The Conversion of Saul
Mike Johnson
The Bible records the conversion of Saul in three places. It is recorded in Acts 9:1-18, 22:1-16, and 26:12-18. We will focus on the accounts in Acts 9 and Acts 22, as we examine this conversion case.
Background Information
Saul was born in Tarsus (Acts 21:39). He was most likely sent to Jerusalem at an early age for his religious training. Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a well-known teacher of the Law, mentored Saul. Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin Council and was held in high esteem by the people.
Saul, later known as Paul, advanced in the Jewish religion. Galatians 1:14, written by Paul, says that he “advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation,” and he points out that he was “more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Also note Phil. 3:4-6 and Acts 26:4-6). However, when Christ came, Saul rejected Him, choosing instead to try and serve God under the Law of Moses. Saul was even present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58) and agreed with Stephen’s murder (Acts 8:1). He also persecuted the church (I Cor. 15:9), and he put many saints in prison (Acts 26:10).
Saul’s Conversion
From the book of Acts, we learn that Saul was not content with just persecuting the church at Jerusalem. The church at Damascus had some success, so Saul decided to go there and bring Christians back to Jerusalem for punishment (9:1-2). He received permission to do this from the high priest and then departed for that city. When he neared Damascus, a light came from heaven, and a voice said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?” Saul was perplexed at this point. Jesus, the speaker, then identified Himself. Saul, no doubt in a very emotional state by this time, asked what he needed to do, and the Lord said, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Saul, blinded by the light, was led into the city. He did not eat or drink anything for three days and continued to be without sight. Finally, God sent Ananias to Saul, who healed him of his blindness and told him (22:16), “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Saul became a Christian and an Apostle. He was a faithful servant of God, and he is the writer of many of the New Testament books.
Not Just Any Religion
This conversion case shows us that “just any religion” will not do. Before Saul’s conversion, he was in the Jewish religion—a religion based on God’s revelation, the Law of Moses. Saul had been faithful to his religion. However, at this time, the Law of Moses had been done away with (Col. 2:14), and he could not be saved by it. He needed to become a Christian. After the abolishment of the Law of Moses, salvation was only through Christ (Act 4:12). Thus, Saul’s former religion was insufficient.
Many people today think that most any religion will do. This concept, however, is far from the truth. We must be a part of the church for which Jesus died. Many today are a part of religious groups which God did not start. In Matthew 15:13, Jesus said, “…Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” Also, Matthew 15:9 says, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Today, not just any religion will do. It must be according to God’s Word (Jn. 4:24).
When Was He Saved?
When was Paul saved? Was it while he was on the road to Damascus when the Lord first appeared to him, or was it later, after his baptism in Damascus? The answer to this question is in God’s Word, which should remove any controversy.
Acts 9:4-6 shows that Saul did not initially realize that Jesus was God’s son as he traveled on the road to Damascus. While going, a light appeared, and a voice spoke. Saul asked who it was, and the one speaking revealed that He was Jesus. Saul, “ . . . trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what do You want me to do?” At this point, it seems clear that Saul understood Jesus was the son of God. Was he saved at this point? Was he saved by merely accepting that Christ was God’s son? He was not told, “Why, Saul, you do not have to do anything as you now believe and are saved.” No, instead, he was told (6b), “. . . Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The account of Acts 9 only records that Saul arose and Ananias baptized him. However, the account in Acts 22 gives more detail about what Paul had to do. In verse 16, Ananias tells him, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” It is clear that Saul still had his sins even though the Lord had appeared to him, he was a believer, had repented, had been praying, and had not eaten for three days. Why was this? Even though Saul was a believer, he had not been baptized, and thus, he still had his sins. Therefore, Saul was unsaved on the road to Damascus. He was unbaptized at that point, and surely no one would argue that he was saved, still having his sins.
Sometimes, people argue from Acts 9:17 that Ananias called Saul “brother” before his baptism, and thus, he was a brother in Christ before baptism. The term “brother” is used in the Bible to refer to Christians. However, it was also used frequently among the Jews to refer to their fellow Jews (note Acts 7:2, 22:1, 2:29). What is the use here? When Ananias called Saul “brother,” he still had his sins (22:16), i.e., he was unsaved. He remained lost because he had not been baptized. Without a doubt, the term, at this point, is used in the sense of nationality instead of as a brother in Christ.
Acts 22:16 perfectly agrees with what the Bible has to say in other places about baptism. Acts 2:38 teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins. Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” All three of these passages are saying the same basic idea. Baptism is essential for salvation. There is a lot to learn from Saul’s conversion.