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What a Transformation!
Acts 9:1-19 (Pastor Heo)
9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. 6 “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
This is the conversion story of Saul/Paul
This story is one of the greatest events in church history – after
- the coming of the HS at Pentecost, and
- the conversion of the Gentiles in chp 10, this –
- Paul will become a great apostle to the Gentiles.
This is an event of supreme importance. In world history, both secular and church history. The conversion of Paul is mentioned 3 times in Acts: chp 9, 22, 26.
There is no one else whose conversion story is repeated 3 times – only Saul’s.
As we know,
- in chp 7, when Stephen was stoned to death, Saul was there, giving approval to his death. And
- in chp 8, he began to persecute the Christians, dragging them from their houses and putting them in prison.
Actually, Saul’s conversion is not “sudden conversion” – but a “sudden acceptance.”
Saul was there when Stephen died, he heard him and saw him – what he said and how he died. Perhaps something about this stayed with him for the rest of his life. “How could a bad man die like this?” maybe he asked himself. So, he plunged into the most violent action possible in chp 8 – putting Christians into prison. But this only made it worse.
He had to ask himself: “What secret gives them this boldness, peace, joy, etc in the face of suffering, persecution, and even death.”
He went on to the Sanhedrin and asked for a letter of credit to go to Damascus and kill all the Christians to destroy the church. It was about 175 miles northeast from Jerusalem. It was a key commercial city – one of the largest at that time, and it had a large Jewish population. This journey would be taken by foot, for about one week.
The only companions he had were officers of the Sanhedrin. But because he was a Pharisee, he could have nothing to do with them. So, he could only walk and think.
Saul (origin)
v. 1-2
“9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”
When he almost arrived at Damascus, suddenly a light flashed around him – at noontime. It was brighter than the sunlight. Because of this light, he fell to the ground and the voice from the light said, “Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord.” “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” “What should I do?” “Get up and go into the city and you will hear what you should do.” He went and fasted in the city for 3 days.
Saul (transformation)
v. 3-9
“9:3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. 6 “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. “
- Jesus knew Saul by his personal name. Likewise, Jesus also calls us by name.
- Jesus didn’t say, “Why do you persecute my believers?” but rather, “Why do you persecute me?” Anyone who persecutes the church – even today – is guilty of persecuting Christ – because believers are the body of Christ.
Here, Saul’s experience is no mere hallucination, vision, he saw the actual, risen Lord. Later, he continually insisted that he looked upon the risen Lord just as the disciples did in the Upper Room on the first Easter. Saul continually insists that he saw the risen Lord – and he based his apostleship on this reality.
- Before, he saw Jesus dead (crucified) but now he saw him alive.
- He thought he was a bad man, but discovered he was the Messiah, prophesied by the OT. If Jesus is alive, then Paul would have to change his mind about his message.
- He thought he was God’s man, but discovered that he was persecuting God.
- He thought he was righteous, but discovered he was a lost sinner – in need of repentance and forgiveness and salvation.
Remember, true conversion comes from a personal encounter with Jesus and gives new life in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Have you ever experienced this true conversion by having a personal meeting with Christ?
In this event, Saul entered Damascus a changed man. What a transformation! What a changed man! (Remember v. 1-2?)
- He started to go to Damascus to arrest all Christians and take them to Jerusalem. But he arrived totally changed.
- The persecutor changed into the persecuted.
- The leader became the follower. And his physical eyes closed, but his spiritual eyes opened.
- He was like a wild animal, a bull, but became like a lamb – a vessel of honor, the instrument of Christ – to preach the gospel to the ends of the world.
- He started his journey with murderous threats, but ended with humility and obedience.
What a transformation!
This is the biggest change in his whole life – also in Christian history.
Up to this time, Saul had been doing what he liked and what he wanted – what his will dictated – what he thought best and righteous. But from this time on, he would do what God wants him to do. This is the life of a real Christian. So, let me ask, “what do you do?”
The Christian is the one who has stopped doing what he wants to do and has started doing what God wants him to do.
