“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem…suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “WHO ARE YOU, LORD?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting…” (Acts 9:1-5)
This incident occurred right after the death of Stephen
“…Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8)
Paul was there overseeing Stephen’s stoning:
“When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning Stephen; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58)
Paul, later told Timothy this:
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief…” (1 Tim. 1:12-13)
We are shown in the scripture that this “Saul” began to be called “Paul” and that is how we know him in the New Testament.
“Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 13:9)
According to writings in the New Testament and prior to his conversion, Paul was dedicated to persecuting the early disciples of Jesus in the area of Jerusalem. In the account of the Acts, Paul was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus on a mission to “arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem” when the resurrected Jesus appeared to him in a great light. He was struck blind, but after three days his sight was restored by Ananias of Damascus and Paul began to preach that Jesus of Nazareth is the Jewish Messiah and the Son of God. Approximately half of the book of Acts deals with Paul’s life and works. Fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to Paul. I hope this helps, if not let me know.
I think the way it applies to our lives today is this: Paul thought he was doing the right thing in persecuting the Christians but Jesus “opened his eyes” and he became a great preacher and worker for God. We need to pray to the Lord to open our eyes to make sure we are doing His will.
-Bill Stockham