Acts 9:1-8

Paul was breathing out threats and slaughter against those who were followers of Jesus Christ. Later when he spoke to King Agrippa, he told how many of the saints he had put into prison and how he voted for their death.

As a results of this persecution, many believers left Jerusalem.

Paul apparently heard of the successful gospel preaching elsewhere and he determined to do something about it. He went to the high priest for permission to pursue these followers wherever they may be. Some of those who had scattered went north to Damascus which was then part of Arabia.

Paul asked for letters authorizing him to pursue them and bring them bound to Jerusalem, which would mean a trial for them before the Sanhedrin and probably a death sentence.

He called these believers as followers of “the way”, which was an interesting title for them because they taught that Christ was the way of salvation and the way of life.

Damascus was about 140 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Near the end of the road, a great light from heaven suddenly shined around Paul. When Jesus had risen from the dead his resurrection body was transformed and was now immortal, incorruptible, and glorified.

He now appeared to Paul within the light as the risen and glorified Christ.

As the brilliant light shone around him, Paul fell to the ground overwhelmed and he heard a voice saying:

“Paul, Paul, why are you persecuting me?” 

Here Luke uses the Hebrew version of the name for Paul, and Paul will later confirm in Acts 26:14 that Jesus spoke in the Hebrew language.

This appearance of Jesus was something special, extraordinary, and beyond  normal.

Paul now answers Jesus and says, “Who are you Lord?”. The answer came instantly. The Lord said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest, and it is hard for you to kick against the pricks.” The pricks are the sharp ox goads.

Paul was so full of fury that he seemed only to think of his zealous defense of the Jewish faith and his journey to stop the spread  of the gospel.

But now Paul was faced with Jesus, not just a man, but the divine Lord, and his whole attitude changed and he answered simply, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

In response to this evidence of genuine repentance, Jesus told Paul to rise and go into the city of Damascus where he would be told what is necessary for him to do.

In Galatians 1, Paul made it very clear that he was commissioned directly by Jesus himself, not by any man. That statement proved he was indeed an apostle, meaning one who is sent.

The men who were with Paul on the road stood speechless, likely from fright, hearing the sound of the voice but not the words, and seeing no one. These men saw a light but did not see Christ himself.

The vision was only for Paul, and only he saw Jesus and heard the words meant only for him. Paul continually witnessed in later writing that he had seen the risen Christ and, therefore, was as much an apostle and those who knew Jesus before He went to the cross, and then saw Him afterward. 1st Corinthians 9 & 15 teach this message.

When Paul arose from the ground he was blind. His companions had to lead him by the hand into Damascus. What a contrast this time was to the way he had begun the journey.

• Once leading, now he was being led.

• Intending to arrest others, now he had been arrested by Christ.

• Having authority in his hand from the high priest, 

• he had now come under the authority of the great high priest.

• Expecting to put chains on believers, he was now captured and helpless.