Today, I’d like to explore the early years of Saul, who later became known as Paul, a figure whose life before and after his conversion to Christianity presents a remarkable transformation. When I think of Saul, two main aspects come to mind: his initial role in persecuting the church and his subsequent missionary journeys as recorded in the book of Acts.
Saul’s story begins with him as a Pharisee, thoroughly convinced in his actions against Christians. However, on his way to Damascus, under the authority of the priests in Jerusalem to persecute Christians, Saul had a life-changing encounter with the Lord. This led to his conversion, marking a significant turn in his life.
After his conversion around 35-36 AD and before his first missionary journey in 45 AD, Saul spent several years in relative obscurity. He was in Damascus and Arabia during this time, where he began preaching about Jesus soon after his conversion. Despite the initial skepticism and fear from other Christians due to his past, Saul grew in strength and conviction, proving that Jesus is the Christ.
In Galatians chapter 1, Saul, later known as Paul, explains that he did not immediately consult with anyone after his conversion. Instead, he went to Arabia and then returned to Damascus. This period is thought to be a time of learning and revelation from Jesus Christ himself, akin to the education the other apostles received from Christ during His ministry.
Paul’s early preaching in Damascus faced strong opposition, leading to attempts on his life. Escaping these threats, he eventually made his way to Jerusalem around 39 AD. There, he encountered skepticism from the church but found an ally in Barnabas, who introduced him to the apostles. His time in Jerusalem was also marked by bold preaching and disputes with Hellenists, leading to further threats against his life.
After leaving Jerusalem, Paul spent about five years in Tarsus, his birthplace, preaching in Syria and Cilicia. This period was crucial in establishing churches in the area and in Paul’s own spiritual development. It was also a time when Paul might have experienced unrecorded persecutions.
Eventually, Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch, marking the beginning of their collaboration and the spread of the Gospel to Gentiles. Their time in Antioch was significant in the early Christian movement, as it was here that the disciples were first called Christians.
Reflecting on Paul’s early years, we see a theme of zealous service, preparation, and gradual growth. His dedication and faithfulness in smaller tasks set the foundation for his later, more prominent role in spreading Christianity. This teaches us the value of being faithful in small things, preparing us for greater service in the Lord’s work.
As we ponder Paul’s early years and his zealous transformation, I invite you to consider where you stand with God. Like Paul, we all have the opportunity to grow and serve in our faith, regardless of our past.
