Saul of Tarsus
Saul of Tarsus
- Early Life. Saul was born in the city of Tarsus ( Acts 21:39 Acts 21:40 ). His education was completed at the feet of Gamaliel in the city of Jerusalem ( Acts 22:1-3 ).
- First Appearance in History. The first glimpse we have of Saul is at the martyrdom of Stephen ( Acts 7:58-60 ).
- Early Character. Saul's life previous to his conversion was distinguished on account of great wickedness. He declared that he was,
- a persecutor ( 1 Corinthians 15:9 );
- a blasphemer;
- an injurer;
- an unbeliever;
- the chief of sinners ( 1 Timothy 1:12-15 ).
In the face of this, he declares that he lived in all good conscience before God ( Acts 23:1 ) for he exercised himself to that end ( Acts 24:16 ).
- Conversion. Saul was not satisfied with the work of destruction that he had led about Jerusalem, hence he applied to the authorities for letters to Damascus, in order to bind all of the disciples of the Lord in that distant city, and bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he approached the city, a brilliant light from heaven shone around him, and he heard a voice demanding why he persecuted Him. He asked, in reply, who was speaking to him and was told that that it was Jesus. With great trembling and astonishment the prostrated persecutor inquired what to do, and was told to go into the city, with the assurance that he should there receive the desired information. His associates were speechless. They heard the voice but did not comprehend it. They led Saul into the city where, without sight, he prayed for three days. The Lord spoke to the disciple Ananias and told him to go and give the penitent the desired relief, but having heard of Saul he attempted to excuse himself, but He told him to go his way, assuring him that Saul was a chosen vessel to carry His name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. Ananias immediately proceeded to carry out his commission, and entering, laid his hands on Saul, assuring him that Jesus had sent him, and when the blindness caused by the great brightness of the vision, had been relieved, he commanded him to arise and be baptized, which he promptly did ( Acts 9:1-18 ; Acts 22:1-16 ).
- Apostle. Saul immediately began to preach with very great power ( Acts 9:19-22 ).
- His Sacrifices. In order to gain Christ he forsook home, friends, country, the future that his great education had opened for him--yea, he forsook all things earthly ( Philippians 3:6-11 ).
- His Sufferings. His sufferings were unparalleled. He received from the Jews forty stripes save one on five occasions; he was beaten with rods three times, he was stoned once, he was shipwrecked three times, and spent a night and a day in the deep. In addition to this, he suffered the results of many long journeys, and perils of water, perils of robbers, perils by his own countrymen, perils by the heathen, perils in the cities, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brethren, in weariness, in hunger and third, in fastings, and in cold and nakedness, and the care of all the churches ( 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 ).
- His Infirmities. Paul's contemporaries declared that his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible ( 2 Corinthians 10:10 ). He had a thorn in the flesh given him, on account of the abundance of the revelations given ( 2 Corinthians 12:1-11 ). He suffered much from the infirmities of the flesh and in his constant conflict with sin ( Romans 7:10-25 2 Corinthians 11:30 ; 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 ).
- Sources of His Information. He was inspired of the Lord and did not even have to consult those who were apostles before him ( 2 Corinthians 11:7 Galatians 1:15-19 ).
Free Newsletters
To receive email newsletters, updates, and special offers from BibleStudyTools, select your newsletter(s), enter your email address and hit "Subscribe".
Privacy Policy / Terms of Use