Saul of Tarsus despised Christians; so much so that he terrorized the New Testament church. When the first recorded Christian martyrdom took place at the stoning of Stephen; Saul was there giving “hearty approval.” After that he became somewhat of a Christian bounty hunter, chasing believers from city to city so that he might persecute them. The Bible says, “Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2 NASB)
While on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul was confronted by the risen Christ and was converted by an act of God's sovereign grace. Being physically blinded, Saul was told to go to a specific house in Damascus where a man named Ananias would pray for him and he would regain his sight. Saul's reputation was so violent, that even when the Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision about Saul's conversion, Ananias hesitated. In fact, years after Saul's conversion the early Christian church remained fearful and skeptical. His past persecutions and reputation died hard. But his conversion was genuine as the remainder of his life would show.
When Ananias came to pray for Saul he addressed him by calling him, “Brother Saul.” (Acts 9:17) While this may seem insignificant when you consider that “Brother” is a common title in Christian circles, the fact that this was Saul of Tarsus who was now a “brother” is astounding. Christianity's fiercest opponent was now “preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” (Galatians 1:23) By an act of sheer divine grace, “Terrorist Saul” had become “Brother Saul.” And the world would never be the same again.
Saul's conversion could be likened unto a fierce Muslim terrorist being saved and becoming an outspoken preacher of the gospel. “Brother Saul” could just as easily be “Brother Abdul” or “Brother Muhammad.” In fact, such things have happened in the past and continue to happen today; not just within Islam but within all religions. God's sovereign grace calls sinners of every stripe and creed out of spiritual darkness and into the kingdom of His beloved son (Colossians 1:13). You might be hesitant to accept this, given the past history of persecution that some Muslims have been a part of. But God is bigger than any man or any religion. As the classic hymn "Jesus Paid It All" states, He can “change the leper's spots and melt the heart of stone.” In all honesty, Saul's conversion is no more miraculous than your own. Though you might not have been a persecutor of the church, you were a spiritually dead sinner just the same (Ephesians 2:1). And unless God opened your eyes to the truth, they would have remained forever sealed shut.
As Christians we should praise God for “Brother Saul.” We should also praise God anytime a “Brother Abdul” or “Brother Muhammad” comes into being. When this world passes away, there will be gathered around the throne of the Lamb in Heaven, those from every “tongue, tribe, people, and nation.” (Revelation 5:9) Christians from every people group will be represented. Saul of Tarsus (better known as Paul the Apostle) will be there. Former Muslims will be there. Former Jews will be there. Former atheists will be there. All those who turned from sin in repentance and trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord will be there. It will be a worship service unlike any ever experienced on earth. It will be a sight to behold. Will you be there to see it?
I so agree with you, that the conversion of Saul was incredible! That indeed shows us that those we may deem untouchable may very well be the most powerful tools yet to be used by God.
However, I have a question for you to honestly consider. In your remark that Saul was now called a brother, there is assumption that this is a direct indication of his conversion. So, the first question is: Are those in Acts 2 who have not yet repented for sending Jesus to the cross, are they brethren in the sense that they are converted in verse 29? Also, what do you consider conversion and salvation to be? Is it a state that a person is still in their sins. If so, then you will continue to have no problem with Sauls conversion leaving him in need of forgiveness. But if a person in conversion is cleansed from their sin, Why does Paul in his account of the same incident in Acts 22, state (after being called "Brother" by Ananias) that Ananias told him to arise and be baptized and was away his sins? Could it be possible that like in Acts 2:29 and 3:17, when those men were called brothers, it was in the Jewish sense, that here too, Ananias was using the term brother in the same way? Dont get me wrong, if you are fully convinced of your belief here, I still regard you as my brother. However, if this in the least makes you take a second look, I am in hopes that your influence will continue to grow as you are sharpened by God's word. Thanks for considering, Brad
Posted by: Brad Smith | August 01, 2018 at 12:21 PM
Hi Brad -- Thanks for the question. My "short answer" would be that the point of the article was not necessarily to pinpoint the exact moment of Saul's conversion, but rather to point out the general fact that he was converted at all. The amazing fact that he went from being a Christ-hating persecutor of the church to a Christ-loving preacher for the church. While the word "brother" could certainly be used in a Jewish sense, like the example you cited from Acts 2, I would argue that Ananias uses it in a Christian sense. Evidenced by the fact that Christ had appeared to both Ananias and Saul; and that the instructions that Ananias gave Saul after addressing him as "brother" were Christian in nature. Once Christ appeared to Saul, it had become evident that Saul's conversion was imminent, and this was particularly true from Ananias's perspective since Jesus told him that Saul was a "chosen instrument of mine" (Acts 9:15). As for the reference to "washing away sins" through baptism, I would see that as symbolic language. Sins aren't literally "washed away" with water; any more than Nicodemus being literally "born again" by re-emerging from his mother's womb. The language is speaking of spiritual realities.
Saul went from being a persecutor to a Christian "brother" by being converted. This may or may not have been true of every Jewish "brother" mentioned in Acts 2:29. But it was certainly true in the case of Saul. That was my main point. Thanks again for the question.
Posted by: Shane Kastler | August 02, 2018 at 10:20 AM