If Saul Was Converted On The Road To Damascus...

David Eldridge

Many hold that Saul was saved on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. A man-written heading in your Bible may even state this idea. Truly the events on the road were miraculous in nature with Saul being blinded by a bright light and hearing the voice of Jesus, but they do not show conversion. Consider, if Saul was saved on the road to Damascus...

Why did the Lord tell him there were still things he “must do”? In Acts 9:6 the Lord tells Saul, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Saul was still lacking in some things. There were more requirements of the Lord he needed to meet. He was told that in Damascus these things would be revealed to him. If he was “saved” why was he still lacking?

Why did Saul not act as if he had been saved? When looking at Acts 9:8,9 we find Saul in Damascus blinded and not eating or drinking. Sounds pretty miserable doesn’t he? Elsewhere in the Bible we find examples of those having just been saved rejoicing (cf. Acts 8:39; 16:34). If Saul was saved on the road to Damascus why was he not rejoicing?

Why did Ananias tell Saul to wash away his sins? Anyone would acknowledge that the one who is truly converted has had their sins washed away. Those who would claim Saul was saved on the road to Damascus would surely say his sins were then washed away. However, in Ac. 22:16 Paul states that Ananias said to him, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Doesn’t it seem if one were already converted they wouldn’t be told to wash away their sins in baptism?

If Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, the Lord didn’t know it for He told him there will still things Saul “must do.” If he was saved on the road to Damascus, Saul didn’t know it for he was miserable, blind, and fasting. If Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, Ananias didn’t know it for he stated that Saul was still in his sins. If someone then says that Paul was actually saved on the road to Damascus, they know something the Lord, Saul, and Ananias didn’t! Saul was saved like we are when he heard, believed, repented, and was baptized that his sins might be washed away.