Saul, Who Also Is Called Paul

2021-09-16

It seems like Paul keeps coming up in my mind lately. (You can read more here and here.) He is the quintessential demonstration of repentance. His repentance is also evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.

His story was one of zeal for the Old Testament Law and the ways of the Pharisees (Philippians 3:5-6). The Pharisees were the strictest sect of the Jewish religion at the time (Acts 26:5). Unlike many in his day, he was highly educated, being mentored by the acclaimed Gamaliel (Acts 5:34; 22:3). He was a Roman citizen, which afforded him privileges (Acts 22:25-29). He was Jewish, knowing his lineage came from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5).

Paul did everything he could “to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). He put Christians in prison and had them killed. The Spirit-filled deacon Stephen was one who had died because of Paul’s consent (Acts 8:1).

However, on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus, the risen Lord appeared to Paul (Acts 9:1-9; 22:6-11; 26:12-20). His life was never the same. The things he was once zealous for, he did “count them but dung” (Philippians 3:8). What he saw on that road to Damascus convinced him that everything he ever thought was important was wrong. His religious career had previously become one of persecuting Christians the world over. But since his experience in the way of Damascus, he began to preach the risen Jesus. This is an about-face if there ever was one (1 Corinthians 15:9-10; Galatians 1:13-16; Philippians 3:7).

One thing unique about Jesus’ appearance to Paul was that He revealed Himself after His ascension to the Father. The others saw Jesus within the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension.

Paul gave up a life of prestige for a life of suffering. According to 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, his life included beatings (Acts 16:23), imprisonment (Acts 16:23; 24:27), stonings (Acts 14:9), shipwrecks (Acts 27:39-44), betrayals (2 Timothy 4:14) and fasts (Acts 27:33). Eventually, Paul was put to death (2 Timothy 4:6). Outside the Bible, Clement records his trials and martyrdom in his first epistle (1 Clement 5:5-6) and Tertullian stated that he was beheaded (like John the Baptist; De Praescriptione Haereticorum 36). The suffering of Paul is also mentioned by Polycarp, a contemporary of the apostles, in his letter to the Philippians (chapter 9).

Why turn away from a life of prestige to a life of suffering and death? Because he was convinced that he saw Jesus Christ, alive from the dead. This authenticated all his knowledge and study of the Old Testament, which pointed to Christ. Everything that Jesus taught was also authenticated. The Nazarene was the Messiah, the Christ, whom Paul had rejected. His life instantly changed. His name, originally Saul, undoubtedly named for the son of Kish who was once king over Israel, was now called Paul, which means “little” (Acts 13:9). His life was now reoriented, and he strived to proclaim what he saw for decades until his death, never looking back toward his old life.

This is Exhibit C for the evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.

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