Acts 9:1–6 NLT
1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.
2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
KEY #1 - NEW LIGHT. NEW LORD.
Acts 9:3-4 NLT
“As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground…”
Acts 9:4b-5 NLT
“He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?’ ‘Who are you, lord?’ Saul asked. And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!’”
Key #2 - New Faith. New Fire.
Acts 9:18-20 NLT
“Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is indeed the Son of God!’”
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden... let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Key #3 - New Name. New Nature.
Acts 9:21 NLT
“All who heard him were amazed. ‘Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?’ they asked. ‘And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?’”
Ephesians 4:22–24 NLT
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life… Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Isaiah 62:2 NLT
“You will also be given a new name by the Lord’s own mouth.”
KEY #4 - NEW MIND. NEW MISSION.
Romans 12:2 NLT
“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
Acts 9:15 NLT
“But the Lord said, ‘Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.’”