Bible Study - Saul/Paul's Conversion - August 16, 2026
Bible Study – August 16, 2026 – Saul/Paul’s Conversion–
August 16, 2026
Back to Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus to
arrest Christians ------- Continuing from last week’s study.
Review: (I thought this was interesting – The Romans knew
about “the Way” before the crucifixion of JESUS but left them alone until “the
Way” began to be a threat.)
The question I had was:
Did Followers of Jesus Call Themselves “The
Way” Before His Crucifixion?
[[The earliest followers of Jesus were indeed known
as “the Way” before the term “Christian” appeared, and this
name appears in the New Testament before the crucifixion. The
first clear reference comes in Acts 9:2, where Saul of Tarsus
(later Paul) sought letters from the synagogues of Damascus to arrest anyone
“belonging to the Way” biblestudytoolbox.com+1.
This shows that by the time of Saul’s persecution (around 30–33 CE), the
movement had already developed a distinct identity.
The term “the Way” (Greek: hodos) referred to
the path or direction of life they followed, shaped by Jesus’ teachings and
example. It was not just a label but a description of their way of
living—a lifestyle of love, mercy, humility, and obedience to God biblestudytoolbox.com+2.
They saw following Jesus as more than adopting a doctrine; it was a journey
of transformation.
The name “Christian” first appears later, in Acts
11:26, in Antioch, when the disciples were called “Christians” by
outsiders Medium+1. This suggests that “the
Way” was the earlier, more familiar self-designation among the believers
themselves.
Key points:
- “The
Way” appears in Acts 9:2, 18:25, 19:9, 19:23, 22:4, 24:14, and 24:22 biblestudytoolbox.com.
- It
was used by both Jews and Gentiles to describe the movement.
- The
name reflected their lived experience of following Jesus, not just belief
in Him.
- The
term “Christian” emerged years later, in a different cultural context.
So yes—before Jesus’ crucifixion, His
followers were already known as “the Way”, and this was their
primary self-identification in the early years of the movement biblestudytoolbox.com+2.
Legacy
The term “the Way” underscores that early Christianity
was about following a living Savior — a journey of
discipleship that shaped both belief and behavior biblestudytoolbox.com+1.
Today, the name is remembered as a reminder that being a Christian is not just
about holding beliefs, but about walking in the way of Christ every day somoscristianos.org.
For the first Christians, “the Way” signified:
- A path of faith and
obedience — following Jesus
as the true way to God (John 14:6) somoscristianos.org+1.
- A way of life — living out Christ’s teachings in daily
decisions, love, forgiveness, and service somoscristianos.org.
- A
distinct identity — different from surrounding
Jewish and Gentile cultures, with its own ethics, practices, and community
life BibleAsk.
They were not merely doctrinal followers; they were
people who walked in the footsteps of Jesus, embodying His message
in their words and actions somoscristianos.org.
Transition to “Christians”
The name “Christian” first appears in Acts 11:26 in
Antioch, where followers of Jesus were called “Christians” by outsiders BibleAsk. This shift likely reflected the
growing distinctiveness of the movement and the need for a label that
emphasized their allegiance to Christ.]]
Let’s continue to explore Saul’s/Paul’s Journey from observing
The Law to Grace through faith in THE RESURRECTED JESUS --------
Who was Saul/Paul? Reminder -----
Saul/Paul was a Pharisee, who studied the Old Testament
under the well-known Jewish teacher Gamaliel.
GOD knew the heart of Saul/Paul and his potential, as HE
does all of our hearts and potential. Saul was a stalwart for the Law, but he
was headed in the wrong direction in search of truth, until he met JESUS in a most
profound way.
Often, many of us head on our own volition in the wrong
direction in search of truth. We lean to our own understanding and often
stubbornness rules our minds over asking JESUS to reveal truth to us.
GOD knows the potential of each of us, if and when we accept
JESUS as our Savior. HE has a plan for our lives in HIS Kingdom both upon earth
and in Heaven through faith in JESUS. THE HOLY SPIRIT works within our
hearts/minds to urge us to seek and discover truth in JESUS, WHO is the pearl
of great price to be obtained and personalized as we journey through life.
Often, we may have to look back to see how the guiding
hands of GOD have done just that, guided us into a deeper relationship with HIM
and ministry.
“Let Us Reason”
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says
the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow; Though
they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.”
The Prophet Isaiah was looking forward to the time when our
sins would be completely wiped away by the shed blood of GOD’S perfect
sacrifice. HIS only SON, JESUS.
GOD had a plan for Saul/Paul and GOD has a plan for all
who place his/her faith in JESUS-----
WHO will make this possible? GOD’S only Son, JESUS by HIS
sinless, physical life upon earth, HIS physical death by the shedding of HIS
sinless blood on the cross, confirmed by HIS resurrection from the dead
witnessed by HIS disciples and five hundred people and HIS bodily ascension
into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of GOD, HIS FATHER to intercede
for all “Born again” Christians.
