Paul's Conversion a Pattern

The notion is common that Paul’s conversion was something uncommon, and not at all to be expected in the usual order of things.

The text flatly contradicts such a supposition: the very reason for his salvation was that he might be a type of other conversions.

I. IN THE CONVERSION OF PAUL THE LORD HAD AN EYE TO OTHERS.

The fact of his conversion and the mode of it:

1. Would tend to interest, and convince other Pharisees and Jews.

2. Would be used by himself in his preaching as an argument to convert and encourage others.

3. Would encourage Paul as a preacher to hope for others.

4. Would become a powerful argument with him for seeking others.

5. Would, long after Paul’s death, remain on record to be the means of bringing many to Jesus.

   • We are each one saved with an eye to others.
   • For whose sake are you saved?
   • Are you making the fullest use of your conversion to this end?

II. IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE PAUL SPEAKS TO OTHERS.

He was foremost in sin and also in grace, and thus his life speaks to the extremes on each side.

1. In sin. His conversion proves that Jesus receives great sinners.

   • He was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious.
   • He went as far as he could in hatred to Christ and his people.
   • Yet the grace of God changed him and forgave him.

2. In grace. He proved the power of God to sanctify and preserve

   • He was faithful in ministry, clear in knowledge, fervent in spirit patient in suffering, diligent in service.
   • And all this notwithstanding what he once was.
   • The foremost in sin may be saved, and so none are shut out.
   • These should be and may be foremost in faith and love when saved.

III. IN HIS WHOLE CASE HE PRESENTS A CARTOON OF OTHERS.

1. As to God’s longsuffering to him. In his case—

   • Longsuffering was carried to its highest pitch.
   • Longsuffering so great that all the patience of God seemed to be revealed in his one instance.
   • Longsuffering concentrated: all the longsuffering that has ever been seen, or ever will be seen in others, met in him.
   • Longsuffering which displayed itself in many ways, so as
   • To let him live when persecuting saints.
   • To allow him the possibility of pardon.
   • To call him effectually by grace.
   • To give him fullness of personal blessing.
   • To put him into the ministry and send him to the Gentiles.
   • To keep and support him even unto the end.

2. As to the mode of his conversion.

   • He was saved remarkably, but others will be seen to be saved in like manner if we look below the surface of things.
   • Saved without previous preparation on his own part.
   • Saved at once out of darkness and death.
   • Saved by divine power alone.
   • Saved by faith wrought in him by God’s own Spirit.
   • Saved distinctly, and beyond all doubt.
   • Are we not also saved in precisely the same way?
   • It is possible for us to realize in ourselves a full parallel with Paul.
   • There is a sad resemblance in our sin.
   • There is a similarity in the divine longsuffering towards us.
   • There is a likeness in some degree in the revelation, for the Lord Jesus asks us from Heaven, “Why persecute you me?”
   • Shall there not be a similarity also in the faith?
   • Will we not ask, “Who are you, Lord?” and “What will you have me to do?”

Proof Impressions

The word “pattern,” in the original, is expressive—a pattern from which endless copies may be taken. You have heard of stereotype printing: when the types are set up, they are cast—made a fixed thing, so that from one plate you can strike off hundreds of thousands of pages in succession, without the trouble of setting up the types again. Paul says, “That I might be a plate never worn out—never destroyed; from which proof impressions may be taken to the very end of time.” What a splendid thought, that the apostle Paul, having portrayed himself as the chief of sinners, then portrays himself as having received forgiveness for a grand and specific end, that he might be a standing plate, from which impressions might be taken for ever, that no man might despair who had read his biography!—Dr. Cumming.

An infidel, during his sickness, became convinced of his wretched condition, and by the assistance of a Sabbath-school teacher was led to the Savior, and found salvation in his blood. After the change which had passed in his heart, he often spoke of the Savior’s love, and the Heaven into which he hoped soon to enter. Finding his life drawing rapidly to a close, he urged the teacher to proceed in his glorious work of doing good; then, opening his bedroom window, which overlooked a bustling and crowded thoroughfare, as he gazed upon the human forms beneath, summoning his last remaining strength, he cried at the top of his voice, “There is mercy for all! None need despair, since I, a poor infidel, have obtained mercy.” This, his last work, accomplished, exhausted by the effort, he fell back on his bed, and instantly died.

Haughton, in Bate’s Cyclopædia.

John Newton, speaking of the sudden death of Robinson, of Cambridge, in the house of Dr. Priestly, said: “I think Dr. Priestly is out of the reach of human conviction; but the Lord can convince him. And who can tell but this unexpected stroke may make some beneficial impression upon his mind? I can set no limits to the mercy or the power of our Lord, and therefore I continue to pray for him. I am persuaded he is not farther from the truth now than I was once.” In the same spirit Newton wrote the lines—

“Come, my fellow sinners, try, Jesus’ heart is full of love; Oh that you, as well as I,

May his wondrous mercy prove!

He has sent me to declare, All is ready, all is free; Why should any soul despair,

When he saved a wretch like me.”

Every conversion of a great sinner is a new copy of God’s love; it is a repeated proclamation of the transcendency of his grace. This was his design in Paul’s conversion. He sets up this apostle as a white flag to invite rebels to treat with him, and return to their loyalty. As every great judgment upon a grand sinner is as the hanging a man in chains, to deter others from the like practice, so every conversion is not only an act of God’s mercy to the convert, but an invitation to the spectators.

—Stephen Charnock.