Was Paul the apostle really converted?
Acts 9:1 - 43
ESV - 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 And asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
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Asked October 13 2018
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Anonymous
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I think that that question is answered in three ways: in passages from Paul's own writings (such as 1 Corinthians 15:3-11 and 2 Corinthians 11:22-12:10) that describe his conversion, his sense of humility and shame over having previously persecuted the church, and the subsequent hardships that he endured for the sake of the gospel in his missionary travels; accounts of his conversion and of his later public proclamation of it, as recorded by others (in passages such as in Acts 22:3-21 and Acts 26:9-23); and (although it is not recorded in the Bible) his ultimate willingness to be martyred for his faith.
James Marstaller
Supporter
God said through Paul: "Therefore, if any man is in Christ he is a new creation old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." Paul's life drastically changed. He lived a Christ centered life after the Damascus road experience. The first commandment states that "You shall have no other gods before Me" (no face before My Face). Paul put God and Jesus Christ first in his life. He was able to say: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. There is in store for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me..." (contrast this with Demas in the same passage in 2 Timothy 4). His writings state he put all self-righteous efforts behind (as nothing) and it was in Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone that was his only hope. His conversion is the clearest example in the NT of a what happens in a life that is changed by God.
Derrol PORTER
Supporter
To convert means to change in form and/or character. Saul became Paul, not only in application but I believe as evidenced in Scripture. His whole form, as in eyes, body changed from the light and the beatings. His character changed from non-believer in Jesus to devoted ambassador, and he poured out offering of his complete self. But the greatest change I see is 1 Corinthians 13, his soliloquy on life changing Love. God is Love, Light, and Life. Paul acquired all three infusions when the converting experience of Jesus entered his existence.
John Appelt
Supporter
There is no doubt that Paul the apostle was really converted, that is, in the sense that he believed on the Lord and had eternal life, as Jesus taught in John 6:47. The evidence is overwhelming in all the epistles he wrote, that he was a saved man. The surprising thing is that the three passages that describe Paul experiencing a transformative event on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:1-9, 22:6-16, and 26:12-18, do not reveal him being converted or saved. Instead, they tell how he was commissioned by the Lord. When the Lord revealed to Saul that He was Jesus, Paul immediately asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” It was not the sense of asking what to do to be saved, Acts 16:31. It was the sense of what was to be his new job. Up to now the Lord had been working on Saul, prodding and convicting him. Saul had been like a stubborn ox kicking against the sharp prongs of the goad. It was too hard for Saul to keep on kicking as he had been serving God within the confines of a strict and zealous form of Judaism. He was now yielded and submitted to serving the Lord the true Messiah. Saul’s commission was evident. In Acts 9:15, the Lord had told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel who will bear His name and suffer for His name’s sake. Paul related how the Lord told him to “rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness.” Acts 26:16. Saul was redirected in his ministry to no longer attack Christians, but to preach and teach people to become Christians. He immediately went into synagogues to preach that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Acts 9:20. This all very much describes Saul being commissioned. Was Saul saved at this point? Although Paul never says he believed, at some point related to this event, he must have. For sure, he knew about Jesus and the people of the Way, Acts 9:2, 22:4, 26:9, to be as violently opposed to them. He witnessed the stoning of Stephen, probably having heard his powerful message. But at some point related to this event, he must have believed in Jesus. Perhaps, as soon as the Lord appeared, he instantaneously believed on Him and was turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, Acts 26:18. This would explain his change of heart. When Ananias called on Saul to “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord,” Acts 22:6-16, this was not to be saved, but to prepare for service. Saul was repenting as a Jew, owning his part in the crucifixion of the Lord, Acts 2:36-38. Saul/Paul believed on the Lord, but the Lord specifically called him into a new ministry for Him, one in which he was faithful until death.
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