9:3,4
So Paul was on his way to implement his plan, but God intervened. “As he approached Damascus a light from heaven flashed around him”. Saul fell to the ground and he heard a voice saying “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me”. There is a close identity between Christ and the church, we need to appreciate this. In persecuting the people of God, Saul was persecuting Christ Himself.
9:5,6
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul was a well educated man who claimed to be serving God, and thought that by persecuting the church he was doing God’s will (John 16:2). It is interesting that Saul refers to the one behind the voice as “Lord”. Saul now knows that he is encountering something greater than he. The voice replies that He is Jesus. Saul is then given an order, there is no invitation here, no suggestion, but an order. We sometimes present the gospel as an invitation, a choice. It is actually a command from God to turn from our sins and rebellions, and to turn back to God. Saul is told to go into the city. He thought he was going there to carry out his plans, but that had all changed now, and he would be told what to do. He would change from being a man in rebellions against God to one who was obedient to Christ.
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