The story of pauls conversion from a devout jew, violently persecuting believers in jesus, to a devout christian, fearlessly spreading the gospel against all opposition, is found three times in acts. Sep 03, 2019 for most christians, pauls experience on the road to damascus in acts 9 is the classic story of the conversion of the chief of sinners. Acts of the apostles discusses pauls conversion experience at three different points in the text, in far more detail than in the accounts in pauls letters. The example i will focus on is that of the events surrounding pauls conversion and early ministry. How many times is pauls conversion recounted in acts answers. The conversion of paul the book of acts amazing facts. While conducting it, he personally cast into prison many christians acts 26. Actually starts in verse 15, i am jesus, who you are persecuting. The remainder of the book of acts describes paul s visit to macedonia. Aug 20, 2017 but is the book of acts really reliable as a historical source.
There are three accounts of pauls conversion to christianity found in the book of acts. I dont think so, and this article explains one of the reasons why. Nov 27, 2017 the conversion of saul paul is so important to the author of the book of acts that he presents the story three times acts 9, 22, 26. Acts 9 conversion of saul object lesson for children. This is an important point based on the fact that luke, the author of the book of acts, traveled with the apostle paul. The conversion of paul on the road to damascus acts 9 represents a critical point in the book of acts and in the history of christianity. I dont think these skeptics are paying very close attention when they say that there are irreconcilable discrepencies.
Ananias was sent to paul to restore his sight miracles were worked during the early church as revelation was not yet complete. He went to the high priest and asked for permission to go to damascus to arrest those of the way. Pauls account of his conversion in acts confronts unbelieving jews with the gospel, the same message which they must embrace if they are to enter into the blessings promised to abraham and his descendants. Pauls conversion in the canonical acts and in the acts of paul. Baptism in the book of acts and throughout the new testament is always practiced by adults who have. To download, right click and save to your hard drive. In this article i will give just one example that i think raises some important questions about the new testament. Another new testament illustration of this literary phenomenon is the record of pauls conversion, as set forth three times in the book of acts chapters 9, 22, and 26. From pauls letters we know who his companions were and that only luke could write the we when he was the eyewitness of the events recounted. The story of pauls conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9.
Luke does not record the date of pauls conversion, but a reasonable estimate is c. Acts 9 niv sauls conversion meanwhile, saul bible gateway. Although this study will focus on the conversion of saul of tarsus paul, let us first consider eight examples of conversions found in the book of acts. Sproul the book of acts the street called straight dr. The first account, in acts 9, narrated pauls conversion. Luke recounts pauls conversion story three times acts 9, 22 and 26. Do the 3 accounts of pauls conversion in luke contradict. If one genuinely wants to know what to do to be saved, he can read the book of acts and find the biblical answer.
At the same time, there is no explicit evidence for a fourth journey in the bible, as it would have occurred after the close of the book of acts. Acts of the apostles, written decades after paul s death, provides a miraculous explanation, with three parallel but different stories in which jesus appeared to paul on the road to damascus. For most christians, pauls experience on the road to damascus in acts 9 is the classic story of the conversion of the chief of sinners. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or. Sometimes a person gives the condensed version of the story. The conversion of saulpaul is so important to the author of the book of acts that he presents the story three times acts 9, 22, 26. The story of paul s conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. What about the multiple accounts of pauls conversion. Acts 9 lukes recording of it as it happened, acts 22 and acts 26 pauls retelling of it. Sauls conversion meanwhile, saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the lords disciples. After his conversion he went to the opposite extreme of loving god and preaching his word with power and fervency in the spirit of the true and living god.
The conversion of paul on the road to damascus acts 9 represents a critical point in the. Pauls road to damascus conversion bible study guide. The purpose of all of pauls missionary journeys was the same. Exposition of the book of acts mp3 series monergism. Paul, still called saul at this point, has taken an active part in the persecution of the christian movement after the. A comparative analysis of the three reports in acts, page 424, that the account in acts 22 assumes and builds upon the account in acts 9, hence, for the account in acts 22 to be logically consistent, it must be read in the light of acts 9. The book of acts records three accounts of his conversion. In the book of acts we have not one, not two, but three accounts of sauls conversion. Conversion in the book of acts part four livingston. Pauls conversion why three accounts, and how do they differ. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Pauls conversion, and his preaching to the gentiles, than he is on.
Luke and paul probably discussed the conversion story in depth. The story line written into the book of acts is credible at the 99. After an earthquake shook the prison, they were released and at pauls insistence were given a police guard until they were safely out of the city. By divine design the conversion of saul of tarsus is recorded three times in the book of acts chapters 9, 22, 26. In acts 8, we learned that saul was trying to destroy the church. Pauls conversion bible story summary, study and lesson. Scripture tells us that he breathed threats and murder against the church. Pauls conversion is recorded three times in the bible 1. The book of acts provides three narratives of the conversion of paul to answer this query acts 9. Calling of saul of tarsus bibl 364 acts research guides.
