Leadership through Discipleship #18

Paul, The Power of Conversion

God seems to take pleasure in cracking the hard cases. Some of the most unlikely people to be converted in our view are challenged by the Gospel and changed by God’s grace. We are astounded when the impossible conversions take place before our eyes. Again, we are amazed by His grace!

Saul was one of the most unlikely to become a Christian. He was a well-trained Pharisee, a learned man of Scripture, and a zealous defender of the Jewish faith. In his view, the followers of Jesus were heretics, disciples of a rogue rabbi, a threat to long held beliefs of the Jewish people, and individuals who did not deserve to live. He saw his work as God’s work, his zeal as a godly passion and the performance of his duties as a religious cause.

Our introduction to Saul was at an execution. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was being stoned to death by the angry crowd who heard him speak before the council. Saul stood over the coats of those who were casting the stones and emotionally participated in the murder of an innocent preacher. The Saul who left the killing of Stephen was a more determined and callous man. It was almost like the scent of blood invigorated his passion like a shark in the water. He collected evidence against Christians, obtained warrants for their arrest and permission for their destruction. He planned to export his persecution to Damascus. Scripture said that he was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples” (Acts 9:1).

In the process of Saul’s journey to Damascus, he encountered something he had never before experienced. It was a spiritual confrontation, a dramatic vision of God. A blinding light struck him down on the road to Damascus. Words came to him, speaking truth to his heart, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” With amazement Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” Imagine the shock when he heard the surprising response, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:4-5).

Saul’s world was radically changed. From that moment he became one of the most passionate Christians ever. The passionate persecutor becomes the powerful preacher. The righteous Pharisee becomes a radical Pentecostal. Saul, the ambassador of persecution, becomes Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.

Having experienced such great grace, he writes to churches and individuals of the power of the Gospel to change lives. He boldly declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). On several occasions he was able to share the story of his conversion. He believed what Jesus had done for him was available to anyone who would believe!

The testimony of conversion is one of the most powerful witnesses of the power of God. Eye witnesses and first hand experience is the best testimony of what God is able to do in a life filled with sin. A leader who has experienced grace in his conversion can lead others to experience it too.