The Conversion of Saul
Saul, a fierce persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and is transformed into the apostle Paul.
Acts 9:1-19
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The Story
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'
'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked.
'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.'
'Lord,' Ananias answered, 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.'
But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.'
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.
Saul Meets Jesus
Kids Version
Saul was a very religious man, but he was doing something terrible. He HATED people who followed Jesus! He threw them in jail. He wanted to hurt them!
One day, Saul was walking to a city called Damascus. He wanted to find more Christians to arrest.
Suddenly—FLASH! A light brighter than the sun blazed from the sky! Saul fell to the ground!
Then he heard a voice: 'Saul, Saul, why are you hurting Me?'
'Who... who are You, Lord?' Saul asked, trembling.
'I am JESUS—the one you're hurting. Now get up and go into the city. You'll find out what to do next.'
When Saul opened his eyes—he couldn't see! He was blind!
His friends had to lead him by the hand into Damascus. For three days, Saul sat in darkness. He didn't eat. He didn't drink. He just prayed.
Meanwhile, Jesus spoke to a Christian named Ananias. 'Go find Saul and heal his eyes.'
Ananias was scared! 'But Lord, Saul is DANGEROUS! He hurts Christians!'
'Go,' Jesus said. 'I've chosen him for a special job. He's going to tell EVERYONE about Me—even kings!'
Ananias obeyed. He found Saul and put his hands on him. 'Brother Saul, Jesus sent me so you can see again.'
Something like scales fell off Saul's eyes. He could SEE!
Saul was baptized right away. He started telling everyone that Jesus is the Son of God!
The man who HATED Christians became one of the greatest Christians EVER. We call him Paul. He wrote much of the New Testament!
No one is too bad for Jesus to save!
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Acts 9:1-19 (KJV)
1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. of this way: Gr. of the way
3And as he journeyed , he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake .
17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
Memory Verse
“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”
— Acts 9:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Conversion of Saul” in the Bible?
Saul, a fierce persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and is transformed into the apostle Paul. This story is found in Acts 9:1-19.
Where is “The Conversion of Saul” found in the Bible?
“The Conversion of Saul” is found in Acts 9:1-19, in the book of Acts.
What can children learn from “The Conversion of Saul”?
This story teaches children about Conversion, Grace, God's calling, Transformation. Saul HATED Christians and wanted to hurt them. But on a road to Damascus, a bright light knocked him down, and Jesus spoke to him! Saul became one of Jesus' greatest followers!