Part 37: What conversion Saul teaches us about salvation John Newton Worked in slave trade Eventually became captain his own slave ship A terrible storm at sea and book, Imitation Christ, eventually led him to give his life to Christ Became a leader in evangelical movement in 18 century England 1
John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant slaves in Africa, was, by rich mercy our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach faith he had long labored to destroy. Mel Trotter Barber by pression, drunkard by perversion When his young daughter died, he pawned shoes she was to be buried in to purchase more liquor He staggered into Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago and was saved Burdened with plights homeless on streets, he opened a rescue mission in Grand Rapids, Michigan He founded more than 60 missions stretching from east to west coast. 2
Heb 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for m. Acts 9:1-9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against disciples Lord, went to high priest 2 and asked letters from him to synagogues Damascus, so that if he found any who were Way, wher men or women, he might bring m bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 3
5/8/2016 4Then he fell to ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 5And he said, Who are You, Lord? Then Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting persecuting.. It is hard for you to kick against goads.. 6So he, trembling and goads astonished, said, Lord, what do You want me to do? Then Lord said to him, Arise and go into city, and you will be told what you must do do.. 7And men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.. 8Then Saul arose from one ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one one.. But y led him by hand and brought him into 9 Damascus.. And he was three Damascus days without sight, and neir ate nor drank drank.. 4
Things we can learn from Saul s conversion: 1. Religion can make man s wickedness seem like God s will. Paul s pedigree: Phil 3:4-6 though I also might have confidence in flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised eighth day, stock Israel, tribe Benjamin, a Hebrew Hebrews; concerning law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting church; concerning righteousness which is in law, blameless. 5
Acts 22:3-4 I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus Cilicia, but brought up in this city at feet Gamaliel, taught according to strictness our fars law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, Paul understood that eir militant Judaism was correct or militant Christianity was. Jesus claimed to be Messiah and Son God but managed to get Himself hanged on a cross (Gal 3:13 cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree) 6
Phil 2:8 became obedient to death, even death cross In his unconverted days, this was thing that was most impossible about claims Christ In his converted days, this was thing that was most impressive about claims Christ So, at last, Saul came near Damascus, and walls and towers city raised ir bold outlines across distant skyline. He was bitterly determined to wreak vengeance on believers in that city, being exceeding enraged against m. Any doubts he had were ground under iron heel passionate resolve, so that Saul should be saved was indeed a miracle. His giant intellect, his fierce emotions fired to white-hothot passion, and his iron will all fused toger in a determined hatred Jesus. 7
No man could have reasoned with him in such a mood no man on earth, that is. But re was a Man with nail prints in His hands about to stand astride Saul s path and bring about a miracle greater than raising Lazarus from dead. John Phillips 2. No one is ever so far gone that y can t be saved. Acts 22:4 I persecuted this Way to death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, Acts 26:9-11 Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to name Jesus Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from chief priests; and when y were put to death, I cast my vote against m. 11 And I punished m ten in every synagogue and compelled m to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against m, I persecuted m even to foreign cities. 8
1 Cor 15:9-1010 For I am least apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted church God. 10 But by grace God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than y all, yet not I, but grace God which was with me. 1 Tim 1:13-1717 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And grace our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into world to save sinners, whom I am chief. Heb 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for m. 9
5/8/2016 3. The Lord knows how to get our attention. attention. Phil 3:12 12--13 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected;; but I press on, that I perfected may lay hold that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold me me.. 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;; apprehended Acts 22 22::6-7 Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me me.. 7And I fell to ground and heard a voice saying to me, 10
