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Act 26:12 "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission
from the chief priests,

Whereupon (in madness) as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief
priest,

Act 26:13 At midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter Than the sun,
shining around me and those who journeyed with me.

Only one type of light is brighter than the sun; the glory of God.

Act 26:14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying
in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick
against the goads.'

Falling to the ground is a natural reaction to coming in contact with God’s glory (2 Chronicles
5:13-14). Although Paul was the only one who heard the voice (22:9), everyone saw the light.
By persecuting people, Paul was persecuting the Lord Jesus (Matthew 25:40) and was one step
away from the point of no return. Like Pharaoh, his heart had become hardened by resisting
the gospel. The “prick” is an ox goad, a hard instrument to train a horse or ox. It is much like
our spurs today. Saul was so hardened through hearing Stephen and other ministers, the Lord
had to do something drastic to reach him.
Act 26:15 So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Saul understood the Lord was talking to him, but as most religious people, he did not know who
the Lord was. He found out Jesus is Jehovah and Messiah.

Act 26:16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make
you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I
will yet reveal to you.

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee
a minister (huperetes: under rower, servant, subordinate [13:5]) and a witness both of these
things which thou has seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Paul had no more answers for Jesus. He quietly believed and rose up a new man. Paul also had
a new purpose (a new commission): to be an under rower, a beginning minister in the kingdom
of God.

Paul could not minister until he first learned as a servant, a “helps” minister (Galatians 1:15-16).
When Paul began to preach, it consisted of his vision on the road to Damascus and the Word
revealed to him (Galatians 1:16). The revelation of the Word is just as dramatic as a vision of
Jesus in His glory. And God promised Paul there would be more visions and revelations to
come.