Paul was born “Saul” in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia (Acts 22:3). Paul speaks with pride of this city and was not only a resident but a citizen as well (Acts 21:39). However, Paul was reared In Jerusalem (Acts 22:3). It was there that he was instructed according “to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers” (Acts 22:3). Gamaliel, one of the most distinguished and revered rabbis of the day, became Paul’s teacher. Thus Paul learned at the feet of this famous grandson of Hillel who was skilled in rabbinic learning.
Paul was devoted to his religion. He described himself as a Pharisee, “the most straitest sect of our religion” (Acts 26:5). In speaking of his Jewish heritage, Paul wrote, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee” (Phil. 3:5). Of his personal devotion Paul says, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church, touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless” (Phil. 3:6). Paul said that he “was zealous toward God,” “lived in all good conscience toward God until this day,” and had “profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers” (Acts 22:3; 23:1; Gal. 1:14).
Paul is first introduced in scripture as Saul in Acts 8:1 as it is recorded, “Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen’s) death.” The next mention of him is in Acts 9:1 in Luke’s historical narrative of Paul’s conversion. As he is journeying to Damascus to persecute men and women who follow Christ a great light shines about him. In the ensuing conversation with the Lord, Paul is told “go into the city and there it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6).
When Paul enters Damascus he stays at Judas’ house on Straight street and, while blinded from the great light, fasts and prays. The disciple Ananias is instructed by the Lord in a vision to seek out Paul (Saul) and, when finding him, heal Paul’s blindness. He then instructs Paul, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sin, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:13—16).
Following this it is recorded that he immediately “preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). This last statement would certainly typify the entirety of Paul’s life. Paul expressed his attitude toward the preaching of the gospel like this: “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (I Cor. 9:16). He preached the gospel that was the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). His preaching was of “Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (I Cor. 1:23). A true conversion.
– Steve Housley
Steve Housley has been the pulpit minister of the Eastern Meadows Church of Christ since November, 1987.
