Preschool
Thy sins are forgiven (Luke 7:48).
Saul’s Conversion
Memory Verses
Primary
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven (Luke 7:48).
Junior
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee (Acts 8:22).
Background Scripture: Acts 9:1-31
Lesson Scripture: Acts 9:1-16
Introduction
The conversion of a sinner is one the most obvious proofs of God’s existence and that the plan of salvation detailed in the Bible is not just the whim of its authors. Remarkably, the most prolific author of the New Testament, who was involved in outright persecution of the new Christian faith, was converted and became one of its most noble defenders. Any sinner who sees the light of Jesus and accepts his way is no less of a miracle than Saul’s experience. Conversion is essential to every Christian’s religious experience. Christian virtue may be copied for a time, but an unconverted person will not have a humble heart and will not harmonize with other believers. Saul’s ability to harmonize his heart and life with the existing Christian church is evidence of the authenticity of his conversion.
Key Verse
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them (Isa. 11:6).
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
Saul was born in Tarsus, a city in present-day Turkey. He moved to Jerusalem at a young age with his parents and was brought up in that city. Apparently, Saul never saw Jesus during his earthly ministry, which is somewhat curious.
Saul had been instructed as a Pharisee from early childhood. He was the embodiment of the righteous fervor and religious devotion that was to be found in the Jewish leaders of that day. The sect of the Pharisees, while not a majority in the Sanhedrin or the priesthood, enjoyed great popularity with the people and a great amount of control over the leadership of the day. Since Saul ardently subscribed to the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, it is hard to imagine that Jesus would not have included Saul in the scathing rebukes he directed toward them during his ministry.
With his customary zeal for what he thought was right, Saul proceeded with great confidence across the border into Syria, traveling to Damascus. In his hand were documents authorized by the high priest to the synagogues in that country, giving him authority to bind men and women who believed that Jesus was the Messiah and bring them to Jerusalem for trial. Likely the high priest was only too happy to generate the letters desired by this young, popular Pharisee.
Saul’s story then takes a dramatic turn. He is struck down by a bright light and the voice of Jesus. Saul, now physically blind, was led by the hand into Damascus by his subordinates. The unthinkable had just happened—Saul the persecutor now believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Saul later began to use the name Paul, which possibly was also given to him at birth or a young age. It had Latin origins and may have been a better choice for his missionary activity among Greek-speaking people. The meanings of the names are also significant. While Saul has a meaning of “asked for, prayed for, or wished for,” the name Paul literally means “little or humble.” Saul’s change of heart was complete.
Practical Truths for Today
Deep within the heart of every person is a desire, placed there by the Creator, to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. This desire is conveyed through many different ways and means, but to have a purpose in life, a cause to live for, or even just a place in the human community expresses that basic need. Until man’s heart is reconciled with God, nothing on earth will satisfy that desire. The fall of man in the garden of Eden estranged all of us from God. While God’s grace protects the young and the innocent, eventually each responsible adult will be brought to a place where he or she chooses between self and evil, or God and his way.
The conversion of a sinner today may not be as dramatic as Saul’s, but it will follow the same pattern. The unconverted man’s course is set toward evil, and it takes a face-to-face meeting with the Lord Jesus to bring about a conversion. On our part, there must be a willingness to see our errors and to change. When Jesus spoke of Saul to Ananias, saying, “I will show him what great things he must suffer for my sake,” He understood Saul completely and knew just what kind of zealous advocate for the truth he would become.
In all ages, self and worldly ambition beg to be set up on the throne of our hearts. Popularity might well convince us that the course we set for ourselves is the right one. Misguided religious ambition or the teaching of the celebrated scholars of today can blind our eyes to the simple gospel. Being brought up “at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3) can create a block to Jesus’s teaching of humbling ourselves and unconditional love. A smug or superior spirit deadens the Holy Spirit’s voice. Whether it is religious self-righteousness or blatant unbelief and sinful living, we need a meeting with our Lord just as Saul did in order to experience his love and forgiveness.
While every conversion of a sinner is a miracle of God, his ways are varied, and the methods He uses are specifically tailored to meet each situation. We may think that God is not calling our erring loved ones clearly or loudly enough. If God would only strike someone down, they would surely repent, we presume, but choice is still in the hands of the individual. God calls all people in the best way possible for their situation and the winning of their heart. When God looked at Saul’s heart, He undoubtedly saw someone who would respond to a clear call. With a soul that is defiant or hurting, God may use gentle pleading, while with someone who is simply mistaken, God may speak more clearly and firmly.
When a sinner repents and is born again, it is necessary that conversion from the old life follows. This visible turning away from past conduct is a clear witness of an experience with God. Meeting God and becoming a Christian does not only provide God’s stamp of approval on our life; rather, we see our humanity and need of God’s power in our lives more clearly. On his part, God is faithful to send us power and direction to walk his way. An experience with God alters our whole outlook; we view the world around us through this new lens. That inner desire is fulfilled—we find our place in life, a purpose, and a cause to live for because we become a blood-purchased member of the greatest community on earth, the everlasting kingdom of God.
Questions
- What is wrong when a new birth experience does not produce the necessary changes in conduct?
- How do we properly prepare our children so that they understand their need for conversion?
- How can we ensure that our hearts are humble and open to revelations from God about our need?
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).