From Persecutor to Preacher
Saul encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, transforming him from Christianity's greatest enemy to its most ardent advocate.
Acts 9:1-31, Acts 22:3-21, Acts 26:9-18
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The Story
Saul of Tarsus was breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. A Pharisee trained under Gamaliel, he was convinced that followers of the Way were blaspheming God. He obtained letters from the high priest authorizing him to arrest any Christians in Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'
'Who are You, Lord?' Saul asked.
'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Rise and go into the city, and you will be told what to do.'
The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. When Saul arose, he opened his eyes but could see nothing. They led him by the hand into Damascus, where he remained blind for three days, neither eating nor drinking.
Meanwhile, the Lord appeared to a disciple named Ananias, telling him to go to Saul. Ananias protested—he had heard of this man's persecution of the saints. But God said, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.'
Ananias obeyed. Laying his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He arose and was baptized.
Then Saul—soon to be known as Paul—began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, declaring that He is the Son of God. All who heard him were amazed: 'Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name?' But Saul increased all the more in strength, confounding the Jews by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
The greatest persecutor had become the greatest preacher. The one who destroyed the church would build it. Grace had transformed an enemy into an apostle.
The Day Everything Changed for Saul
Kids Version
There was a man named Saul who was very angry at people who loved Jesus. He wanted to arrest them and put them in jail! One day, Saul was walking to a city called Damascus to find more Christians to hurt.
Suddenly, a super bright light from heaven shined all around him! Saul fell down. Then he heard a voice: 'Saul, Saul, why are you hurting Me?'
'Who are You?' Saul asked.
'I am Jesus! Every time you hurt My followers, you're hurting Me!'
When Saul stood up, he couldn't see anything! He was blind! His friends had to lead him by the hand into the city. For three days, Saul couldn't see. He didn't eat or drink. He just prayed.
God sent a brave man named Ananias to help Saul. Ananias was scared at first because he knew Saul hurt Christians. But God said, 'Don't worry! I'm going to use Saul to tell everyone about Me!'
Ananias put his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, Jesus sent me to help you see again!' Right away, Saul could see! He got baptized and started telling everyone that Jesus is God's Son!
Everyone was surprised! 'Isn't this the man who used to hurt Christians?' they asked. But Saul, who now called himself Paul, had completely changed. Jesus turned His enemy into His friend!
Jesus can change anyone's heart—even the meanest person can become kind when they meet Jesus!
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Acts 9:1-31 (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.
20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
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 “From Persecutor to Preacher” in the Bible?
Saul encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, transforming him from Christianity's greatest enemy to its most ardent advocate. This story is found in Acts 9:1-31, Acts 22:3-21, Acts 26:9-18.
Where is “From Persecutor to Preacher” found in the Bible?
“From Persecutor to Preacher” is found in Acts 9:1-31, Acts 22:3-21, Acts 26:9-18, in the book of Acts.
What can children learn from “From Persecutor to Preacher”?
This story teaches children about Conversion, Grace, Divine calling, Transformation, Forgiveness. Saul was trying to hurt Christians, but Jesus appeared to him in a bright light. Saul became Paul and spent the rest of his life telling everyone about Jesus!