“May the Peace of God that transcends all understanding be with you and may the Holy Spirit continue to work with us as we seek deeper levels in Christ. “
Dear Friends,
I trust this letter meets you well and full of JOY. Today I want us to take a deep dive into the life of Paul. His journey is very interesting, from persecutor of Christians to a champion of the faith , It is full of insights that continue to shape Christianity to this day. His experiences, decisions, and transformation provide lessons that transcend time, helping us today to navigate faith, leadership, and perseverance.
The Early Life of Saul
Born into a Privileged Roman World: Paul was born as Saul in the city of Tarsus around A.D. 5-10. Tarsus was a wealthy and influential city in the Roman Empire, located in what is now modern-day Turkey. Saul’s upbringing was unique in several ways. He was a Roman citizen, a status that would later play a crucial role in his ministry. Roman citizenship was highly prized and gave him significant legal and social privileges, such as the right to a fair trial, exemption from certain brutal punishments, and the ability to appeal directly to the Emperor in legal matters. This status would protect him from immediate harm on several occasions later in his life.
Jewish Heritage and Education
Though born in a Roman city, Saul was deeply embedded in his Jewish heritage. His family was Jewish, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, a tribe highly regarded for its loyalty to Israel. Saul was raised as a Pharisee, one of the most strict and devout sects of Judaism. He was taught to meticulously observe the Law of Moses and Jewish customs, believing that strict adherence to these laws would bring righteousness.
Around the age of 13, Saul moved to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel, one of the most respected and esteemed rabbis of the time (Acts 22:3). Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, and was known for his wisdom and moderation. Under Gamaliel’s tutelage, Saul became well-versed in the Jewish Scriptures, oral traditions, and the law. He excelled as a student, gaining a reputation as someone zealous for the traditions of his ancestors (Galatians 1:14).
Saul’s Zeal as a Persecutor of Christians
The Rise of Christianity
During Saul’s formative years, a new religious movement began spreading across Judea and the Roman Empire, the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, known as Christians. News about THE MESSIAH reached him, the long-awaited Savior of Israel, and that through His death and resurrection, He had opened the way to salvation for all people, both Jews and Gentiles. This teaching was seen as blasphemy by many Jews, as it seemed to challenge the authority of Jewish law and the temple system at the time. ( take note of the power of Christianity to challenge worldly authority and bring change )
Stephen and the First Martyrdom
One of the first major confrontations between the Jewish leaders and Christians came in the form of Stephen, a deacon in the early church, who was known for his powerful preaching. Stephen was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, where he gave a bold defense of Christianity, accusing the Jewish leaders of rejecting Jesus as they had rejected the prophets of old (Acts 7:1-53).
Saul was present at Stephen’s trial, and after Stephen was condemned to death, Saul witnessed and approved of his stoning, making Stephen the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60). This event fueled Saul’s zeal to eradicate the Christian movement.
Saul’s Campaign Against the Church
Following Stephen’s death, Saul became one of the leading PERSECUTORS of the Christian church. He was determined to stamp out this new faith, which he saw as a dangerous heresy. Saul “went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison” (Acts 8:3). He obtained letters from the high priest to pursue Christians not only in Jerusalem but also in Damascus, a city in Syria, showing just how far-reaching his campaign was. ( Try to take note of the role that Saul played during this event and the operations of that role)
This period of Saul’s life was marked by burning passion for the law and a desire to protect what he believed was the true faith of Israel. In his mind, the Christians were a threat to the purity of Judaism, and he believed he was doing God’s work by trying to destroy them (Galatians 1:13-14). ( Take note of how the enemy uses your burning passion against you and it begins to burn for the wrong cause)
The Damascus Road Conversion (A Defining Moment in his life)
The Road to Damascus
Everything changed for Saul on his journey to Damascus. Armed with authority from the Jewish leaders to arrest Christians, Saul was on his way to continue his campaign when a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:3-4).
