HISTORY OF THE EARLY CHURCH FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS

Lesson 5 --- Saul of Tarsus (Paul) Became A Christian

(Acts 9, 22, 26)
I. From Persecutor to Christian

(See Acts 9:1-19)

1. Background of the Conversion of Saul

a. He was present when Stephen was killed
(Acts 7:58)
b. He approved of Stephens death
(Acts 8:1)
c. He dragged off men and women (Christians) and put them in prison
(Acts 8:3)
d. Later, he called himself the chief of sinners (the worst)
(I Timothy 1:15)
e. He was a very EDUCATED MAN taught by Gamaliel, one of the
greatest teachers of Israel
(Acts 22;3-5)
f. He thought he should OPPOSE CHRIST
(Acts 26:9, 10)
g. He was VERY SINCERE
(Acts 23:1)
A good conscience
h. But, he later said that he had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and
A violent man
(I Timothy 1:13)
i. He did it IN IGNORANCE and UNBELIEF (I Timothy 1:13)
2. Luke records the story of Sauls Conversion to Christ

(Acts 9:1-18)

a. He was on the way to DAMASCUS with authority to imprison the

Christians there
(Acts 9:1, 2)
b. He came NEAR DAMASCUS
(Acts 9:3)
c. The Lord appeared to him!
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

A great light shined around him (Acts 9:3)

He fell to the ground
(Acts 9:4)
The voice said, Saul why do you persecute me? (Acts 9:4)
Who are you, Lord?
(Acts 9:5)
I am Jesus.....
(Acts 9:5)
....go into the city, and you will be told what you must do
(Acts 9:6)
(7) The men with Saul heard a sound, but saw no one. Saul COULD
NOT SEE
(Acts 9:7, 8)
(8) In Damascus, he was BLIND FOR THREE DAYS and did NOT
eat or drink anything
(Acts 9:9)
d. The Lord asked a disciple named Ananias to go to Saul, but, at first, HE
DID NOT WANT TO GO
(Acts 9:10-14)
e. He went to Saul --- he laid his hands on him and Saul could see (9:17,18)
f.

Saul GOT UP AND WAS BAPTIZED

(Acts 9:18)

g. THEN, HE TOOK FOOD AND WAS STRENGTHENED

(Acts 9:19)

II. Paul LATER told the Story Concerning How HE BECAME A CHRISTIAN

(Acts 22)
1. He told this story IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED
IN JERUSALEM
(Acts 22:1-16)
2. He told about the events near Damascus

(Acts 22:1-11)

3. He told about ANANIAS coming to him

(Acts 22:12)

4. Ananias said, Brother Saul, receive your sight

(Acts 22:13)

5. He also said, God ....has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous
One and to hear words from His mouth
(Acts 22:14)
6. He then said, You will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and
heard
(Acts 22:15)
7. Ananias then said, AND NOW, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET UP,
BE BAPTIZED AND WASH YOUR SINS AWAY, CALLING ON HIS
NAME
(Acts 22:16)
NOTE:

PAUL IS TELLING HIS OWN STORY!

III. Paul ALSO Told This Story Before Governor FESTUS and King AGRIPPA
(Acts 26:1-23)
1. He told about his life as a PERSECUTOR

(Acts 26:1-12)

2. He spoke about the events on the ROAD NEAR DAMASCUS

3. He was OBEDIENT!

(Acts 26:13-18)

(Acts 26:19)

4. He began to preach the faith he once persecuted

(See Galatians 1:11-24)

IV. A Summary of What We Have Discussed Above

1. Saul WAS NOT SAVED JUST BY BELIEVING!
Damascus!

He believed on the road to

2. Saul WAS NOT SAVED (FORGIVEN) BY JUST PRAYING! He prayed over

a period of THREE DAYS BEFORE ANANIAS CAME TO HIM
(Acts 9:11)
3. He must also GET UP AND BE BAPTIZED so that his SINS MAY BE
WASHED AWAY
(Acts 22;16)
4. IT IS OUR DESIRE TO BECOME A DISCIPLE JUST LIKE PAUL BECAME
A CHRISTIAN, A DISCIPLE!!
THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT
PLEASES GOD!