According to luke s book of the acts of the apostles. The conversion of paul on the road to damascus acts 9 represents a critical point in the. In these writings, paul says something about his conversion because he believes he needs to. Paul proclaims his righteousness and judgment to come. Saul received a vision of the resurrected christ while en route to damascus. In our chronology of the book of acts, we propose late ad 34 as the likely date of saul s conversion see appendix 1. Pauls dramatic conversion on the damascus road acts 9. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Papers were granted and saul, and some other men, set off. The lord opened her heart to respond to paul s message. Pauls conversion in the canonical acts and in the acts of paul. To begin, it is important to understand that the belief that the book of acts has a contradiction is not related to the apostle paul s personal conversion story.
In the book of acts we have not one, not two, but three accounts of sauls conversion. The book of acts says that paul was on his way from jerusalem to syrian damascus with a mandate issued by the high. Do the 3 accounts of pauls conversion in luke contradict. Sep 03, 2019 for most christians, pauls experience on the road to damascus in acts 9 is the classic story of the conversion of the chief of sinners. I dont think these skeptics are paying very close attention when they say that there are irreconcilable discrepencies.
Actually starts in verse 15, i am jesus, who you are persecuting. There are three accounts of pauls conversion to christianity found in the book of acts. The book of acts tells the accounts of paul s conversion on three occasions acts 9, 22, 26. Acts 15 concerns the first major controversy in the early church, although the issue seems strange to modern readers. Pauls conversion why three accounts, and how do they. For most christians, pauls experience on the road to damascus in acts 9 is the classic story of the conversion of the chief of sinners. Paul, still called saul at this point, has taken an active part in the persecution of the christian movement after the. If saul had remained a jewish rabbi, we would be missing thirteen of twentyseven books of the new testament and christianity s early major expansion to the gentiles. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, saul, saul, why do you persecute me.
Do the three accounts of pauls conversion in acts contradict. Pauls own very subdued reference to his conversion in a heated argument in which he would have scored points by referring to a dramatic conversion on the road to damascus. A list of sermons in the book of acts leadership resources. According to lukes book of the acts of the apostles. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion. This is an important point based on the fact that luke, the author of the book of acts, traveled with the apostle paul. Paul s own very subdued reference to his conversion in a heated argument in which he would have scored points by referring to a dramatic conversion on the road to damascus. Jan 02, 2011 the book of acts sunday school lesson series january 2, 2011 by kelly henderson take your students on a journey through the book of acts where they will learn lessons from the early church after jesus ascended to heaven and believers received the gift of the holy spirit. Calling of saul of tarsus bibl 364 acts research guides. Immediately afterward, he endured the humbling that god intended as. Acts overview mcgarveys original commentary on acts. Each version is different, and this fact has led some critics to say that the accounts are contradictory.
Luke recounts pauls conversion story three times acts 9, 22 and 26. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or. Ananias was sent to paul to restore his sight miracles were worked during the early church as revelation was not yet complete. Does paul s silence suggest that the damascus event never occurred. A critical charge that supposedly nullifies the harmony of the book of acts is the fact that there are differences in the three accounts of pauls conversion. The first thing mentioned in the text that saul did following his conversion was that he took food and was strengthened acts 9. Paul s conversion the most important event in human history apart from the life, death and resurrection of jesus of nazareth is the conversion to christianity of saul of tarsus. There are some differences in how pauls experience is told. From pauls letters we know who his companions were and that only luke could write the we when he was the eyewitness of the events recounted. Contradictions in the book of acts for the damascus road. The apostles were justifiably dubious about his conversion and he disputed with them for the rest of his life on a variety of issues. Pauls conversion, of scripture stories coloring book. Nov 27, 2017 the conversion of saul paul is so important to the author of the book of acts that he presents the story three times acts 9, 22, 26.
After his conversion he went to the opposite extreme of loving god and preaching his word with power and fervency in the spirit of the true and living god. Pauls conversion is recorded three times in the bible 1. Does pauls silence suggest that the damascus event never occurred. Pauls conversion was seminal in the church, but the stories differ. To begin, it is important to understand that the belief that the book of acts has a contradiction is not related to the apostle pauls personal conversion story. We know from other sources that paul was eventually martyred in rome, but acts doesnt tell us that. I wish i could remember how i reacted to the inconsistent retellings of pauls conversion in acts. He told them, johns baptism was a baptism of repentance. Sauls conversion meanwhile, saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the lords disciples. The service of the apostle paul in the whole world. The conversion of saul 1992 all sermons by pastor john osteen.
