The Conversion of Saul - Troy Postlethwait

What I’m about to share isn’t just a story—it’s a call. It’s the account of a man who once hated everything about Jesus, yet became one of His greatest servants. I’m talking about Saul of Tarsus. And I want you to understand the power of his conversion—because it tells you everything you need to know about being saved.

You can read it for yourself in Acts 9:1–19. Saul was on a mission to destroy the church. He was hunting down Christians, dragging men and women out of their homes. But on that road to Damascus, something happened—Jesus happened. A bright light from heaven knocked Saul to the ground, and he heard the voice of Jesus Himself: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

In that moment, Saul's world was shattered. He realized the Jesus he had rejected was alive. But I want you to notice something: Saul wasn’t saved in that moment. Yes, he believed. Yes, he was convicted. But Jesus didn’t tell him he was saved. He told him, “Go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

For three days, Saul sat in darkness. Blind. Fasting. Praying. Still not saved. And then God sent a man named Ananias. Ananias had his doubts—he knew who Saul was. But God said, “He is a chosen vessel of Mine.” And when Ananias reached him, he said something so powerful, something I want you to hear as if it were spoken to you: “Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

Don’t miss this—Saul’s sins were not washed away by a vision. They weren’t washed away by prayer. They weren’t washed away by fasting. They were washed away in baptism. That’s not my opinion—that’s what the Word of God says.

And when Saul rose from that water, everything changed. He was no longer the persecutor—he was the preacher. He was no longer blind—he could finally see. That’s what true conversion does. It turns your life upside down. It removes the old and raises up the new. Not because of your own power, but because you’ve obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So I need to ask you… When were you saved?
Was it by a prayer? Was it by a feeling? Or was it by doing exactly what Saul did?

Scripture is clear:

Baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Baptism is when we wash away our sins (Acts 22:16).
Baptism is how we are buried with Christ and raised to new life (Romans 6:3–7).
Baptism is our appeal to God for a clean conscience (1 Peter 3:21).

My friend, if you’ve never taken those steps—if you’ve never obeyed as Saul did—why are you waiting?

You’ve heard the truth. You believe. So now it’s time to repent, confess Christ, and be baptized into Him. That’s when salvation begins. And after that, you must remain faithful, walking with Jesus every day until the end.

Or maybe you’ve already done that—but you’ve drifted. You’ve let sin back into your life. You don’t have to stay there. Come back. God’s mercy still reaches for you.

But whatever your need is… don’t wait. Don’t put off what you know needs to be done. Like Ananias told Saul, I’m asking you now: Why are you waiting?