The Bible Course Muestra

Paul's Conversion and Calling – Damascus road experience  

Reflect 

Have you ever done a full 180-degree turn on something? Maybe you’ve changed a long-standing opinion or made a significant lifestyle change. 

The original Damascus road experience was Paul’s 180. It’s where the persecutor of the Church had his life turned around – and so too did the entire Roman empire. God had chosen the most unlikely figure to change the nations.  

What happened to Paul on the road to Damascus?   

Paul was en route to imprison Christians in Damascus. From his perspective, it was ridiculous to worship Jesus of Nazareth. He had been crucified by Israel’s enemies – the Romans. How could this possibly be God’s chosen king – the Messiah?  

But all it took was one encounter with the risen Jesus for everything to change for Paul.  

In his blindness, he saw the truth. Jesus was indeed the risen victorious Messiah – he’s the Lord of all!  

When Jesus asked: ‘Why are you persecuting me?’ we learn so much about his view of the Church. As Paul hurt Christians he was hurting Jesus. Perhaps this was the origin of Paul’s favorite analogy for the Church: the body of Christ, with Jesus himself as the head. Christ and the Church are one – we can’t truly love Jesus and ignore his Church. 

What was Jesus’ call to Paul and how does it relate to us today? 

The Damascus road experience was a game-changer. Until now, the Gospel had only spread from Jerusalem to Jewish regions – including Judea and Samaria. But after a period of preparation, in 46 AD, Paul set off on the first of several mission trips to non-Jewish regions. The rest of the book of Acts is like a travel journal, recording what happened. 

The former persecutor was now God’s chosen instrument to proclaim his name! Paul went from cheering on the stoning of Christians to having God cheer him on in the spreading of the Gospel.  

An encounter with Jesus changes everything. God saves people on purpose and for purpose. Your life as a Christian isn’t one of waiting to get to heaven. There is more for you! God has given you good news to proclaim and people to serve! There’s no life like it when you know the purpose for which you have been made.  

Respond 

Do you feel stuck in a rut? Has your faith gone flat? It only takes one encounter with Jesus for everything to turn around. Ask that he meet you today in the quiet and to fill you with faith for what is to come!