Table 1: Outward Conversion
Showing At One View, Under the Head of Paul's Conversion, The Different Accounts From Which the Inference Is Drawn That the Conversion Was Outward Only, Not Inward.
Contents
Narrator's Account as per Acts 9:1-9.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto
the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of
this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he
journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he
fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he
said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick
against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord
said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which
journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth;
and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.Acts 9:1-9
Paul's First Personal Account. Back to Top ↑
As per Acts 22:3-11.
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at
the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was
zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and
delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the
estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring
them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my
journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round
about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou
persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the
voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go
into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when
I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into
Damascus.Acts 22:3-11
Paul's Second Personal Account. Back to Top ↑
As per Acts 26:9-20.
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having
received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad
against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority
and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven,
above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when
we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou,
Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have
appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou
hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and
from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among
them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto
the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the
coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for
repentance.Acts 26:9-20
As per Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:8.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.1 Corinthians 15:8
As per Paul in Galatians 1:12, 15-17.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal
his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and
blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia,
and returned again unto Damascus. Galatians 1:12, 15-17
Narrator's Account of Ananias's vision as per Acts 9:10-16.
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision,
Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the
street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for,
behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on
him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how
much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to
bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me,
to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great
things he must suffer for my name's sake. Acts 9:10-16
Narrator's Account of Ananas's Visit as per Acts 9:17-22.
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother
Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou
mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as
it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received
meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And
straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were
amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came
hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the
more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Acts 9:17-22
Paul's Account as per Acts 22:12-16.
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt
there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I
looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his
will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto
all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash
away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:12-16