Bible Story: Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9)
Paul is one of the most prominent characters in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. Paul wrote over two-thirds of the New Testament. Books like Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, and more are attributed to him. Through Paul’s writings, Christians gained a much better understanding of God. Paul celebrated, rebuked, disciplined, and taught the people he was writing to in these letters. They were preserved and still hold the same value for us today.
Paul’s story is a great example of God changing and using someone. Originally, Paul, who also went by the name of Saul, was someone who persecuted Christians. Paul was trained as a Jew, and like the Pharisees, he did not like the movement that was centered around Jesus. In fact, he played a major role in sending Christians to jail and even having them killed.
Paul was a thorn in Christianity’s side, that is, until he had an encounter with Jesus himself. Acts 9 gives us the details of this event. Jesus appeared to him as a bright light, and the light blinded Paul. Jesus asked Paul why he was persecuting him, and Jesus sent him on a mission to see a man named Ananias. Ananias told Paul about Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and Paul was instantly able to see again. Paul put his faith in Jesus, and his new life began.
Paul made it his mission to spread the good news of Jesus to as many people as he could. He traveled far and wide preaching to anyone who would listen. Many people were shocked because Paul was known to have previously hated Christians. When people saw him preaching about him in a good way, they were curious, and many came to faith through Paul’s witness. It is a clear example that God can and does do the unexpected through unexpected people. No one is too far from God to be used by him.
Paul started many churches, and he discipled many people. He taught that people should put sin aside and live a life led by the Holy Spirit. He was a spark in the early church needed to spread the gospel beyond Israel. Paul took the great commission of going and making disciples throughout the whole world seriously. Jesus grabbed a hold of Paul’s heart, and Paul lived his life for Jesus through the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus died and gave us the opportunity to live an eternal life, and it is the Spirit that helps guide us into applying that to our daily lives.
Key Takeaways:
God can use anybody
Persecutor to Missionary
Led by the Spirit
Parents, 3treesKIDS will also be learning about Paul this Sunday, both in-person and online.
Be sure to check out their lesson at www.3trees.com/kids.
To find service times and locations, visit https://www.3trees.com/planyourvisit