Saul's Encounter on the Road to Damascus
Acts 9:
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Saul's Response to Jesus
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
6 And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”
Again, Saul’s response was not unlike most mortal men when, in sin and not knowing the LORD, have some sort of meeting with Him. The Greek words are Paul was tremo and trambleo – trembling and stupefied. I mean, the man has been called out by Jesus of Nazareth whom he was mocking and persecuting others for following. In this state, Paul asked who he knew was Jesus what anyone in a state of terror would ask of the being that has confronted them – “What you would have me do?”
Isn’t this remarkable? Ten seconds earlier Saul was breathing out threats and venom toward anyone who gave Jesus ANY respect whatsoever and now he is shaking and asking what Jesus would have him do. I am personally convinced that any and all who in this life persecute and mock and belittle Jesus and those who look to Him in faith will, after this life, find themselves in the exact same situation – Trembling, stupefied, and asking Jesus “what He would have him do.” And then, as we will see, he complied with the directions. For the rest of his life.
Ananias' Vision
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Sam Kinison’s Experience
There’s a famous story of former Pentecostal preacher Sam Kennison who left the clergy and became a comedian of immense vulgarity and blasphemy. I mean he attacked the faith. He was known for his unsettling vulgarity and high-pitched screeching. Driving in his white Trans Am in Needles, Ca he was hit head-on by a drunk 17-year-old boy who crossed the center line in his truck.
At first, Kinison appeared to have been unhurt but was taken out of the car and laid down at the side of the road with his head being cradled in the hands of his close friend. Out of nowhere and all of a sudden Kinison said to nobody in particular, “I don’t wanna die. I don’t wanna die.” The man holding his head reports: “It was as if he was having a conversation, talking to some unseen somebody else, some unseen person.” Then he reports that there was a pause, as if Kinison was listening to another person speak. Then he said, “But why?” There was another break in the conversation and then Kinison said: “Okay, okay, okay,“ and according to the witness “the last okay was said.
A Moment with the Maker
Softly and with peace, whatever voice was talking to him gave him the right answer and he just relaxed with it. He said it so sweet, like he was talking to someone he loved. He then lost consciousness, could not be revived, and died on the scene. In my estimation, Kinison was having a moment with his maker, and too became peacefully compliant and doing what he was told to do.
“Lord, what will you have me to do?”
Isn’t that a great question for someone to willingly ask God? Not on their death bed, not under the terror of heavenly lights and voices but of their own free will? “Lord, WHAT . . . would YOU . . . have ME do?”
I got news for you – I am convinced that every one of you within the sound of my voice have willingly asked God this question – and have followed His directions. Do you know how valuable a possession that is relative to the eternities, to God, to your stance with Him? To willingly care enough, trust Him enough, to ask God:
“Lord, what would you have me do?”
It’s a remarkable indication of a soul subdued by the presence of God, of a humble spirit, of a person at least desiring to know the will of God.
Paul's Instant Obedience
Remember, just prior to this Saul was on his own errand but now he entered into a period that would last the rest of his life and we might imagine that he would, over and over again, appeal to this question. Think about his life history, education, pedigree, family, and friends. I mean the man was on target to kill Christians and he had the letters from the Sanhedrim to prove it! And now he was in one fell swoop he placed himself in the employ of Jesus forevermore.
At the end of the day, this is the gap between God and Man – will man do his or her own will or will we seek, desire, and actually do the will of God. From Adam and Eve to this present moment herein lies the big divide. The first act of any Christian is when he or she recognizes the absolute need for God’s grace – and in the heart desires to then seek and do His will . . . over their own. Faithless people do not care about the will of God – their will reigns supreme. It’s a very natural way to live in this world – it’s the law of the jungle, the basis for Invictus, the drive behind Godless humanism, Godless sport, Godless business, Godless existence. When Love (for God) comes to town, things change, and everything begins to point to his will.
Note that Paul did not debate, neither did he consult with other Christian leaders. He himself says in Galatians 1:15-18:
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.”
A Lesson in Ministry
When we first started in ministry there was a complaint among the pastors and Christian leaders in the state that I did not come to them and confer with them on how to proceed. After a few years, most of them warmed up to our purpose and opened their hearts to a modicum of fellowship.
I was invited to go up and meet with a Pastor and his church board to talk. I went and met them at a restaurant where our ministry plied them and their team with pizza and salad and books to help them in their outreach to the LDS in their community. As the meeting was wrapping up I asked the open question:
“Any final thoughts?”
And the senior pastor who had been in the community for decades said:
“Thank you for the lunch and everything but you made a really big mistake in not coming to us first when you got to the state.”
I asked, “How so?”
He said:
“We could have guided you and explained how things are done around here. Helped you avoid pitfalls and in good standing with the community.”
I about choked. His wisdom did not seem to be of God, nor of love, but of the world and very human.
Paul's Journey of Faith
Certainly not what Paul did. Not that it matters, but that pastor left his flock three years later (and his family) to move in with his long-time boyfriend. But Paul did not debate the manner in light of his own reputation, he did not consult the Sadducees and Pharisees, he did not consult other Christians, his traveling companions, his family, nobody. He trusted the Lord and acted.
And the Lord said unto him, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Go into the city Damascus and it shall be told thee. We wonder why Jesus didn’t lay it all out for Paul right here? Why did he involve others? Would you say that the Lord was leading Paul into a life of certainty or a life of faith in these instructions?
Exactly – a life of faith. It is the plight of the Christian and the Christian walk – walking by faith, NOT KNOWING what we are going to have happen beforehand – and yet doing as we are led. In the case of Paul and his conversion, we learn some valuable principles. Notice that once converted Paul did not have a clear indication of what he was supposed to do with his life. He was only given one directive – go to the city and it will be told to you.
Paul's Humbling Experience
That in Paul’s case, with all of his education and community clout, he was temporarily placed under the care and leadership of a simple follower of Jesus to tell him what to do. Paul was humbled by the event in more ways than one – He had been humbled by the fact that the very Jesus whom he hated came to him and rebuked him. He was humbled by the light which seems to have contributed to blinding him, and he was humbled by the fact that he was to report to Damascus NOT to kill or imprison Christians but to seek the aid of one.
God is radical in his dealings with us and he will allow us to pass through some real teaching moments to get us where He wants. So was the case of Saul who is before our eyes turning into Paul.
Verse seven has created a bit of trouble for some as it says:
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Apparently, Saul traveled with some men – we never learn, I believe, what happened to them after this experience. I often wonder. It could have been that they were men who were just in a caravan to go to Damascus or that they were assigned by the Sanhedrin to Saul or they were his own friends and accomplices. All we know is he was not alone when the light appeared and the voice spoke. And what was their response to this otherworldly stimuli – Here we read that they “stood speechless” . . . hearing a voice but seeing no man.”
Contrast of Accounts
Remember this line from Luke because later in Acts 26:14 we will read Luke citing Paul directly and his direct account of the event as he stood testifying before King Agrippa and says:
Acts 26:12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”
The apparent contradiction is that in Acts 9 Luke says:
“stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.”
The Enigma of Saul's Encounter
The different accounts of Saul's encounter on the road to Damascus present intriguing challenges. In one version, we read about Saul's companions hearing a voice but seeing no man. In the Acts 26 version, however, Paul describes falling to the earth and hearing a voice speaking in the Hebrew tongue asking, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" This seems to suggest they all fell to the ground at the light's appearance, yet Luke's chapter states they stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no man.
Making Sense of the Apparent Contradictions
Is there a reasonable solution to this discrepancy? It appears there is. They might have seen the light and all fell to the ground. Paul was then commanded to stand, as indicated in Acts 26, and his companions stood too but remained silent, transfixed by the experience. Did they hear the voice? It seems not. Instead, they were stupefied, as the Greek word suggests, possibly deaf and dumb in their state.
However, we encounter another issue when considering the Acts 22 account. In Chapter Nine, we read that the men "stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." Acts 22:7-9 describes Paul falling to the ground, hearing a voice, and asking, "Who art thou, Lord?" to which Jesus responded, "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest." Paul's companions saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice that spoke to him.
The Phenomenon of Hearing Without Understanding
What can explain this? If we're searching for contradictions, this is a prime example. Yet, if we seek reasonable explanations, they exist. The prevalent theory is that Saul's companions heard the sound of speaking but not the specific words spoken. This is a common occurrence; we often hear voices without comprehending what's being said.
Scripture supports this view, as illustrated in John 12, where a voice from heaven is heard by some as thunder and others as an angel speaking. Similarly, in Daniel 10, Daniel alone saw a vision while his companions felt a great quaking and fled to hide.
Varied Perceptions of a Shared Experience
I am convinced that others present, possibly pagans or non-believers, might have perceived the event as mere lightning and thunder. People tend to perceive what they're prepared and willing to. If Peter had been with Paul, he might have seen the light, heard the voice, and understood the words.
It's all about perception; though the event is presented the same way, interpretation varies. Saul, after the encounter, arose from the earth without sight and was led into Damascus, where he spent three days without eating or drinking.
The Blindness of Paul
It reads that Paul arose from the earth and when his eyes were opened he saw “no man.” I think this is speaking of Paul’s immediate blindness and not that he did not see any man in vision. Fortunately, he was with others who took him by the hand and led him to his destination at Damascus.
Why was he blind? Acts 22:11 tells us: "And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus."
Because scripture says the darkness lasted three days (a very symbolic number since that was the number of days Jesus was in the tomb and Jonah was in the belly of the fish and Abraham travels with Isaac before offering him up) plus three is all over both the New and Old Testament.
