Conversion of Saul

Around AD 34–35, Saul of Tarsus — a young Pharisee who had consented to the death of Stephen and was "ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3) — obtained letters from the high priest authorizing him to arrest any followers of the Way he found in the synagogues of Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts narrates the story three times (chapters 9, 22, 26) — the only event so emphasized in the book — because it stands at the hinge of the early Christian mission. As Saul approached Damascus, near midday, suddenly a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and although his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank. The Lord then appeared in a vision to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias and sent him to Saul; though Ananias hesitated because of all he had heard, the Lord said, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel" (9:15). Ananias laid his hands on him, scales fell from Saul's eyes, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he was baptized. Almost immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, "He is the Son of God." Saul — soon known by his Roman name Paul — would become the apostle to the Gentiles, write nearly half of the New Testament, and plant churches from Antioch to Rome. His conversion is the personal encounter with the risen Christ that he would defend to the end of his life as the historical foundation of his apostleship (1 Cor 15:8; Gal 1:11–17).