Teen Camp 2010 Saul to Paul

Saul was an angry man who persecuted Christians. Persecute means to treat in a cruel and mean manner.

Saul was on his way to Damascus to arrest any Christians that were in the synagogues. A synagogue is a building used by Jews for worship and teaching. Then an amazing thing happened. Saul was thinking about how he could hurt the Christians as he traveled. As he came near Damascus, a bright light suddenly shone down from heaven.
Saul fell to the ground, and a voice said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Saul answered, "Who are you, Lord?"

The voice then said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to fight against me. Go now into Damascus and you will be told what you must do."
When Saul got up from the ground, he was blind. Others had to lead him by the hand into the city. For three days Saul was blind and did not eat or drink anything.
God told a man named Ananias in a dream that he should go see Saul. He found Saul and laid his hands on him, and Saul was able to see again. The preacher told him to arise and be baptized and wash away his sins.

Saul was sorry for the things he had been doing. He began doing the things that Jesus wanted him to do. After his conversion, Saul's name was changed to Paul, and he spent the rest of his life serving Jesus and teaching people about him. He became a missionary to people all over the world. A missionary is a person who is sent by a church to teach about Christ.
Paul, the apostle, suffered many persecutions. Instead of being the person who hurt other Christians, he became persecuted himself for Christ's sake.