The Transformation of Saul: From Persecutor to Apostle

The story of Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul, is a pivotal narrative in early Christianity, marked by a dramatic conversion, a debated apostleship, and a significant role in shaping the faith. Several common misconceptions surround his life, including the nature of his conversion, his name change, and the authorship of the biblical book that chronicles these events.

From Persecutor to Believer: The Road to Damascus

Before his conversion, Saul was a zealous Pharisee who vehemently persecuted the followers of Jesus. The Book of Acts describes him as "breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples" (Acts 9:1). He was present at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and actively sought to imprison and punish Christians in Jerusalem and beyond.

Saul's life took a dramatic turn on the road to Damascus, where he was traveling to arrest more Christians. According to the account in Acts 9, a blinding light from heaven flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" When Saul asked who was speaking, the voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." This encounter was with the resurrected Jesus himself, not an angel.

Blinded by the vision, Saul was led into Damascus, where he remained for three days without sight, food, or water. A disciple named Ananias, prompted by a vision from God, was sent to heal Saul. Ananias was initially hesitant, knowing Saul's reputation, but was reassured by God that Saul was a "chosen instrument" to carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles. Ananias restored Saul's sight, and he was then baptized.

The Question of a Name Change: Saul and Paul

It is a common belief that Saul's name was changed to Paul by God following his conversion. However, the Bible does not record a specific moment of a name change. "Saul" was his Hebrew name, given to him as a member of the tribe of Benjamin. As a Roman citizen by birth, he also had the Latin name "Paul."

In the Book of Acts, he is referred to as Saul until his first missionary journey into a predominantly Gentile, Greco-Roman world. From Acts 13 onwards, the author, Luke, begins to refer to him as Paul. This shift likely reflects his primary mission to the Gentiles, for whom his Roman name would have been more familiar and accessible. Therefore, it was not a divine name change but a practical shift in usage.

An Apostle Apart: The Thirteenth Apostle

Saul, now Paul, began to preach the very faith he had once tried to destroy. He claimed the title of "apostle," a designation that was a source of some controversy in the early church. The original twelve apostles were chosen by Jesus during his earthly ministry and were witnesses to his resurrection. Paul's claim to apostleship was based on his personal encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, which he considered a post-resurrection appearance equivalent to those experienced by the original twelve.

While the twelve were the foundational apostles to the Jews, Paul saw his primary calling as the "Apostle to the Gentiles." His authority and apostleship were not without challenge, and he often had to defend his standing, as seen in his various epistles.

Pentecost and the Authorship of Acts

The Day of Pentecost, described in Acts 2, was a foundational event for the early Christian church, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and other disciples in Jerusalem. This occurred before Saul's conversion. At that time, Saul was still a persecutor of the church and, therefore, was not present for this pivotal moment.

A final but important clarification is that Saul, or Paul, did not write the Book of Acts, which narrates his conversion and ministry. The authorship of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts is traditionally attributed to Luke, a physician and a close companion of Paul. Luke's authorship is suggested by the "we" passages in Acts, where the narrator includes himself in the events of Paul's journeys. Therefore, the account of Pentecost and Saul's conversion is presented from the perspective of a historian and companion, not Paul's own direct narration in that book. Paul does, however, refer to his conversion and apostolic calling in his own letters, such as Galatians and 1 Corinthians.