THE CALL OF SAUL
by Evangelist Herb Taylor

In Acts 9:1-7 we see the call of Saul of Tarsus by Christ to salvation. We can also look in Acts 22 and 26 as well as Philippians 3 to see Paul's own testimony of salvation.

We see it was first of all a Personal and a Peculiar call (vv. 4 & &). Christ called him by his own name, "Saul, Saul". The Lord's voice was for Saul of Tarsus, not for just anyone. It was the same when the Lord raised Lazarus. Someone once said if Christ had not used Lazarus' name all in the graveyard would have risen, however, it must also be true that the Lord spoke for one particular Lazarus or all with that name would have risen also. That is what we see in Acts 9 with Saul. It was this Saul of Tarsus, not any one else.

This is why this is a personal call and that is why we refer to Christ often as our Personal Lord and Savior. John 10 bears this out also when we recognize that Jesus the Shepherd comes to the sheepfold and calls his sheep by their names. He says that he knows them and they hear and respond because they hear the Shepherd's voice.

The Lord does not sit in heaven and say, "Hey, is there anyone down there that hears my voice and is interested in having me", no, He simply calls his own by their names and they follow him.

It is a Peculiar call in the fact that no one else heard his voice, they simply heard a noise. This is why perhaps you responded to Christ's invitation to "Come unto me", it is because you heard his voice, the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

It was also a Pointed question when the Lord said, "Why are you persecuting me"? Saul was not physically killing Christ but he was in the fact that he was persecuting the church which is his body. This question demanded a response and the only proper response was found in repentance and faith. He could do no other but to follow the one who had called him.

It was last of all a Powerful call. This passage indicates that Saul fell to the ground. Why? Because of the brightness of the Glorified Christ. He could do nothing else. Perhaps we see a glimpse of others who responded in a similar matter as in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 1. This picture of Christ became a life long thought, it was embedded in his mind and heart as it should be with all who trust in Christ.

This Personal, Peculiar, Pointed and Powerful call of Christ upon a man's life changes him from that day and throughout eternity.