Saul, confused and terrified, asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). This moment was a profound realization for Saul. The very person he was persecuting, Jesus of Nazareth, was indeed alive and was now confronting him directly. And Saul never met Jesus physically before this moment.
Blinded by the light, Saul had to be led into Damascus by his companions, where he remained blind for three days, neither eating nor drinking. During this time, Saul must have been reflecting on everything he thought he knew. His understanding of God, the law, and his mission had been completely upended.
The Role of Ananias
In Damascus, a disciple named Ananias was instructed by the Lord in a vision to go to Saul and restore his sight. Ananias was understandably hesitant, knowing Saul’s reputation as a persecutor. But the Lord told Ananias that Saul was a chosen instrument to carry His name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel (Acts 9:15).
Ananias obeyed, found Saul, and laid hands on him, saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17). Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He was baptized, ate some food, and regained his strength.
A Radical Transformation
Saul’s conversion was nothing short of miraculous. He had gone from being the church’s greatest enemy to becoming one of its greatest champions. This radical transformation was not just a change in belief but a complete reorientation of his life’s purpose. Saul, now called Paul, would dedicate the rest of his life to spreading the message of Jesus, especially to the Gentiles (non-Jews), a mission he believed God had specifically called him to.
Paul’s Early Ministry( The work begins)
Preaching in Damascus
After his conversion, Paul didn’t waste any time. Remember he had a burning passion in him. He began preaching in the synagogues of Damascus, proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God (Acts 9:20). The people were astonished, knowing that this was the same man who had been persecuting Christians just days before. Even you would be wary of him. His boldness and knowledge of the Scriptures were undeniable, and he confounded the Jewish leaders who opposed him.
However, this sudden shift in allegiance made Paul a target. The Jewish authorities in Damascus plotted to kill him, forcing him to flee the city by being lowered in a basket through an opening in the city wall (Acts 9:23-25).
Return to Jerusalem
Paul then returned to Jerusalem, where Christians were understandably wary of him. They remembered him as the man who had persecuted their community and were suspicious of his sudden conversion. It was Barnabas, a respected leader in the early church, who took Paul under his wing and introduced him to the apostles, vouching for his genuine transformation (Acts 9:26-27).
In Jerusalem, Paul boldly preached the Gospel, debating with the Hellenistic Jews, who soon plotted to kill him as well. The believers, concerned for his safety, sent him away to Tarsus, where he would spend several years before beginning his formal missionary journeys (Acts 9:28-30).
Paul’s Missionary Journeys (Expanding the Gospel to the Gentile World)
Paul’s missionary work would take him across the Roman Empire, planting churches, preaching to Jews and Gentiles alike, and enduring incredible hardships along the way. His journeys are recorded in the Book of Acts, and his letters to the early churches form much of our New Testament. Paul’s inspiration shaped our lives today.
First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)
The Call to Missions-
The church in Antioch was a thriving center of Christianity, and it was here that Paul and Barnabas were called by the Holy Spirit to embark on a missionary journey (Acts 13:2). They traveled to Cyprus and then to Pisidian Antioch (in modern-day Turkey), preaching in the synagogues and proclaiming that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures.
Opposition and Persecution-
As Paul and Barnabas preached, they encountered both acceptance and fierce opposition. In some cities, the Jews rejected their message, and Paul turned to the Gentiles, declaring that God had called him to bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). In Iconium, they were nearly stoned, and in Lystra, Paul was actually stoned and left for dead, only to miraculously recover and continue his mission (Acts 14:19-20). Despite the persecution, many people came to faith, and churches were established in several cities. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, reporting all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27).
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE SECOND PART. IT SHOULD ALREADY BE IN YOUR MAIL BOX BY NOW IF YOU ARE SUBSCRIBED, BUT IF NOT YOU CAN FIND IT IN THE PUBLICATION SECTION. WE TRY TO LIMIT EACH LETTER TO AN 8 MINS READ AT MOST. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU