Are we saved the same way the Apostle Paul was saved?
Yes. Believers are saved exactly as Paul was: by God's grace and mercy, not by our own repentance or works. God took the initiative with Saul of Tarsus, and Paul became the epitome of a sinner saved by grace. We are in that same category, saved without ever doing anything on our part.
Les teaches that Paul is the pattern. Saul of Tarsus did not come to himself and repent; rather, God knocked him off his horse on the way to Damascus and said, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" That was grace. So we are in that same category with the Apostle Paul: saved without ever doing anything on our part. Every born-again child of God is a vessel of mercy, none deserving anything. It is all of His mercy, poured out at the cross and appropriated by faith. This is the way it has always been.
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Are believers saved the same way Paul was, without doing anything on their part?
Yes. Salvation is entirely by God’s mercy and grace, not human effort or initiative, exactly as with the Apostle Paul. He did not first repent or seek God; God intervened. Every born-again child of God is a vessel of mercy, appropriating salvation by faith, saved without doing anything on their part.
How was Saul of Tarsus saved — did he repent on his own first?
Saul of Tarsus was saved entirely by God's grace, not by repenting on his own first. He was on his way to Damascus to carry out persecution when God knocked him off his horse, spoke to him, and saved him. He did not first come to himself, apologize, or ask to be accepted. Salvation was without his effort.