Please explain the conversion of Saul.
Introduction. Of course, Saul later became the great apostle Paul. We can read of Saul of Tarsus turning to the Lord in tree chapters: Acts 9 (original, 22, and 26.
Saul saw Jesus and learned that he (Saul) was a religious sinner. Saul had to accept the Messiahship of Jesus and confess him (John 8:24, Matt. 10: 32,33). Saul had to also acknowledge Jesus' authority (Acts 26: 14,9). Relative to the heavenly vision, Paul said, "...I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19). Saul did not, however, have to see Jesus in order to be saved, but to be qualified for the mission the Lord gave him (Acts 26:16-18, 1:22). Saul was religious, but religiously mistaken (Acts 26: 9-11). Even though he was in error, he was sincere (Acts 22:1). Regardless of sincerity, Saul was lost (Acts 9, 22, 26).
Saul learned of his personal responsibility. The Lord told Saul, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Act 9:6). Notice, Saul was not told, "Jesus had done it all, you just simply believe."
Saul learned that water baptism was required. Again, Jesus told Saul he would be told what he "must do" (Acts 9:6). Saul went into the city and the preacher, Ananias, came to him (Acts 22:11-15). The preacher came to Saul, who was blind and praying (Acts9: 11), and said, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
Application. You and I must similarly learn that Jesus is the Son of God. We must acknowledge and submit to Jesus' authority, not man's or our own. We must have the attitude, "what must I do?" And we must be baptized to "wash away our sins." Are we as willing as Saul to humble ourselves?
Saul saw Jesus and learned that he (Saul) was a religious sinner. Saul had to accept the Messiahship of Jesus and confess him (John 8:24, Matt. 10: 32,33). Saul had to also acknowledge Jesus' authority (Acts 26: 14,9). Relative to the heavenly vision, Paul said, "...I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19). Saul did not, however, have to see Jesus in order to be saved, but to be qualified for the mission the Lord gave him (Acts 26:16-18, 1:22). Saul was religious, but religiously mistaken (Acts 26: 9-11). Even though he was in error, he was sincere (Acts 22:1). Regardless of sincerity, Saul was lost (Acts 9, 22, 26).
Saul learned of his personal responsibility. The Lord told Saul, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Act 9:6). Notice, Saul was not told, "Jesus had done it all, you just simply believe."
Saul learned that water baptism was required. Again, Jesus told Saul he would be told what he "must do" (Acts 9:6). Saul went into the city and the preacher, Ananias, came to him (Acts 22:11-15). The preacher came to Saul, who was blind and praying (Acts9: 11), and said, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
Application. You and I must similarly learn that Jesus is the Son of God. We must acknowledge and submit to Jesus' authority, not man's or our own. We must have the attitude, "what must I do?" And we must be baptized to "wash away our sins." Are we as willing as Saul to humble ourselves?