The Conversion of Saul
Saul was an angry man who persecuted Christians.
He was on his way to Damascus to arrest any Christians that were in the
synagogues. Then an amazing thing happened. Saul was thinking
about how he could hurt the Christians as he traveled. As he came near
Damascus, a bright light suddenly shone down from heaven.
Saul fell to the ground, and a voice said, "Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me?"
Saul answered, "Who are you, Lord?"
The voice then said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard
for you to fight against me. Go now into Damascus and you will be told
what you must do."
When Saul got up from the ground, he was blind. Others had to lead him
by the hand into the city. For three days Saul was blind and did not
eat or drink anything.
God told a man named Ananias in a dream that he should go see Saul. He
found Saul and laid his hands on him, and Saul was able to see again.
The preacher told him to arise and be baptized and wash away his sins.
Saul was sorry for the things he had been doing. He began doing the
things that Jesus wanted him to do. After his conversion, Saul's name
was changed to Paul, and he spent the rest of his life serving Jesus
and teaching people about him. He became a missionary to people all
over the world. A missionary is a person who is sent by a church to
teach about Christ.
Paul, the apostle, suffered many persecutions. Instead of being the
person who hurt other Christians, he became persecuted himself for
Christ's sake.