Acts 9 tells about a man named Saul who was heading to Damascus to persecute Christians (verses 1-2).
On the road to Damascus, Saul was met by Jesus. Following this encounter, Saul was converted to the truth. He became known as Paul, and was inspired to write about half of the New Testament. A number of important lessons can be learned from Saul’s conversion detailed in this chapter:
We Cannot Overthrow God: On the road to Damascus, Jesus said to Saul, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5).
The phrase “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” illustrates Saul’s efforts to stop Christianity from spreading. His fight against Christ actually caused the Gospel to spread more (Acts 8:3-4). He did not accomplish what he set out to, and brought harm on himself as he fought against God.
Ironically, Saul’s mentor Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) once commented about the foolishness of fighting against God. Speaking of the apostles, Gamaliel said “Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39). No matter how hard man tries, no one can “overthrow” Christ and His church. No one can overthrow God.
Repentance is a 180º Change: In Acts 9, Saul was transformed from one persecuting Christ (Acts 22:19-20) to one who “straightway… preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20).
This is the nature of repentance. It is an “about face.” It is a 180º change. Saul’s conversion was manifested in an immediate, wholehearted turn to God. Like Saul, we must turn in the opposite direction when we have sin in our lives.
“Chiefest” of Sinners Can Be Forgiven: If there was ever a time for God to say, “you’ve caused too much harm for me to forgive you,” one might think Acts 9 would be the time. Yet, when Saul did what the Lord required, his sins were washed away (Acts 22:16). Through Saul’s conversion, God showed us that the “chief” of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) can be forgiven.
We have all sinned and grossly mistreated God (Rom. 3:23). Yet, as long as we are on earth, we all have the opportunity to submit to God’s terms for forgiveness.
Such assurance should not make us take the thought of future sin lightly or “procrastinate” obedience. It should, however, dissuade us from thinking we cannot be forgiven because of past sins.
Sinners Can Become Servants: Not only was Saul forgiven, he was granted the opportunity to “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). One of the most influential preachers in the history of Christianity “was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (1 Tim. 1:13), yet by the grace of God became someone who did much good.
Saul (Paul) remained humbled by his mistakes long after he repented (1 Cor. 15:9). Yet, he trusted in God’s grace, “tore off the rear-view mirror,” and failed to let his sinful past haunt him (Phil. 3:13-14).
The Truth Can Change Anyone (with the Proper Heart): As outsiders considered Saul, he may have seemed like the unlikeliest of individuals to follow Jesus. Those who “pre-judged the soil” (cf. Matt. 13:19-23) would have avoided him and sought someone else to teach. Yet, when Saul learned the truth, it changed his life.
God’s word has the power to do the same today. Those of us entrusted with spreading the truth should not avoid those we think will be unlikely to heed the Gospel. In so doing, we may ignore one who could one day become an excellent servant for Christ.
God’s Terms for Washing Sins Away: In Acts 9 (and Acts 22 and 26), we see an example of how one becomes a Christian and has his or her sins forgiven. Saul was a penitent believer (cf. Acts 9:6), but was told he also needed to be baptized to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16).
Saul’s baptism did not assure all future sins would be forgiven. If he sinned after becoming a Christian, he would need to repent and pray for God’s forgiveness (Acts 8:22). Through his conversion, though, we learn what is needed for a non-Christian to get into Christ and receive forgiveness.
May both Christians and those outside of Christ learn from Saul’s example, and consider how these lessons apply to us.
– Michael Hickox