Empowered: Saul's Conversion

Available on Monday!

Key Bible Verses

• Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-31

DIGGING DEEPER

Saul had a miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus. He heard a direct word from Jesus. Jesus took away his physical sight, and Saul was made blind. His fellow travelers, who were not physically blinded, had to lead Saul into the city.

Ironically, Saul was blind spiritually before he was made physically blind by Jesus. It took another believer, Ananias, to come to Saul and proclaim, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me to pray for you so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17-19)

When Saul got to Jerusalem, another fearless believer, Barnabas, came alongside him as he sought acceptance by the other apostles and disciples in Jerusalem.  

We see how Saul needed strong believers to fearlessly share the Gospel with him and vouch for him. The community of believers was able to help Saul put together all the pieces of what was miraculously happening to him. Their support and encouragement helped Saul become a powerful influence and proclaimer of the Gospel at the beginning of his life as a believer and servant of Jesus Christ. (Acts 9:20-22)

Because of faithful men like Ananias and Barnabas, a great leader, Saul, was launched on his journey of serving King Jesus. Acts 9:31 shares that “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in number.” God also calls us to be faithful encouragers of one another, even in difficult times, so that His Gospel can be proclaimed, leaders can be nurtured and developed, and many come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

WHAT NOT TO MISS

Saul was on his way to Damascus to seek out and arrest followers of Jesus, because he feared that those believers who left Jerusalem due to persecution would infect other Jewish communities with their faith in Jesus. 

Saul’s Dark Side 

• Saul was violent and condoned the murder of Stephen.
• He breathed threats to murder the Lord’s disciples.
• Saul was an unmerciful, relentless oppressor of those who believed in Jesus.

Jesus Stopped Saul in His Tracks

• Jesus targeted Saul on the Damascus road. Only Saul saw Jesus and not the others on the journey with Saul.
• Jesus declared to Saul, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” 
• Jesus blinded Saul to stop him on his path of destruction.
• Jesus gave Saul instructions on what to do next.  
• Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road changed everything!

Others Stepped in to Minister to Saul

• Ananias was the instrument God used for Saul's physical and spiritual conversion (restoration of physical sight and spiritual filling of the Holy Spirit).
• Barnabas was a witness to the other disciples in Jerusalem about Saul's experience and conversion.  
• Other believers helped Saul escape when he was being persecuted. (Acts 9:25; 9:30)

After Saul’s Conversion He was Bold in His Witness to King Jesus

• Saul went to the synagogues in Damascus and began to preach that Jesus is the Son of God. (Acts 9:20)
• Saul proclaimed Jesus in Jerusalem and to the Greek-speaking Jews who then wanted to kill him. (Acts 9:28-29)

Peace and Strengthening of the Believers

• After Saul’s conversion in Damascus and experience in Jerusalem, the disciples took Saul to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus.
• Then the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened.
• Believers lived in the fear of the Lord and were encouraged by the Holy Spirit.
• The believers increased in numbers.

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Life Application

During this week, be aware of people God has placed around you who are spiritually blind and do not know about Jesus. How might God be calling you to share your faith with them? What would you share with them about the Gospel, so they can become believers and be filled with the Holy Spirit?   

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If you would like to learn how to share your faith with others in an easy and relational way, Dan Hardaway is leading a one-session class on this topic. The class, Sharing Your Hope with Others, will take place this  Thursday, March 16, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., in Room 4206-07. Register here.

Small Group Discussion Questions

• Recall a situation when you passionately thought you were right, but then you had to change your position?
• What was Saul’s response to the Lord’s disciples to begin with, and how did his situation and position change after he encountered Jesus?  
• How did Ananias initially respond to God when he was told to go to Saul?
• How did Ananias and Barnabas minister to Saul, and why were their actions considered remarkable and critical to the spread of the Gospel?

Daily Devotional Bible Passages

• Monday- Conversion and Calling- 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:4-9; Romans 11:13
• Tuesday - Surrender- 1 Corinthians 9:19; Philippians 3:7-8; Galatians 2:20
• Wednesday- Faithfulness-1 Corinthians; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Timothy 5:24
• Thursday - Suffering- 2 Corinthians 11:23-30; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Philippians 4:11-13
• Friday - Spreading the Gospel- Romans 10:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 2:19-20

Prayer

Lord, we have many people around us who are hostile to the Gospel. They are bitter and angry and, for various reasons, they hate religion. Help us to care for them and have the right words to share so that they might see your great love. Let us be your representative in their lives so the scales on their eyes fall off and they can see Jesus, our wonderful Savior. 

Additional Resources

–Sign up for the Northland Newsletter.

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–Participate in the class, "Sharing Your Hope with Others."