SAUL MEETS JESUS

Passage: Acts 9:1-9

Key verse: 4b

NIV

Saul’s Conversion(A)

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) 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.(E) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

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ESV

The Conversion of Saul

9 But Saul, (A)still (B)breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to (C)the high priest 2 and asked him for letters (D)to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to (E)the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 (F)Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting (G)me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, (H)whom you are persecuting. 6 But (I)rise and enter the city, and you will be told (J)what you are to do.” 7 (K)The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, (L)hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, (M)he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

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1. Saul's journey to Damascus (1-2)

Saul was bent on destroying the 'dangerous' sect of the Nazarene. He thought he was serving God. His zeal had increased since his participation in the stoning of Stephen. Perhaps it was an outward display of an inner struggle (Ac 26:14). Not satisfied with crushing and scattering the church in Jerusalem, he decided to go to Damascus to arrest Christians there.

2. Who are you, Lord? (3-9)

A light from heaven flashed around him; he fell to the ground. Then the Risen Jesus spoke: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' Saul was overwhelmed. He said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Jesus answered, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting....Get up and go into the city....' This event completely turned Saul's life around. It was God's great grace to him. From this time on he belonged to Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to me when I was living in ignorance and sin. Undergird my life with your grace.

One Word: Meet the Risen Jesus