Preschool
Thy word have I hid in mine heart. Psalm 119:11
Paul, a Changed Man
Memory Verses
Primary
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Junior
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Background Scripture: Acts 8: 1–4; 9:1–31
Lesson Scripture: Acts 9:1–16
Introduction
No conversion in the history of the Christian faith has been more notable than that of Saul of Tarsus. His regeneration was so radical that his name has come to symbolize extraordinary conversions. This lesson will be effectual if it results in our coming to a fuller appreciation for this remarkable man of God, for his efforts in behalf of the fledging church of God, and for his explanations of Christian doctrine.
We should not only be seeking an experience, but rather seeking Jesus and the change that comes from knowing Him. That will lead us to a deeper and better understanding of what conversion is, what it requires, what it does for us, and the other aspects of this miracle of grace.
Key Verse
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed way; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17).
Lesson Scripture
Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Studying the Lesson
Paul, the apostle, appears in the pages of Christian history at the stoning of the first martyr, Stephen. He was called Saul, and he must have been a rising star in the local Jewish political and religious arena of Jerusalem. We may read between the lines that he was a proactive and zealous Jew, for he added his consent to Stephen’s death. Quite possibly Paul never crossed paths with Jesus during His ministry, death, and resurrection, for he is never mentioned in the gospels.
Paul was convinced that Christianity must be eradicated and was a leader in this effort. The severe persecution at Jerusalem resulted in Christians being scattered to surrounding cities. A congregation sprang up at Damascus, the capital of Syria, which was approximately 140 miles from Jerusalem. Paul knew of this settlement, and he recognized the opportunity to wreak havoc. He received permission from the high priest to go to Damascus and continue his attack on the new faith.
Travel for him and his entourage would have taken four to six days of determined foot travel. On that Damascus road, a brilliant light from heaven encompassed Paul with a power that left him sightless. Paul referred to this encounter with Jesus when he wrote to the Corinthians and explained, “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:8).
The men traveling with Paul were perhaps more perplexed than he was, because they did not grasp the profound conversion he had just experienced.
Although Ananias had been told that Paul was a praying man before he met him, he still had some questions. However, the witness of Saul’s experience must have been clear, and Ananias baptized him. Proving conversion experiences today also rests on what is made plain because of a change in spirit, attitude, demeanor, and actions. It would be unrealistic to expect all converts to have a dramatic experience like Paul, but all will exhibit the teachable, transparent, and free spirit that accompanies the born-again child of God.
Practical Truths for Today
The new birth is one of the foundational doctrines of the gospel, and Paul’s experience is an outstanding example of this. Let us familiarize ourselves with the scriptural structure of what it means to be born again and converted. It is possible that a shallow perception of it will weaken the power of Christ within the church.
A proper understanding of the doctrine of justification by faith will not allow any credit for man’s effort. However, the new birth experience will be known by the life it produces. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Could Jesus’s words be a reference to the surrender that begins at the new birth? Many who were born again as children grow into mature Christians and, later, with a greatly increased understanding of what happened to them, do not hesitate to refer to that experience with joy and thankfulness. If it had not been attended with the works and spirit of one who is devoted to God first, spiritual life would have ceased.
The natural and spiritual birth are alike in several ways. Those who have witnessed a child being born have gazed in wonder at the miracle of birth. So it is when a sinner is converted. It calls to mind the picture of a new baby coming into a loving family. Family members look forward to the birth of a child and rejoice at his arrival. Likewise, the familiar experience of a person’s spiritual birth, including the decision, repentance, and unconditional commitment to God, unites them with the family of God where they share in the humble spirit of Christ. In this spirit of common birth there is fellowship, brotherhood, and loving care and concern. The unity of understanding that exists in a natural family is an example of God’s intent for His children. Like a natural baby, a newly born Christian is dependent on the care and provision of mature believers. Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15).
The newborn has not created life of himself but must be nourished to remain alive. Conversion continues as a new believer sustains his experience with prayer and dedication to God. He will grow in faith and grace and in favor with God and man. Rather than being disapproving and judgmental of immature actions or words of new believers, we should, in kindness and consideration, lovingly support and encourage them.
Illustration
A girl had a conversion experience when she was eleven. Together with her parents, she met with the local staff to share the details of her experience. Some of her responses to questions seemed so immature that it hurt the father’s pride. His response was, “Let’s just wait a while and let this settle.”
He did not realize that he had cast a stumbling block in her way. She tried for several years to get past it but finally gave up. Eight years passed, and then during a revival the father realized that his daughter was becoming a worldly young lady. It suddenly became clear to him that she was on the brink of severing her ties to her childhood and upbringing and was going out into the cold, cruel world. This vision shattered his pride, and he urged her to try one more time. While they talked, God shone His light from heaven into her heart, and she was able to break through into God’s peace and love.
Let us encourage strong new birth experiences. We need to give new converts support and confidence, remembering to be realistic and not require more of a new believer than God is asking. We also need spiritual vision to know when an experience is incomplete.
Questions
- Do we read any predestination into Paul’s experience, “He is a chosen vessel unto me”?
- Is God still calling out special vessels for service in His kingdom?
- Was Saul’s name changed to Paul because of his conversion?
- What personally convinces you that someone is born again?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).