From Enemy to Believer — The Powerful Transformation of Saul (Acts 9:1–19)
Some people think they’re too far gone for God to forgive them. But in Acts 9:1–19, we meet a man who went from being the church’s biggest enemy to one of its greatest messengers. His name was Saul, and his story shows us that no one is beyond God’s reach.
Saul: A Man on a Mission
At the beginning of this story, Saul was not a friend of Jesus. In fact, he was actively hunting down Christians—dragging them out of their homes and throwing them in prison. He believed he was doing the right thing by protecting his religion from what he saw as a dangerous new movement.
Now, Saul was heading to a city called Damascus, hoping to arrest more followers of Jesus.
But God had other plans.
A Shocking Encounter
As Saul got close to Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly surrounded him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say:
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
It was Jesus speaking to him! Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” and Jesus replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Jesus wasn’t just defending His followers—He was making it personal. Hurting them was like hurting Him.
Then Jesus gave Saul a clear command: “Get up and go into the city. You will be told what to do.”
Blind and Broken
When Saul got up, he couldn’t see—he was completely blind. His friends had to lead him by the hand into Damascus. For three days, Saul didn’t eat or drink anything. He just sat in the dark, thinking.
This was more than physical blindness. It was a symbol of what had been going on inside Saul—he hadn’t been seeing the truth. But now God was preparing his heart.
Lesson: Sometimes God has to stop us in our tracks to open our eyes to what really matters.
A Brave Believer: Ananias
While Saul waited, God spoke to a believer named Ananias in a vision. God told him to go and visit Saul.
At first, Ananias was nervous. “Lord, I’ve heard about this man! He’s done terrible things to your people!”
But God said:
“Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the world.”
So Ananias obeyed. He trusted God and took a big step of faith.
Lesson: Sometimes God asks us to love people we’re afraid of—but He sees what they can become.
A New Beginning
Ananias went to Saul, placed his hands on him, and said:
“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus… has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see! He got up, was baptized, and began a completely new life.
Saul had walked into Damascus as a persecutor. Now he walked out as a follower of Jesus.
Lesson: No one is too lost for Jesus to find—and change—forever.
What Can We Learn?
- God can change anyone. Saul was an enemy of the church, but Jesus didn’t give up on him. He saw the potential in Saul—and He sees it in you too.
- God’s love is personal. Jesus didn’t say “Why are you persecuting the church?”—He said “Why are you persecuting Me?” Jesus feels our pain and stands with us.
- Obedience brings healing. Both Saul and Ananias had to take bold steps. Their obedience led to transformation and healing.
- God uses unlikely people. Saul would later become Paul, the apostle who wrote much of the New Testament. His past didn’t disqualify him—it prepared him to reach others with grace.
This story reminds us that God is still in the business of changing lives. No one is too far gone. And if He could transform Saul, He can do the same in us and through us.
Acts 9:1-19 (WEB)
9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. 8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!”He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”11 The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”17 Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. 19 He took food and was strengthened.Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.