While recognising that the conversion of Saul has a particular literary setting, there are also lessons which can be drawn from the detail.

First, the conversion of Saul is one of the clearest Biblical confirmations of God’s sovereignty in salvation. Travelling along the road, Saul had absolutely no interest whatsoever in joining the people of the Way. He thought they were blasphemers; he wanted them to be kicked out of synagogues and thrown into prison. He did not engage fairly with the apostles’ teaching, he did not question his convictions or his conscience. Humanly speaking, there was nothing which prepared him to become a Christian. He was very happy with the traditions of his fathers and the idea that God’s favour can be earned through obedience.

And then, suddenly, the Lord arrested him. Christ revealed himself to Paul. During his time of prayer and fasting, the Spirit worked a true faith in his heart. He recognized his sin; he sought baptism; he became part of the church. An instrument chosen by Christ to carry his name before the Gentiles. A holy one chosen before the foundation of the world. God is sovereign in salvation. He determines the place; he determines the time. He is the King who rules over all.

Along with God’s sovereignty, we also see the close connection between Christ and his church. God willing, this connection will be mentioned often in Christian teaching when it comes to justification and the work of God the Holy Spirit. He unites us to Christ through faith. As a result of this union, the death of Christ for sin is reckoned as if it were our death. The judgment which sin deserves was paid for by Christ, but it is our penalty which was paid, not his. He did nothing wrong; the innocent was condemned in the place of the guilty. Likewise in our union with Christ, his life of perfect obedience is also imputed to us as if were our own. As if we are the ones who have always kept God’s commandments.

The active and passive obedience of Christ—there is no other hope for salvation and faith is the instrument that connects us to Jesus so that we can share in all his benefits. Faith worked in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

From the conversion of Saul we see that our union with Christ also works in the opposite direction, so to speak. What is done to us, to his church, is reckoned as if it is done to him. As citizens of God’s kingdom, when we are slandered and ridiculed on account of our commitment to Jesus, why then Christ himself is being slandered and ridiculed. When throwing believers in jail, you might as well do the same with their King. From this we learn that our Lord truly loves his church. He is concerned for all who suffer for his name’s sake. Christians in Indonesia and Congo, Christians in Cameroon and Nigeria. Their blood may be shed in the present, but they will be vindicated. The Lord knows and sees all that happens.