JESUS is the advocate of all who place their faith in HIM
before GOD, HIS FATHER. Why?
Satan accuses those who have been “born again” when they
sin.
JESUS is the advocate before Satan when the redeemed sin.
When the redeemed sin, they are to confess their sin(s)
and ask GOD to forgive, cleanse and restore them. When we do not confess our
sins, it gives Satan a path into our lives to defeat us.
All who place their faith in JESUS are eternally redeemed
and they are GOD’S eternal Sons or Daughters. Their eternal citizenship is in
Heaven. However, it is not okay to live like we choose.
“Born again” Christians have been bought for a price. The
perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD, JESUS THE CHRIST WHO paid the sin debt in
full. But all people must accept what JESUS did to pay the sin debt in full
through faith in the resurrected and ascended JESUS.
THE HOLY SPIRIT is the divine sperm, WHO unites with the
human spirit, considered as the human spiritual egg. This union of the Holy
Spirit with the human spirit results in a human being “Born Again” Spiritually
and eternally, through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.
You may recall what JESUS told Nicodemus, as recorded in:
John 3:1-7:
3 There was a man from
the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This
man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a
teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs
you do unless God were with him.”
3 Jesus
replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 “How
can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his
mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
5 Jesus
answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever
is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is
spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you
must be born again.
All humans are born first physically, which they had no
control over, however all have the opportunity to be “born again” Spiritually through
faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.
GOD does have provisions for those die before reaching
the Age of Accountability. Many speculate what that age might be but only GOD
knows.
I know on a previous study I shared with you the
conversation I had with people who died and went to Heaven and saw angels
bringing babies to the Heavenly nursery.
The “Born again” person is not only “Born Again”
Spiritually but his/her citizenship is eternally established in Heaven.
The singer Burl Ives sang a song, “There is a new name written
down in Glory and it is mine.” As a Spirit Born believer in JESUS, so will your
name be written in the Lambs Book of Life and you are an eternal citizen of
Heaven -----
But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven.
And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does this mean? As a “born again” Christian through
faith in JESUS, in essence the “born again” person is an eternal resident of
Heaven, just on assignment for JESUS upon earth until GOD calls him/her to his/her
eternal home, Heaven via death or the rapture when JESUS takes the true
believers to Heaven ---
WOW!!! Saul was on a lifelong journey of discovery, as he
obediently ministered for GOD, JESUS as led by THE HOLY SPIRIT and so are
we who have asked JESUS to forgive us for our sins and ask JESUS to come into
our hearts. Our journey may or may not be as exciting as Paul’s, but it will be
rewarding.
Saul was on the road to his heavenly eternal journey via obedience
to JESUS. What a journey brother Paul had ----- And so are all who have been
“born again” and desire to serve as The Holy Spirit directs us.
We have an excellent vantage point through GOD’S Word to
journey with Paul as GOD, JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT shaped and reveal truth to
Saul as his name changed Paul.
The very JESUS’ revelation and revolution Saul was
fighting against before he encountered JESUS would become the passion of his
life to tell and reveal the truth of JESUS to others --- Let’s explore -------
Acts 9:1-16: (Let’s refocus our minds back to
Saul’s reason for going to Damascus)
The Damascus Road – Brief review
9 Now Saul was still
breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to
the high priest 2 and requested letters from
him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who
belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to
Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled and was nearing
Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling
to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are
you persecuting me?”
5 “Who
are you, Lord?” Saul said.
That statement still excites me ---- “Who are
you, Lord?”
Do you think such an encounter would get your
attention???
Most certainly!!! Notice Saul’s reaction, “Who
are you LORD!!!”
That, to me, is so revealing.
It indicates, to me, that Saul was looking
beyond obeying the Law to a personal relationship with GOD and possibly greater
assurance of Heaven other than the Law.
Keep in mind that Saul knew the Scriptures/Law
---
So, when Saul heard these words from JESUS, “I am
Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied.
Did the words of JESUS confirm in Saul’s heart and mind
what he had been contemplating in his heart and mind???
We do not know but GOD, JESUS and THE HOLY SPIRIT are communicators
and revealers of truth to those who seek truth.
Saul had a love of GOD, for GOD and GOD knew it ----
How was GOD communicating with Saul? In a way, Saul would
listen and respond. GOD still communicates with HIS chosen the same today --- In
a way HE knows we will pay attention and listen – sunrise, sunset, clouds,
music, poetry, still small voice and so many more ways because
GOD’S desire is for those HE seeks to respond.
Let’s consider the Prophet Elijah’s mountain top
encounter after fleeing from Jezebel ---
1 Kings 19:9-13:
Elijah’s Encounter with the Lord
Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and
he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 He
replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,
but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your
altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am
left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”
11 Then
he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”
At that moment, the Lord passed by. A
great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering
cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After
the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the
earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a
fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire
there was a voice, a soft whisper. 13 When
Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood
at the entrance of the cave.