The lord told him to enter the city, and he would be told what he must do 9. The conversion of paul the book of acts amazing facts. Luke briefly summarized sauls conversion by saying, he got up and was baptized acts 9. The conversion of saulpaul is so important to the author of the book of acts that he presents the story three times acts 9, 22, 26. As regards the date and place of composition of the book the following information can be deduced. The book of acts says that paul was on his way from jerusalem to syrian damascus with a mandate issued by the high priest to seek out and arrest followers of jesus, with the intention of. The story of pauls conversion from a devout jew, violently persecuting believers in jesus, to a devout christian, fearlessly spreading the gospel against all opposition, is found three times in acts. Luke and paul probably discussed the conversion story in depth.
This occurred three times, in acts, acts 18, and acts 28. Saul of tarsus, a pharisee in jerusalem after the crucifixion and resurrection of jesus christ, swore to wipe out the new christian church, called the way. Pauls conversion 1 chapter 3 pauls conversion acts 9 a. Now as he journeyed he approached damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.
Sometimes a person gives the condensed version of the story. The conversion of paul on the road to damascus acts 9 represents a critical point in the book of acts and in the history of christianity. If one genuinely wants to know what to do to be saved, he can read the book of acts and find the biblical answer. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. Also, during this time luke recorded three accounts of pauls conversion and his witness to three rulers. In our chronology of the book of acts, we propose late ad 34 as the likely date of sauls conversion see appendix 1.
Pauls conversion the most important event in human history apart from the life, death and resurrection of jesus of nazareth is the conversion to christianity of saul of tarsus. Although this study will focus on the conversion of saul of tarsus paul, let us first consider eight examples of conversions found in the book of acts. Acts 9 niv sauls conversion meanwhile, saul bible gateway. If saul had remained a jewish rabbi, we would be missing thirteen of twentyseven books of the new testament and christianitys early major expansion to the gentiles. New testament 2019 pauls conversion pauls conversion. So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read paul s own testimony, he expands on it. Hedrick observed that the three episodes supplement each other, for the first account is a healing narrative, the second features healing and call, and the third is a commissioning. The book of acts sunday school lesson series january 2, 2011 by kelly henderson take your students on a journey through the book of acts where they will learn lessons from the early church after jesus ascended to heaven and believers received the gift of the holy spirit. New testament scholarship has long debated the accuracy of the portrayal of the apostle paul in the book of acts. A contrast of pauls conversion accounts 28 jun luke records pauls conversion three times in acts, first in chapter 9 where he simply narrates the event, and secondly, through pauls testimony in chapter 22 before the jews after they tried to kill him, and finally before festus and king agrippa in chapter 26. Pauls road to damascus conversion story summary the story of pauls conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. By divine design the conversion of saul of tarsus is recorded three times in the book of acts chapters 9, 22, 26. May 02, 2020 pauls dramatic conversion on the damascus road acts 9.
Acts of the apostles discusses paul s conversion experience at three different points in the text, in far more detail than in the accounts in paul s letters. Read the acts of the apostles and the epistles to gain a better understanding of pauls ongoing conversion to christianity. Another new testament illustration of this literary phenomenon is the record of pauls conversion, as set forth three times in the book of acts chapters 9, 22, and 26. Pauls road to damascus conversion bible study guide. Acts 9 conversion of saul object lesson for children. Pauls statement of his conversion and zeal for the gospel. Most of the time, one eating a meal is more mundane and common than it is noteworthy.
So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read pauls own testimony, he expands on it. Activities for kids from the early church in the book of acts. The book of acts was penned by the apostle paul and teaches many concepts. Paul begins this passage by reminding his readers of the man he used to be. Paul s road to damascus conversion story summary the story of paul s conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. It is not just in the book of acts that the importance of sauls conversion is evident. In acts 8, we learned that saul was trying to destroy the church. The story of paul s conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. Immediately afterward, he endured the humbling that god intended as the first phase of his training. He went to the high priest and asked for permission to go to damascus to arrest those of the way. The book of acts is not only a book of history, but also a book of conversions.
The conversion of the apostle paul 1282 words bartleby. In chapter nine of acts, luke tells us the famous story of pauls conversion. Theyre all a little bit different, and because of that, some critics have cried foul. I am fairly certain i was of the mind that the bible is inerrant, so i would not have doubted that paul actually described his convernsion inconsistently and that his accounts differed from lukes which, somehow, must have derived from pauls own account which. According to the new testament book acts of the apostles often simply called acts, paul persecuted some of the early disciples of jesus. Pauls conversion bible story summary, study and lesson. Within its pages are found the establishment of the church, the conversion of one of christianitys most ruthless converts, the conversion of the first gentile to the gospel and pauls sermon to the grecians from mars hill. Scripture tells us that he breathed threats and murder against the church.
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