This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Acts 22:1-21, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once there was a man named Paul. He was talking to some important people when they suddenly became angry with him. They were about to take him to jail, but Paul asked if he could say something first. They said yes.
When Paul was allowed to speak, he went up on some steps and signaled for everyone to be quiet. Then, he spoke to them in their own language, Hebrew.
Paul started by telling them that he was a Jew, from a place called Tarsus. He also said that he was very passionate about God, just like they were. But before, he used to hurt and put people in prison because of their beliefs about Jesus. Then, something amazing happened to him.
One day, as he was traveling, a bright light from heaven shone around him, and he fell to the ground. A voice asked him why he was being mean to Jesus. Paul asked who was speaking, and the voice said, “I am Jesus of Nazareth.” The people with Paul heard the voice but didn’t understand it.
Paul said to Jesus, “What shall I do, Lord?” And the Lord said to him, “Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.”
Paul then went to Damascus, where he met a man named Ananias. Ananias told Paul that God had a special plan for him to tell others about Jesus. Ananias said to Paul, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” And at that very hour, Paul received his sight and saw him.
Ananias continued, “The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
Later, when Paul was in Jerusalem, he fell into a trance and saw Jesus saying to him, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.”
Paul said to Jesus, “Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”
Paul went on to travel to many places and share the good news of Jesus with people. Even though he had done bad things before, Jesus forgave him and gave him a new life.
Biblical Lessons
- God can use anyone, even those who have made mistakes in the past, to do great things for His kingdom.
- Sometimes, God calls us to do things that are uncomfortable or difficult, but He gives us the strength and courage to do them.
- We should always be open to hearing from God and following His will for our lives, even if it means going in a different direction than we had planned.