Days of Preparation
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Damascus, might easily have been struck dead by the Lord, and much
strength would have been withdrawn from the persecuting power. But
God in His providence not only spared Saul’s life, but converted him,
thus transferring a champion from the side of the enemy to the side of
Christ. An eloquent speaker and a severe critic, Paul, with his stern
purpose and undaunted courage, possessed the very qualifications
needed in the early church.
As Paul preached Christ in Damascus, all who heard him were
amazed and said, “Is not this he that destroyed them which called on
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this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might
bring them bound unto the chief priests?” Paul declared that his change
of faith had not been prompted by impulse or fanaticism, but had been
brought about by overwhelming evidence. In his presentation of the
gospel he sought to make plain the prophecies relating to the first
advent of Christ. He showed conclusively that these prophecies had
been literally fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. The foundation of his faith
was the sure word of prophecy.
As Paul continued to appeal to his astonished hearers to “repent
and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (
Acts 26:20
), he
“increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt
at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.” But many hardened their
hearts, refusing to respond to his message, and soon their astonishment
at his conversion was changed into intense hatred like that which they
had shown toward Jesus.
The opposition grew so fierce that Paul was not allowed to continue
his labors at Damascus. A messenger from heaven bade him leave for
a time, and he “went into Arabia” (
Galatians 1:17
), where he found a
safe retreat.
Here, in the solitude of the desert, Paul had ample opportunity for
quiet study and meditation. He calmly reviewed his past experience
and made sure work of repentance. He sought God with all his heart,
resting not until he knew for a certainty that his repentance was ac-
cepted and his sin pardoned. He longed for the assurance that Jesus
would be with him in his coming ministry. He emptied his soul of the
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prejudices and traditions that had hitherto shaped his life, and received
instruction from the Source of truth. Jesus communed with him and
established him in the faith, bestowing upon him a rich measure of
wisdom and grace.