4. Christ and church are one and same. Acts 9:4-5 Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 5 And he said, Who are You, Lord? Then Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against goads. Jesus did not ask, Why do you persecute m? Instead, He asked, Why do you persecute Me? Eph 5:30 For we are members His body, His flesh and His bones. It is as though Christ had said to him, Those men and women whom you have haled to prison have suffered; but it is I Who have suffered in ir suffering, Saul. The brutal stones that you saw hurled upon Stephen, cutting into his flesh, and giving him physical pain, reached Me, hurt Me. I felt every throb Stephen s pains. G. Campbell Morgan 11
5. Acknowledging Christ s lordship is essential to salvation. Acts 9:6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what do You want me to do? The 1 st use Lord = sir a term respect The 2 nd use Lord = confession surrender and faith Saul was convicted his sin: Jn 16:8-9 And when He has come, He will convict world sin, and righteousness, and judgment: 9 sin, because y do not believe in Me; Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Lord Jesus 12
The plain teaching Scripture is that Jesus is Lord independent any human response. The question is salvation is not wher Jesus is Lord, but wher we are submissive to His lordship. John MacArthur [T]his indicates true nature conversion. It is decided, prompt immediate. Paul did not debate matter Galatians; he did not inquire what scribes and Pharisees would say; he did not consult his own reputation; he did not ask what world would think. With characteristic promptness - with a readiness which showed what he would yet be, he gave himself up at once, and entirely, to Lord Jesus, evidently with a purpose to do his will alone. Nor can re be any real conversion where heart and will are not given to Lord Jesus, to be directed and molded by him at his pleasure. We may test our conversion n by example apostle Paul. If our hearts have been given up as his was, we are true friends Christ. Albert Barnes 13
Lord every thought and action Lord to send and Lord to stay; Lord in speaking, writing, giving, Lord in all things to obey. 6. True conversion brings spiritual transformation. Acts 9:7-9 And men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But y led him by hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neir ate nor drank. 14
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 1 Cor 6:9-11 Do you not know that unrighteous will not inherit kingdom God? Do not be deceived. Neir fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit kingdom God. 11 And such were some you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in name Lord Jesus and by Spirit our God. His entry into city was very different than he had anticipated. Instead barging in as conquering hero, scourge Christians, he entered helplessly blinded, led by hand. John MacArthur One moment Saul Tarsus was riding high, secure in impenetrable armor his iron-clad prejudices, breathing out threatenings and slaughter. The next moment he was prostrate on ground, blinded by such a light as never shone on earth and listening to such a voice as charmed very angels God John Phillips He who would strike ors was himself struck, and proud Pharisee became a deeply humbled penitent a guide blind he was himself to be guided by ors. 15
Prov 16:1818 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 1 Pet 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under mighty hand God, that He may exalt you in due time, Saul s companions had perfect sight and saw nothing. Saul was blind but could see everything. The last thing he saw before going blind was Jesus he would now wait in darkness. Now he was left in physical blindness, but intense spiritual sight. He had to determine what could be salvaged from rubble religion that had consumed his whole life. 16
Phil 3:4-9 though I also might have confidence in flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised eighth day, stock Israel, tribe Benjamin, a Hebrew Hebrews; concerning law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting church; concerning righteousness which is in law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, se I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for excellence knowledge Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered loss all things, and count m as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from law, but that which is through faith in Christ, righteousness which is from God by faith; He grew up with a Christian mor He rejected her Christian faith and lived a life debauchery Through preaching Ambrose, he became convinced truth Christianity On August 386, dejected and forlorn, he heard a child singing in distance words take and read 17
5/8/2016 I stemmed my flood tears and stood up, telling myself that this could only be a divine command to open my book Scripture and read first passage on which my eyes should fall fall.. I seized [book containing Paul s Epistles] and opened it, and in silence I read first passage on which my eyes fell fell:: Let us walk properly, as in day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy envy.. 14But put on Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for flesh, to fulfill its lusts lusts.. (Rom 13 13::13 13--14 14)) I had no wish to read more and no need to do so so.. For in an instant, as I came to end sentence, it was as though light confidence flooded into my heart and all darkness doubt was dispelled dispelled.. Confessions, VIII, 12 18