1461. Paul's Conversion

Paul's Conversion

"At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from Heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me" (Act_26:13).

Four things may be said, in briefly summing up the remarkable conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

1. The supernatural light. Paul was on his way to Damascus clothed with letters of authority to persecute the saints. As he journeyed along the way, at midday, he saw in the way a light from Heaven above the brightness of the sun.

It may have been that Saul of Tarsus was set against the supernatural. At least, he did not believe that in his day the Lord would speak from Heaven, as He had spoken in the days of old. How great, then, was his astonishment as a light brighter than the noonday sun fell upon him.

In this light, which was the first great stepping-stone in the conversion of the Apostle Paul, we have the picture of the salvation of Israel, saved by the forthshining of the glory of Christ.

2. The stricken group. When the light shone down upon Saul and his comrades, immediately they fell to the earth. They became prostrate before the God of Heaven. The young man, so full of pride, so strong of will, and determined of purpose, was stricken down. He who would not bow, was brought low. When the Lord comes again everyone that is proud and lifted up, everyone who is lofty and exalted shall be humbled and made low. Let the wicked even now before the coming of the Day of the Lord, fall down before Him, and cry for peace.

3. The stubborn Saul. Following the light and the falling down upon the earth came the words of Christ: "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Two things are suggested.

(1) Saul of Tarsus already had many burnings within his breast. There had been those of his own kin people who were in Christ before him. Their prayers and their pleas had caused many a prick within his heart. There was the memory of the death of Stephen, which was always with him. He could not drown the voice of the man who cried, "Father, forgive them." He could not forget the words, "Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost. As your fathers do so also do ye."

(2) Saul KICKED against the pricks–the burnings within his breast. The young men whose garments Saul had held, thrust their ringers in their ears as they rushed on Stephen; thus also did the young man Saul stubbornly refuse to hear Christ, to receive the pleadings of the Spirit. He fought against the inner conviction which was overwhelming his spirit.

4. The Saviour's revealing. In answer to Saul's "Who art Thou, Lord?" the response came, "I am Jesus, Whom thou persecutest." This was more than Saul could stand. It was the final word that led to his salvation. In speaking of this, in after years, Paul said, "When it pleased God Who saved me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, * * immediately * * I preached the Gospel." The young man who had been sincere in his persecution of Christ, was driven in sincerity, to accept the Saviour. Thus, he who once persecuted, began to pray.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR