Encounter - New Series
An Encounter with Jesus Changes Everything
Acts 9:1–20
The Conversion of Saul
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and
murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked
him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any
belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now
as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven
shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him,
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
And He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the
city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling
with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose
from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So, they
led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was
without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at
Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he
said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the
street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus
named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man
named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his
sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man,
how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the
Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry Ny name
before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show
him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed
and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the
Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so
that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And
immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his
sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
For some days he was with the disciples at
Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He
is the Son of God.”
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Acts 9:1-20
Discussion
Questions
- Why do you think Saul believed he was serving God while opposing Him?
- What stands out to you about how Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus?
- How does Saul’s story challenge the idea that sincerity in religion is enough?
- Why do you think God chose to use Ananias in Saul’s conversion story?
- In what ways does encountering Jesus still disrupt and redirect lives today?
Acts 9 reminds us that encountering Jesus is
not about gaining information — it is about transformation. Christ still opens
blind eyes, interrupts self-directed lives, and redirects people toward His
mission. As a gospel-shaped community, we are both recipients of grace and
participants in God’s work. God often uses ordinary, obedient believers — like
Ananias — to help others take their next step toward Jesus.
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