In any case, we could say that Paul was blinded by God for three days purposefully and symbolically or we could say that Paul was blinded by the flashing light which lasted for three days and this was just a natural outcome of the flash of light on his eyes or we could say that both are true – which is the take I have. Medically and physically what Paul suffered from was snow blindness known today as “photo keratitis” which means “burn of the cornea.” It’s a real thing and can last for minutes, hours, days (12 to 48 hours) and it’s really just a sunburn on the cornea.
Personal Experience with Snow Blindness
When I was a youngster my parents had a swimming pool in their backyard and my Dad decided that it needed to be drained and sanded. I was all of nine but my job was to sand the walls as high as I could. The result? Snow blindness. It lasted about 3 hours and was quite frightening. I literally had to feel my way over to the steps and into the house to scream, “I can’t see!” Lemme tell you my Mom’s reaction was nothing less than Ralphie's in the Christmas story when he got “Soap Poisoning.”
What was more disappointing however is the ailment did not get me out of having to continue to sand and the very next day I was back out in the pit – this time my Dad fitted my nine-year-old noggin with shades.
When we think about Paul, his ailment was probably not known of in that day – and in all probability he could have believed he was blinded for life. Historically, under the Old Testament economy of obedience/blessing disobedience/cursing blindness was something God would do to those who were kicking against him so I think we have every right to believe Paul was in the pit of the earth crying for forgiveness – and healing – over the course of those three days.
Paul's Turmoil
We know he was in some sort of turmoil by verse nine because he was not only without sight for three days he didn’t eat nor drink for the same amount of time. That’s turmoil friends. We have to suppose that Paul doesn’t seem to have been given any assurance of forgiveness or salvation. He was blighted by the light, confronted by the voice, knocked to the earth a fighter and raised up blind and in the hands of his creator. And then he faced three days rethinking the entirety of his life. Talk about trial by fire and being left in the dark! There was the state of Saul of Tarsus.
Meanwhile, back at the Damascus ranch God was working things out . . . (Verse 10)
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Behold, I am here, Lord.”
Many commentators think this character was one of the seventy disciples that followed the Lord and that could be because he probably had some time as a Christian knowing who Paul was (which we will see in a moment). In Acts 22:12 he is described as “a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there.” Being devout Jew according to the Law may have done wonders in his playing a part in reaching Saul – what wonders they were we can’t say.
In any case, he was given a vision and in it, the Lord spoke to him and said his name, Ananias causing Ananias to reply, “Behold, I am here, Lord.” (verse 11)
11
Saul's Transformation and Ananias' Mission
And the Lord said unto him, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Based on archeology, this actual street extended (and it may even still exist) from the eastern to the western gate, about three miles, crossing the whole city and suburbs in a direct line. Apparently near the eastern gate was a house, called Judah, where Paul was sweating it out. There is in it a very small closet, where Tradition says that the apostle passed three days there in a closet without food until Ananias restored his sight to him.
Saul's Vision and Ananias' Role
Tradition also says that it was here that Saul received the vision we read about in 2 Corinthians 12:2 where Paul says:
“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”
(By the way the third heaven mentioned here is right in line with Hebrew thought and NOT supporting Joseph Smith’s teaching on a celestial, terrestrial and telestial heaven but moreso “the heaven where the birds fly, the heaven where the stars shine, and the heaven where God dwells.”)
Finally, there was a fountain in this street where tradition says Christians would drink in remembrance of it being the location where Paul was baptized. Who knows. Constantine's mother went all over declaring places historical which may or may not have been.
Ananias' Vision
“Go to Saul of Tarsus,” the Lord said to Ananias, “for beheld, he prayeth.”
Here we have direct insight on how Paul passed the time in the dark and fasting – he prayed. I think that the Lord included this fact in speaking to Ananias to let him know that Paul was in a state of reflection and maybe not the same Saul Ananias may have thought he was. But listen…
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
We don’t know when Saul received this vision in the course of the three days, but we do know that his name was given so Saul would know whoever came to him was sent by the Lord. We also know that here Ananias received his instructions on what to do – go to Saul, put his hand on him and give him his sight.
There is a principle presented here – God reaches all parties involved. Occasionally, people will come to me and tell me that God has sent them to share a message, to tell me something, or to move me to do something He wants me to do. It’s important to know that God speaks to all parties involved and that if he hasn’t spoken to you be wary of a single-sided revelation (which, by the way, works wonders among the LDS young adult women).
So the Lord spoke to Ananias in this vision, but apparently, he, like Moses, was not convinced:
13 Then Ananias answered (or said), “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.”
This fascinates me on so many levels. First, it is so “familiar” between Ananias and the Lord. He mentions that Paul even has the authority from the chief priests to bind all who called on HIS name! Amazing the fear men can put in the hearts of others. And it amazes me that Ananias has the chutzpah to bring this to his attention – in an attitude of fear and intimidation.
However, because this was a vision, I think we can give Ananias a pass – maybe his tongue was loosened up by the fact that it was not in real time but in an altered state or a dream.
God's Assurance to Ananias
What does the Lord say in response?
“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.”
Which we will cover next week.
Q and A
