Contradictions in the book of acts for the damascus road. Paul begins this passage by reminding his readers of the man he used to be. Pauls conversion was seminal in the church, but the stories differ. Immediately afterward, he endured the humbling that god intended as. Theyre all a little bit different, and because of that, some critics have cried foul. A critical charge that supposedly nullifies the harmony of the book of acts is the fact that there are differences in the three accounts of pauls conversion. The book of acts is not only a book of history, but also a book of conversions. On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion. Acts 15 concerns the first major controversy in the early church, although the issue seems strange to modern readers.
Pauls own very subdued reference to his conversion in a heated argument in which he would have scored points by referring to a dramatic conversion on the road to damascus. I am fairly certain i was of the mind that the bible is inerrant, so i would not have doubted that paul actually described his convernsion inconsistently and that his accounts differed from lukes which, somehow, must have derived from pauls own account which. The book of acts tells the accounts of paul s conversion on three occasions acts 9, 22, 26. The conversion of paul on the road to damascus acts 9 represents a critical point in the. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to jerusalem.
On various occasions in his epistles, paul made either direct or. The corinthians acts 18 the story of the conversion of the people of corinth is to the point. Do the 3 accounts of pauls conversion in luke contradict. The service of the apostle paul in the whole world. The conversion of paul the book of acts amazing facts. Acts 9 conversion of saul object lesson for children. The book of acts was penned by the apostle paul and teaches many concepts. I dont think these skeptics are paying very close attention when they say that there are irreconcilable discrepencies. Sep 03, 2019 for most christians, pauls experience on the road to damascus in acts 9 is the classic story of the conversion of the chief of sinners. Immediately afterward, he endured the humbling that god intended as the first phase of his training. Also, during this time luke recorded three accounts of pauls conversion and his witness to three rulers.
The conversion of saul 1992 all sermons by pastor john osteen. Another new testament illustration of this literary phenomenon is the record of pauls conversion, as set forth three times in the book of acts chapters 9, 22, and 26. New testament 2019 pauls conversion pauls conversion. To begin, it is important to understand that the belief that the book of acts has a contradiction is not related to the apostle pauls personal conversion story. A list of sermons in the book of acts leadership resources. According to the new testament book acts of the apostles often simply called acts, paul persecuted some of the early disciples of jesus. The conversion of saulpaul is so important to the author of the book of acts that he presents the story three times acts 9, 22, 26. Scripture tells us that he breathed threats and murder against the church. Does paul s silence suggest that the damascus event never occurred. The story of pauls conversion from a devout jew, violently persecuting believers in jesus, to a devout christian, fearlessly spreading the gospel against all opposition, is found three times in acts. In these writings, paul says something about his conversion because he believes he needs to. There are three accounts of pauls conversion to christianity found in the book of acts. Pauls conversion why three accounts, and how do they.
Acts overview mcgarveys original commentary on acts. The book of acts says that paul was on his way from jerusalem to syrian damascus with a mandate issued by the high. Conversion of paul pauls journey on the road to damascus. Pauls conversion bible story summary, study and lesson. Does pauls silence suggest that the damascus event never occurred. Saul received a vision of the resurrected christ while en route to damascus. This occurred three times, in acts, acts 18, and acts 28. Pauls statement of his conversion and zeal for the gospel. Now as he journeyed he approached damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.
Pauls conversion in the canonical acts and in the acts of paul. Saul of tarsus, a pharisee in jerusalem after the crucifixion and resurrection of jesus christ, swore to wipe out the new christian church, called the way. If saul had remained a jewish rabbi, we would be missing thirteen of twentyseven books of the new testament and christianitys early major expansion to the gentiles. It is not just in the book of acts that the importance of sauls conversion is evident. Pauls conversion the most important event in human history apart from the life, death and resurrection of jesus of nazareth is the conversion to christianity of saul of tarsus. As regards the date and place of composition of the book the following information can be deduced.
Actually starts in verse 15, i am jesus, who you are persecuting. Although this study will focus on the conversion of saul of tarsus paul, let us first consider eight examples of conversions found in the book of acts. The apostles were justifiably dubious about his conversion and he disputed with them for the rest of his life on a variety of issues. So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read paul s own testimony, he expands on it. Acts of the apostles discusses paul s conversion experience at three different points in the text, in far more detail than in the accounts in paul s letters.
According to luke s book of the acts of the apostles. He went to the high priest and asked for permission to go to damascus to arrest those of the way. Sometimes a person gives the condensed version of the story. In our chronology of the book of acts, we propose late ad 34 as the likely date of sauls conversion see appendix 1. Pauls road to damascus conversion bible study guide. The book of acts says that paul was on his way from jerusalem to syrian damascus with a mandate issued by the high priest to seek out and arrest followers of jesus, with the intention of. Acts 9 niv sauls conversion meanwhile, saul bible gateway. We know from other sources that paul was eventually martyred in rome, but acts doesnt tell us that. So when luke records the conversion of paul, he doesnt record everything jesus said to paul you read pauls own testimony, he expands on it.
