Conversion of Saul/Paul pt. 1

Background: (Read Acts 22:2-5; Acts 23:6; Philippians 3:5-6; Galatians 1:13-24) Saul’s beginnings are very much different from that of the original Disciples. Disciples – rural, uneducated, poor. Saul – urban, well-educated, upper class. Saul was born in Tarsus, an important trading city located in southeastern Asia Minor (modern day Turkey.) His family was descendants of the tribe of Benjamin. His father being a Pharisee was a person of importance in Tarsus. Moreover, Saul was a Jew who also was a Roman citizen. Roman citizenship was a big deal and not easy to obtain. It came with important civil/legal rights that non-Roman citizens, such as Jews in Judea, did not enjoy. At some point during his youth, Saul moved to Jerusalem where he received a religious education under the direction of Gamaliel, one of the greatest teachers of the Law. Gamaliel was a Pharisee who was well respected by the Jews. He was more liberal than his Pharisee brethren. Gamaliel studied Greek literature; recommended that the Sabbath restrictions be made less burdensome on the people; urged kindness toward Gentiles; and expressed tolerance toward Christians. (Read Acts 5:30-39). By his account, Saul was an excellent student (Galatians 1:13-14.) Despite his teacher’s liberal views, Saul fell into the camp of the hard-lined Pharisees who espoused a strict observance of the Law (read Philippians 3:5-6) Being a Pharisee in training, it’s very possible that Saul witnessed Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. As Christianity exploded in Jerusalem after Pentecost, Saul developed a deep contempt for the followers of this new faith. He viewed them as traitors to their heritage and violators of the Law who deserved the ultimate punishment – death. We first meet Saul at the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:57-8:3.) The act of the witnesses laying their clothes at Saul’s feet is seen by some scholars as a gesture acknowledging Saul being in charge of Stephen’s execution. From this point on, Saul goes on a crusade to destroy the Church. He is the Sanhedrin’s chief prosecutor against the Church. The very name of Saul instilled fear in the hearts of the first Christians.

Read Acts 9:1-9

1. What was Saul’s request to the high priest? Permission to arrest followers of Jesus found in Damascus and bring them to Jerusalem to be imprisoned, tried as Law breakers, and stoned to death. Damascus was the largest city in the Near East. Trivia – Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. In Saul’s day, it had a large Jewish population. Evidently, many Jews in Damascus were becoming followers of the Way. The distance between Jerusalem and Damascus was 150 miles – a four to six day journey.

2. As Saul neared Damascus, what happened? He was hit by an extremely bright flash of light from the sky followed by a voice. What did the voice say? “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Whose voice was this? Jesus. Why did He phrase the question to Saul the way He did? Jesus was informing Saul that in attacking the followers of the Way he was attacking Jesus Himself. Moreover, Jesus wanted to point out to Saul the futility of his mission. Saul was only hurting himself. He was fighting against God and no one comes out of that battle unscathed.

3. How did Saul acknowledge the source of the voice (vs. 5)? Lord – master, owner. A title given to God by his followers. Saul knew that this voice was from God. He was taught by his religious teachers that a voice from Heaven belonged to God.

4. What did Jesus tell Saul to do? Go to Damascus and await further orders.

5. After Saul got up from the ground, what was wrong with him? He was blind. The men who were with Saul helped him reach Damascus. For the next three days, he did not eat or drink. Only prayed.