The Conversion of Saul and questions by Tuese

The Conversion of Saul and questions by Tuese

Acts 9:1-19

9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 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 ME?” 5 AND HE SAID, “WHO ARE YOU,LORD?” AND HE SAID, “I AM JESUS, WHOM YOU ARE PERSECUTING.6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, HEARING THE VOICE BUT SEEING NO ONE. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although HIS EYES WERE OPENED, 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.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias.The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saint sat Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him,“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said,“BROTHER SAUL, THE LORD JESUS WHO APPEARED TO YOU ON THE ROAD BY WHICH YOU CAME HAS SENT ME SO THAT YOU MAY REGAIN YOUR SIGHT AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. 

**What did Saul see?  a Light from heaven shone around him

Did He see Yeshua physically?  No.

Did He hear Yeshua?  Yes.

How was Saul persecuting Christ?  By persecuting and killing Christians (God's people, The Body of Christ).

Did the men see Yeshua?  hearing the voice but seeing no one.

In v8, what did Saul see with his eyes open?  He saw nothing.

Acts22:6-21

6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, ABOUT NOON A GREAT LIGHT FROM HEAVEN SUDDENLY SHONE AROUND ME. 7 AND I FELL TO THE GROUND AND HEARD A VOICE SAYING TO ME, ‘SAUL, SAUL, WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME?’ 8 AND I ANSWERED, ‘WHO ARE YOU, LORD?’ AND HE SAID TO ME, ‘I AM JESUS OF NAZARETH, WHOM YOU ARE PERSECUTING.’ 9 NOW THOSE WHO WERE WITH ME SAW THE LIGHT BUT DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE VOICE OF THE ONE WHO WAS SPEAKING TO ME. 10 AND I SAID, ‘WHAT SHALL I DO, LORD?’ AND THE LORD SAID TO ME, ‘RISE, AND GO INTO DAMASCUS, AND THERE YOU WILL BE TOLD ALL THAT IS APPOINTED FOR YOU TO DO.’ 11 AND SINCE I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS OF THAT LIGHT, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law,well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, TO SEE THE RIGHTEOUS ONE AND TO HEAR A VOICE FROM HIS MOUTH; 15 FOR YOU WILL BE A WITNESS FOR HIM TO EVERYONE OF WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I FELL INTO A TRANCE 18 AND SAW HIM SAYING TO ME, ‘MAKE HASTE AND GET OUT OF JERUSALEM QUICKLY, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT YOUR TESTIMONY ABOUT ME.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 AND HE SAID TO ME, ‘GO, FOR I WILL SEND YOU FAR AWAY TO THE GENTILES.’”

***In v11, was Saul able to see because of the brightness of that light in v6?  No.

In v14, in what sense did Saul see the Righteous One?  Spiritually.

v17, what does Paul see in a trance?  Him, Christ.

Paul Tells of HisConversion

Acts26:12-18  

12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 AT MIDDAY, O KING, I SAW ON THE WAY A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN, BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN, THAT SHONE AROUND ME AND THOSE WHO JOURNEYED WITH ME. 14 AND WHEN WE HAD ALL FALLEN TO THE GROUND, I HEARD A VOICE SAYING TO ME in the Hebrew language, ‘SAUL, SAUL, WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME? IT IS HARD FOR YOU TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS.’ 15 And I said, ‘WHO ARE YOU, LORD?’ AND THE LORD SAID, ‘I AM JESUS WHOM YOU ARE PERSECUTING. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, FOR I HAVE APPEARED TO YOU FOR THIS PURPOSE, TO APPOINT YOU as a servant and witness to the things in which YOU HAVE SEEN ME AND TO THOSE IN WHICH I WILL APPEAR TO YOU, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

***In v13, what did Paul see?  He saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around him and those who journeyed with him.
***What did Paul hear after he and his companions fell to the ground?  He heard the voice Jesus saying to him in the Hebrew language,"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
**Did Christ appear to Paul in a physical body?  No.
**What does Christ mean when He says to Paul, "I have appeared to you," "You have seen me?"  How did Christ appear to Paul and how did Paul see Christ?  Paul experienced the presence of Christ.  This is how Yeshua was able to appear to Paul and this how Paul was able to see Christ.

**In v16, Christ says to Paul that he has appointed him as a servant and a witness to the things in which he has seen Christ and to those in which Christ will appear to him.  

Paul Called by God

Galatians1:11-24

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that THE GOSPEL that was preached by me is not man's gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I RECEIVED IT THROUGH A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond  many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 BUT WHEN HE WHO HAD SET ME APART BEFORE I WAS BORN, AND WHO CALLED ME BY HIS GRACE, 16WAS PLEASED TO REVEAL HIS SON TO ME, IN ORDER THAT I MIGHT PREACH HIM AMONG THE GENTILES, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia,and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “HE WHO USED TO PERSECUTE US IS NOW PREACHING THE FAITH HE ONCE TRIED TO DESTROY.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

*** What is meant by Paul having received The Gospel by a revelation of Jesus Christ ???  An act of God's grace.
v16 What is meant by "reveal His Son to me?"  An act of God's grace.

1 Corinthians 9:1  Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

***Did Paul see Jesus in physical form? No.
Did Paul see Jesus?  Yes.