Acts 9 contains one of the most well-known and significant stories in the Bible related to world missions. A man named Saul, who was also and more famously known as Paul, met Jesus and was converted on a journey from Jerusalem to Damascus. This man would become the greatest missionary and most fruitful author the church has ever known.

I recently had the privilege of preaching from Acts 9 during which I presented 7 marks of genuine, biblical conversion. The list is by no means exhaustive as many other marks of conversion are known from the Bible and seen in the world.

However, from this story at least seven emerged as significant in the text and today I share the first three of them. [You might re-read Acts 9 before you continue.]

Conversion is orchestrated by God (see 9:3-7, 10-16). Saul did nothing to invite or entice God to save him. He did not ask for Jesus’ to appear to him. He was simply ‘minding his own business’ when God met him and changed him. Saul’s conversion was an act of God. Every genuine conversion is an act of God.

Take a moment to remember what God did to orchestrate your conversion.

Conversion involves brokenness (see 9:9, 17). Immediately after seeing the vision of the risen Christ, Saul was blind. The once strong man was now weak. The once leader was now a blind follower. The once sufficient man was now completely dependent. Saul was not just humbled physically; he was humbled spiritually. After 3 days of blindness, he would place his life into the hands of a man he had been committed to arresting. His submission to Ananias demonstrates his brokenness. Every genuine conversion is marked by brokenness and humility.

Is your life marked by brokenness over sin and humility or indifference toward sin and arrogance?

Conversion includes a divine calling (see 9:15-16). God saved Saul for a general purpose and a specific calling. Saul was a chosen instrument for the spread of the gospel (general) to certain people in particular places (specific). While our purpose mirrors Saul’s (to spread the gospel), our specific calling will differ. Our calling, however, is no less real or important. Every genuine conversion includes a calling to share the gospel to specific people.

With whom are you called to share the gospel?