Paul, an apostle
The Radical Transformation of a Persecutor: Understanding Paul's Journey from Opposition to Apostleship
The book of Galatians stands as a powerful testament to Christian liberty, offering profound insights into what it means to live freely in Christ. Within its six chapters lies a remarkable story—not just of theological truth, but of one man's incredible transformation from enemy to ambassador of the gospel.
What Does It Mean to Be "Sent"?
The term "apostle" often carries connotations of grandeur or religious hierarchy in modern usage, but its original meaning is far more humble and purposeful. Derived from the Greek word 'apostolos', it simply means "a sent one"—someone set apart and commissioned for a specific mission. This wasn't about titles or social status; it was about being appointed and dispatched with divine purpose.
When we examine the early church, we find not just the twelve disciples who walked with Jesus, but seventy others who were also sent out with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons. The beauty of this sending is profound: God always goes before those He commissions. When He sends someone into a city or situation, He has already prepared the way. This should encourage anyone who feels called to step out in faith—you're never walking into uncharted territory alone.
The Unlikely Candidate
Consider the background of someone who would become one of Christianity's most influential voices. Born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia and a major intellectual hub, this individual was immersed from birth in both Jewish tradition and pagan culture. Tarsus was known for its philosophical schools, Greek rhetoric, and diverse religious practices—much like believers today who must navigate faith while surrounded by secular worldviews.
This person's Jewish credentials were impeccable: circumcised on the eighth day according to Mosaic law, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, and trained under Gamaliel—the premier religious scholar of the time. Imagine being raised not just in a devout home, but under the tutelage of the most influential religious leader of the era. The expectations, the pressure, the intensity of that upbringing shaped everything.
Zealous for the Wrong Cause
Here's where the story becomes particularly compelling. This individual didn't just casually observe religious traditions—he excelled beyond his peers, advancing rapidly in Judaism. He kept all 613 laws of the Torah, living what appeared to be a blameless life according to the law. Yet all this religious fervor was directed toward the wrong goal: destroying the early church.
The followers of Jesus were initially called "people of the way" before they became known as Christians. This name is significant because Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." So when someone persecuted the way, they were ultimately persecuting Jesus Himself.
This persecutor approved of Stephen's execution, went house to house dragging out believers, and obtained official letters to arrest Christians in Damascus. He was, by his own later admission, "breathing threats" against the Lord's followers—so consumed with rage that the Greek language describes him as panting with fury.
The Pattern of Persecution
History reveals a troubling pattern: when God does something new, the old guard often persecutes the new movement. The established religious system persecuted the early church. Later, the Catholic Church persecuted the Lutheran reformers. Then Lutheran churches persecuted Baptist believers over the revelation of water baptism. This cycle continues even today.
We must be careful not to reject what God is doing simply because it's unfamiliar or uncomfortable. While wisdom and discernment are essential, we shouldn't automatically oppose new movements of the Spirit just because we prefer "the old wine."
The Blocked Way
To understand the magnitude of what Christ accomplished, we must look back to the garden. After sin entered through Adam and Eve, God expelled humanity from paradise and stationed cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life. The way was blocked—sinful humanity could not approach a holy God.
This separation continued through Moses' tabernacle, where a five-inch-thick veil embroidered with cherubim separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter God's presence, and only once a year with blood sacrifice. The entire temple system declared one message: the way is closed.
But at the moment of Christ's crucifixion, that veil was torn from top to bottom—not by human hands, but by divine action. The earthquake shook, rocks split, and the barrier between God and humanity was removed forever. Scripture reveals that the veil represents Christ's flesh: "through the veil, that is, His flesh." Jesus Himself became the way where there was no way.
Bold Access to Grace
Because of Christ's sacrifice, believers now have permanent, anytime access to God's presence. We're invited to "come boldly to the throne of grace" to receive mercy and find help in times of need. This isn't presumption—it's the very purpose of Christ's work. Instead of backing away in fear or shame, we should run forward in confidence, knowing that Jesus has made a way.