Luke recounts pauls conversion story three times acts 9, 22 and 26. Calling of saul of tarsus bibl 364 acts research guides. Do the three accounts of pauls conversion in acts contradict. Paul s road to damascus conversion story summary the story of paul s conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. The lord opened her heart to respond to paul s message. The first thing mentioned in the text that saul did following his conversion was that he took food and was strengthened acts 9. Pauls conversion is recorded three times in the bible 1.
According to lukes book of the acts of the apostles. From pauls letters we know who his companions were and that only luke could write the we when he was the eyewitness of the events recounted. Paul proclaims his righteousness and judgment to come. He told them, johns baptism was a baptism of repentance. The conversion of paul on the road to damascus acts 9 represents a critical point in the book of acts and in the history of christianity. Pauls road to damascus conversion story summary the story of pauls conversion on the road to damascus is told in acts 9. A contrast of pauls conversion accounts 28 jun luke records pauls conversion three times in acts, first in chapter 9 where he simply narrates the event, and secondly, through pauls testimony in chapter 22 before the jews after they tried to kill him, and finally before festus and king agrippa in chapter 26. This is an important point based on the fact that luke, the author of the book of acts, traveled with the apostle paul. Read the acts of the apostles and the epistles to gain a better understanding of pauls ongoing conversion to christianity. Most of the time, one eating a meal is more mundane and common than it is noteworthy.
Luke briefly summarized sauls conversion by saying, he got up and was baptized acts 9. Pauls conversion, of scripture stories coloring book. In the book of acts we have not one, not two, but three accounts of sauls conversion. For most christians, pauls experience on the road to damascus in acts 9 is the classic story of the conversion of the chief of sinners. Sauls conversion meanwhile, saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the lords disciples. After his conversion he went to the opposite extreme of loving god and preaching his word with power and fervency in the spirit of the true and living god. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, saul, saul, why do you persecute me. In our chronology of the book of acts, we propose late ad 34 as the likely date of saul s conversion see appendix 1. To begin, it is important to understand that the belief that the book of acts has a contradiction is not related to the apostle paul s personal conversion story. In acts 8, we learned that saul was trying to destroy the church. Papers were granted and saul, and some other men, set off. Jesus himself appears to rabbi saul and confronts him with the truth of the resurrection and saul completely changes everything about his life. Jan 02, 2011 the book of acts sunday school lesson series january 2, 2011 by kelly henderson take your students on a journey through the book of acts where they will learn lessons from the early church after jesus ascended to heaven and believers received the gift of the holy spirit. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul.
Pauls conversion 1 chapter 3 pauls conversion acts 9 a. New testament scholarship has long debated the accuracy of the portrayal of the apostle paul in the book of acts. Ananias was sent to paul to restore his sight miracles were worked during the early church as revelation was not yet complete. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. The account of pauls conversion in acts is relatively brief. The lord told him to enter the city, and he would be told what he must do 9. In chapter nine of acts, luke tells us the famous story of pauls conversion. If saul had remained a jewish rabbi, we would be missing thirteen of twentyseven books of the new testament and christianity s early major expansion to the gentiles.
The book of acts provides three versions of the event. Jun 28, 20 a contrast of pauls conversion accounts 28 jun luke records pauls conversion three times in acts, first in chapter 9 where he simply narrates the event, and secondly, through pauls testimony in chapter 22 before the jews after they tried to kill him, and finally before festus and king agrippa in chapter 26. The conversion of the apostle paul 1282 words bartleby. If one genuinely wants to know what to do to be saved, he can read the book of acts and find the biblical answer. By divine design the conversion of saul of tarsus is recorded three times in the book of acts chapters 9, 22, 26.
Each version is different, and this fact has led some critics to say that the accounts are contradictory. Pauls dramatic conversion on the damascus road acts 9. There are some differences in how pauls experience is told. Luke and paul probably discussed the conversion story in depth.
Nov 27, 2017 the conversion of saul paul is so important to the author of the book of acts that he presents the story three times acts 9, 22, 26. Paul s own very subdued reference to his conversion in a heated argument in which he would have scored points by referring to a dramatic conversion on the road to damascus. Activities for kids from the early church in the book of acts. May 02, 2020 pauls dramatic conversion on the damascus road acts 9. What about the multiple accounts of pauls conversion. The book of acts sunday school lesson series january 2, 2011 by kelly henderson take your students on a journey through the book of acts where they will learn lessons from the early church after jesus ascended to heaven and believers received the gift of the holy spirit. Paul s conversion the most important event in human history apart from the life, death and resurrection of jesus of nazareth is the conversion to christianity of saul of tarsus. Dec 19, 2011 pauls conversion was seminal in the church, but the stories differ. I wish i could remember how i reacted to the inconsistent retellings of pauls conversion in acts. Within its pages are found the establishment of the church, the conversion of one of christianitys most ruthless converts, the conversion of the first gentile to the gospel and pauls sermon to the grecians from mars hill. Paul, still called saul at this point, has taken an active part in the persecution of the christian movement after the. Hedrick observed that the three episodes supplement each other, for the first account is a healing narrative, the second features healing and call, and the third is a commissioning.
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