CONVERSION
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Saul's parents sent him at a very young age to Jerusalem to be instructed in the Mosaic Law under Gamaliel which was the greatest Rabi of his time. As a Pharisee he was respected for his great intellect and zeal for the Jewish faith and traditions and was an excellent student. Saul’s great zeal for Jewish law and traditions made him very upset about his Jewish brethren who were following the New Way, as Christianity was first called. So, thinking that he was serving God, Saul became the worst enemy of Christians. He hunted Christians down and dragged them out of their homes, imprisoning them and even having them killed.
Saul’s conversion occurred when he was on his way to the city of Damascus. He had gone to the high priest and the Sanhedrin for a commission to allow him to go where he knew there were many new Christians, to arrest them and take them back to Jerusalem for trial. When he and his men were very near to the city, they were suddenly surrounded by a light so bright that it knocked Saul to the ground. They heard a voice which was coming from heaven, the voice said: ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ And Saul said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. When Saul stood up from the ground he could see nothing and so the men who were travelling with him led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank. While in Damascus, Jesus instructed a devout follower of the way to pray for Saul in order that his sight be restored. When he did, immediately Saul could see. Saul was told that he would be Jesus' witness to all men of what he had seen and heard. At that time, Saul got up and was baptized a follower of Christ Jesus. |