(a) Discuss Saul's experience on his way to Damascus. (b) How significant was this experience to his future life?

(a) Saul's experience on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19)

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he might bind them and bring them to Jerusalem.

As he journeyed and drew near to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" and the voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

Saul rose 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.

Meanwhile, the Lord spoke in a vision to a disciple named Ananias, telling him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for Saul of Tarsus, who was praying. Ananias objected, having heard how much evil Saul had done to the saints, but the Lord told him Saul was a chosen instrument to carry his name before the Gentiles, kings and the sons of Israel, and how much he must suffer for the Lord's sake. Ananias went, laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, he regained his sight, rose and was baptized, took food and was strengthened.

(b) The significance of this experience to his future life

• It marked his conversion from persecutor to believer: The fierce enemy of the Church became a devoted follower of Christ, and at once began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
• It gave him his divine call and commission: He was chosen as the apostle to the Gentiles, to carry the name of Christ before nations, kings and Israel, which shaped the whole course of his missionary work.
• It grounded his message in a personal encounter with the risen Christ: Having seen the Lord, Paul could confidently defend the reality of the resurrection and his own apostleship.
• It prepared him for a life of suffering for Christ: He was told how much he must suffer for the Lord's sake, and indeed he endured persecutions, imprisonments and finally martyrdom for the Gospel.
• It humbled him and made him wholly dependent on God's grace: The proud Pharisee was struck down and led by the hand, learning that his new life and mission rested on God's mercy, not his own righteousness.