Topical Bible: Converts: Saul of Tarsus

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Background and Early Life:
Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, is one of the most significant figures in the New Testament. Born in Tarsus, a city in the Roman province of Cilicia, Saul was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). He was a Roman citizen by birth, which afforded him certain legal protections and privileges (Acts 22:28). Saul was educated under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, which indicates his deep roots in Jewish tradition and his zealous adherence to the Mosaic Law (Acts 22:3).

Persecution of the Church:
Before his conversion, Saul was a fervent persecutor of the early Christian church. He was present at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and approved of his execution (Acts 7:58-8:1). Saul's zeal for Judaism led him to ravage the church, entering homes and dragging off men and women to prison (Acts 8:3). He sought to destroy the nascent Christian movement, believing it to be a heretical sect within Judaism.

Conversion Experience:
Saul's dramatic conversion occurred on the road to Damascus, where he intended to arrest Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2). As he neared Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" Saul asked, "Who are You, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:3-5). Blinded by the encounter, Saul was led into Damascus, where he neither ate nor drank for three days (Acts 9:9).

Ananias and Saul's Baptism:
In Damascus, the Lord instructed a disciple named Ananias to visit Saul. Despite his initial hesitation due to Saul's reputation, Ananias obeyed. He laid hands on Saul, and something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, restoring his sight. Saul was then baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18). This marked the beginning of his transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Christ.

Early Ministry:
After his conversion, Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus and immediately began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, "He is the Son of God" (Acts 9:20). His bold preaching confounded the Jews in Damascus, who knew of his previous mission to destroy the church. Saul's life was threatened, and he had to escape the city by being lowered in a basket through an opening in the wall (Acts 9:23-25).

Impact and Legacy:
Saul, who became known as Paul, went on to become one of the most influential apostles in the early church. He undertook several missionary journeys, spreading the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. Paul authored numerous epistles, which form a significant portion of the New Testament. His writings address theological issues, church practices, and the Christian life, and they continue to be foundational for Christian doctrine and ethics.

Paul's conversion is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's grace. His life and ministry exemplify the profound change that can occur when one encounters the risen Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 9:3-18
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
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Library

Preventive against Backsliding.
... When Ananias came to the newly-converted Saul of Tarsus, his first ... early teachers
did not wait for a few months or years till the young converts had become ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter vi preventive against backsliding.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... to which they went was Damascus, where the new faith gained many converts. ... and
commission from the chief priests" (Acts 26:12), Saul of Tarsus, in the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

Paul's First Prayer
... But at other times, as in this case, he converts the persecutor ... called Straight,
and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for, behold ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/pauls first prayer.htm

Days of Preparation
... and risen Saviour, strengthening the hands of those who were already its disciples,
and continually bringing in new converts to the ... Saul of Tarsus, on his ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 13 days of preparation.htm

Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
... hold their own; they seemed stricken down by the force of truth, and you felt almost
sure that they would become, like Saul of Tarsus, true converts, and even ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three names high on the.htm

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
... Go and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold ... of the need of the grace
and the power of heaven being brought down for the young converts in prayer ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xiii paul a pattern.htm

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
... Or, in one word, it converts the sinner ... to the Word of God for examples of the two
latter classes, we might mention Zaccheus, Saul of Tarsus, the Philippian ...
/.../chapter xix conversionvaried phenomena or.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... sent down by the Apostles from Jerusalem, that they might confirm the Samaritan
converts by prayer ... [47] It seems not unlikely that Saul of Tarsus in Cilicia ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

An Earnest Warning About Lukewarmness
... If they were like Saul of Tarsus, enemies of ... The gospel converts a sincerely
superstitious Luther, but Erasmus, with his pliant spirit, flippant, and full ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/an earnest warning about lukewarmness.htm

Acts VI
... named being from the native country of Saul of Tarsus. The fact that Saul was a
leader in the contest ... Hitherto the young converts had enjoyed no opportunity to ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm