Topical Bible: Heart: Change of Saul of Tarsus

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The transformation of Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, is one of the most profound examples of a change of heart in the New Testament. Saul, a zealous Pharisee, was initially a fierce persecutor of the early Christian church. His dramatic conversion is a testament to the power of divine intervention and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

Background and Early Life

Saul was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and was a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28). He was educated under Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law, and was well-versed in Jewish traditions and the Hebrew Scriptures (Acts 22:3). Saul's zeal for the Jewish faith led him to become a fervent opponent of the followers of Jesus Christ, whom he believed were blaspheming against God.

Persecution of Christians

Saul's persecution of Christians is well-documented in the Book of Acts. He was present at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and approved of his execution (Acts 7:58-8:1). Saul "began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" (Acts 8:3). His intent was to eradicate the nascent Christian movement, which he saw as a threat to Judaism.

The Damascus Road Experience

The pivotal moment in Saul's life occurred on the road to Damascus. Armed with letters from the high priest to arrest Christians, Saul set out to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment. However, 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 9:4-5).

Blinded by the encounter, Saul was led into Damascus, where he neither ate nor drank for three days. During this time, the Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias, instructing him to visit Saul. Despite his initial hesitation, Ananias obeyed, laying hands on Saul and 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 arose and was baptized (Acts 9:18).

Transformation and Ministry

Saul's conversion marked a radical change of heart. From a persecutor of Christians, he became one of the most ardent apostles of Christ. He began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God, astonishing those who knew of his previous actions (Acts 9:20-21). Saul's transformation was so complete that he became known as Paul, a name he used throughout his missionary journeys.

Paul's letters to the early churches reveal the depth of his theological insight and his unwavering commitment to the gospel. He often reflected on his past, acknowledging his former life as a persecutor but emphasizing the grace of God that had been shown to him. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote, "For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I severely persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles..." (Galatians 1:13, 15-16).

Legacy

The change of heart experienced by Saul of Tarsus is a powerful example of redemption and the transformative power of God's grace. His life and writings have had a lasting impact on Christianity, shaping the theology and mission of the church. Saul's conversion underscores the belief that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and that a true change of heart is possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 9:1-18
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
... succeeded in stopping the work of grace in the heart of any ... "Saul, Saul, why persecutest
thou me? ... to your own testimony you have had a thorough change, and you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the conversion of saul of.htm

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
... are greater and less degrees of intensity in the change. ... The heart is broken and
becomes contrite, and ready ... classes, we might mention Zaccheus, Saul of Tarsus ...
/.../chapter xix conversionvaried phenomena or.htm

Saul's Conversion
... art thou, Lord?" See how soon God can change the heart ... a discovery of Jesus made
to his heart before, think ... in the house of Judas, for one called Saul of Tarsus ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/sauls conversion.htm

Salvation Published from the Mountains
... instance of this effect, in the case of Saul of Tarsus (Acts ... How sudden, how evident,
how abiding was the change which then took place in his heart and in ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vi salvation published from.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... the strange occurrences of which were to change the whole ... thoughts and emotions of
his heart were transformed ... named Ananias," telling him that Saul of Tarsus ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

"To Me to Live is Christ"
... with his religion in all Jerusalem than Saul, no man ... who was far too good to be
susceptible of a change. ... who found room in his most religious heart for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/to me to live is.htm

Days of Preparation
... God in His providence not only spared Saul's life, but ... the chief priests?" Paul declared
that his change of faith ... He sought God with all his heart, resting not ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 13 days of preparation.htm

Paul's First Prayer
... Does Christ by his Spirit say in thine heart, "Come unto me ... When we look at the change
that has passed over us ... is this"this fact was a novelty to Saul himself. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/pauls first prayer.htm

Sin in the Heart the Source of Error in the Head
... head, but a humbling salutary consciousness in the heart. ... been doing for six thousand
years, change it into a ... by their personal character, than Saul of Tarsus ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin in the heart the.htm

Acts IX
... no time, if he would, to steel his heart against it. The change flashes over him
in an instant, and he lies ... in the house of Judas, for one named Saul of Tarsus ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm