46. Paul Becomes a Christian

What the Story Says

1. What did Saul do to the believers in Jerusalem?

   He persecuted them by going from house to house to arrest both men and women and put them in prison (#46-01).

2. Why did Saul go to the city of Damascus?

   The high priest gave Saul permission to go to Damascus to arrest the Christians there and bring them back to Jerusalem (#46-01).

3. What happened to Saul as he was traveling to Damascus?

   A bright light shone around him and he heard someone say, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" (#46-03).

4. Who did God send to Saul so the he could see again?

   God sent a disciple in Damascus named Ananias to Saul to make him see again (#46-04).

5. Who did Saul tell the Jews in Damascus that Jesus was?

   Saul told them that Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah (#46-05).

6. How did Saul escape from the Jews in Damascus when they wanted to kill him?

   Saul's friends lowered him over the city wall in a basket at night so he could escape (#46-07).

7. What happened when Saul tried to meet with the apostles in Jerusalem?

   The apostles were afraid of Saul until Barnabas took him to them and explained how Saul had boldly preached about Jesus in Damascus (#46-08).

8. How were the believers in Antioch different from the believers in Jerusalem?

   The believers in Antioch were not Jews (#46-09).

9. Who did the Holy Spirit tell the Christians in Antioch to set apart to do God's work in other places?

   The Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Saul to do God's work, so they sent them out (#46-10).

What the Story Means to Us

1. What was Saul's attitude about the believers before the Lord appeared to him?

   Saul hated the believers and tried to destroy them. He guarded the robes of the people who killed Stephen. Later, he arrested believers throughout Jerusalem, and planned to do the same thing in Damascus. He was perhaps the least likely person we would expect God to save and use for his glory.

2. Why do you think Jesus told Saul that he was persecuting Jesus?

   Jesus was already in heaven when Saul began to persecute the believers. But the believers represented Jesus on earth, so when Saul persecuted them, it was as if he was persecuting Jesus himself. Jesus cares about what happens to the believers.

3. What did God tell Ananias that he had chosen Saul to do?

   God told Ananias that he had chosen Saul to declare his name to the Jews and to people from other people groups, and to suffer in God's name. Even though Saul had hated the believers and persecuted them, God had a plan to use Saul to spread the good news about Jesus throughout the world of that day.

4. What happened in Damascus when Saul preached about Jesus?

   Saul argued boldly with the Jews to prove that Jesus was the Son of God. However, it is not clear if many people believed. Perhaps arguing about Jesus is not the best way to convince people to repent of their sin. After a time, the Jews tried to kill Saul, and he had to escape at night.

5. Who went to Antioch to teach the new believers there?

   The two people who came to teach the believers at Antioch were Barnabas and Saul. Saul was the one that God said he would send to people of other nations, such as the people at Antioch. And Barnabas was the one who spoke for Saul and convinced the apostles in Jerusalem to receive him. Both men were uniquely prepared to teach people who were not Jews.

6. How did the Holy Spirit sent out Barnabas and Saul?

   The Holy Spirit spoke to the believers in the church at Antioch in order to send out Barnabas and Saul. The church then prayed for them, placed their hands on them, and supported them as they went out to preach among the other people groups. God did not send them out alone. Instead, he worked through the church so the believers were deeply involved in the work of Barnabas and Saul.

Summary

As the Jews continued to persecute the believers, God did an amazing thing. He chose to set apart Saul, one of the worst persecutors of the church, and cause him to preach boldly about Jesus! He appeared to Saul on the road in blazing light, rebuked him, and made Saul blind. As a result, Saul believed in Jesus and began to boldly proclaim his name. When the Jews drove him out of Damascus, he went to Jerusalem and continued to preach there. Later, he went with Barnabas to Antioch and taught the first believers who were not Jews. And finally, God told the church at Antioch to send out Barnabas and Saul to preach to other people groups everywhere. God continued to spread the message of Jesus.