(The Conversion of Saint Paul, Luca Giordano, 1690, Museum of Fine Arts of Nancy)
Acts 19:1-22

God usually chooses the weak and lowly to do his work, but not this time!

Background

Stephen was one of the first seven deacons - in Acts 7 he is stoned to death, becoming the first martyr. Saul is there condoning the stoning. Then he heads to Damascus to round up more Christians. Saul is a Pharisee (Phil 3:5) - the same group that so often opposed Jesus. He is a student of Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) one of the leading rabbis of the time. He was a Jewish rock star.

From a human point of view

How did Paul experience his conversion? Check out 2 Cor 5:16-17. Saul thought of Jesus as a person, “from a human point of view” some translations read “according to the flesh”. Here is a man who claims to be God and got people to follow him - liar or lunatic - so he must be stopped.

But after the vision, Paul changes his mind. Now he regards Christ according to the spirit, “as a new creation” - that is, from Heaven. And he views everyone else that way. Figuratively, he can see now, just like he regained sight after being blind for three days.

A new creation

What is conversion except a new creation? We were something old, worn out, used up, and now in the light of Christ we become new, better, full of life.

In Rev 21:1-7, John sees a vision of Heaven, and what does Jesus say? “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he says “It is done!” - where did we hear that before? On the cross (John 19:30) - these are Jesus’ last words before he dies. What is done? What is finished? Our salvation, our new creation, our conversion to be what? To be children of God!

Jesus is Lord

Read Phil 2:5-11. Paul is clearing saying that Jesus is God. But more than that, what does it look like for God to become a man? Everyone thought he would be a powerful leader, slaying enemies and bringing justice. He did that, but by becoming a servant! Jesus was not hiding God throughout his life, he was revealing Him! The translation of divinity into humanity is service.

What is his response?

Not surprisingly, Paul went out and immediately told others about Jesus. He was so zealous that the Jews of Damascus planned to kill him, so he had to be lowered out of the city in a basket at night! This is not the last time he would have to do that.

But why? According to the spirit, everyone is a new creation, something amazing, wonderful, immortal. Read from C.S. Lewis - “The Weight of Glory”

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses…

Into the deep

Check out “The Road to Damascus and the Power of Grace” podcast episode for more.