Like paul, believers become new creations in christ. Pauls conversion bible story summary, study and lesson. Conversion of paul pauls journey on the road to damascus. Acts 9 new international version niv sauls conversion. The conversion of paul on the road to damascus acts 9 represents a critical point in the book of acts and in the history of christianity. He went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters. Saul in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to replace judas the holy spirit.
Luke recounts pauls conversion story three times acts 9, 22 and 26. Acts second telling of pauls conversion occurs in a speech paul gives when he is arrested in jerusalem. To prepare the events for sauls arrival in the city, the lord appeared to ananias a disciple in a vision and told him to go into the street and to find saul of tarsus who would be praying. Therefore, we can conclude that the conversion story for saul of tarsus does not contain any contradictions. Acts 9 conversion of saul object lesson for children.
Saul received a vision of the resurrected christ while en route to damascus. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or. In comparison to pauls own account in the epistles, acts of the apostles has. God works in unexpected people and places to spread the saving message of the gospel. Actually starts in verse 15, i am jesus, who you are persecuting. Acts 9 good news translation gnt the conversion of saul. The story of pauls conversion from a devout jew, violently persecuting believers in jesus, to a devout. So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read pauls own testimony, he expands on it. Dec 19, 2011 pauls conversion was seminal in the church, but the stories differ. Sauls conversion amazing bible timeline with world history. Pauls conversion 1 chapter 3 pauls conversion acts 9 a. Jan 25, 2018 in my opinion, acts of the apostles was actually written to make paul a lesser character in the early church. Saul of tarsus, a pharisee in jerusalem after the crucifixion and resurrection of jesus christ, swore to wipe out the new christian church, called the way. What about the multiple accounts of pauls conversion.
Saul s conversion is a spectacular example of how jesus changes lives. No wonder we find three different accounts of his conversion in the book of acts. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Acts second telling of paul s conversion occurs in a speech paul gives when he is arrested in jerusalem. In our chronology of the book of acts, we propose late ad 34 as the likely date of sauls conversion see appendix 1.
Acts of the apostles discusses pauls conversion experience at. Acts 9 niv bible meanwhile, saul was still breathing out. One day he left jerusalem en route to damascus in order to gather up followers of jesus and bring them back to jerusalem to be punished acts 22. Why are the three accounts of pauls conversion on the. In my opinion, acts of the apostles was actually written to make paul a lesser character in the early church. Immediately afterward, he endured the humbling that god intended as the first phase of. The story of paul s conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. Saul in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven. Paul begins this passage by reminding his readers of the man he used to be. Questions should be studied by each individual before your discussion group meets. Pauls conversion why three accounts, and how do they.
In the book of acts we have not one, not two, but three accounts of sauls conversion. He went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the way of the lord, he would be able to arrest them, both men and women, and bring them back. There have also been those who have suggested that saul s conversion was precipitated by early greek influence in his life as he grew up in the city of tarsus. Sauls encounter with christ was an objective experience, verified by physical phenomena experienced by saul and an entire group of people acts 22. In our chronology of the book of acts, we propose late ad 34 as the likely date of saul s conversion see appendix 1. What importance does saul have in the book of acts from. God tells ananias to go to where he is and lay hands on him to restore his sight.
This book tells the story of the conversion of paul acts 9. 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. It records saul s conversion and the works of saint peter. The lord told him to enter the city, and he would be told what he must do 9. Pauls conversion was seminal in the church, but the stories differ.
The final question which i raised at the beginning of this lesson is this. It is not just in the book of acts that the importance of sauls conversion is evident. Acts 9 niv sauls conversion meanwhile, saul bible gateway. So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read paul s own testimony, he expands on it. The book of acts conversion of saul of tarsus klang. Saul of tarsus, a pharisee in jerusalem after the crucifixion and. Sauls conversion zealous, brutal, and loyal to his religious heritagethis was how the book of acts introduced the man called saul of tarsus who quietly approved of and watched the death.
