This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Acts 9:19-31, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Saul used to be mean to people who believed in Jesus. But when he encountered Jesus on the way to Damascus to persecute other believers, everything has changed.
After his encounter with Jesus, Paul started to tell people in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God! Everyone was surprised because they knew Saul used to be a mean guy who hurt people who believed in Jesus. But Saul was determined to tell people about Jesus, and he proved to them that Jesus is the Christ.
Some people in Damascus didn’t like what Saul was doing, and they wanted to kill him. But Saul’s friends found out about the plot, and they helped him escape from the city by lowering him in a basket through a hole in the wall.
Later, Saul went to Jerusalem and wanted to join the disciples there, but they were scared of him. They didn’t believe that he was a real disciple of Jesus because he used to be so mean to them. But one man named Barnabas believed Saul and brought him to the apostles. Barnabas told the apostles how Saul had seen Jesus and how he had been preaching boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
So Saul spent time in Jerusalem, preaching about Jesus with boldness. He talked to some people called the Hellenists, but they didn’t like what he had to say, and they wanted to hurt him. When Saul’s friends found out, they took him to a city called Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus to keep him safe.
And so, the church in all the places of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and grew stronger. They were afraid of the Lord but also comforted by the Holy Spirit, and many people joined them.
Biblical Lessons
- God can change anyone’s heart, no matter how mean they used to be.
- We should be brave and tell others about Jesus, even if it’s hard.
- We should be willing to forgive those who have hurt us, just as the disciples forgave Saul.
- It is important to have trusted friends who can help us in times of trouble, as Saul’s friends helped him escape from danger.
- God can protect us from danger when we trust in Him.
- Even when people don’t believe us, we should still speak the truth.
Related Stories
Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard
Must-Read Christian Books
Knowing God
A classic that helps believers move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him in a personal and biblical way.
View on Amazon
Mere Christianity
Lewis lays out the core beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, logic, and imagination, rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Cost of Discipleship
A penetrating look at Jesus' call to follow Him, contrasting cheap grace with true, costly discipleship.
View on Amazon
The Cross of Christ
A profound exploration of the meaning and power of the cross at the center of Christian faith and life.
View on Amazon
Institutes of the Christian Religion
A classic work of Reformed theology in an accessible form, laying out Christian doctrine with deep biblical roots.
View on Amazon
The Holiness of God
Sproul unfolds the blazing holiness of God and why a right fear of the Lord is vital to true worship.
View on Amazon
Chosen by God
A clear, pastoral explanation of biblical election and God's sovereignty in salvation.
View on Amazon
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
Shows how God's sovereignty in salvation fuels, rather than hinders, faithful evangelism.
View on Amazon
Faith Alone
Defends justification by faith alone as the heart of the biblical gospel and Reformation.
View on Amazon
The God Who Is There
Shows how the God of the Bible speaks into modern philosophical and cultural confusion.
View on Amazon
The Gospel for Real Life
Shows how the finished work of Christ applies to everyday struggles and assurance.
View on Amazon
The Sovereignty of God
A strong, Scripture-based defense of God's absolute rule over all things.
View on Amazon
The Gospel According to Jesus
Defends a biblical understanding of faith and repentance against easy-believism.
View on Amazon
Christian Beliefs
A shorter, accessible overview of 20 basic Christian doctrines for everyday believers.
View on Amazon
The Hospitality Commands
Shows from Scripture how vital hospitality is to Christian obedience and fellowship.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon
This Momentary Marriage
Shows how marriage is designed to display the covenant love of Christ and His church.
View on Amazon