We often look for the dramatic, but GOD may communicate
with us via “a soft whisper.”
Let’s go on a journey with Saul ------
Step 1 – CHRIST in you the hope of glory ---- JESUS
speaks to Saul ---
6 “But
get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Saul was on the ground, and he heard the voice of JESUS,
who Saul, likely knew had been crucified, died, and buried from the testimony
of Stephen and others. Did Saul know that JESUS was resurrected? Likely. We
don’t know for sure, but it is reasonable that Saul knew what was being said
about JESUS. He knew that JESUS had a group of followers and now he had a
personal encounter with JESUS --- wow!!!
Had the stoning of Stephen prepared him for his encounter
with the resurrected JESUS? We do not know but GOD works in mysterious ways. HE
goes after the lost sheep and especially when HE knows their potential for HIS
Kingdom ----
7 The
men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing
no one. 8 Saul got up from the
ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So, they took him
by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 He was
unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.
Did Saul think about the three days JESUS was in the tomb?
Only GOD knows.
Saul’s Baptism
10 There
was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord
said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”
“Here I am, Lord,” he replied.
11 “Get
up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said
to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named
Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In
a vision[a] he
has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he
may regain his sight.”
THE LORD gave Ananias clear and detailed
instructions and prepares the Way -----
13 “Lord,”
Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm
he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has
authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
Sometimes the LORD asks us to go to the unlovely,
but the GOOD NEWS IS THAT GOD GOES AHEAD OF US -WE HAVE TO TRUST-----
THE LORD heard what Ananias had said about
Saul ----
The LORD always prepares the way when HE
tells us to go. Our part is to trust as we go -----
15 But
the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to
take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I
will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
THE LORD gave Ananias HIS stamp of approval!!!
That is vital and reassuring when our LORD calls us to go -----
THE LORD said to Ananias, “Go, for this man
is my chosen.”
There are times when the LORD calls his
chosen to step out in faith, even when the step looks shaky, but when we do,
not only is the objective of our LORD achieved but our faith is strengthened
and renewed----
“MY Chosen” – THE HOLY SPIRIT is the “born
again”/” Spirit Born” person’s guarantee, assurance of salvation and guide
through life as those who have been “born again” journey under HIS leadership
and direction. Ananias was on a vital mission for GOD because there was a new
name written in Glory and in the “Lambs Book OF LIFE.” That was Saul of Tarsus
and soon to be Paul.
There was a new name written in Glory and it
was Paul.
It was mine when I asked JESUS into my heart
years ago. It is yours when you ask JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins
and ask JESUS to come into your heart and forgive you for all your sins.
Salvation is not difficult. I have heard of
some people just saying “LORD, I give up, please forgive me for my sins and
come into my heart.”
What takes place when a person asks JESUS to
forgive him or her for their sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart?
THE HOLY SPIRIT unites with the human spirit,
and Spiritual conception takes place quicker than a blink of the eye. Consider
the Holy Spirit as the divine sperm.
No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately,
knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His
principle of life, the divine sperm, remains
permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born
(begotten) of God.
For God did not send his Son into
the world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through him.
Let’s go back to GOD calling Ananias to go to
meet with Saul. GOD may ask HIS Children to go to HIS chosen to minister to
them. Ananias knew Saul’s reputation and it was not good. Ananias had to trust
GOD.
The same is true when GOD calls us to go and
speak to those who may be unlovely or unloving.
GOD always has a plan -----
Back to Acts 9:17:
17 Ananias
went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him
(Saul) and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to
you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your
sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
WOW!!! “Brother Saul!!!”
What a joy it must have been for both Ananias and Saul ----
18 At
once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his
sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And
after taking some food, he regained his strength.
When a person receives JESUS as his/her Savior, he/she
sees truth clearly. Let the journey continue, seeing and understanding truth --
Saul Proclaiming the Messiah
Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some
time. 20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in
the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”
21 All
who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was
causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose
of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
WOW!!! When JESUS comes into any person’s life, he or she
is transformed by the renewing of their minds as recorded in----
22 But
Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by
proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Once you see the truth, it is the GOOD NEWS
we want all to hear because it is life changing and eternal----
23 After
many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but
Saul learned of their plot. So, they were watching the gates day and night
intending to kill him, 25 but his disciples took
him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 When
he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all
afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas,
however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how
Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how
in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
There may be a time in our journey that we may have to take
someone in our care and vouch for him or her.
28 Saul
was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the
Lord. 29 He conversed and debated with the
Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When
the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to
Tarsus.
The Church’s Growth
31 So
the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was
strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit,
it increased in numbers.
When Saul saw the truth in JESUS, he was compelled to share
that truth with others. Saul/Paul’s testimony next study.
Blessings!!!
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