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Paul uses his own testimony as a Jew and a believer. He comes from a famous university town
and was educated in the Jewish religion under the best-known teacher of that day.

His purpose in starting this way was to pique their interest. If Paul was born and educated a
Jew, there must be some reason why he changed. Paul had clearly been taught the law and its
content. Paul had been religiously zealous, legalistic for God and for the law. He had known
the law but not its revelation and application. These people are willing to kill for the Jewish law
and tradition.

Paul is pointing out that he had been the same as these other Jews, no matter. He is not being
arrogant, but has been chosen and used by God. God chooses ordinary people.

Satan always uses ordinary believers, as he is using these born-again but religious Jewish
leaders.

22:3 zealous, zelotes (dzay-low-tace); Burning with zeal, having warmth and feeling for
or against, deep commitment and eager devotion to something or someone, and
enthusiastic, uncompromising partisan, admirer, emulator, imitator, follower of anyone.
Paul rejected his previous zeal that caused him to become a persecutor of the church,
but rejoiced in his zelotes for the Lord Jesus Christ.

ENEMY’S WEAPONS IN AN ORDINARY LIFE (PROVERBS 27:1-6)

• Pride (verses 1-2): To boast in yourself
• Wrath (verse 3-4): Explosive temper
• Anger (verses 3-4): Progressive hostility
• Façades of love (verses 5-6): Expressions of love covering hate

PAUL’S TESTIMONY OF THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS (4-11)

Paul tells of his conversion on the road to Damascus. He explains he once persecuted and put
to death those who followed “the way.” He continues by explaining that he was on his way to
Damascus to arrest Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished, a light shone
from heaven, and he heard a voice cry out to him. After being blinded by the light, Paul
explains how he was led into Damascus by those traveling with him.

Act 22:4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and
women,

Act 22:5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I
also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who
were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

Act 22:6 "Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a
great light from heaven shone around me.