Copyright © 1991 S P Townsend
PAUL'S CONVERSION ACCOUNTS
Some have claimed that the accounts of Paul's conversion are contradictory. This would be surprising, in view of the apostle's own emphasis on the truth and reliability of God's word, and the need for integrity and dependence on the Spirit when preaching and teaching.
The Apostles taught that "all Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Tim 3:16) and that it was expressed by people speaking from God as they were "carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1: 20-21). Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would similarly guide the Apostles (John 14:26; 16:13-15).
A careful examination of the accounts of Paul's conversion shows that they are not contradictory, but indeed are consistent and complementary.
Event | Acts 9: 1-19 | Acts 22: 1-16 | Acts 26: 12-20 |
Pursuing Christians to Damascus | yes | yes | yes |
Bright light from heaven | yes | yes | yes |
Companions saw the light | - | yes | - |
Companions didn't see anyone | yes | - | - |
Saul fell to the ground | yes | yes | yes |
Companions fell to the ground | - | - | yes |
Companions stood again | yes | - | - |
Saul heard a voice | yes | yes | yes |
Language Aramaic or Hebrew | - | - | yes |
Companions heard sounds only | yes | yes | - |
Saul asked who it was | yes | yes | yes |
Saul asked what to do | - | yes | - |
Saul sent to Damascus | yes | yes | - |
Jesus commissioned Saul | - | - | yes |
Saul told to get up | - | yes | yes |
Saul blinded temporarily | yes | yes | - |
Companions led Saul to D. | yes | yes | - |
Ananias sent to deliver Saul | yes | yes | - |
Saul preached Jesus in D. | yes | - | yes |
Copyright © 1991 S P Townsend