Letters for the New Testament, created Churches in cities of the ancient world.  His Letters were masterpieces of Christian teaching, leading and guiding both Christian and Jews to follow Jesus, and are as relevant to the Church to-day as they have been down the ages.

A great Apostle serving Jesus to his last day. Millions of people have become Christian by reading or hearing his words. It has often been said, when Paul spoke it was like God speaking.

May God be Praised and Glorified