Saint Paul was the most powerful apostle in the early church, the first theologian of the church, and advocated for unity in the early Church. He is often referred to as the second founder of the Church.
Before his conversion he was known as 'Saul' (in Aramaic). However, after his conversion, he came to be known as "Paul", the Roman form of the Aramaic word Saul. He is known by this name for almost half of the New Testament books.
Paul, the intellectual Jew
According to Acts 21:39; 22: 3, Paul was a Jewish citizen born in Tarsus, a major city in Cilicia. His early education must have been at home. Paul himself speaks with pride about the faithful life of his family. He was a Jew born of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day (Phil. 3: 5).
Tarsus was the center of the intellectuals. The city was known for its strong background in Stoic philosophy and thought. Yet Paul found no influence in this thought.
According to Acts 22: 3, the study was conducted near Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Hence, Paul adopted the style of the Jewish rabbis in his interpretations of the Bible.
According to Philippians 3: 5, Paul, like the rabbis, was a Pharisee. Acts 26:10 and Philippians 3: 5-6, testifies that Paul must have been a member of the Sanhedrin.
He also must have seen Jesus as a young student in Jerusalem though there is no such mention in the Scriptures.
He learned the art of leather making and knitting (Acts 18: 3). This helped him in his later missionary work.
Paul, the persecutor of early Christians
Paul was a persecutor of the early church before his conversion (Acts 8: 3; 26:11).
His name first appears in the New Testament as bearing witness to the persecution of Saint Stephen, the first martyr of the Church.
Paul, like most Jews of the time expected a Messianic king. His intellect did not allow him to accept a Messiah, The Christ, who was crucified.
Conversion of Saul to Paul
Paul’s repentance and conversion on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9: 1-9), was not an unexpected event. Because Paul was also expecting the Messiah. He was righteous before the Jewish law (Philippians 3: 6).
On the road to Damascus Saul had an encounter with the Risen Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles 9:1–19, Galatians 1: 13–14). Jesus asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Paul replied, “Who are you, sir?” Jesus responded, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9: 4 – 5). Jesus then sent Saul into Damascus to wait for further instructions.
Saul was shaken and blinded by the experience. When a Christian named Ananias came and baptized Saul, his blindness went away. As a result of this encounter Saul became a follower of Christ. He was now convinced that fellowship with the risen Jesus Christ, not the observance of the Law, was all that was needed to receive God’s promise of salvation. (Galatians 1:11–12; 3:1–5)
The story of repentance (Acts 9: 1-20) is depicted as God calling the prophets (cf. Jer 1: 4-10). It was through the Damascus experience that Paul became convinced that Christ was the Son of God and that he was commissioned to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
Paul's story of repentance is repeated in the Bread itself. (Acts 9: 1-20; 22: 6-16; 26: 9-18). These accounts emphasize the supernatural realities of repentance (e.g., sound and light from heaven, Paul's blindness and healing). In the light of Acts 15: 8, it is clear that Paul understood the Damascus incident as a vision of the Risen One who received him. Thus, he came to realised that the crucified Jesus was the Messiah.
Post-Repentance Paul devoted his life entirely to the call of God. He realized that he was not alone on the road to salvation.
Jesus Christ has already accomplished salvation for all. In faith and Baptism, Christians receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, the constant guide. The Holy Spirit helps to live in relationship with God and others.
Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Dwynwen
2. Saint Ananias of Damascus
3. Saint Poppo
4. Saint Praejectus of Clermont
5. Saint Auxentius of Epirus
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