Saint Paul is remembered in Christian history as a great apostle and a zealous missionary of Christ. Previously known as Saul of Tarsus, this ardent follower of the Jewish law was intent on persecuting the followers of Christ. His conversion was a milestone in the early Church, as this apostle of the Gentiles spread the good news of the Gospel far and wide. His transformation from Saul to Paul can be explained in terms of his encounter with Jesus "on the way to Damascus," as Biblical scholars phrase it.
He was ardently trying to persecute the followers of Christ and was one of the instigators of the persecution and death of St. Stephen. On the way to legalize the edict to arrest Christians, Scripture says that he was struck down from his horseback by a great light from heaven. In the words of the evangelist Luke: "He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? He asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The reply came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." (Acts 9:4-6). After spending three days without sight and fasting, the Lord thus led Saul to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. Here, he regained his eyesight and received the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
This was the beginning of a new era in the Church, as Saul, newly anointed as Paul, became a powerful witness to the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Paul received the voice of God in Jerusalem, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' (Acts 22:21), he eventually became the "Apostle of the Gentiles." His missionary journeys were instrumental in the spread of the Gospel far and wide.
St. Paul, pray for us to be witnesses to Christ's truth in the world and draw our brethren closer to Him.
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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