This story is told 3 times in Acts (9, 22, 26). “Only an event of the greatest importance would merit such repetition by an author whose hallmark is brevity.”-Willimon
On The Damascus Road
Here, on the road to Damascus with Saul, we have the most famous conversion in history. However, if you were walking in his shoes and thinking his thoughts, you would see this was not a sudden conversion, but a sudden surrender. Something about Stephen must have stuck in Saul’s mind or even haunted him at times; and to make matters worse, now he was persecuting Christians in Jerusalem. He must have been wondering how these simple people could live, suffer and die like they were…so peaceful and fearless. Wrestling with his conscience, he went to the Sanhedrin to get letters authorizing him to arrest any Christians he found in Damascus.
Damascus was the ancient capital of Syria, located east of Mt. Hermon and northeast of Jerusalem. It was situated on the edge of the desert at the crossroads of some of the most important highways in the ancient Mid-Eastern world. Three major caravan routes passed through this city; and because of its ideal location it became a trade center for neighboring nations…making it the “heart of Syria.” It was also a place where Jewish customs and Greek culture met and often conflicted…which is significant to our story.
This was 1 of the disagreements that had marked this area since the time of Zechariah’s prophecy about the coming King (Jesus Christ) and a conflict of cultural ideals (Zech.9:9-13). Historically, this was seen in the aggression of Alexander the Great and the later victories of Judas Maccabaeus; but the deeper significance was found in the opposing ideals of Hebrews and Hellenists. Hebrews embraced Jewish religion, community and moral law. Hellenists embraced Greek cultural ideals related to freedom, nature and individuality (like today’s conflict of Religion vs Humanism, Consevatives vs Liberals).
In the time of Christ, we see this same antagonism in the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Jewish nation had become divided into 2 parties, but the majority was Sadducean. The Sadducees were liberal Hellenists, and the Pharisees were conservative Hebrews. This same battle was raging inside of Saul; who was raised in Hellenistic Tarsus, and then sent to study under the Pharisee Gamaliel. Stephen’s speech was a protest of the Hellenism of the Sadducees as he emphasized the spiritual heart and history of true religion; and charged them with turning from spiritual things and rejecting supernaturalism. This was Saul’s belief, and it must have affected him (ie. kicking against the goads-v 5)
Now, Saul has gone to the Sanhedrin (Hellenistic Sadducees) for authority to purify the Jewish religion from the Christians. This must have stirred up the inner conflict between his childhood memories and zealous religious convictions. The journey would take a week of walking. Saul traveled with some Sanhedrin officers (like police); and as a Pharisee, he could have nothing to do with them. He must have walked alone ahead of them. At some point, he probably passed by Jacob’s well, where Jesus had dispelled these types of prejudices (Jn.4, as Paul would later Eph.2:11-22, Gal.1:11-14, Acts 26:9-11).
Then “suddenly” there was a great light shining from Heaven as bright as the sun. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?!?” Saul asks, “Who are you Lord?...and the voice says, “I AM JESUS!!!” (Acts 9:3-5)
Jesus was not dead, but alive; and not disgraced but in Heavenly Glory. Jesus spoke in Hebrew, and brought the 2-fold revelation that was to mark Paul’s life and ministry: Jesus is Lord and HE is one with the Christians…the Church. In that moment, the long battle was over…Saul became Paul, and surrendered to Christ.
Paul’s Example
Paul is to be an inspirational example for all who are believers (1Tim.1:16). He is a trophy of grace, revealing God’s great mercy and patience. His life and faith serve as a pattern that we can learn from and follow (2Tim.1:13-14). Although Paul’s experience in this story is unique, the principles found here are not. Here we find a model for conversion, calling, and Christian Life. Let’s take a look at these:
Conversion
With astonishing “suddenness” the persecutor of the church became the apostle of Jesus Christ. Saul the religious zealot became Paul the Christian. This dramatic conversion has become a standard for radical life changes, which are often referred to as “Damascus road experiences.”
Conversion, however, is not just about an instant change of someone’s life; it’s also about turning and refocusing to see things differently. It often is the culmination of a long preparation process; and may involve a series of steps that brings you steadily closer to Christ, rather than a startling vision and shocking voice. Many times it is the result of God growing you to know Him and gain a new perspective of life. Vision and conversion “doesn't usually come as a lightning bolt. Rather, it comes as a slow crystallization of life challenges that we one day recognize as a beautiful diamond with great value to ourselves & others'' (Dr. Norwood).Paul’s conversion (and ours) was a gift from God that enabled him to look at life in a new way. A revelation of who Jesus is…the risen Lord of Heaven and earth is the key element of a true conversion. Lordship produces a changed heart and different perspective of everything in life.
