Converted & Commissioned

GETTING STARTED

I love how God works differently in different people. For example, I could not tell you the exact day that I was saved. I know it was during the Christmas break of 2000, but I could not tell you the exact day. Others can tell you the day, the time, what they were wearing, and what they had for breakfast on the day Jesus saved them. The conversion of Saul to Paul is an example of the latter, as we see again in this passage.

  • What was the time and what were the circumstances when you first trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 26:12-18 (ESV)

12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What language did Jesus speak to Saul in? What do you think is the significance of this, if any?
  2. Since Saul did not persecute Jesus, what did Jesus mean by asking him, “Why are you persecuting me” (vs. 14)?
  3. “To kick against the goads” was a well-known proverb referring to the useless opposition to deity. Why do you think Jesus says this to Saul?
  4. What was the purpose of Jesus saving and sending Paul to preach to the Gentiles? What word in the text helps us see that purpose?
  5. To persecute Jesus’ people is to persecute Jesus himself. What implications does this have for how you view the relationship between Jesus and his people?

RESPOND TO GOD

As Paul was making a defense to Agrippa, he couldn’t help but tell the story of how King Jesus came and graciously and gloriously wrecked his life. Jesus knocked him off his feet! I love how Paul describes conversion in this passage: opening eyes, turning from darkness to light, turning from the power of Satan to God, receiving forgiveness, and receiving a place in the family of God. Notice that, for Paul and for us, our commission is bound up with our conversion. We are converted in order to be a witness of these great realities.

  • Praise God for his gracious work of conversion in your life, and ask for help with his commission of your life.