Transforming Moment

This Acts 9 moment was incredible. All of the sudden a light from heaven flashed around Saul. He fell to the ground and heard the voice of the Lord: “‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:4).

Can you imagine this moment? A man whose identity is marked by persecuting those who believe in Jesus is having his own encounter with the living Savior!

This moment was the beginning of an amazing transformation in Saul’s life. To understand this miraculous transformation, we must look back.

Acts 8 tells us that Saul stood and witnessed the stoning death of Stephen, a man Acts 6 tells us, was “full of God’s grace and power.” Not only did he watch, but he also gave his approval. After Stephen’s death, a great persecution broke out against the church.

Saul’s intent to destroy the very thing Christ gave His life to save: the church, those who will believe in Him, is revealed in Acts 8:3 says, “But Saul began to destroy the church…”

This disturbing account in Acts 8:3 becomes the powerful testimony of the power of God in Acts 9. The power of the resurrected Savior took hold of Saul, and he was forever changed. His name was changed to Paul, and Acts 28:31 summarizes the life of Paul: “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Matthew 5:44 tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. When we encounter the Sauls, let us pray for them. Let us pray for them to encounter the living Savior, so they too will be transformed, no longer seeking to destroy the church, but instead, boldly sharing the gospel of the only true and risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

-Jennifer