Saul before he became Paul
Paul was born in Tarsus and grew up deeply committed to Jewish faith and law. He had studied under Gamaliel, a respected teacher in Jerusalem, and he also held Roman citizenship (Acts 22:3, Acts 22:25). In Acts, he is first called Saul, and later we are told that Saul was also known as Paul (Acts 13:9).
Before following Jesus, Saul believed the growing church was dangerous. He actively persecuted Christians, entering homes and taking men and women away to prison (Acts 8:3). Years later, Paul openly admitted that he had once violently opposed the church of God (Galatians 1:13). He did not hide that part of his past.
His encounter with Jesus
Everything changed while Saul was travelling to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus. A brilliant light stopped him, and the risen Jesus spoke to him personally. Saul’s certainty was shaken in a moment, and he was led into the city unable to see (Acts 9:3-6, Acts 9:8-12).
God then sent a disciple named Ananias to pray for him. Saul regained his sight, was baptised, and began to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:17-18). Paul later described this change as God revealing his Son to him and calling him to announce Christ among the Gentiles, meaning the nations beyond Israel (Galatians 1:15-16).
This was more than a change of opinion. The man who had hunted Christians became their brother and servant.
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.
A messenger sent to the nations
The word apostle comes from a Greek word meaning someone who is sent. Paul called himself an apostle because he believed the risen Christ had commissioned him for that work (Romans 1:1). God told Ananias that Paul would carry Jesus’ name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel (Acts 9:15).
Paul did not work alone. The church at Antioch prayed, fasted, and sent Barnabas and Paul out for missionary work (Acts 13:2-3). They travelled through cities across the Roman world, speaking about Jesus in synagogues, marketplaces, homes, and public gathering places. Some welcomed the message. Others strongly resisted it.
Paul himself knew he had no reason for pride. He remembered his former persecution of believers and credited every good thing in his ministry to God’s grace (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Why Paul still matters
Paul wrote pastoral letters to churches and individuals facing real problems: division in Corinth, confusion in Galatia, suffering, false teaching, and the daily challenge of living faithfully. His letters explain the good news of Jesus, call believers to love one another, and point to the hope of resurrection. Peter refers to Paul’s letters and recognises their importance for the church (2 Peter 3:15-16).
Paul’s life was not easy. He faced hardship and opposition, yet he learned that God’s strength could meet him in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). That is one reason his story remains so encouraging. God did not wait for Paul to have a perfect past before giving him a meaningful future.
To get to know Paul for yourself, read his conversion story in Acts 9, then try one of his shorter letters, such as Philippians or Galatians. Watch for how often he brings people back to Jesus, grace, faith, and love.