Lesson for May 21, 2025

Paul the Apostle

Paul’s Conversion

Acts 9:1-19

Lesson 1

Paul (his Roman name) was a Jew by race (Saul was his Jewish name), but a Roman by citizenship. Acts 13:9a, “But Saul, who was also known as Paul…” Saul of Tarsus became a leader in the Sanhedrin, as a Pharisee. The Sanhedrin was the supreme religious and judicial council of the Jewish people in Judea, particularly in Jerusalem. It consisted of scribes, who were lawyers and scholars that transcribed and interrupted the Law, Sadducees, who were politicians, and Pharisees, who were religious leaders. Paul called himself a Hebrew of Hebrews and said he exceeded all his peers in the Jewish traditions, according to Galatians 1:13-14. His Jewish name Saul was after his ancestor King Saul. We know that Paul was a Roman citizen who was also a Jewish Pharisee, by comparing Acts 22:28 and Philippians 3:5.

Saul was the most zealous of the Pharisees in persecuting the Church, until his conversion to Christ on the road to Damascus, according to Acts 9:1-19, I Corinthians 15:9, and Galatians 1:13. Saul had heard that there were Christians in Damascus and he wanted to go there and hunt them down. “The Way” was how Christians were first described. He wanted to go up and capture any of these people who had become Christians and bring them down to Jerusalem for trial. Saul’s main goal in life was persecuting and killing Christians. So, he went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found anyone belonging to the Way, he could bring them bound to Jerusalem for prosecution.

Acts 9:3-5, ^“Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You Lord?’”

On his way to Damascus, Saul “met” Jesus, as an extremely bright, blinding light knocked Saul to the ground and Jesus spoke to him from Heaven. Saul heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” This was a very powerful statement, and Saul knew immediately that the Person speaking to him was God (Who are You Lord?). Jesus then said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting…” He used the word “Jesus” because this is the title for the humanity of Christ. Saul hadn’t persecuted Christ personally, but he had been persecuting believers, and since these believers were in union with Christ, he was actually persecuting Christ. 

Acts 9:8-9, ^“Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Saul was now completely helpless. He had been blinded temporarily and was taken into the city to wait.

Acts 9:10-12, “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 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.” A disciple means one who has prepared themselves to follow someone. Ananias was prepared to follow God because he knew the Word of God. Ananias’ name is a Hebrew word meaning “protected by the Lord.” The wonderful service that Ananias rendered for Paul would have world-wide repercussions. Ananias demonstrated the importance of a believer knowing enough doctrine to be used by God to teach others like Saul.

When Jesus wanted Saul to get off to a good start as a believer, He used a resource He had in Damascus to do so. Jerusalem was the “seat of Christianity” at this time, but God kept Paul from the apostles who were there because they were still struggling with grace orientation. They would later be confronted by Paul, after he learned the doctrine of grace and the mystery doctrine of the Church Age. (Colossians 1:25-27; Ephesians 3:1-3; Galatians 1:11-12; II Corinthians 12:1-4)

Ananias was qualified to teach Paul. Acts 22:12-16,“But since I (Paul) could not see because of the brightness of that light, I came into Damascus being led by the hand by those who were with me. Now a certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law and well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me.’” Ananias was a student of the Old Testament Scriptures (…a man who was devout by the standard of the Law…), well respected, and had a good reputation with all the Jews who lived in Damascus. The word “Law” referred to the Old Testament Scriptures. Ananias was a believer who had been studying the Old Testament Scriptures. As a result of knowing Bible doctrine and being oriented to the grace of God, he was well prepared to be used to teach Saul .

Acts 9:11, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 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.” Saul was now waiting in Damascus for a man named Ananias that he had seen in a vision to heal his blindness.

Acts 9:12-16, “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. But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” Notice, we have two viewpoints in these verses: Ananias’ and God’s. Ananias’ viewpoint was the fear of being imprisoned or killed by Saul, having heard of him and his persecution of believers. This was human viewpoint. God’s viewpoint was to “do as I command you and leave the results to Me.” This was divine viewpoint. Remember Ananias’ name meant “protected by the Lord!” He is a chosen instrument of Mine.  The Greek word for instrument referred to a vessel used for holding water, etc. Clay vessels implemented carrying and pouring water, for instance. In the same way, God had chosen Paul to be his special vessel to carry and share the Gospel to the world. To bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. The Greek word bear is “bastazo,” and means to carry a message, to carry a principle, to carry something that is important. There are three phrases to describe the Roman world in which Paul would operate: “to the Gentiles” – the Romans and those whom they had conquered; “to kings” – the rulers of the Roman Empire; and “the children of Israel” – to the Jews.”

For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake. Before Paul ever took one step into the ministry, he knew ahead of time that it would involve suffering, having administered it himself to Christians. God used Ananias, and later others, in Paul’s preparation. But the thing that he knew right from the start was how much he was going to have to suffer. Some of the greatest blessings in life come through suffering. Even though Paul would have maximum suffering throughout his life, as a believer he would also have maximum blessing amid those sufferings. The way of happiness amid suffering is the knowledge and application of Bible doctrine.

The information that Ananias received from God would not be revealed to other believers until a few years later. Saul of Tarsus would become Paul the Apostle and have one of the greatest impacts for Christ, by carrying the Gospel and Bible doctrine to people throughout the known world. It is interesting to note that the worst unbeliever, at that time, became the greatest believer, perhaps of all time.

Acts 9:17-19, ^“So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.” There were two kinds of blindness with Saul: physical and spiritual. God used Ananias to accomplish the restoration of both. First, Ananias simply laid his hands on Saul and his sight was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then Saul was baptized in water as a demonstration of his faith in Christ.

With Paul, Bible doctrine became his life, and everything else in life was simply a detail. This story of Paul is a great lesson for each of us. We too can be used like Ananias, if we are prepared to do so. Preparation for a life of service to God begins and continues with a solid knowledge of God’s Word and a willingness to be used by God. It is true that we do not know the true ramifications of our witness for Christ. You may be an “instrument” that God uses to lead a person Christ, to teach a believer sound Bible doctrine, or to inspire someone to become the next great believer!!! I Peter 3:15,“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.”