This is a profound tale about Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul the Apostle, a man whose passion was once to persecute people who followed Jesus of Nazareth, called the Way. Born a Jew in the city of Tarsus of Cilicia, he was tutored at the feet of one of the most respected Jewish teachers in Jerusalem, Gamaliel. Here he studied with great fervor the strict laws of their forefathers.
But his zeal transformed into hostility for those who sought a path separate from this tradition, specifically those followers of Jesus the Nazarene, whom Saul deemed a threat to his faith. He was ruthless, sending both men and women to prison, even to their deaths.
In an attempt to quell this uprising, Saul received the blessings from the high priest and the council of elders to travel to Damascus, tasked with imprisoning any followers of the Way he discovered there. However, in the heat of the midday, as he neared his destination, a life-altering event transpired. A sudden flash of radiant light from the heavens enveloped him, causing him to fall to the ground. A voice echoed, questioning why Saul was persecuting him, revealing in the process that he was indeed Jesus of Nazareth.
Astounded and blinded by the bright light, Saul asked the Lord what he must do. The response instructed him to continue his journey into Damascus, where he would receive further instructions on his duties.
Arriving in Damascus, Saul, now blind, was led by hand by his companions. Within the city, God called upon a devote and respected man, Ananias to restore Saul’s sight. Ananias, obeying the voice of the Lord, met Saul and told him that God had chosen him to know His will, to witness His righteousness, and to hear His voice. He instructed Saul to be baptized and wash away his sins in the name of Christ.
The tale takes another twist when Saul returns to Jerusalem. As he prayed in the temple, once again he fell into a trance and had a vision of Jesus Christ. In the vision, Jesus warned Saul that the people of Jerusalem will not accept his testimony and he must leave immediately. It is at this point that Saul admits his persecution of the followers of Christ, his approval of Stephen’s death, the first martyr, and his involvement in the gruesome act.
Jesus commanded Saul to depart and bring the message to the Gentiles, foretelling the incredible transformation of Saul, the fierce persecutor, into Paul, the passionate Apostle.
However, his testimony is met with hostility by listeners who implore for his immediate execution. As the crowd grew more violent, the authorities decided to flog him, a punishment reserved for criminals. It was only upon the revelation that Paul was a Roman citizen did they refrain, daunted by the legal implications of their intended action.
The chief captain, desiring to discover the truth of the matter, summoned the chief priests and the council. Bound and brought forth for examination, Paul stood ready to face the continued trials and tribulations of his newfound faith.
