Fact 3: S/Paul, the persecutor of the Early Church, was suddenly changed
Habermas and Licona note that scholars (believers as well as skeptics) who have studied the source materials carefully are overwhelmingly in agreement that S/Paul, an opponent of the early Church, was suddenly and radically changed.
S/Paul's opposition to the Church was recorded by Luke:
Acts 8:1-3
And Saul approved of their killing [Stephen]. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
So, what evidence do we have of S/Paul's conversion from skeptic and persecutor to believer and evangelist? There are three sources: S/Paul himself, Luke and the early Church.
1. S/Paul attests to his conversion experience
In a letter to the believers in Galatia, Paul writes:
From this personal testimony, we can see that S/Paul went from unbelieving persecutor of Christians to being a Christian himself.
2. Luke records S/Paul's conversion story
Luke, the author of Luke-Acts, records the account of S/Paul's conversion:
From this passage, we learn of the details of S/Paul's encounter with the risen Jesus and of S/Paul's baptism into the Christian Church.
3. Paul's opposition to the early Church widely known
Finally, we can see from these accounts that S/Paul's opposition to Christianity was widely known.
In Damascus, Syria, Ananias objects to interacting with S/Paul because he has heard reports about S/Paul that made him fearful:
Similar reports had reached Galatia as S/Paul himself pointed out:
Other parts of Judea had also heard these reports:
Thus, from three sources we have attestation that S/Paul was converted from being opponent of Christianity to a believer in the resurrection in Christ.
Habermas and Licona note that scholars (believers as well as skeptics) who have studied the source materials carefully are overwhelmingly in agreement that S/Paul, an opponent of the early Church, was suddenly and radically changed.
S/Paul's opposition to the Church was recorded by Luke:
Acts 8:1-3
And Saul approved of their killing [Stephen]. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
So, what evidence do we have of S/Paul's conversion from skeptic and persecutor to believer and evangelist? There are three sources: S/Paul himself, Luke and the early Church.
1. S/Paul attests to his conversion experience
In a letter to the believers in Galatia, Paul writes:
Quote:Galatians 1:13-24
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. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.
From this personal testimony, we can see that S/Paul went from unbelieving persecutor of Christians to being a Christian himself.
2. Luke records S/Paul's conversion story
Luke, the author of Luke-Acts, records the account of S/Paul's conversion:
Quote:Acts 9:1-17
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for 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. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
From this passage, we learn of the details of S/Paul's encounter with the risen Jesus and of S/Paul's baptism into the Christian Church.
3. Paul's opposition to the early Church widely known
Finally, we can see from these accounts that S/Paul's opposition to Christianity was widely known.
In Damascus, Syria, Ananias objects to interacting with S/Paul because he has heard reports about S/Paul that made him fearful:
Quote:Luke 8:13-14
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
Similar reports had reached Galatia as S/Paul himself pointed out:
Quote:Galatians 1:13
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.
Other parts of Judea had also heard these reports:
Quote:Galatians 1:22-23
22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Thus, from three sources we have attestation that S/Paul was converted from being opponent of Christianity to a believer in the resurrection in Christ.
