FROM SAUL TO PAUL

Synopsis:  Saul and his friends decide it is their mission in life to wipe out Christians.  They meet a man from Damascus named Eli whose faith is so strong that Saul decides to go to Damascus to fight Christianity in every way he can. A funny thing happens to Saul on the way to Damascus!

CHARACTERS
SAUL, SIX  FRIENDS
ELI, TIMBA THE PUPPET
AND THE HIGH PRIEST.

ACTS 9: 1-10

PROPS: STAFF OR LARGE STICK AND PUPPET.

SCRIPT

Scene opens with Saul and his friends standing in a group.   Saul is speaking to them in a loud voice.  Eli stands off to the side listening (he is holding the puppet).

Saul - I tell you, this has got to stop.

Saul's Friends - Yeah! (in unison)

Saul - These people have lost their minds!

Saul's Friends - Yeah!  (in unison)

Saul - Who do they think they are anyway?

Saul's Friends - Yeah (in unison)

Saul - They call themselves Christians!  Followers of Christ.  Don't they know they are ruining the Jewish religion?

Saul's Friends - Yeah (in unison)

Saul - Don't they know that Jesus was a fool.  He called himself the Son of God.

Saul's Friends - Yeah (in unison)

Saul - And people actually believed him.  We must find them and stop them!

Saul's Friends - Yeah (in unison)

Enter Eli with puppet.

Eli - Excuse me.

Saul - (turns to Eli) Yes, what is it?

Eli - Hello.  My name is Eli and this is my friend Timba.   We couldn't help over hearing what you were saying.

Saul - Good.  Do you want to join us in our search for these Christians?

Eli - No.  I just wanted to let you know your search is over.

Saul - What do you mean?

Eli - I mean, if you are looking for Christians...look no further because I am a Christian...and so is my friend Timba. (holds up puppet).

Eli - Isn't that right Timba?  (puppet nods)

Saul - You mean to tell me you and your friend here are both Christians?

Eli - (looks at puppet and then back to Saul)  Eli and puppet nod in unison. 

Eli - (grins)  We sure are.

Saul's Friends - Oh no! (in unison and mumble to each other)

Saul - (Saul motions for his friends to be quiet, pauses, rubs his chin and looks sneaky) Oh really...hmmm.  Tell me, where do you and your friend live?

Eli - (looks at puppet)  We live in Damascus.  In fact, we are on our way there now.

Saul - Is that so?  Tell me, sir....are there other Christians in Damascus?

Eli - Oh yes.  There are many, many Christians there. (puppet nods)

Saul - Thank you.  You have been most helpful.

Eli - But sir, I would like to tell you about Jesus.

Saul - Not now.  I am much too busy.

Eli - (looks at puppet and back at Saul) But sir...

Saul - Perhaps I will visit you in Damascus one day...

Eli - That would be wonderful.  We look forward to your visit. (puppet nods)

Saul - Good bye.

Eli - See you soon!

Eli and Timba exit.

Saul - (turns to his friends)  I have an idea. 

Saul's Friends - Yeah?

Saul - We will go to the High Priest and tell him there are many Christians in Damascus.  We will ask permission to hunt them down!

Saul's Friends - Yeah!

Saul - My friends...look.  (points across the stage)   There is the High Priest now.  What luck!

Saul's Friends - Yeah!

Saul and friends rush over to the High Priest.

Saul - (bows) Oh most wise High Priest, I have news for you!

High Priest - Yes, Saul.  What is your news?

Saul - My  friends and I have discovered there are many Christians living in Damascus!

High Priest - Really?

Saul - Yes, isn't it exiting!  I request permission to go to Damascus in your name to hunt down these Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.

High Priest - Excellent!  (rubs his hand together) You have my permission, Saul.

Saul - Thank you...come friends.  Let us be on our way.

(fade to black)

Next scene opens with Saul sitting on the ground rubbing his eyes.  Saul's friends are clustered around him.  His friends look worried and afraid.

1st Friend - Did you see that?

2nd Friend - You mean the bright light?

3rd Friend - Yes...

4th Friend - I saw it too!

Friends - (in unison)  What does it mean?

Saul - It means we have been fools. 

5th Friend - I don't understand what just happened!

Saul - I was sitting on my horse when I saw a bright light.   The light startled me and I fell off my horse.

6th Friend - Do you want me to go find your horse?

Saul - Forget the horse!  There I was, sitting in the dirt and a voice said to me..."Saul, Saul!  Why are you persecuting me?"

1st Friend - Who did the voice belong to?

Saul - It belonged to Jesus.

Friends - (in unison)  Wow!

Saul - We have been fools.  Jesus is the Son of God.  

Friends - Wow!

Saul - He is real!  I heard his voice. 

2nd Friend - Are you sure?

Saul - Yes, I'm sure.  Everything those Christians said was true.

Friends - (in unison) Wow!

Saul - Jesus is the Messiah.  We have been so stupid.   When I think of all the Christians we persecuted...(puts his head in his hands.)

1st Friend - How could we have been so wrong?

1st Friend - What should we do now?

Saul - (raises his head) Jesus said we should go to Damascus and wait there for His instructions.

Friends - (in unison)  OK...let's go. (All turn to leave.)

Saul - Wait!

Friends - (turn back to him in unison)

Saul - Help me up.  You will have to lead me to Damascus. 

Friends - (in unison)  Why?

Saul - Because I can't see.  The light has blinded me.

Friends - (in unison rush over to help Saul up and begin to lead him off stage.)

1st Friend - I wonder what we will find when we reach Damascus.

Saul - I wonder.

2nd Friend - Where shall we go when we get to Damascus?

3rd Friend - (stops and thinks for a moment.)  I guess we could try to find Eli and Timba.

4th Friend - (smiles) Good idea!

(fade to black)

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