In Acts 9, we have the first record of the conversion of Saul.  Saul of Tarsus ultimately became Paul, the apostle, the most influential Christian of all time.  While the conversion of Paul was not complete until he was baptized into Christ in the city of Damascus (Acts 9:17-19), the process began when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Acts 9:3–12 (ESV)
³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. ⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶ But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.  And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. ¹⁰ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

There are many points of interest in this record of Paul’s conversion, but the immediate benefit for the church was peace.  Paul was the main instigator of the persecution of the church, indiscriminately terrorizing Christians wherever he could find them.

Acts 8:3 (ESV)
³ But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Later, Paul confessed to having murdered Christians during that time (Acts 22:4).  While Paul was sincere in his efforts to persecute Christians (Acts 23:1), he was, by every measure, out of control.  The language used to describe his behavior at that time was that of a wild animal.  In Acts 9, he was, having received letters of permission from the high priest, going all the way to Damascus, nearly 200 miles away from Jerusalem, to hunt down Christians.  That speaks volumes about his mindset and the lengths he was determined to go to irradicate Christianity.  When he was converted, the church experienced great rest.  Chapter 9 concludes with this—

Acts 9:31 (ESV)
³¹ So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

The long-term effects of Paul’s conversion were immense.  Paul not only became an apostle of Christ, but he labored more abundantly than all the others (1 Cor. 15:10).  He established some of the strongest local churches in the New Testament, converting hundreds of souls in the process.  Even more significantly, he wrote nearly half of the New Testament (13 of the 27 books).  Think of the millions of souls converted and built up in the faith over the years because of the work of Paul.  Now, he would be the first one to say that all glory should go to God since He is the one who adds the increase to the church (1 Cor. 3:6-7), and he only did what he did by the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10).  Nevertheless, his impact on the church has been significant.

Finally, the conversion of Paul has influenced many, even some atheists, to believe in the authenticity of the Bible.  Since there is no doubt that Paul was a historical person who converted from Judaism to Christianity, his conversion has to be explained.    If it took place in the manner described in the New Testament, then Jesus has been raised from the dead, and the authenticity of the Bible stands.  Trying to logically disprove it is what has led some famous atheists to obey the gospel over the years.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.