2:8), point in the same direction. James is currently researching alternative and emergent religions in South Africa. Some people receive Christ in an instant dramatic way, while others experience a gradual quiet transformation like Nicodemus. Now, he was persuaded that Jesus was the originator of the entire Jewish system of sacrifices. The Road To Damascus is a Road To Safety and Refuge Not only did the road to Damascus experience turn out to be a road to safety and refuge for me, I believe with my whole heart that someone was probably saved from my foolishness as well. Paul had been blinded by the dazzling heavenly light (Acts 22:11). This story is so important to early Christianity that it is repeated several times in Acts (9:1-9; 22:6-11; 26:12-18) and in Paul’s own letters (1 Cor. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases Turning points & deciding moments be at a crossroads idiom The Damascus Road experience was indeed an unusual encounter Paul, while still a Pharisee persecuting the early Church, had on the road to Damascus. Others believe Jesus meant that it was futile to try to oppress the church. Paul was most certainly a confident individual devout in his commitment to his Pharisaic disposition (Phil. Paul and His Damascus Road Experience For most Christians, Paul’s experience on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9) is the classic story of the conversion of the chief of sinners. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: It is hardly possible… Summers and the Road to Damascus By Servaas Storm. 1:11–16) making this hardly an obscure event. It was ultimately the overwhelming experience Paul and Acts says he had of […]. Although he claims to have had other revelatory experiences (2 Cor. Paul's life-changing experience on the Damascus Road led to his baptism and instruction in the Christian faith. Conversion is the heart of the Christian experience. There is no sense of guilt and doubt in him. At first, Ananias was reluctant to visit Saul (Acts 9:13, 14) for he knew of the trouble the persecutor had caused and of the purpose of his mission to Damascus. He was convinced he was in the right and this motivated him to stamp out early Christianity from the historical record. 1. road to Damascus - a sudden turning point in a person's life (similar to the sudden conversion of the Apostle Paul on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus of arrest Christians) That's where we … The Spirit of God illuminated his mind and he was able to recall the Messianic prophecies that applied to Jesus of Nazareth. What does the Bible mean when it says God rested in Genesis 2:2? “In all their affliction he was afflicted” (Isa. ( Log Out /  And he finally, realized how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Redeemer of Israel. He is a graduate in Creative Brand Communication and Marketing (CBC), and in Theology (majoring in psychology). 10:40). Paul also sees apologetic value in his experience. In a new light, he saw that at the crucifixion type had met anti-type. But the Lord interfered with his plans. Also road to Damascus experience. Jesus himself appears to Rabbi Saul and confronts him with the truth of … The idiom comes from the Christian Bible (Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9). On the other hand, Paul himself tells the Galatians that after that vocational vision, "I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus" (Galatians 1:11-17). And he judged his own past in the light of his new convictions. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do” (Acts 22:10). He has aspirations to teach Religious Studies and World Religion. Your road to Damascus is an experience you have that you consider to be very important and that…. Whilst originally used in a spiritual context, the phrase also refers to other types of sudden conversion. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything” (9:7-9). So, he immediately asked, “What shall I do, Lord? And this blindness proved that what he had seen was not a mere hallucination. (see upcoming show time) YesNo. English, Arabic (العربية), French (Français), Hindi (हिन्दी), Table of Contents CreationTen CommandmentsDefinitionMeaning This page is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi)Creation We first read that God rested the Seventh Day of the week, when He created our 7-day…, This page is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi)Second century Changing the Sabbath observance from Saturday to Sunday was a slow process that began before A.D. 150 and continued for three…, Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus. Saul was doing that when he came to his relationship with Christ and it turned his whole life around, this experience on the road to Damascus. […] important of these is his conversion experience on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians. Change ). ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. Your Question (required) Would you like this question answered on our show? ( Log Out /  It seems probable that Paul’s reference to Christ as the “image [eikōn] of God” in 2 Corinthians 4:4 (“the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God”) and Colossians 1:15 (“he is the image of the invisible God”) draws on the Damascus Road experience. Conversion on the Road to Damascus. the road to Damascus. View all posts by James Bishop. Ananias laid hands on Paul and the latter was healed from blindness, filled by the Holy Spirit, and got baptized (Acts 9:15–16, 19; 22:12–16). 