Articles
When Was Saul Saved?
Saul of Tarsus was a leader in the early opposition to Christianity. His conversion is a marvelous illustration of God’s grace, one that has encouraged many through the centuries to realize that they, too, may be saved despite the enormity of their sins.
Unfortunately, Saul’s salvation is often misrepresented. Contrary to popular religious thought, the Bible does not teach that Saul was saved the moment Jesus appeared to him or the moment he believed.
There are three accounts of Saul’s conversion: Acts 9:1-19; 22:3-16; 26:9-18. Read them all to get the complete story.
Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians when the Lord appeared to him in the form of a blinding light. A heavenly voice asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Saul asked who was speaking. The answer was, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.” Saul obviously believed the voice. He asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” The answer was to go into Damascus where he would be told what to do.
Note what is not said. The Lord did not say Saul was saved at that point. Neither did Luke, who wrote the original account. Neither did Saul when he twice recounted the incident.
For three days Saul fasted and prayed. That is conduct more characteristic of a penitent man in search of forgiveness than one who has just experienced it. Elsewhere throughout Acts the saved were rejoicing!
The Lord sent Ananias to teach Saul. His instruction was, “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). Clearly, Saul was still lost. He was still in his sins. He had not yet called on the name of the Lord. Ananias’s words are often explained as telling Saul to be baptized to symbolize his washing from sin; that is not, however, what he said!
Saul is later known as the Apostle Paul. In his letters he affirmed that we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), into His death (Romans 6:3), and that it is in Christ that we have forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7). While we are cleansed by Jesus’ blood, that cleansing occurs in baptism (Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5). Paul also affirmed that calling on the name of the Lord is not belief itself but something which follows belief (Romans 10:13-14). 1 Peter 3:21 concurs that this call occurs in baptism.
Saul was saved at Damascus, when his faith prompted him to be baptized into Christ. Have you followed His example?
