Acts 26:12-18 English Standard Version

Paul Tells of His Conversion

12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

All that Paul has confessed to King Agrippa before his witnessing Christ is written in detail before this account. Rather than going into details of all that transpired let us look to one special aspect of Paul’s encounter with Christ. These are Christ’s own words from the Throne of Heaven.

 “I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you”

Ponder for a moment those words.

Has it sunk in yet?

We are not just witnesses to what Christ has done for us, to us and through us, others will see Christ in us and we will see Christ in others.

Do you believe that?

Paul’s witness is compelling. I don’t pretend to match it, but mine is just as real.

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

Psalm 3:2 many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

Psalm 3:8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah

Psalm 9:14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 14:7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Compare these six lines of verse with just four from Romans.

Romans 1:16

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 10:5

The Message of Salvation to All

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.

Romans 11:11

Gentiles Grafted In

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

Romans 11:25

The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

These lines of verse indicate that the meaning of salvation has been clarified only after Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension. All mystery has been removed.

That still does not answer what it means to the individual, as we all have our reasons for placing our faith in Christ.