The Life of Paul Paul Prior to His Conversion Introduction: I have always loved biographies. There is great value in reading biographies. There is even greater value in reading autobiographies. The Biblical narrative gives us the best of both worlds. Why a study of the life of Paul? He is the most important figure in the New Testament and early church after the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He authored more New Testament books than any other individual. He planted more churches than any other individual. He is held up as an example more than any other individual. The Bible first introduces us to Saul as a fierce persecutor of the church. The fact that Saul was a fierce persecutor of the church is essential in understanding his later relationship to God and the church. We are presented first with the fact that he is a persecutor of the church. Later, we will better understand what motivated him to be such a fierce persecutor of the church. The violence and hatred exhibited in his past is key to understanding the grace that he received and the transformation that he underwent after his conversion. I. Saul is present at the stoning of Stephen. A. Stephen was one of the original deacons chosen in Acts 6 1. He is described as a person full of faith in Acts 6:5 1
Acts 6:5 (ESV) And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 2. He was full of grace and power in verse 8 Acts 6:8 (ESV) And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 3. When he spoke he was full of wisdom. 6:10 Acts 6:10 (ESV) But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 4. Stephen was arrested and gave a great defense of his faith in Acts 7 Acts 7:54 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. Acts 7:55 (ESV) But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:56 (ESV) And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:57 (ESV) But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 5. Stephen was stoned due to his faith. Acts 7:58 (ESV) Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:59 (ESV) And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:60 (ESV) And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. B. Paul was right there when Stephen was stoned. Acts 7:58 (ESV) Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 2
C. Paul consented to the stoning of Stephen. Acts 8:1 (ESV) And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.. 1. Saul was convinced that Stephen should die. 2. Saul was in agreement with stoning Stephen. Whether that agreement was formal or informal we cannot be sure. Acts 26:10 (ESV) And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. D. Stephen s execution was only the beginning of the persecution that the church would experience. Acts 8:1 (ESV) And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. II. Saul was personally involved in the persecution of the church. A. Saul was not positively affected by the death of Stephen. 1. The believers lamented the death of Stephen. Acts 8:2 (ESV) Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 2. However Saul experienced no remorse in the death of Stephen. Acts 8:3 (ESV) But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, B. Saul became even more active in seeking to do harm or destroy the church as a whole. C. Saul was methodically persecuting believers. 3
D. Saul was not having mercy upon anyone. E. Saul handed those whom he rounded up over to be imprisoned. III. Saul personally extended the region of persecution. A. The persecution in Jerusalem resulted in the believers fleeing Jerusalem and taking the gospel with them. Acts 8:4 (ESV) Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. B. Saul was not satisfied with persecuting the church just in Jerusalem. As the disciples spread to other regions so did Saul s persecution of them. C. Saul issued severe warnings to those who identified with Jesus. D. Saul actually had some of those who were taken into custody killed. Acts 26:10 (ESV) And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. E. Saul took the initiative to broaden the persecution. 4
1. Note, he was not summoned by the high priest and charged with responsibility. 2. He voluntarily went to the high priest and petitioned to have the persecution expanded. Acts 9:2 (ESV) 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. F. Saul wanted to snuff out any allegiance to Christ. Acts 9:2 (ESV) 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. G. Saul wanted to try these individuals where they would be treated the harshest. IV. Conclusion: Acts 9:2 (ESV) 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. A. We are to see that through Stephen at least, Saul was familiar with the gospel of Christ. B. We are to see that Saul was fiercely opposed to the cause of Christ. C. We are to see that his opposition was more fierce than his contemporaries D. We are to see the unlikeliness of one such as Saul ever coming to place faith in and allegiance to Christ. 5