Although Saul of Tarsus had not actually thrown rocks at Stephen to help kill him, he had been "in hearty agreement with putting him to death," (Acts 8:1), and had guarded the robes of those who had thrown rocks. Not being content with Stephen's execution, he embarked on a personal crusade against the church of Christ. In Acts 8:3 it says that "Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he put them in prison." His zeal in persecuting grew with his efforts, and he soon began to look to places beyond Jerusalem and Judea where Christianity was spreading. Fixing his attention on Damascus, about 140 miles away, he determined to purge that city of its Christian disciples. Having obtained letters of authority from the High Priest, Saul was approaching Damascus when suddenly a light from above, brighter than the noonday sun, flashed about him, dropping him to the ground and blinding him. A Voice from the zenith of the sky asked him why he was persecuting Him. When Saul asked who was speaking to him, the Voice answered, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting," (v.5). Realizing his life was hanging by a thread, Saul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:10).
Jesus' reply is instructive and most relevant to us today. Though Saul was about as sincere in his religion as a person can become, being "found blameless as to the righteousness which is in the Law (of Moses)," (Php. 3:6), and having lived "with a perfectly good conscience before God," (Acts 23:1), he was nevertheless a sinner. Later, he admitted that he was not only a sinner, but among the mass of sinners he was "foremost of all," (I Tim. 1:15). Overcome with astonishment that he had actually been persecuting the Lord in heaven, who was the Jesus of Nazareth toward Whom he had been so furious, Saul trembled with fear over his fate. He must have conceived a sudden hope that the Lord would yet be merciful and not destroy him. His question, "What shall I do, Lord?,"was an appeal for mercy unto his salvation. Jesus' reply, "Rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do," was the response to his appeal.
Why did Jesus not forgive Saul's sin right there in the middle of the road? It is evident that He did not, since Acts 22:16 (a parallel account) informs us that Saul took his sins into Damascus with him. Is not a personal appearance by Jesus to someone sufficient to save him? Could not Jesus dispense enough of His infinite, amazing grace to remit Saul's sins at that moment? Of course He could! But He did not! Nor does He now in the case of anyone. That method of forgiving sin ceased with Jesus' return to heaven. In the present age the "treasure" of the gospel is committed to "earthen vessels," (II Cor. 4:7). The Lord has entrusted His gospel with its "power of God for salvation" (Rom. 1:16) unto His disciples (the "earthen vessels") and made it their duty to use it to convert sinners. Jesus had in Damascus one of these "earthen vessels" ready, a disciple named Ananias, and He soon gave him the commission to administer the gospel to Saul, (vs. 10-16). When Jesus said, "It shall be told you what you must do," He was referring to the gospel Ananias would soon present to Saul.
Notice that Jesus did not say what Saul "could do," or "might do," or should do" when he got to Damascus. He used the absolute imperative, "must!" For Saul there was no discussion, arbitration, or compromise possible. There was only the declaration that he MUST respond affirmatively to what Ananias would tell him. We are told in Acts 22:16 what that MUST was: "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name." It is evident that Saul now believed, had repented of sin, and had confessed Christ as Lord. But the imperative to be baptized remained before his sins could finally be removed.
