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The events that happened on the road to Damascus relate not only to the apostle Paul, whose dramatic conversion occurred there, but they also provide a clear picture of the conversion of all people...
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I believe Saul's conversion to Paul is one of the most logically compelling pieces of hard evidence in the entire Bible of the Gospel. People normally do not change their stripes or character a lot in life. How could a zealot bent on persecuting Christians in an instant devote his entire life at tremendous peril to spreading the Gospel across the face of this Earth? Conversion is the only rational explanation. And it is historical.
Paul's conversion was miraculous because God spoke audibly to him. Paul was chosen for special service to bring the gospel to the world and that it was now a free gift from God apart from the deeds of the Law. Romans 3:26-28. That sinners could be saved by grace through faith in Christ alone and receive the free gift of eternal life by faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 6:23. Paul did not have his epistles to read, he had to write them. He was taken to the third heaven and given the new covenant of grace through faith for the free gift of God eternal life. His conversion is different that any other in the bible. Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle to the Jews first, but also to the Greeks. Romans 1:16. His ministry started in the book of Acts, and goes to Philemon. Peter, James and John were to the believing Jews. How different his conversion was than a child who believes John 3:16-18 at the age of 6 years old. It is the same salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, but Paul had already been convinced he was saved by keeping the law. He had to repent, change his mind, and believe and receive salvation as a free gift apart from the deeds of the law. Romans 3:26-28 and Ephesians 2:8-9. Paul was thrown in prison, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, and was constantly allowed to be tormented by Satan to keep him humble. But at the end of his life he said, I have run the race and have kept the faith for a crown in heaven. Paul preached that believers who continued to live in sin would be chastened by the Lord, even to taking their life early, but not loss of eternal life which is a free gift apart from any works. And at the same time, preached that those who walked in the Spirit would receive rewards in this life and in heaven. First Corinthians 3:11-21. Paul's ministry started in the book of Acts, and goes to Philemon. Peter, James, and John were to the converted Jews, but have things for Gentile believers also.
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