1 For He affirmed “he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye” (Zech. He considered what was done to His children as done to Himself (Matt. This page is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi). In this encounter, Paul seems to have had intuitive knowledge that this was a divine encounter; he asks the question, “Who are you, Lord?” This divine presence was none other than Jesus (“I am Jesus”) who informs Paul that by persecuting the Christians he is actually persecuting Jesus the Lord. Theologian Donald Hagner explains this experience as, “The greatest impact on this remarkable man… was an encounter with the risen Christ that took place as Paul was on his way to persecute the Jewish Christians in Damascus. road to Damascus n. a religious conversion; a revelation, especially about one’s self; in other figurative uses, denoting a change in attitude, perspective, or belief. Acts states that those around Paul also witnessed it: “The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone” and it also had an effect on Paul himself: Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. Saul’s experience on the Damascus Road proves that God is more powerful than any Terrorist. 2007 , Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, addressing the CPAC in March. Some interpret this as meaning Paul had pangs of conscience when persecuting the church. First, most believe that Paul was speaking of himself and his Damascus road experience, in which case this was not an out of body experience. And Jesus spoke to Saul, asking him, “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 22:70). Learn more. road to Damascus (English)Origin & history From the Bible New Testament book Acts of the Apostles.Ch.9 Referring to the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, to Christianity while travelling to Damascus to persecute Christians. The phrase “Damascus Road experience” is a phrase used to describe a dramatic conversion like the one Paul had (Acts 9:1–9; Acts 22:6–11 and Acts 26:9–20). Saul! The recognition that Jesus is the Christ marked the point of Saul’s conversion, and the end of his persecuting anger. Also, the men who were on the road with Saul "stood" (Acts 9:7 below) speechless, which means that they were on foot; since a group can travel only as fast as its slowest member, having had companions on foot counters the speculation that Saul rode a horse to get to Damascus faster. Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus has inspired some to explain it away on naturalistic grounds. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! The counter was perhaps stimulated by sunstroke in Paul to produce the conviction that he had seen a vision of Jesus. But such an objection faces insurmountable difficulties in light of the testimony and what we know of Paul. Paul originally had believed that Jesus of Nazareth had disregarded the law of God and had taught His disciples that it was of no effect. The Lord identified Himself with His disciples and their sufferings. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary) James Bishop, South Africa, graduate Multimedia, Brand Marketing (CBC), Theology, Psychology, TESOL. road to Damascus. ( Log Out /  (3) And as he journeyed. Prior to that moment, he had been called Saul, and was a Pharisee who persecuted followers of Jesus. ( Log Out /  2:8). This experience does rest in some objective encounter. Editorial Note: From the biblical story of St. Paul, who converted from Judaism to Christianity while travelling on the road to Damascus. ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. The phrase “ Damascus Road experience” is a phrase used to describe a dramatic conversion like the one Paul had (Acts 9:1–9; Acts 22:6–11 and Acts 26:9–20). It goes on … It’s in reference to the conversion to Christianity of the apostle Paul while literally on the road to Damascus from Jerusalem. The phrase "road to Damascus" is an English idiom that means an important point in a person's life where a great change of ideas or beliefs takes place (usually a reversal of some pre-existing ideas or beliefs). Hagner articulates. Posted by Smokey Stover on January 06, 2009 at 15:53. Do these two accounts of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus present a Bible contradiction? And He also prepared Saul for a visit from Ananias (Acts 9: 12). Paul, named Saul, was on his way to Damascus with a letter from the high priest of the temple and the council in Jerusalem. Why do you persecute me?’ “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. The Damascus Road experience is arguably the most important event in the life of the Apostle Paul. The Damascus Road experience is arguably the most important event in the life of the Apostle Paul. Obtained BTh with cum laude, currently doing Masters (Religion Studies). 