Meet Saul of Tarsus

Meet Saul of Tarsus Acts 9:1-20 INTRO: Saul was born in Tarsus. Tarsus had the largest university in the Mediterranean area. He was a Jewish/Roman citizen. His family sent him to Jerusalem at age 13. He earned the equivalent of 2 Ph.D.’s at the feet of Gamaliel. (Acts 5:34) He gained notoriety as a student and as a persecutor of the WAY. (Acts 9:2) I. Jesus __________ Saul (Acts 9:15), _______________ Saul and finally ______________ Saul on the road to Damascus. 1. Jesus needed a spiritual warrior. Ephesians 6:10-12 2. God struck Saul with lightening to get his attention. Acts 9:3 3. The church confirmed God’s choice. Acts 9:17 II. God put His Holy Spirit in him (Acts 9:17) to give him power to achieve his job description which was: 1. Carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles Acts 9:15 2. To preach to Kings and the people of Israel Acts 9:15 3. To suffer for the name of Jesus Acts 9:16

III. Saul was changed from the inside out. Matt. 15:8 1. Changed from a persecutor to a preacher. 2. Even his name was changed from Saul to Paul (little man). Acts 13:9 3. People who knew him could not be believe his conversion. Acts 9:26 Miss a message? You can catch up at: www.christscommunity.net/media

1. Is there justification for people to oppose or call out God’s chosen vessels? Why or why not?

2. Compare and contrast Moses’ call and his Mt. Sinai experience to Saul’s conversion and call to apostleship. Gen. 22:11-12

3. What does it mean to be changed “from inside out”?