Athird of the way through the Book of Acts, a man named Saul takes over the narrative. Like Israel's King Saul, this Saul is from the tribe of Benjamin. Like King Saul, this Saul persecutes a David: Jesus. Jesus proves greater than his ancestor. The first David eluded Saul long enough to become king. Jesus conquers his adversary and enlists him as an apostolic ambassador.
Acts 9 records Saul's dramatic conversion. Carrying letters that authorize him to arrest Christians in Damascus, he is himself arrested on the way by a blinding light. Saul falls to the ground like a dead man and becomes so helpless his friends have to guide him by the hand. He's reduced to nothing, shattered by his encounter with Jesus. For three days, Saul sees nothing, eats nothing, drinks nothing.
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