- Do you do what you want to do?
- Or do you do what God wants you to do?
Are you sure that what you’re doing recently is what Christ wants you to do? Or is it just what you want to do?
Also from this story, we can know, “yes” Saul was saved completely by believing in the risen Christ. Saul didn’t choose him, but Christ chose him.
v. 15
“15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.””
Eph 2:8-9 “It is by grace we are saved, not by works. It is the gift of God, so that no one can boast.”
Saul didn’t choose Christ but Christ chose him.
Eph 1:4-5 “God chose us before the Creation of the world and predestined us to be his sons and daughters through Christ in accordance with his will.”
Jesus “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit.”
This is the greatest conversion story in the church.
- The greatest persecutor became the greatest preacher.
So, we must not limit God. God can reach anybody and everybody for salvation.
Saul confesses later he is the “chief of sinners” : 1 Tim 1:15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: that Christ died to save sinners, of whom I’m the worst.”
We should never think in our minds: “That person is too strong, impossible to be saved.”
Actually, God “wants all people to be saved – he desires that no one perish.” He can save anyone by his grace through faith in Christ.
Ananias’ story
v. 10-19
“9:10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”
Without a doubt, Ananias is one of the forgotten heroes of the Christian church. But God remembers. We can only find his story here – only once.
Yes, Ananias knew the reputation of Saul – he knew Saul’s purpose to come to Damascus. Humanly speaking, he was probably very afraid. But in a vision, God said, “Go, that man is my chosen instrument.”
This mission of Ananias was scary, dangerous, etc. But his first words to Saul were, “Brother Saul…” These men had been the bitterest enemies but they became brothers in Christ. This is one of the strongest examples of Christian love.
From this story of Ananias, we can get 3 lessons.
#1: God can use the most unknown servant in doing something great
Ananias was an obscure and unknown saint at that time – but God used him. Behind many well-known servants of the Lord were many less-known servants. But God keeps a record, and rewards all according to his ministry, service, sacrifice.
What is important is not “faith” before men, but faithfulness before God.
#2: We shouldn’t be afraid to obey God’s command/will
At first, Ananias argued and gave many good reasons not to visit Saul. But we should remember that God had everything under control, and Ananias obeyed. We must remember that God is always working – at first and last.
At the same time that God gave a vision to Ananias, he also gave a vision to Saul.
God’s perfect will is always best.
#3: God’s works are always balanced
This is a kind of miracle.
Anyone among us experienced a “light” from heaven? This is a miracle.
But God’s works are always balanced.
- He balanced a great, public miracle with a quiet, private meeting with Saul and Ananias.
- The light and voice were loud, bright, dramatic. But the visit with Ananias was a very ordinary thing.
- The hand of God pushed Saul from pride to the ground of humility. But he used Ananias’ hand to bring Saul up to where he needed.
- God spoke directly from heaven, but also spoke through the voice of Ananias.
Today, God is the same. He is doing something great, extraordinary, marvelous, beautiful – but he can use our small-looking obedience in doing his great miracles. He can use ordinary people like you and me in doing his extraordinary miracles.
God bless you.
Still, God is doing his job behind us and ahead of us.
- Peter preached before several thousand.
- But Ananias was sent to preach to only one person – Saul – but what a person!
He would become the great apostle for the Gentiles. Even secular historians agree that Paul is one of the great figures in secular world history.
It means that God is doing something great in the invisible world.
- We know in church history – Billy Graham – he did great things in church history. But who knows who led Billy Graham to Christ?
- We know Martin Luther, William Carrey, did great jobs in Christian history. But who knows who led them all to Christ? Only God knows.
In our situation, if you preach just to one person, who knows if that person will touch thousands, millions, etc. We do not know. Only God knows. So every person is important before God.
“I’m so important before God.”
All the time, expecting, – when you evangelize one person, maybe that person will touch millions and millions. Through this story, we can know that God does great things through us, around us, and in us.
God bless you.
Let’s pray.
