Saul (Paul): Transformed from Terrorist to Apostle 

Key Point: Saul the Religious Zealot

4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.(Philippians 3:4-6, NIV)

Key Point: Saul the Terroristic Persecutor

…immediately a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem…(Acts 8:1, NIV) 

Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.(Acts 8:3, NIV)

1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. (Acts 9:1-2, NLT)

…letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.(Ibid.)

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.(Galatians 1:13-14, NIV)

Key Point: Paul the Grace-Filled Preacher

“Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”(Acts 9:4b, NLT) 

“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(Acts 9:5-6, NLT)

“Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.(Acts 9:15, NLT) 

“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 9:17, NLT)