Acts 9:1-31
The Two Types of Biblical Call
If we name Jesus as Lord, we have been called by God into his family. The Apostle Paul describes our calling to faith this way: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Calling in this sense belongs to all who name the name of Christ.
The Bible also recognizes a special sense of calling that God places on certain people of his choosing. Paul describes his specific calling in the book of Romans. “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1).
Paul’s calling to be “set apart” for the gospel defined him from the moment that it took place. This installment will examine how Paul’s calling came about.
Acts chapter 9 records the account of Paul’s call to the gospel. His experience transformed him from a man dedicated to eradicating what he thought was a dangerous religion to becoming one of the great defenders of the faith.
His call story falls into several distinct segments:
- A traumatic experience in God’s presence, (Acts 9:1-4)
- A sense of urgency that comes with the call, (Acts 9:5-6)
- A realization that God has chosen him for a unique purpose, (Acts 9:15)
- An undeniable weight in the call, (Acts 26:19)
A Traumatic Experience of God’s Presence, (Acts 9:1-4)
The man we know as the Apostle Paul was born as a Jew named Saul. At the beginning of the chapter, he is zealous to protect his Jewish faith from what he believes is a dangerous compromise. A growing number of people claims that the man Jesus, who had taught just a few years before, is the Son of God.
Saul begins in deep opposition to the new movement. The Bible describes him as “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1).
Saul obtains letters of authorization to seize anyone belonging to the movement called the Way (Acts 9:2) and bring them bound to Jerusalem. He never finishes his intended journey.
Along the way to Damascus, a light from heaven flashes around him and knocks him to the ground. He hears a voice. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4).
A Sense of Urgency that comes with the Call, (Acts 9:5-6)
Of course, the voice belongs to Jesus, who calls him from heaven.
Saul recognizes that the voice has come from God, but he does not know who God is. His question, “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:5), suggests that he recognizes his ignorance.
The answer is the last thing he expects. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do” (Acts 9:6).
Jesus’ reply shows several significant points:
- First, he identifies himself as the one whom Saul had believed to be his enemy.
- Second, he identifies with his people. Saul had never met Jesus personally, but inasmuch as persecuted Jesus’ people, he persecuted Jesus.
- Third, Jesus shows that he intends to transform Saul rather than punish him. Jesus forgives the man who was guilty of taking lives.
A Realization that God has chosen him for a Unique Purpose, (Acts 9:15-17)
While Saul fasts alone in Damascus, God brings word to a man from the same city named Ananias. He is to go and meet Saul and commission him for his task.
God’s words to Ananias are, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).
Saul’s calling as an apostle had definite meaning.
An Undeniable Weight in the Call, (Acts 26:19)
Years later, Paul finds himself in detained because of his testimony in the gospel, in answer to Ananias’ prophecy. During his final imprisonment, he stands before the Roman king Agrippa and declares,
“Therefore O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”
--Acts 26:19
Paul knew what his calling to the gospel meant from the first day that the Lord connected with him. He never wavered in his obedience to his call.
Doug Knox