Saul's Conversion

 Acts 9 = initial account of conversion

Acts 22 - recount of conversion by Paul before the Jews in Jerusalem

Acts 26 - 2nd. recount before King Agrippa in Caesarea.

Order of Events:  

(1)  martyrdom of Stephen - first Christian martyr
(2)  Acts. 8:1-3   persecution of Christians by Jewish leadership -  Acts 8:4 - word preached wherever they went

(3)  Acts 8:5 - Philip goes to Samaritans

(4)  Acts 8:26-27 - Philip goes to Ethiopian Eunuch

So... the gospel is spreading like crazy (or being spread by the people that were scattered due to persecution)
However, persecutions were increasing!  By the Jews.  Not Rome.

Notes:
Acts 9:1-2 -
(1)  Damascus approximately 150 miles north
(2)  the church is already well established there!
(3)  this was not Saul's 1st. or only persecution trip!!! - Acts 26;11 (numerous times)

Acts 9:3-5 - mid day
Acts 26:12-14 - "goads/ pricks" - (ox goads)  long stick with sharp pointed end

Acts 9:6-10  (note:  companions SAW light and heard sound but not a voice!!)  God speaking to Saul!!

Ananias?  Acts 22:12 - "devout and respected"

Acts 9:11-23

Saul's experience = dramatic, traumatic, "stunning", and immediately LIFE CHANGING!!

SO... some lessons, applications for US gleaned from Saul's experience on the Damascus Road.  
There are parallels here to any call made on our life.

#1.  No one is beyond God's grace
(Paul later) states "I'm chief of sinner":  "I persecuted the church"

Yet.... was chosen!! Example:  John Newton (slave trader); converted, became a preacher, wrote "Amazing Grace"

Point:  don't give up on anybody!!  Including... yourself!!!

But note (distinction)
The Gospel message is NOT a call to come and Receive salvation, Eternal Life, etc.
Rather = call to accept Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR!!  and with Him comes forgiveness, reconciliation, eternal life, etc.
It is not God passing out tickets to Eternal Life - come and get yours!

#2. Few conversions are as dramatic as Saul's, BUT all conversions share some common elements!
        (1)  a call from Jesus - (still small voice?  conviction of the Holy Spirit?
        (2)  a decision - (to respond to the call!)  Everybody has a choice!  (Note:  Acts 26:19 - didn't have to obey!!)

       (3)  A confession  (profession, admission)
Rom. 10:9-10
On one hand the prayer deos not save ..... Christ Saves!!
But Question:  Can a person make a real commitment without (verbal) profession?

      (4)  a turn-around  (converts, turn FROM and turn TO)
(Obviously less "turn" for a child is less obvious ... BUT ... (can you have a changed nature without no visible fruits?)

And
     (5)  A commission
On one hand = child of God
But, on the other hand, ALSO = SERVANT of God!!
So... (eventually) orders?  task? work? ministry?
God will call you to do something!!!  

#3.  A highly emotionally religious experience is not necessarily a conversion
Salvation = result of receiving Christ as Lord and Savior regardless of emotion

#4.  An encounter with Jesus is not always pleasant! 
maybe .... frightening?  shameful!  humbling, et.
(this is true even of subsequent encounters)

#5.  obedience to Christ does not always result in comfort.
Acts 9:16
(But .... does always result in Blessing!!)

#6.  Nevertheless, "it's hard to kick against the pricks"
Question:  point of goad?  = to motivate and direct!
Question:  "kicking against" hurts whom????   - the one being prodded

Finally,
#7.  God often begins an encounter with a question.
Examples:  Adam - "where art thou?"
                Elijah -  "what are you doing here?"
why a question?  Maybe because He KNOWS that you already know the answer ... and He's trying to get you to be honest with yourself!!  Act on the knowledge you have.

Example:  Saul = excellent example of our ability to deceive self!!

Closing Scripture:  1 Tim. 1:15-17