2. Paul: Arrested by God’s Grace
the beginning of his heroes’ journey

3. Getting to know Saul/Paul
 Born in Tarsus of Cilicia to Jewish residents with
Roman citizenship (Acts 22:3, 28)
 Trained under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:4,
5:34-40)
 Attained Pharisee credentials (Philippians 3:5)
 Recognized for religious zeal (Acts 22:3,
Philippians 3:5-6, Galatians 1:14)

4. Meeting Saul
The witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a
young man named Saul. . . . And Saul was
there, giving approval to his death. . . . But Saul
began to destroy the church. Going from house
to house, he dragged off men and women and
put them in prison. (Acts 7:58, 8:1, 3)

5. Saul on a Mission
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out
murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.
He went to the high priest and asked him for
letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if
he found any there who belonged to the Way,
whether men or women, he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)

6. On the Damascus Road
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly
a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell
to the ground and heard a voice say to him,
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who
are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom
you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up
and go into the city, and you will be told what
you must do.” (Acts 9:3-6)

7. For three days . . .
The men traveling with Saul stood there
speechless; they heard the sound but did not see
anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when
he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So
they led him by the hand into Damascus. For
three day he was blind, and did not eat or drink
anything. (Acts 9:7-9)

8. Blind, but now I see
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.
Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul,
the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the
road as you were coming here – has sent me so
that you may see again and be filled with the
Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales
fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He
got up and was baptized. (Acts 9:17-18)

9. How God’s grace took hold of Saul
God pursued Saul from the very beginning
“Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my
mother’s womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now
he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully
tell non-Jews about him.” (Galatians 1:15, The Message)
Saul saw Jesus again . . . this time as risen
“It was fitting that I bring up the rear. I don’t deserve to be included
in that inner circle, as you well know, having spent all those early
years trying my best to stamp God’s church right out of existence.
But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I
am.” (I Corinthians 15:8-10, The Message)

10. How God’s grace took hold of Paul
Paul experiences God’s forgiveness and freedom
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of
life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
Paul sees himself as a servant of Christ
“The life you see me living is not ‘mine,’ but it is lived by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not
going to go back on that.” (Galatians 2:20, The Message)

11. And Can It Be
And can it be that I should gain an interest in
the Savior's blood! Died he for me? who
caused his pain! For me? who him to death
pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that
thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing
love! How can it be that thou, my God,
shouldst die for me?

12. And Can It Be
'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies! Who can
explore his strange design? In vain the
firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of
love divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let
angel minds inquire no more. 'Tis mercy all!
Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no
more.

13. And Can It Be
He left his Father's throne above (so free, so
infinite his grace!), emptied himself of all but
love, and bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis
mercy all, immense and free, for O my God, it
found out me! 'Tis mercy all, immense and
free, for O my God, it found out me!

14. And Can It Be
Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in
sin and nature's night; thine eye diffused a
quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed
with light; my chains fell off, my heart was
free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee. My
chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went
forth, and followed thee.

15. And Can It Be
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all
in him, is mine; alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I
approach th' eternal throne, and claim the
crown, through Christ my own. Bold I
approach th' eternal throne, and claim the
crown, through Christ my own.