Home
What's New
Cults
Escaping the Cult
Apologetics
Current Trends
Bible Doctrines
Bible Explanations
Ecumenism
Emergent church
Prophecy
Latter Rain
Word Faith
Popular Teachers
Pentecostal Issues
Trinity / Deity
World  Religions
New Age Movement
Book Reviews
Testimonies
Web Directory
Tracts for witnessing
Books
Audio 
Video
Web Search
The Persecuted Church

 

For printing  our articles please copy the web page by highlighting  the text first - then click copy in the browser-  paste the article into a word  program on your computer. When the text is transferred into word, click to save or print.      

 

 

 

 

                            

 

When did Saul become a believer?

Saul (Paul’s) conversion is recorded in Acts 9:3-8, he encounters a blinding light coming out of heaven which Paul calls a great light (Acts 22:6-11). He describes it as brighter than the sun (26:13-18) (like the one that came from Jesus when he was transformed before his disciples on the mount of Transfiguration). Paul knew about his forefathers encountering God’s glory and so he immediately bows his will to its presence. Paul hears the voice identify itself as Jesus, just as God the Father spoke from heaven at Jesus’ baptism and on the Mt. of Transfiguration to the disciples. Jesus identifies himself to Paul as the one He is opposing, in so doing this he is fighting against God. It is at this time Paul was born again and became a believer.

Acts 9:6, Paul, after falling to the ground and hearing the Lord, he says to Jesus, “Lord, what will you have me do?” (He repented of his unbelief calling Jesus his Lord and he is ready to serve him.) In verse 15, the Lord tells Ananias he is a chosen vessel (separated from birth Gal 1:15). He is being sent to the Gentiles to preach the gospel. Though he was told of his calling at this time as an apostle, he would not fulfill it till many years later.

Acts 22:6-9 “as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' "So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'

Paul also recollects this encounter in 1 Cor. 15:8, saying he was born out of due time, pointing to this event as the time of his regeneration. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

Acts 22:12-15 “Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.”

In Acts 26:15- 18, when Paul is giving his testimony to King Agrippa, he states, "So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

We see Paul is called a witness called to preach In 1 Cor.2:8 Paul writes that “none of the rulers of this age knew, for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Jesus Christ who was crucified was to Paul the King and Lord of glory of the Old Testament, he knew this when he encountered him in glory on the Damascus road. That is when he was convinced who he was and had 3 days of darkness to go over everything in his mind.

© 2009 No portion of this site is to be copied or used unless kept in its original format- the way it appears. Articles can be reproduced in portions for ones personal use. Any other use is to have the permission of  Let Us Reason Ministries first. Thank You.

We always appreciate hearing  from those of you that have benefited by the articles on our website. We love hearing the testimonies and praise reports. We are here to help those who have questions on Bible doctrine, new teachings and movements.  Unfortunately we cannot answer every email. Our time is valuable just as yours is, please keep in mind, we only have time to answer sincere inquiries from those who need help. For those who have another point of view, we will answer emails that want to engage in authentic dialogue, not in arguments. We will use discretion in answering any letters. 

  Let Us Reason Ministries

We thank you for your support in our ministry