Paul's Conversion on the Damascus Road
Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and is transformed from the church's greatest enemy into its most zealous apostle.
Acts 9:1-22, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 26:12-18
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The Story
Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest and desired of him letters to Damascus, that if he found any of this way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees, zealous for the law, and he persecuted the church beyond measure.
As he journeyed and came near Damascus about noon, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun. He fell to the earth and heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?'
Trembling, Saul said, 'Who art thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.' In that moment, all of Saul's religious certainty crumbled. The One he thought to be a blasphemous impostor was indeed the Lord of glory, risen from the dead.
Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man—the glory had left him blind. They led him by the hand into Damascus, where he was three days without sight, neither eating nor drinking.
The Lord appeared to a disciple named Ananias, commanding him to go to Saul. Though Ananias feared Saul's reputation, the Lord said, '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.'
Ananias went and laid his hands on Saul, saying, 'Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.' Immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales, and he received sight forthwith, and arose and was baptized.
Straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. All that heard him were amazed. The greatest persecutor had become the greatest preacher.
Saul Meets Jesus on the Road
Kids Version
There was a man named Saul who hated people who loved Jesus. He thought they were wrong, and he wanted to stop them from telling others about Jesus. Saul went from town to town finding Christians and putting them in jail. Now Saul was going to a city called Damascus to arrest more Christians.
But something amazing happened while Saul was walking on the road! Suddenly, a bright light from heaven shined all around him. It was brighter than the sun! Saul fell down on the ground, and he heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you hurting me?'
Saul was confused and asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The voice answered, 'I am Jesus, the one you are hurting!' Saul realized that when he hurt people who loved Jesus, he was actually hurting Jesus Himself!
Jesus told Saul to get up and go into the city. When Saul stood up and opened his eyes, he couldn't see anything! The bright light had made him blind. His friends had to hold his hand and lead him into Damascus. For three days, Saul couldn't see, and he didn't eat or drink anything. He just prayed and prayed.
God spoke to a Christian man named Ananias and told him to go visit Saul. Ananias was scared because he had heard that Saul hurt Christians! But God said, 'Don't be afraid. I have chosen Saul to tell people all over the world about me.'
So Ananias went to Saul and put his hands on him. He said, 'Brother Saul, Jesus sent me so you can see again!' Right away, something like scales fell off Saul's eyes, and he could see! Saul was baptized and became a follower of Jesus. The man who used to hurt Christians became one of the greatest teachers about Jesus ever!
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Scripture — Acts 9:1-22 (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.
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 “Paul's Conversion on the Damascus Road” in the Bible?
Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and is transformed from the church's greatest enemy into its most zealous apostle. This story is found in Acts 9:1-22, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 26:12-18.
Where is “Paul's Conversion on the Damascus Road” found in the Bible?
“Paul's Conversion on the Damascus Road” is found in Acts 9:1-22, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 26:12-18, in the book of Acts.
What can children learn from “Paul's Conversion on the Damascus Road”?
This story teaches children about Conversion, God's Sovereignty, Grace, Calling, Transformation, Repentance. Saul, who hurt Christians, meets Jesus in a bright light and becomes Paul, one of Jesus's greatest followers.