Saul's Conversion - The Marks of Transformation

Damian, a Pastor at Northshore, introduces the message by reviewing the church’s journey through the book of Acts, focusing on the rise of the church and the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem. He draws a parallel between the transformative years of 2019-2021 and the profound transformation of Saul in Acts 9. Damian recounts how Saul, who had been persecuting followers of Jesus, sought permission to arrest believers in Damascus. On his way, Saul encountered a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Why are you persecuting me?” Temporarily blinded, Saul was led into Damascus. Meanwhile, God called a disciple named Ananias to visit Saul, despite Ananias' fear of Saul’s reputation. Ananias obeyed, laid hands on Saul, and Saul’s sight was miraculously restored, symbolized by scales falling from his eyes. Saul was then baptized and strengthened, marking the beginning of his transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a chosen instrument of God. Pastor Damian uses this dramatic conversion to illustrate the marks of transformation and how encountering Jesus can radically change one’s identity and purpose.