Why did God save Paul on the Damascus road?
God saved Paul on the Damascus road to provide a pattern for all who would afterward believe on Christ unto life everlasting. He saved the chief, or leader, of sinners so that everyone now entering the Body of Christ would come patterned after Paul and follow him, believing the gospel rather than relying on repent and be baptized.
Les teaches that on the Damascus road God saved the chief of sinners, not necessarily the worst, though Paul was apologetic about that all through his letters. Rather, God saved the leader of sinners so that everyone who now comes into the Body of Christ would be patterned after him and follow him. Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, lays this out clearly. He contrasts it with Peter's Pentecost message: Paul does not say repent and be baptized, but believe the gospel. The pattern is for those who should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.