Who is Paul?

The passage for January is Philippians 1:1-2:

    Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
    To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.

Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...

Who is Paul?

The Apostle Paul, originally named Saul, wrote a majority of the letters in the New Testament. Though Paul was a leader of the early church, he did not come about his role in the same way as the other Apostles. 

Paul did not follow Christ as one of His disciples during Jesus' earthly ministry. In fact, after the crucifixion and resurrection, Paul was one of the leading persecutors of the church. 

We first hear of Paul in the Scriptures in Acts 7 and 8. In that account, a group of people threw down their cloaks at Saul's feet before picking up rocks to stone Stephan to death for telling the truth about Jesus. In Acts 8:1 we are told that Saul approved of the execution without any further information from that scene.

We see Saul again in Acts 9, where it is said that he was "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord" and that he went to the Jewish High Priest asking for letters of authorization to round up and  bring any followers of "The Way" (Christians) back to Jerusalem in chains.

In Paul's own words to a mob in Jerusalem (in Acts22), he says, "I persecuted this Way (Christians) to the death, binding and delivering them to prison both men and women."
And Paul elaborates to King Agrippa in Acts 26, saying that he not only "locked up many of the saints in prison," but also, "When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities."

So, far from being a part of Jesus' Kingdom work. Saul (Paul) bursts onto the scene as one of the church's biggest enemies.

That all changed in Acts 9:3-19:

    Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” 

And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 

The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
    

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” 

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 

And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 

And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.
    For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. (ESV)

This is only a simple introduction to Paul. He did become one of the leaders of the early Church and Paul's writings - inspired by the Holy Spirit - have been a blessing to Christians for nearly 2,000 years. 

I would encourage you to remember Paul when you think that maybe you have done too many bad things or that you have lived in too much sin to be used by God.

Also, never write off a person you come into contact with because of their sin or "rough edges" Paul wasn't the first sinner transformed by grace for God's Glory and for the good of God's people. And Paul won't be the last. 

If Jesus could transform a sinner like Saul into a leader like Paul - imagine what Jesus can do with you.