Galatians 1:13, 14
“For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”
What a contrast was Paul’s life. By his own admission, he was an enemy of the church. He wasn’t a pawn, but a power in his day. Many say he supervised the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). He was part of a movement to squelch the gospel.
However, he was confronted by God and learned that he was fighting against the Lord. That’s when his life took a 180. It’s a rare thing that a public figure takes such a u turn. I can think of some celebrities and politicians who have changed. Chuck Colson is one. He was in the Nixon White House. He was jailed due to Watergate. In prison, he came to Christ. He spent the remainder of his life serving the Lord in prison ministries.
Paul describes his life at the time of conversion; he was advancing in Judaism and was very zealous for that cause. He was still young at the stoning of Stephen. He probably had 50 years of church opposition ahead of him. He was so terrifying that when he did convert, many of the christians didn’t believe it. They thought he was laying a trap (Acts 9).
When it was discovered that Paul did convert, many in his old way of life sought to kill him. 2 Corinthians 11 provides a list of the things he suffered: beaten, whipped, imprisoned, ship wrecked and so on. Many of these happened multiple times. He was a powerful person with great resolve.
Paul’s conversion had brought many to Christ. He was such a brilliant person and committed to a path. It’s not often this type converts. His new mission was greatly influential. His imprisonment provided an opportunity to write a third of the New Testament. One of his works, Romans, clarified the great grace of God and how we are justified by faith. Truly good news.
Lord, thank You for Paul. Thank You for his spreading of the gospel. Thank You, also for his wonderful contribution to the scriptures.