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Why Saul And Not Me?

by Bill Hall

When one studies the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, he is immediately impressed with one unique feature. Saul saw the Lord (Acts 8:1-18; Acts 22:3-16; Acts 26:4-20 Observe: one must study three chapters in the book of Acts to get a full picture of Saul's conversion). In all other accounts of conversion after Pentecost, the Lord appeared to no one. He did not appear to this writer when he was converted.  Further, there is strong evidence that He did not appear to the reader.  Why, then did He appear to Saul?

Some have thought that He appeared to Saul to save him. If so, the Lord didn't know it, for when Saul asked, ``Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?'' Jesus replied, ``Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do'' (Acts 9:6). If so, Ananias didn't know it, for when Ananias was sent to Saul, he told him, ``And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord'' (Acts 22:16). Saul was still in his sins when Ananias came to him and would still be in his sins until he obeyed Ananias' instructions.

Why did the Lord appear to Saul? We should let the Lord Himself tell us: ``I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness...Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee'' (Acts 26:16, 17). The word ``apostle'' means ``one sent,'' especially one who is sent of God. Saul, in being sent by the Lord to the Gentiles, would become the apostle Paul, the specially commissioned apostle to the Gentiles. The Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus, not to save him, but to qualify him for that great work.

The Lord's appearance to Saul did not take away Saul's options. The Lord does not force anyone to serve Him, and He did not force Saul to do so. Saul faced obstacles that might have hindered others: His teacher, Gamaliel, would be disappointed in him; so would his parents; so would his fellow-Jews generally. Too, Saul knew that severe persecution would be his as a Christian. None of these proved to be a hindrance to Saul, however. He laid aside the obstacles. He was ``not disobedient unto the heavenly vision'' (Acts 26:19).

The lost person of this generation does not need to see the Lord to be saved. He should not wait, hoping for some heavenly vision. If he will do what Saul did, he, too, will be saved. The Lord did not appear to me because I was not to be an apostle. But the Lord did save me, and He will save the reader. Why not obey? 

 Other Articles by Bill Hall
The Misleading of the Holy Spirit
God Hates Divorce
Two Men Attend Worship Services