May 02, 2020 pauls dramatic conversion on the damascus road acts 9. As regards the date and place of composition of the book the following information can be deduced. Therefore, we can conclude that the conversion story for saul of tarsus does not contain any contradictions. How many times is pauls conversion recounted in acts. The corinthians acts 18 the story of the conversion of the people of corinth is to the point. Book of acts the conversion of paul church of christ. Pauls conversion 1 chapter 3 pauls conversion acts 9 a. Acts of the apostles, written decades after pauls death, provides a miraculous explanation, with three parallel but different stories in which jesus appeared to paul on the road to damascus. Jesus himself appears to rabbi saul and confronts him with the truth of the resurrection and saul completely changes everything about his life. Saul doesnt know what will happen hes gotten permission from the high priests to hunt christians and imprison or kill them. Now in acts 9, lukes writing switches to paul the central character of acts really, the holy spirit is the central character. His conversion is related in detail three times in acts. A contrast of pauls conversion accounts 28 jun luke records pauls conversion three times in acts, first in chapter 9 where he simply narrates the event, and secondly, through pauls testimony in chapter 22 before the jews after they tried to kill him, and finally before festus and king agrippa in chapter 26.
The lord opened her heart to respond to paul s message. Each version is different, and this fact has led some critics to say that the accounts are contradictory. Gospel against all opposition, is found three times in acts. Contradictions in the book of acts for the damascus road.
In chapter nine of acts, luke tells us the famous story of pauls conversion. Acts 9 new international version niv sauls conversion. The lord told him to enter the city, and he would be told what he must do 9. To begin, it is important to understand that the belief that the book of acts has a contradiction is not related to the apostle paul s personal conversion story. But is the book of acts really reliable as a historical source. The service of the apostle paul in the whole world. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to jerusalem. Jan 05, 2009 in chapter nine of acts, luke tells us the famous story of paul s conversion.
Support for this conclusion is based on the research of the classic scholar, dr. A critical charge that supposedly nullifies the harmony of the book of acts is the fact that there are differences in the three accounts of pauls conversion. Pauls conversion why three accounts, and how do they. Luke, the historian, chronicles the event of when pauls. Acts of the apostles discusses paul s conversion experience at three different points in the text, in far more detail than in the accounts in paul s letters. Pauls conversion on the road to damascus was one of the most.
Saul of tarsus, a pharisee in jerusalem after the crucifixion and resurrection of jesus christ, swore to wipe out the new christian church, called the way. The remainder of the book of acts describes pauls visit to macedonia. Theyre all a little bit different, and because of that, some critics have cried foul. Pauls conversion was seminal in the church, but the stories differ. Pauls dramatic conversion on the damascus road acts 9. Papers were granted and saul, and some other men, set off. The conversion of paul the apostle was, according to the new testament. Jun 28, 20 a contrast of pauls conversion accounts 28 jun luke records pauls conversion three times in acts, first in chapter 9 where he simply narrates the event, and secondly, through pauls testimony in chapter 22 before the jews after they tried to kill him, and finally before festus and king agrippa in chapter 26.
Why are the three accounts of pauls conversion on the road. So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read paul s own testimony, he expands on it. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion. Do the three accounts of pauls conversion in acts contradict. Saul received a vision of the resurrected christ while en route to damascus. Paul was able to spread the gospel throughout the known world.
So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read pauls own testimony, he expands on it. Dec 19, 2011 pauls conversion was seminal in the church, but the stories differ. The example i will focus on is that of the events surrounding paul s conversion and early ministry. What were the different missionary journeys of paul. Acts 15 concerns the first major controversy in the early church, although the issue seems strange to modern readers. He told them, johns baptism was a baptism of repentance. A timeline of pauls ministry in galatians and acts.
Without question, the story of sauls conversion is one of the most important events, if not the most important event, that luke records in acts. After an earthquake shook the prison, they were released and at paul s insistence were given a police guard until they were safely out of the city. It is not just in the book of acts that the importance of sauls conversion is evident. Conversion of paul pauls journey on the road to damascus. The book of acts says that paul was on his way from jerusalem to syrian damascus with a mandate issued by the high priest to seek out and arrest followers of jesus, with the intention of. While in the city of philippi, paul and his companion, silas, were thrown into prison. After stephens death, saul led a campaign of persecution against the church. The book of acts says that paul was on his way from jerusalem to syrian damascus with a mandate issued by the high priest to. The book of acts is not only a book of history, but also a book of conversions.