St. Paul: Set Apart by God

Saul has spent three days blind, neither eating nor drinking, at the house of Judas in Damascus. Rodney, still known as the temple guard Reuben, is disgusted that their mission to arrest believers has come to a halt. Then Ananias arrives with Sam. Barnabas has begged Ananias not to approach the man responsible for Stephen's death, but Ananias cannot resist the Lord's command, and Sam has come because he needs to see Rodney.

Saul already knows from a vision that Ananias is coming. Ananias lays his hands on him and calls him "Brother Saul," explaining that Jesus has sent him so Saul may regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Something like scales falls from Saul's eyes, and he can see again. He gives the praise to God, asks Ananias to baptize him in the name of Jesus, and finally eats.

The change infuriates Rodney. He had expected Saul to lead arrests, not become friendly with the people they came to capture. Judas also questions whether Saul has abandoned the Scriptures. Saul explains that he has studied the holy writings all his life, yet he had never understood how empty he was until he met Jesus, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. When Rodney demands that Saul present himself to the authorities, Saul agrees - but not for the reason Rodney expects.

At the synagogue, Saul publicly announces that Jesus, whom he had persecuted, is the Christ, the awaited Messiah and Son of God. The worshipers can scarcely believe that their former enemy now proclaims the faith he meant to destroy. Sam is thrilled; Rodney is bewildered. At that moment, the Imagination Station advances them three years within the adventure.

Saul has spent those years growing in faith and spreading the gospel around Damascus. Though his preaching has made dangerous enemies, he believes God has called him to continue. Ananias advises him to return to Jerusalem and seek the apostles' blessing. Rodney has waited for Saul to abandon his new faith, but now sees that Saul has only become more devoted. Angry and hungry, he walks away.

Judas finds Rodney and reveals that the governor's men are watching Damascus's gates, seeking a chance to kill Saul. When Rodney carelessly reports that Saul plans to leave for Jerusalem that very night, Judas takes him to join an ambush. A rider finally approaches the gate, but it is Eugene, entering the adventure as another character. He captures Rodney and removes him from the program.

Elsewhere, Jason enters the adventure and warns Saul and Sam about the plot. With the gates guarded, the believers lower Saul down the city wall in a basket. Jason then explains that he and Eugene had discovered two travelers inside the Station. Rather than interrupt the program, they used another new feature: Jason arrived in time to deliver the warning, while Eugene collected Rodney. Back at Whit's End, Rodney is put to work cleaning up the mess he has made.

Weeks later in Jerusalem, Saul waits in disappointment. The believers fear that his conversion is a trick, and even Barnabas has not yet come forward for him. Peter finally invites Saul to meet with the gathered church. At the meeting, Timon remembers seeing Saul approve Stephen's death and demands to know how anyone can trust him. Saul does not excuse his past. He has to live with the shame of it, but he declares that he truly believes in the risen Christ.

The gathering turns to Barnabas, who has spent three years questioning Saul's conversion and investigating his work. Stephen had been Barnabas's beloved friend and brother, making this judgment terribly hard. Yet everything Barnabas has learned leads him to accept Saul as both a brother in Christ and a friend. He reminds the believers that all of them have received forgiveness they did not deserve. "Grace is the miracle at work here," he tells them.

Peter agrees that those whom Jesus has forgiven must forgive one another. In Christ's name, he welcomes Saul. Sam sees the former persecutor accepted among the people he once tried to destroy, while Jason quietly observes that this remarkable beginning is only the start of what God will do through him.