Acts 26:12-13 (Paul Tells of His Conversion)
“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.
Tag: Personal Testimonies Are Powerful
Paul has been accused, by the Jewish leadership, of crimes against their religion. In reality it is a shameful power move, as Paul was drawing Jews away from the synagogue and to Christ. After appealing to be tried in Caesar’s court, Paul, on the journey to Rome, is now asked to defend himself before King Agrippa. Agrippa has some understanding of the Jewish faith and Paul uses that to his advantage. His defense does have doctrinal statements and explanation of his faith. But, in the above passage he begins to tell Agrippa about his conversion experience. Christianity is about doctrine and deep Theological truths. You can’t read Paul’s letter to the Romans without realizing the doctrine of Justification is deep truth. Yet, the power of the Gospel is the changed lives it leaves in its wake. When the Gospel is presented the Spirit of God changes lives. Paul uses his conversion experience, not as the foundation of his beliefs, or the reason for his preaching, but the evidence that the doctrine he preaches is alive and powerful. Our own personal experiences should not be used to establish doctrine. But, they should not be ignored, either.
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