Saul Changes Sides

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 9:1-19

 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

(NKJV)

 

Saul has great plans for his life and is emboldened by letters from the chief priests to round up and arrest disciples of Jesus in Damascus. However, God has other plans for Saul and encounters him on his way to Damascus. This encounter with the Lord Jesus causes Paul to change sides, from a persecutor of Jesus' disciples to an advocate for Christ to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. I pray that each person reading this will choose to follow Jesus when they have an encounter with Him.

 

Emboldened by the scattering of Christ's disciples following Stephen's martyrdom, Saul goes to the high priest and asks for letters granting him authority to arrest disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2). However, on his way to Damascus, Saul encounters a light from heaven and hears a voice asking him why he is persecuting Him (Acts 9:3-4). Saul asks the logical question, asking who is speaking with him and is told it is Jesus (Acts 9:5). Trembling and astonished at what has happened, Saul asks the Lord what He wants him to do and is told to go into the city where he will be told what to do (Acts 9:6). Those traveling with Saul are speechless because they hear a voice but see no one (Acts 9:7). Saul gets up and since he is blind, must be led by those with him to Damascus where he remained three days without sight, eating and drinking nothing (Acts 9:8-9).

 

While this is happening to Saul, a disciple of Jesus in Damascus, Ananias, has a vision from the Lord (Acts 9:10). The Lord tells Ananias to get up and go to the house of Judas on the street named Stright and ask for Saul of Tarsus who is praying (Acts 9:11). The Lord continues and tells Ananias that Saul has seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming to him to lay hands upon him so he may receive his sight (Acts 9:12). Ananias is hesitant having heard how Saul has harmed the saints in Jerusalem and is coming with letters from the chief priests to do the same in Damascus (Acts 9:13-14).

 

The Lord tells Ananias to go because Saul is a chosen vessel of the Lord who will take the name of Jesus to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, and that he will suffer many things for the name of Jesus (Acts 9:15-16). Ananias obeys the Lord and goes to the house of Judas, telling Paul that the Lord has sent him to pray that he receives his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). Immediately what appeared like scales fall from Saul’s eyes and he can see and is baptized (Acts 9:18). Saul receives food, is strengthened, and spends time with the disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:19).

 

Saul has plans and the authority to go to Damascus to round up disciples, arresting them and bringing them to Jerusalem, but God has other plans for him. I imagine Saul is excited about his mission, believing he may put an end to this blasphemy and be promoted within the sect of the Pharisees, perhaps even being named high priest. God’s plans for Saul are different and involve him taking the Gospel to the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). Ananias obediently obeys the Lord and prays for Saul to receive his sight, not knowing if he might be the first disciple arrested. Saul is baptized and spends time with the disciples in Damascus, the ones he intended to arrest, learning more about Jesus (Acts 9:17-19).

 

We may believe we have God’s plans for us figured out, but God may have other plans for us and need to confront us in a manner that gets our attention. As sinners, and we all are (Romans 3:23), we plan to continue our life of sin, but experience the light of the Holy Spirit, convicting us of our sin. When we are convicted of our sin, we have a choice: do I continue to walk blinded by my sin, or do I find salvation in Christ (Romans 10:9-10). Each individual must choose which way to go in life once convicted of his or her sin and consider the consequences of their decision. To remain in a life of sin results in death, but God offers us the gift of eternal life, a gift offered by the grace of God and not our own effort (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23).

 

Each person reading this post has a decision to make: do I reject the conviction of the Holy Spirit and continue in my life of sin, or do I do as Paul did and accept Christ? If you are reading this and choose to follow Jesus Christ in your life and turn from your sins, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.