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around … But the Lord assured him that Paul was selected to proclaim the truth to the Gentiles and that he will suffer much for God (Acts 9:15, 16). He revealed his secret of enduring a … My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. Conversion of Paul the Apostle - Wikipedia 180 views This period was of soul searching and repentance. Paul's life-changing experience on the Damascus Road led to his baptism and instruction in the Christian faith. Both experiences are genuine. And Jesus added, “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 26:14). They maintain that without an actual encounter with Jesus, Paul’s conversion cannot be adequately explained or accounted for. James Bishop is from South Africa. That should end the matter. Second, Paul tells people that this is possibly a vision. A Damascene moment means therefore a sudden change of heart, or revelation. CONVERSION. It is hardly possible to overemphasize the significance of this encounter not only in the life of Saul [Paul’s former name] the Pharisee but also for the theology he was to develop, and even for the Christian church of future centuries, which would come to treasure his letters as divinely inspired Scripture alongside what later came to be called “the Old Testament” [1]. Then Paul asked,  “Who are you, Lord?” And Jesus answered “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” (Acts 9:5). If there Paul experienced forgiveness, reconciliation, and renewal, then this could serve as the foundation for his doctrine of salvation and even his eschatology. 12:1-10; 1 Cor. Road to Damascus refers to a sudden turning point in one’s life. Aspirations to teach Religion Studies, World Religion, Philosophy of Religion. Question: "What is the significance of Damascus in the Bible?" You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 9:14,15; Acts 26). 15:3-8; Gal. In deep agony, Paul “was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:9). Paul was “opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9) and in “raging fury,” he planned “threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). Bible Based. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. He became the most determined of the apostles, suffering brutal physical pain, persecution, and finally, martyrdom. Let’s take a closer look to see. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus. The phrase “Damascus Road experience” is used to describe a conversion which is dramatic and startling. The conversion of Saul is a striking evidence of the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. God prepared Ananias by a vision to visit Saul. 3:6). The letter gave him power to arrest any who belonged to “the Way,” or the followers of Jesus Christ. Get our latest answers straight to your inbox when you subscribe here. Acts 9:1-19 ¶“ 1 Saul kept breathing out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. If the first point was insufficient, this should be … 1. an experience that completely changes the way that you think about something. Paul’s experience would have been known across early Christian communities, including the audience of Acts (various Christians in the Greco-Roman world) and the churches in Corinth (Greece) and Galatia (Turkey). Other expressions, such as Christ as the “power of God” (1 Cor. The Damascus Road: Saul Converted (). For unexpectedly, a bright light from heaven flashed on him and his companions, causing them to fall the ground (Acts 9:3,4). Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.” (22:6-13). The letters authorized Saul, if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, to bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2). And Ananias said to Paul, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. Paul felt deep remorse and grief for he realized the error of his ways. Sep 3, 2019 | ... this does not mean that monetary stimulus has the capacity to promote growth and raise inflation — if anything, post-2008 monetary policy experience provides an acid test of this asymmetry in policy effectiveness. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 63:9). Moreover, although there is a discrepancy between Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 about what those accompanying Paul experienced (9:7 says that others heard a voice whereas 22:9 says that they did not, but saw a light), the testimony does seem to imply some objective experience involved suggesting it was not a subjective vision or hallucination on Paul’s part. “Saul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road obviously provides the initial impetus for Paul’s christology. One explanation is that he was plagued with guilt, doubt, and frustration making him psychologically fit for such a conversion experience [3]. Some people receive Christ in an instant dramatic way, while others experience a gradual quiet transformation like … 1:24) and “the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. road to Damascus meaning: 1. The term refers to the biblical story of Paul, who converted from Judaism to Christianity while traveling the road to Damascus (Book of Acts, chapter 9). Intro: Suppose Osama Ben Laden, Sadaam Hussein, or another famous terrorist leader was reported to have been converted to Christ. Consider his appeal in Galatians: “For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:11-12). Answer: One of the oldest cities in the world, Damascus was, and still is, the capital of Syria.The oasis city sits on the edge of the Syrian-Arab desert about 130 miles northeast of Jerusalem and is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in all of western Asia. This is the British English definition of Damascus.View American English definition of Damascus. 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