Unbelievable Transformation-A New Family

Saul's Unbelievable Transformation...

• included him in the body of Christ who provided PROTECTION for him.

But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall… He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Acts 9:25, 29-30 NIV

As hard as it might be to believe, the church proved itself to be the extraordinary body of Christ in that it accepted a known murderer and terrorist into the fellowship. In contrast to the judgmental and condescending attitude of the Jewish priests and governmental leaders who were focused on retaining their power by any means necessary, the followers of Jesus understood that it was the by the grace and mercy of Jesus that they had life. How could they who had been forgiven much, turn away Saul who had also been forgiven much?

Because of Saul's education and knowledge of the scriptures, he was able to preach and debate with great power and authority. Those in the churches of Damascus and Jerusalem were able to understand that more was st stake than just one man's life. Saul had great potential to change the world and spread the gospel wherever he went. So it was the church took in a man forgiven by Jesus and made him part of their family. I imagine that this may have been just as transforming to Saul's heart as everything else that had happened. The followers of Jesus were truly different!! When the time came, they believers there in Damascus saved Saul's life and protected his ministry for the years to come.

• was a POWERFUL WITNESS of the transforming power of Jesus.

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. Acts 9:31 NIV

I suppose it is an obvious result that the church would grow when the most notorious opponent was converted. With Saul now away in Tarsus at a spiritual "boot camp" of sorts the church moved forward with little opposition. I also believe that there were those who trusted Jesus because of the testimony of Saul. Possibly some thought "If Jesus can save Saul and change him the way we have witnessed, then I will surrender to Jesus as well!" There is far better testimony than a life lived well for Jesus!!

What about my life? Your life? Is it possible that others are drawn to Jesus because of what they see in us?

Unbelievable Transformation-Hard to Miss

       As we continue to think about Saul's amazing transformation after his encounter with Jesus, let's consider two more things we see in Acts 9:20-31.

Saul's Unbelievable Transformation

• couldn’t be IGNORED by those who came in contact with Him. 

All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 9:21-22 NIV

Because Saul was such a public figure and because he had made such a name for himself opposing the church and the followers of Jesus, people were understandably surprised when he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus truly was the Messiah. Not only were they surprised by this, they had to have been "astonished" by the compete change in Saul's attitude and demeanor. The change in Saul was so pronounced that it simply could not be "stepped over" like one would step over a log laying across a trail. Saul's growing testimony for Jesus just couldn't be ignored.

What about our testimony for Jesus? Can others see Jesus living in us or would others be surprised if we told them we attended church, and read the Bible, and were a followers of Jesus?

• provoked a STRONG REACTION from those who opposed the church. 

After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. Acts 9:23-24 NIV

As you can imagine, those who traveled with Saul to Damascus were none too happy about this change in Saul. He was the reason they were there and he was their leader and now he had become a traitor!! It is not too hard to believe these same men went to the Jews in Damascus and provoked them to rage against Saul. As the days and weeks passed and it bcame obvious that Saul was not only sincere but also an amazingly powerful preach of the gospel, it should come as no surprised that Saul would now make the "hit" list. How ironic that the very man who traveled to Damascus to persecute the followers of Christ and destroy the church would become a wanted man himself for the exact same things!!

Do we provoke a strong reaction from people in our lives because of our passion for Jesus? Have you been rejected by your family, friends, coworkers?

Saul was "on fire" for Jesus and whole world took notice and watched him burn...but some burned with anger!!

Can the world see our fire for Jesus?

Unbelievable Transformation-The New Has Come

Yesterday we considered Saul's immediate and complete transformation that occurred after his conversion on the Damascus road. But the truth of his transformation was more than just earthly...something supernatural had literally changed the fabric of who Saul was.

Saul, who later became known as Paul, reflected on the significance of this change in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Notice 3 things that Saul received at his conversion..

He received...

1. a NEW POSITION.

After his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road and his conversion, Saul was immediately adopted as a son into God family. We see this truth in John 1:12-13

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Saul became a child of God with all the rights and privileges that come with being a part of God's family.

2. a NEW PERSONALITY.

Prior to his conversion, Saul was simply Saul, driven, obsessed, filled with bitterness and rage. However, when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, his entire personality changed. As he surrendered his will to the power of the Holy Spirit, his life began to reflect the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23...


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

People must have been amazed at the radical change in Saul's attitude and demeanor...what a true change it was!!


3. a NEW POTENTIAL.

Before his conversion, Saul was one of the most important men in all of Jerusalem and Israel for that matter. He was a true leader and a visionary for the Jewish faith. Once Jesus won his heart, he humbly became one of the most important men in history. The potential he received when he surrendered to Jesus was limitless!


If you are "in Christ" all these things are true of you as well. Did you know that you have received a new position in God family, a new personality that reflects the Holy Spirit, and a new potential to make a kingdom impact for eternity?

Unbelievable Transformation-The Immediate Change

Unbelievable Transformation is the seventh message in our series "Unbelievable" leading us verse by verse through chapters 5-12 of the book of Acts. 

Unbelievable Transformation is really part 2 of our message from last week (Unbelievable Conversion), detailing the unbelievable conversion and Transformation of Saul into the Apostle Paul.

Looking in Acts 9:19-31, we emphasized 5 important characteristics of Saul's transformation.

Saul’s Unbelievable Transformation…

    1.  brought about an immediate COMPLETE CHANGE in Saul.

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9:18-20 NIV

Saul was no ordinary man; he was one of the most influential leaders in all of Israel. Saul was a leading Pharisee and was a member of the Sanhedrin, the 70 member ruling body of the Jewish people. He had made an even greater name for himself as he "breathed out murderous threats" against the church and the followers of Jesus. He was literally on a campaign of murder and destruction when Jesus met him on the road to Demascus.

When Saul got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?”

He said, “Who are you, Master?”

“I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” Acts 9:4-6 MSG

At this moment, everything changed in Saul's life. Blinded by the encounter, Saul spent 3 days fasting and praying. His whole world had literally been turned upside down...this Jesus who he was convinced was a conman was really the Messiah.

I believe that God looked at Saul's passion and said "there's a man who could change the whole world." One problem...convincing Saul that he was wrong. I am convinced this is why Jesus chose to directly intersect Saul's life. To Saul's credit, after meeting Jesus on the road, he changed his mind completely and, with the same passion he persecuted the church, he began to preach the gospel.

This change was immediate and complete. Saul had a wealth of knowledge about the Old Testament scriptures so he was able to preach with wisdom and power beyond any of the disciples. He wasted no time doing it.

What about you? Have had a personal encounter with Jesus? How did it change the way you think and the way you live? What does God see when He looks at your life?