1. Why do you persecute me? (1-7)

Saul was going beyond anything asked of him in his zealous persecution of believers, even going as far as securing arrest warrants in Damascus. Maybe he was trying to suppress his troubled conscience for his part in the death of Stephen. In his mind he was certain that Jesus was dead, and that Christianity was a lie. That was to completely change when the resurrected Jesus appeared to him in person. This was God's amazing grace to him. In that instant he realized his persecution of the church had been a persecution of Jesus himself. .

2. This man is my chosen instrument (8-19a)

From a merciless oppressor, Saul had become blind, helpless and forced to come to terms with the gravity of his past sin. God called Ananias. Ananias had to overcome his fear and personal resentment and trust that Jesus could change even a man like Saul. The Lord explained that Saul was his chosen instrument to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and that he would greatly suffer for the name of Jesus. Ananias obeyed and went, called Saul brother, and prayed for him to be restored and filled with the Holy Spirit.