Few events in history are as dramatic as the sudden transformation of Saul of Tarsus. Once a zealous persecutor of Christians, he became Paul—the tireless missionary who wrote much of the New Testament. What could explain such a radical shift? According to Paul himself and the earliest Christian testimony, it was a personal encounter with the risen Christ.

The conversion of Paul stands as one of the most compelling historical evidences for the truth of the resurrection.

A. Saul the Persecutor

1. A Zealous Pharisee

Saul was no half-hearted skeptic; he was a devoted enemy of Christianity.

• He approved of Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7:58).

• He “breathed out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (Acts 9:1).

• He sought letters to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment.

Paul himself later admitted:

• “I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13).

2. His Reputation

Paul was feared by the early church. Acts 9:13 records Ananias’ hesitation to approach him: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”

By every account, Saul was an enemy of the faith.

B. The Encounter with the Risen Jesus

1. The Damascus Road

On his way to Damascus, everything changed. Luke recounts:

• A light from heaven flashed around him.

• He fell to the ground and heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

• The voice identified itself: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:4–5).

Saul, blinded for three days, was led into Damascus, where Ananias laid hands on him, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

2. Paul’s Own Testimony

Paul later recounted this event multiple times (Acts 22, Acts 26, Galatians 1, 1 Corinthians 15). He consistently claimed to have seen the risen Christ:

• “Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me” (1 Corinthians 15:8).

This encounter was the turning point of his life.

C. Paul the Apostle

1. Immediate Transformation

• From persecutor to preacher: “Immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God’” (Acts 9:20).

• The churches that once feared him glorified God because of his transformation (Galatians 1:23–24).

2. Tireless Missionary

Paul traveled extensively, planting churches across the Roman Empire, facing imprisonment, shipwrecks, beatings, and eventually martyrdom.

He summarized his calling in Acts 20:24:
“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

3. Author of Scripture

Thirteen letters in the New Testament bear Paul’s name, shaping Christian theology for two millennia. His writings are the earliest preserved testimonies to the resurrection (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15).

D. Why Paul’s Conversion Matters

1. Hostile Witness: Paul was not predisposed to believe. He had every reason to resist Christianity, yet he became its greatest champion.

2. Multiple Attestations: Both Paul’s letters and Luke’s Acts provide independent accounts of his conversion.

3. Long-term Transformation: His faith was not a passing emotional experience. It endured through suffering and martyrdom.

4. Historical Ripple Effect: Paul’s missionary work spread Christianity across the Roman world, changing history itself.

Pull Quote:
“The persecutor became the preacher—not by persuasion or pressure, but by an encounter with the risen Christ.”

E. Addressing Alternative Explanations

• Hallucination Theory: Hallucinations are subjective and cannot explain Paul’s long-term transformation or his interaction with others (e.g., Ananias, the churches).

• Deception Theory: Paul had nothing to gain and everything to lose by converting. His life became one of hardship, not reward.

• Legend Theory: Paul’s letters, written within two decades of the crucifixion, are too early for legend to develop.

The resurrection remains the best explanation.

Conclusion

The conversion of Paul is a historical anchor in the case for the resurrection. His radical transformation, enduring witness, and world-changing ministry can only be explained by the reality of the risen Jesus.

Summary

Paul’s conversion from persecutor to apostle is powerful historical evidence for the resurrection. His life and letters testify to a real encounter with Jesus that changed everything.

Key Points

1. Paul was a hostile opponent of Christianity until he personally encountered the risen Jesus.

2. His transformation into a tireless missionary and writer shaped the history of the church.

3. Natural explanations fail to account for the depth and endurance of his conversion.

Engaging Question
If God could turn an enemy of the faith into its greatest messenger, what might He want to transform in your life today?