Conversion

Introduction

What is conversion? We hear the word used in many walks of life. In elementary school we learned some rules of principles to convert measures from English to metric and Fahrenheit to Celsius.

Travelers between countries convert currencies. In computer terms we convert a Word file into an Adobe PDF. We use the word in many different arenas in life including in the arena of faith.

In the church we use conversion to speak about a change in many ways in the life of a believer in Jesus. When one believes in Jesus he/she goes through a change in what he/she believes, what he/she thinks, how he/she acts. Conversion begins with the Holy Spirit stirring the heart, continues with a witness to Jesus, and is observed by others through the act of baptism. Conversion is marked by repentance of sin and calling on God in Christ to forgive one’s sin. Conversion is spoken of with other similar in meaning words: saved.

Saul, the Greek name of Paul the Apostle, experienced conversion as recorded in Acts 9 and it provides a pattern of conversion. Not all who are converted go through such a dramatic physical event at conversion. For many persons conversion takes place through a quiet experience, such as Philip with the Eunuch. Let us observe the miraculous events surrounding Saul’s conversion and recognize the power of God to bring persons to Himself, but let us also recognize a discernable pattern in the process of conversion that is replicated in the life of all who are converted.

I. Doing His Own Thing (1-2)

Saul was doing his own thing in life. Much like you and I, he was doing what he wanted to do or what he enjoyed doing. In Saul’s case he was persecuting those who believed in Jesus as the Messiah and who were followers of the Way. Acting on his threats against the disciples of Jesus he got letters from the High Priest in Jerusalem to arrest and bring to Jerusalem for trial and punishment any and all who were followers of Jesus. His target was the Synagogue in Damascus.

Before conversion persons do their own thing. For some conversion was from an openly sinful lifestyle and conversion is very visible to others and appears to be dramatic (Lon Solomon). For some conversion was less visible and from a morally acceptable life, yet still lost (Billy Graham). For some conversion is a part of the life process as they were taken to church with their families and there appeared to be no visible change in their actions, except they were baptized.

While the thing Saul was doing was extraordinary (arresting and punishing believers) his example is part of a pattern that all persons go through. We naturally do our own thing until God converts us.

What is your own thing that you are doing that is keeping you separated from God? How do we go from doing our own thing to doing the things of God?

II. Encountering A Pursing God (3-9)

God acted to convert Saul and change his course. Saul was going along on his merry little way to do his own thing of persecuting believers. On that path, a path of his own making so he thought, the Lord blinded him by the light. Hank Williams sang about seeing the light, the Light of the World, Jesus. After being blinded by the light Saul begins to hear a voice; the voice of the Lord. He more than likely heard an audible voice, the same voice we can hear as we listen to the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the circumstances God orchestrates in our lives.

Saul responds to the Lord’s questioning by addressing Him as Lord. An important question to be asked and answered in the conversion process is who are you, Lord? The Lord simply reveals that He is Jesus, the one that you are persecuting. Another important question for one newly converted is what do you want me to do? The same question needs to be asked by all who are believers. What does Jesus want you to do? Saul was now a changed man; he was changed by his encounter with a pursuing God.

III. Listening To An Obedient Disciple (10-19)

Persons who become believers do so through the witness of another person. The other person may be a friend, family member, preacher, or in this case a stranger. Even though God got Saul’s attention through miraculous means, he used a simple man of faith to witness to Saul. Ananias was frightened at the prospect of talking to Saul. Ananias was justified in his fear because Saul had a reputation and was on a mission to arrest and punish all who believed in Jesus. Notice that the Lord spoke to Ananias through a dream.

The Lord’s instructions to Ananias were detailed and specific: go to the Straight street, find Saul at Judas’ house and tell Saul that he is chosen to deliver the name of Jesus to the Gentiles. Ananias was told he would find Saul praying and the Lord giving Saul a vision that one would named Ananias would come to him, put his hands on Saul, and restore Saul’s sight. Can you image the anticipation of Saul waiting for Ananias to come and touch him to restore his sight? What a picture of how we are before Christ, blind to see God working in our lives.

Saul’s journey, the one to Damascus and the journey of the rest of his life, was altered greatly by an obedient disciple’s word from the Lord. The same pattern of altering lives through the witness of another continues to be used by the Lord today. What did Saul do after his conversion?

IV. Saul Sharing The Change In Him (20-25)

You know the old saying that bad news travels fast and that good news does not travel at all? Humans have a tendency to share bad news the moment they receive it and will keep to themselves good news. Right away, or immediately Saul began to preach that Christ is the Son of God. His proclamation of Jesus shocked and amazed his hearers with his testimony. He confounded the Jews by his proclamation that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ.

Saul was the man attempting to arrest and punish any and every one that believed, but now he shared with others that Jesus is the Christ. Now he was the one the Jews were attempting to arrest. The encounter with the Lord, the testimony of Ananias, and the conversion of Saul placed him in a new position. He now was in need of protective help from others. The believers of Damascus protected him while he remained there and helped get him out of the city by lowering him down the city wall in a basket.

The converted Saul was not welcomed by the Jews in Damascus and was not readily accepted by the believers in Jerusalem. Acts 9:26-30 relates Saul’s reception in Jerusalem. His reception would have been vastly different had it not been for Barnabas standing with him. The converted are responsible for sharing a witness to Jesus and not responsible for the response of the hearer. We must remember that the Lord and the Lord only can convert a person. We are merely the messengers. As great as Saul was he found many that did not wish to accept his testimony of conversion and still others that did not wish to follow the way.

Conclusion

Conversion is a change that takes place within a believer in response to the prompting of God. The conversion experience may come with extraordinary events as Saul’s or it may come in a quiet ordinary manner.

The pattern of conversion is clearly seen in the conversion experience of Saul. His conversion experience was extraordinary but it outlined a pattern that others have experience in their conversion, and one you can identify with in your life.

Conversion takes place when God convicts and convinces sinners of the sinfulness, there need for a savior and transformation, and the work of Jesus on the cross to deal with their sin. Have you had a conversion experience? Are you sharing that conversion experience with others?