From Persecutor to Apostle: The True Story of Saul of Tarsus

The story of Saul of Tarsus is one of the most extraordinary and transformational accounts in all of Scripture. It is the real-life narrative of a man who began as a bitter enemy of Jesus Christ and His church, but who became the most prolific New Testament writer and one of the most powerful voices for the gospel in history. This account is not a legend or embellished church tradition. Every detail is anchored in the inspired Word of God.

Saul: His Background and Identity

Saul was born in the city of Tarsus, a prominent city in the Roman province of Cilicia, known for its academic and cultural influence. According to Acts 22 verse 3, Saul himself testified, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.”

From this passage, we understand several key facts. Saul was a Jew, and not only a Jew, but a devout Pharisee. He was born into a faithful Jewish family of the tribe of Benjamin, as he later affirms in Philippians 3 verse 5: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.” His training under Gamaliel, one of the most respected teachers of the law at that time, demonstrates that Saul was not merely religious by family heritage, but was intellectually and doctrinally committed to the Mosaic law.

Furthermore, Saul was also a Roman citizen by birth. In Acts 22 verses 27 through 28, the Roman commander questioned him: “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” Saul answered, “Yes.” The commander responded, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.” Saul replied, “But I was born a citizen.”

This dual identity of Jewish heritage and Roman citizenship uniquely positioned Saul to travel across the Roman world with legal protections and cultural fluency. It would later prove strategic in the spread of the gospel.

Saul’s Zeal and Persecution of the Church

Before his conversion, Saul was not a passive skeptic of the Christian faith. He was an active and violent persecutor of the early church. His first appearance in Scripture occurs in Acts 7 verse 58 at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It reads, “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”

In the following chapter, Acts 8 verse 1 states, “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem.” This word “consenting” indicates not mere passive approval, but a shared commitment to the execution of Christians.

Acts 8 verse 3 gives further detail: “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” This word “havoc” in the Greek implies a brutal and destructive assault, similar to what a wild beast would do to prey. Saul was no casual opponent of Christ. He was a fanatical enforcer of what he believed was religious purity, even if it meant killing those who followed “The Way,” a common term used for Christianity at the time.

The Damascus Road: A Divine Confrontation

The most pivotal moment in Saul’s life came as he was en route to Damascus to arrest Christians. Acts 9 verses 1 and 2 describe this mission: “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”

It was on that road to Damascus that heaven interrupted Saul’s violent crusade. Acts 9 verses 3 through 6 describe the encounter:

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ And he said, ‘Who art thou, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ And he trembling and astonished said, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ And the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’”

This confrontation with the risen Lord Jesus Christ shattered Saul’s worldview. In a single moment, he realized that the very Jesus he was attacking was in fact the true Messiah. The phrase “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” identifies the church as inseparably united with Christ. To persecute the body of Christ was to persecute Christ Himself.

Saul was struck blind and remained in that condition for three days, a powerful symbol of the spiritual blindness that was just being lifted. Acts 9 verse 9 states, “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”

Ananias and Saul’s Baptism

In Damascus, the Lord appeared in a vision to a disciple named Ananias and instructed him to go to Saul. Understandably hesitant, Ananias knew Saul’s reputation. But God assured him in Acts 9 verses 15 and 16, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Ananias obeyed. Acts 9 verses 17 and 18 say, “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.’ And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”

This moment marked Saul’s conversion and initiation into the church of Jesus Christ.

The Early Days of Ministry and Name Change

After his baptism, Saul immediately began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9 verse 20 says, “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” This bold proclamation stunned his listeners, who knew his former life.

Saul’s name change to Paul occurs in Acts 13 verse 9, during his missionary journey with Barnabas: “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.” There is no biblical record of Jesus changing Saul’s name, as with Simon to Peter or Abram to Abraham. Saul was his Hebrew name, and Paul was his Roman name. He began using Paul regularly as he ministered primarily to Gentile audiences.

Paul’s Apostolic Authority

Though not one of the original twelve apostles, Paul was clearly called by Christ Himself. In Galatians 1 verses 11 through 12, Paul states, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

He further confirms his calling in Romans 1 verse 1: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.”

Writer of the New Testament Epistles

Paul’s letters to churches and individuals form the core of New Testament instruction. He authored the following epistles:

• Romans

• 1 Corinthians

• 2 Corinthians

• Galatians

• Ephesians

• Philippians

• Colossians

• 1 Thessalonians

• 2 Thessalonians

• 1 Timothy

• 2 Timothy

• Titus

• Philemon

He is also traditionally associated with Hebrews, though the letter does not name its author.

These epistles cover theology, church discipline, leadership qualifications, spiritual gifts, marriage, suffering, grace, justification by faith, and Christian living. Paul’s writings have shaped Christian doctrine more than any other New Testament writer.

Paul’s Suffering and Final Years

Paul's life was marked by great suffering. He lists his trials in 2 Corinthians 11 verses 23 through 28, including beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, hunger, and persecution.

Despite this, he remained faithful to the end. In his final letter, 2 Timothy 4 verse 7, he writes: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Though Scripture does not record his death, church tradition affirms that Paul was martyred in Rome under the Emperor Nero around 64 to 67 AD.

In Conclusion

The life of Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul, is a divine testimony to the power of grace, the sovereignty of Christ, and the unstoppable advance of the gospel. From a feared enemy of the church to a foundational teacher of Christian truth, Paul’s transformation was not of human origin. It was the work of the risen Christ. His writings remain the most influential doctrinal instructions for the church, rooted in divine revelation and preserved by the Spirit of God.

The same Lord who called Paul calls each of us to repentance, transformation, and unwavering obedience. May we, like Paul, say in our day: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1 verse 21).