CONVERSION OF SAUL

Introduction:
   1. Perhaps the most outstanding individual this side of the cross
      of Jesus Christ was the apostle Paul.
   2. Paul the preacher, teacher, traveler, apostle.
   3. A great man.
   4. Yet, how far different from the Saul of Tarsus we first saw!!
   5. A great change in his life -- WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THIS CHANGE??

BODY:
  I. SAUL'S OLD LIFE OF PERSECUTION:
     1. Acts 7:58 -- First seen at stoning of Stephen.
     2. Acts 8:1-3 -- Persecuting Christians.  1 Tim. 1:13, 15.
     3. Saul was honest, sincere, thought he was right. Thought he
        was doing the will of Jehovah.
     4. But, he was in error.
     5. Acts 23:1 -- a good conscience.
     6. Acts 22:3 -- very zealous
     7. Gal 1:13, 14 --persecuting the church, exceedingly zealous.
     8. Cf. TODAY: Many today are zealous, sincere, but mistaken.
        Being zealous and sincere is essential, but sincerity and
           zealousness is not sufficient within themselves.
        A person may be zealously lost; sincerely wrong.
     9. Saul was following the wrong knowledge, teaching.
    10. Even at his conversion he was on the road to persecute
        Christians.

 II. HIS CONVERSION:
     1. Acts 9:1-9 -- Saul saw a light. Not the sun (26:13), but
        brighter, midday. Something different to his sight.
     2. Lord instructed him -- GO INTO THE CITY. Something you must
        DO.
     3. Many claim Saul was saved on the road, but no so!!
           Lord did not tell him what to do -- only to go.
           Would God operate, or do any differently today, if He
               were to appear to anyone?
           Preacher (or teacher) always sent to one needing
               salvation.
           Acts 8:26 -- Philip and Ethiopian
           Acts 10 -- Peter and Cornelius.
     4. Obviously, Saul's conversion was unique, special; yet, the
        Lord did not appear to Saul to tell him how to be saved.
        That was done by Ananias, the preacher.
     5. So, Saul obeyed and went into the city. He responded to the
        only information that he had received.
     6. He is now a believer!!!
     7. Ananias was led by God to Saul. Acts 9:10-17.
        This believer was told -- Acts 22:16--wash away your sins.
        Up until now, Saul had denied Christ as the Son of God.
           NOW FAITH IS SHOWN BY HIS GOING.
           Saul REPENTED -- changed his mission for coming to Dam.
           Saul later taught confession -- Rom. 10:10.
     8. SAUL WAS PRAYING -- Ananias stopped him.
           Prayer is not included in God's plan for salvation from
              sin.
           Is this to say that prayer is not important? Certainly
               Not
     9. Here was a believer, a praying believer, a penitent praying
        believer, YET, still in his sins.
    10. What was Saul told??? Acts 22:16 "Arise and be baptized."
        There is something lacking, Saul, you need to obey the
           commands of Jesus Christ as stated in the Great
           Commission: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be
           saved."
    11. What would most modern preacher have told Saul? Do you think
        they would tell them what Ananias told him??

III. WHEN WAS SAUL SAVED??
     1. On the road?? If so, he was saved in his sins, for when
        Ananias came to him Saul was yet in sin. He needed "to have
        his sins washed away."  Acts 22:16.
     2. Was he saved when he believed? No, but faith lead him to
        respond when he learned what he was to do.
     3. He was saved when he obeyed God's commandments!!!
     4. Was it the water??  NO!!! It was his obedience.
     5. Cf. Naaman -- no power in the water, but in obedience.
        When he obeyed, he was cleansed.
     6. Saul entered Christ by baptism. Rom. 6:3,4; Gal 3:27.

 IV. THERE WAS MORE:
     1. Saul's baptism was only the beginning. There was much more
        to do. There was the living of the life of a Christian.
     2. He began telling others about the Christ. Acts 9:20.
     3. Phil. 3:4-8 -- "Counted all things but loss for Christ."
        2 Cor. 12:15 -- Willing to be spent. Used.
        2 Cor. 11:23-28 -- Persecution did not stop him.
           Saul went from the top to the bottom, forsaking the
              former life and position, he took upon himself the
              life of servant.
           The persecutor became the persecuted. Yet, he never
              looked back, never any regrets, nor remorse.

  V. WHAT DID HE GAIN???
     1. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 -- For what more can one ask? To receive the
        crown of righteousness.  To please our Heavenly Father.

Conclusion:
   1. Have I prepared for that home?  Have you?
   2. Have I done what Saul did? Have you?
   3. If I would please God, I must do as Saul did? So must each
      one!!!

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