Paul's Conversion Account
A Perfect Example for Evangelism and the Pattern of Salvation
When we consider biblical evangelism, no person stands out more clearly than the apostle Paul. Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul became one of the greatest gospel preachers and missionaries in history. His conversion is not only powerful—it is deeply instructive. It refutes many modern misunderstandings about salvation and clearly affirms the consistent biblical pattern that we see taught and practiced throughout the New Testament.
Let us examine Paul’s conversion carefully, as recorded in Acts 9 and recounted again in Acts 22 and 26. These three accounts together—Paul’s own words, Ananias’s instruction, and Luke’s inspired record—form a triple layer of Spirit-inspired testimony about how Paul was saved. If Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, was not saved by a vision, a prayer, or mere confession, then neither can we be.
Paul Saw Jesus—But Was Not Yet Saved
On the road to Damascus, Paul (then Saul) encountered the risen Christ in a vision unlike anything most of us will ever experience:
“Suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’”
—Acts 9:3–4 (NKJV)
Paul saw the Lord Jesus, heard His voice, and even conversed with Him:
“So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’”
—Acts 9:6a (NKJV)
Many today would wrongly conclude that such an experience proves salvation. Yet Jesus did not say, “You’re saved now.” Instead, He told Paul:
“Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
—Acts 9:6b (NKJV)
Jesus made it clear—Paul’s salvation was not complete. There was something he must do, and it would not be revealed by a feeling or private revelation, but by a messenger of the gospel.
Paul Believed and Confessed—Still Not Saved
Paul clearly acknowledged Jesus as Lord during this encounter. This confession of faith was genuine and heartfelt, yet it alone did not save him. Many today point to Romans 10:9–10 and claim confession is enough. However, Paul himself demonstrates that confession without obedience is insufficient.
Paul had faith. He confessed Jesus. But he was still told to go and await further instruction. As James writes:
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”
—James 2:24 (NKJV)
If faith and confession alone were sufficient, Paul would have been saved on the road. But he wasn’t.
Paul Fasted and Prayed for Three Days—Still Not Saved
For three days Paul was blind. During that time, he neither ate nor drank (Acts 9:9). Acts 9:11 tells us that Paul was praying. Surely his prayers were full of sorrow and repentance. Surely he desired to be right with God.
Yet when Ananias arrived, he did not say, “Your prayers have saved you,” or “You’ve already believed and confessed—nothing else is needed.”
Instead, Ananias said:
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
—Acts 22:16 (NKJV)
Paul’s sins were still present. They had not been washed away by the vision, his belief, or his prayers. Only baptism—a burial in water for the forgiveness of sins (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38)—could accomplish that.
Paul Obeyed and Lived Faithfully
Paul obeyed immediately. He was baptized, and his sins were washed away. He went on to preach Christ, suffer for the gospel, and write much of the New Testament. He didn’t rely on a single moment for assurance, but rather ran the race faithfully to the end:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness...”
—2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NKJV)
A Consistent Pattern—Not a Confusing Patchwork
Paul’s conversion refutes many false teachings:
A vision doesn’t save. Paul saw Jesus but was not saved.
Belief alone doesn’t save. Paul believed but was not yet saved.
Confession alone doesn’t save. He confessed Jesus as Lord but remained in sin.
Praying doesn’t save. He prayed for days, but his sins were not washed away.
Only obedience to the full gospel saves. He was told to be baptized to wash away sins.
This pattern is consistent with other conversion accounts in Acts. No one was ever saved by belief alone, confession alone, a prayer, or a personal vision. Instead, we see the same elements repeated: hearing the word, believing, repenting, confessing, being baptized, and remaining faithful (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12–13; Acts 16:30–34; Acts 18:8).
Paul’s Conversion—Triple Inspiration
In Acts 22, we see the account of Paul’s conversion from three inspired perspectives:
Ananias, a devout man and messenger sent by God.
Paul, giving his personal testimony.
Luke, recording the account under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
If the man who wrote most of the New Testament was saved this way, who are we to claim salvation comes any other way?
The Blueprint for Evangelism
Paul’s conversion is a blueprint for evangelism. He is the perfect example of what it means to be drawn to Jesus, convicted of sin, and fully obedient to the gospel. His life proves that salvation is not based on emotion, feelings, visions, or partial obedience, but on doing what the Lord commanded.
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
—1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV)
To truly follow Paul’s example in evangelism, we must teach what he taught about salvation. There is no shortcut. There is no substitute. Let us proclaim the whole gospel, as Paul did, and call all people to believe, repent, confess, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and live faithfully until the crown of life is received (Revelation 2:10).