What Is Acts 9: 1-25

SAUL’S CONVERSION

(Acts 9:1-30; Acts 26:1-32)

Damascus may be the oldest continuously occupied city in the world. It is mentioned first in Genesis 14:15 and Genesis 15:2. Also, Abanah and Pharpar, the two rivers that Naaman said contained better water than the Jordan, are near Damascus. (II Kings 5:12)

When and by what means Christianity had its beginning in Damascus is not known. But there must have been a good size church there for Saul to think it worthwhile to travel about one hundred fifty miles to arrest Christians.

Saul had asked the Sanhedrin Court for letters of authority [warrants] to go to Damascus, and if he found any who were of the Way [The church], to bind (arrest) them. It is of no little interest that the church is here called the Way. Those arrested were to be taken to Jerusalem for trial and sentencing. The Sanhedrin had no authority over Roman citizens, but it did have authority to punish their own people; the Jews. When the Sanhedrin, with the approval of the Roman Government, handed down a sentence of death by stoning, a member of the Sanhedrin court was required to witness the execution. And, to confirm the court’s approval, the witness threw the first stone. Those who did the actual stoning commonly removed their outer garments and laid them near the witness

It is evident from Saul’s question and his actions immediately following, he believed on Jesus, repented of his sins and confessed Christ. Three days later, at the direction of the Lord, Ananias, an earthen vessel, went to Saul. He healed his blindness and said to Saul, “…why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16) The participle “calling” on the name of the Lord describes the manner in which the action of the verb is carried out. Baptized is the verb and the participle is Calling, which explains the action by which the verb is carried