What Is the Significance of Paul on Damascus Road?
Acts 9:1-19
We all have heard this is the story of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. But is there another story within it?
In verses one - two:
Saul represents the world. Saul was so passionate for his Jewish convictions that he started a mistreatment crusade against any individual who had faith in Jesus (“of this way”). For what reason would the Jews need to oppress the Christians to the extent or as far toward Damascus?
There are a few prospects: (1) to hold onto the Christians who had escaped, (2) to contain and forestall the spread of Christianity to other significant urban communities, (3) to hold the Christians back from inciting any issues in Rome, (4) to propel Saul’s vocation and fabricate his standing as a genuine Pharisee, who was enthusiastic for the law, and/or (5) to bind together the groups of Judaism by giving them a shared adversary.
Acts 8:3, As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
As Paul headed out to Damascus, seeking after Christians, he was gone up against by the risen Christ and carried up close and personal with the reality of the Gospel. Occasionally God breaks into an individual's life in a fantastic way, and sometimes the transformation is a calm encounter. We are to be careful with individuals who demand that someone should have a specific kind of conversion. The correct method to come to faith in Jesus is the way God brings that individual.
In verses three - six:
A sinner is recognized. “And suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.” Light always covers darkness. In a dark room, the lights are turned on, we turn our heads toward the bright light, but we shield our eyes. The light was so bright that Saul fell to knees. “And he fell to the earth.”
A sinner recognizes the sovereignty of God. “And he said, Who art thou, Lord?” A sinner submits and surrenders unto God’s will (what some Christians should be doing). “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” A sinner is told specifically what to do, (some Christians still will not listen). “Arise, and go into the city.”
Paul alludes to this experience as the beginning of his new life in Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1, 15:8; Galatians 1:15-16). At the focal point of this awesome experience was our Lord, Jesus Christ. Paul did not have a dream nor see a vision; he saw the risen Christ himself (Acts 9:17). Paul recognized Jesus as Lord, admitted his own wrongdoing, surrendered his life to Jesus, and made plans to obey. Genuine change comes from an individual experience with Jesus Christ and prompts another life in relationship with him. Unfortunately, some Christians need to go back to the beginning and start over.
Paul believed that he was persecuting blasphemers, yet he was oppressing Christ himself. Any individual who persecutes Christians today is likewise liable of mistreating Jesus (Matthew 25:40, 45), on the grounds that believers of today are part to the body of Christ here on earth.
In verses seven - eight:
The men around Saul heard a voice but saw no man. Saul gets up but he cannot see.
Daniel 10:7, And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
In verse nine:
For three days Saul is without sight, and he fasted. Jonah spent three days in the belly of great fish. Jesus was in the tomb for three days. The number three represents divine completeness.
In verses ten - twelve:
Ananias was called by God and told to go get Saul. Here we have the Lord sending a servant. God told Ananias that Saul was praying. Now we have a servant seeking God.
In verses thirteen - fourteen:
Ananias represents a doubting Christian. Many give some type of excuse as to why not to work. Ananias automatically brings up a negative. “Not him, Lord, that is inconceivable. He would never turn into a Christian.” This was the embodiment of Ananias’ reaction when God advised him of Paul's change. All things considered; Paul had sought after believers to their demise. Can it be said the we too have had doubts about someone coming to the Lord?
Notwithstanding these reasonable sentiments, Ananias submitted to God and ministered to Paul. We should not restrict God. He can do anything. We must comply, following God’s direction even to troublesome individuals and places.
Acts 26:10, Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
In verses fifteen - sixteen:
The Lord tells Ananias to go and He tells him why. Paul is a chosen vessel. He has received the call of duty. Ananias submits to God’s will. Faith in Christ brings incredible blessings yet regularly extraordinary sufferings as well. Paul would suffer over his faith (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). God calls us to responsibility, not relief. He vows to be with us through misery and difficulty, not to save us from them.
Romans 1:1, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Galatians 1:15-16, But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Ephesians 3:7, Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, it tells of the sufferings that had Paul received.
In verse seventeen:
Ananias discovered Paul, as he had been told, and welcomed him as “Brother Saul.” Ananias dreaded this gathering since Paul had come to Damascus to abuse the believers and take them in chains to Jerusalem. Yet, in submission to the Holy Spirit, he welcomed Paul affectionately. It is not easy to show love to other people, particularly when we fear them or are uncertain of or doubt their motives. We should follow Jesus' command (John 13:34), and Ananias' model, by showing love and acknowledgment to different believers.
Acts 2:4, And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 22:12-13, And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
In verses eighteen - nineteen:
Even though there is no notice of a unique filling of the Holy Spirit for Paul, his changed life and ensuing achievements bear as a solid witness of the Holy Spirit’s power and presence in his life. Obviously, the Holy Spirit filled Paul when he regained his sight and was baptized. We see that Paul’s physical and spiritual needs are met. The men then had fellowship, which in a sense is basically a church service.
God’s Word pricks a sinner’s heart. Christians need prodding occasionally to do what they’re told to do. God had to do something drastic to get man’s attention. Spend time alone and in prayer – seek God’s will. God answers in His time, not ours.
So, not only do we see the conversion of Paul, we also see the obedience of Ananias. Although Ananias had doubts, he obeyed the Lord's instructions and received a blessing in return.