To prepare the events for sauls arrival in the city, the lord appeared to ananias a disciple in a vision and told him to go into the street and to find. He told ananias that saul had seen a vision of ananias putting his hand on him to give him his sight. Secondly, the criticism fails to take into account the epochal nature of the conversion of saul, and its importance in the divine scheme of things. Aug 04, 2016 sauls conversion zealous, brutal, and loyal to his religious heritagethis was how the book of acts introduced the man called saul of tarsus who quietly approved of and watched the death of christianitys first martyr, stephen. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the theme. The book of acts is not only a book of history, but also a book of conversions. The book of acts records pauls lifestyle before and after his changeofheart, with acts 9 detailing his conversion. The biblical record of sauls conversion is found in three chapters of the book of acts acts 9,22,26. Pauls road to damascus conversion bible study guide. By divine design the conversion of saul of tarsus is recorded three times in the book of acts chapters 9, 22, 26. First published in 1964, arch books captivate children with colorful pictures and creative poems. If one genuinely wants to know what to do to be saved, he can read the book of acts and find the biblical answer.
On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his. Feb 21, 2017 the astounding conversion of paul acts 9. What importance does saul have in the book of acts from the. Immediately afterward, he endured the humbling that god intended as the first phase of his training.
Sauls conversion is a watershed event in the new testament. In comparison to pauls own account in the epistles, acts of the apostles has completely reversed the role of the apostle paul. God considers us to be vessels, or instruments, and saul is a great. Sauls conversion arch books concordia publishing house. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters. The conversion of paul the book of acts amazing facts. The initial record of sauls conversion acts 9 is not pauls account. Without question, the story of sauls conversion is one of the most important events, if not the most important event, that luke records in acts. The book of acts says that paul was on his way from jerusalem. This wellloved series captures the attention of children, telling scripturally sound stories that are enjoyable and easy to remember.
Contradictions in the book of acts for the damascus road. The account of pauls conversion in acts is relatively brief. What todays church needs to learn from the book of acts. Sauls conversion is a spectacular example of how jesus changes lives. The conversion of saul 1992 all sermons by pastor john osteen. Saul in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to. The conversion of the persecutor, saul of tarsus, is one of the most significant events in the book of acts.
In acts 8, we learned that saul was trying to destroy the church. Sauls conversion meanwhile, saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the lords disciples. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion. A comparative analysis of the three reports in acts, page 424, that the account in acts 22 assumes and builds upon the account in acts 9, hence, for the. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early christian tradition uniformly affirmed that luke composed this book as well as the gospel of luke.
Acts of the apostles says that tarsus is also given in acts as the home town of saul, the name of the apostle paul before his conversion and his first missionary journey. Studying the book of acts in small group discussions lesson 22 sauls conversion acts 9. Not a musical instrument, but a tool that can be useful. In the book of acts we have not one, not two, but three accounts of saul s conversion. Sometimes a person gives the condensed version of the story.
Pauls conversion is recorded three times in the bible 1. The story of pauls conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. Then, having completed this course of characterbuilding, he was ready to enter the second phase. Saul s encounter with christ was an objective experience, verified by physical phenomena experienced by saul and an entire group of people acts 22. But there is so much more found in the book of acts which differs so radically from what we find in most churches today. God considers us to be vessels, or instruments, and saul is a great example of one for us. The conversion of paul the apostle was, according to the new testament.
Saul in damascus and jerusalem introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to replace judas. The arch book series tells popular bible stories through funtoread rhymes and bright illustrations. One can hardly overestimate the impact paul has had on christianity. The story of pauls conversion from a devout jew, violently persecuting believers in jesus, to a devout christian, fearlessly spreading the gospel against all opposition, is found three times in acts. It records sauls conversion and the works of saint peter. He truly believed in the truth of the old testament and, most probably, was anxiously awaiting the jewish messiah. Although this study will focus on the conversion of saul of tarsus paul, let us first consider eight examples of conversions found in the book of acts. Before his conversion, paul was a dedicated adherent to the jewish faith. The story line written into the book of acts is credible at the 99.
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