Lordship
“Who are you, Lord?...I AM Jesus!”-Acts 9:5
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him.”-Col. 2:6
Paul’s surrender to the Lordship of Christ was immediate and total. Jesus is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), so we should receive Him as such and live lives that are centered on Him. Lordship is Christ-centeredness and is about who He is and what He did for us, not who we are and what we do for Him. "In everything He must have the supremacy" (Col 2:18), not just in church matters, but in all of life - not just on Sundays, but 24/7.
“Lord” is mentioned 14 times in Acts 9:1-31. This is the Greek word kurios (Strong’s #2962), and it means, “from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, by implication, Mr. (as a respectful title); he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, owner, lord; the possessor and disposer of a thing.” Kurios is rendered in the KJV as, “God, Lord, master, Sir.” This entire setting of Paul’s CALLING and CONVERSION has to do with the Lordship of Christ and the realm of the KINGDOM (basileia = royalty, rule, a realm, kingship, dominion; the right or authority to rule over a kingdom). This is the Gospel that Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles preached (Acts 1:3; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25, 28:23, 31, + Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 4:20; Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:12; and 2 Tim. 4:18).
Because of Jesus love and Lordship (cross & crown), He is "King of kings and Lord of lords." Therefore, we believe (like Paul) that whole-hearted surrender to God's word and will is vital to the Christian life and spiritual growth (Mt. 22:37, Jn. 5:30, Mt. 6:10, 1 Sam. 15:22, 16:7, 2 Cor. 5:14-15, Rom. 1:5, 1 Pet 1:2). Paul modeled this by yielding and obedience; and acknowledged it by saying from here on “I am the prisoner of the Lord.”
Calling
“What shall I do, Lord?” “Get up, go into the city, and there you will be told what you must do…all that you have been assigned to do.”-Acts 9:5, 22:10
That is calling and discipleship. Up to that moment, Paul had been doing what he liked or thought was best. Now he would be told his assignment and taught what to do. The Christian disciple is someone who knows and follows the Lord. He obeys HIS command and commission, and has ceased doing what he wants to seek God’s will and ways. The disciple is committed to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Christ. To learn of and live for the Presence, pleasure and purposes of God.
We are all on a search for significance. We struggle with questions of identity, meaning and direction like, “Who am I? Why am I here? What should I do with my life? Where am I going?” We want to make a difference and “leave the world a better place.” Deep within our hearts, we desire to find and fulfill a purpose bigger than ourselves. The call of God gives you the answer to those questions and both the inspiration and aims for your life.
Calling simply means that “God calls you.” He speaks to catch your ear or get your attention, to name you (bring identity and definition to who you are), and invite you into relationship and purpose. You are called by Him, to Him and for Him. Invited to know God, follow Christ, join His work and participate in His purposes. While doing this, we also discover our own part to play in His plans, and become the “called-out ones” (Gr. Ekklesia, translated Church).
You find and fulfill a calling by discovering and living a combination of things: devotion to Christ, divine design (what you are created for, gifted at and passionate about), discipleship (growing in grace and faith) and destiny (what your life-purpose is, and where you are going). Many people today are lost in a sea of meaningless ambition and overwhelming dissatisfaction. God’s grace saves us out of our hopeless striving, calling us to lay down the pride and self-absorption that fuels our defeat; and to let our lives be a living witness for Christ.
Note: The supernatural character of Paul’s calling also brings to mind the story of Moses meeting God in the unexpected light from the burning bush. There he also heard God’s calling, asked, “Who are you?!?” and God answered, “I AM who I AM!” This encounter with the Living God transformed Moses (Ex.3).
Conclusion
Notice (Acts 9:10-11): that Abraham (Gen. 22:1), Jacob (Gen. 31:11), Moses (Ex. 3:4), and Samuel (1 Sam. 3:4-10), all said, like Ananias, “Yes Lord…Here I am.” Compare that with these words, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Who shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here I am; send me” (Isa. 6:1-8). God reveals Himself, speaks to us, we respond and surrender to His will, and God sends us into His purposes. That is a picture of conversion, calling and discipleship. Let’s look for and listen to God. When HE speaks, say yes and answer the call!
“Christianity is not just an add-on to our lives or a self-help plan; it is a total transformation of who we are, how we see the world and where we are going. When we (like Paul) see God for who HE really is, when we reinterpret our lives and world in light of that revelation, our response can be nothing less than whole-hearted, entire life devotion to God.”
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