The Hope for Every Persecutor
Here's the most encouraging truth: it doesn't matter how opposed to God someone has been in their past. Even if someone actively worked to keep others from discovering the truth, even if they were on the completely wrong team, God's love and grace remain available. A radical transformation and life renewal can occur in a moment when someone turns to Jesus.
The persecutor who dragged believers from their homes, who approved of executions, who breathed murderous threats—this same person became the author of fourteen New Testament books, performed countless miracles, stood before kings, and saw innumerable people saved. Yet he remained humble, choosing a name that meant "little" rather than "longed for."
What matters isn't where you've been, but where you're headed. Your past doesn't disqualify you from God's purposes. Like Peter sinking in the water who simply cried "Help!" and was immediately rescued, sometimes that's all the prayer we need. God is more interested in your future and your destination than He is in your past failures.
The veil has been torn. The way is open. All who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. This is the liberty we have in Christ—freedom from the past, access to God's presence, and purpose for the future.
The book of Galatians stands as a powerful testament to Christian liberty, offering profound insights into what it means to live freely in Christ. Within its six chapters lies a remarkable story—not just of theological truth, but of one man's incredible transformation from enemy to ambassador of the gospel.
What Does It Mean to Be "Sent"?
The term "apostle" often carries connotations of grandeur or religious hierarchy in modern usage, but its original meaning is far more humble and purposeful. Derived from the Greek word 'apostolos', it simply means "a sent one"—someone set apart and commissioned for a specific mission. This wasn't about titles or social status; it was about being appointed and dispatched with divine purpose.
When we examine the early church, we find not just the twelve disciples who walked with Jesus, but seventy others who were also sent out with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons. The beauty of this sending is profound: God always goes before those He commissions. When He sends someone into a city or situation, He has already prepared the way. This should encourage anyone who feels called to step out in faith—you're never walking into uncharted territory alone.
The Unlikely Candidate
Consider the background of someone who would become one of Christianity's most influential voices. Born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia and a major intellectual hub, this individual was immersed from birth in both Jewish tradition and pagan culture. Tarsus was known for its philosophical schools, Greek rhetoric, and diverse religious practices—much like believers today who must navigate faith while surrounded by secular worldviews.
This person's Jewish credentials were impeccable: circumcised on the eighth day according to Mosaic law, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, and trained under Gamaliel—the premier religious scholar of the time. Imagine being raised not just in a devout home, but under the tutelage of the most influential religious leader of the era. The expectations, the pressure, the intensity of that upbringing shaped everything.
Zealous for the Wrong Cause
Here's where the story becomes particularly compelling. This individual didn't just casually observe religious traditions—he excelled beyond his peers, advancing rapidly in Judaism. He kept all 613 laws of the Torah, living what appeared to be a blameless life according to the law. Yet all this religious fervor was directed toward the wrong goal: destroying the early church.
The followers of Jesus were initially called "people of the way" before they became known as Christians. This name is significant because Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." So when someone persecuted the way, they were ultimately persecuting Jesus Himself.
This persecutor approved of Stephen's execution, went house to house dragging out believers, and obtained official letters to arrest Christians in Damascus. He was, by his own later admission, "breathing threats" against the Lord's followers—so consumed with rage that the Greek language describes him as panting with fury.
The Pattern of Persecution
History reveals a troubling pattern: when God does something new, the old guard often persecutes the new movement. The established religious system persecuted the early church. Later, the Catholic Church persecuted the Lutheran reformers. Then Lutheran churches persecuted Baptist believers over the revelation of water baptism. This cycle continues even today.
We must be careful not to reject what God is doing simply because it's unfamiliar or uncomfortable. While wisdom and discernment are essential, we shouldn't automatically oppose new movements of the Spirit just because we prefer "the old wine."
The Blocked Way
To understand the magnitude of what Christ accomplished, we must look back to the garden. After sin entered through Adam and Eve, God expelled humanity from paradise and stationed cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life. The way was blocked—sinful humanity could not approach a holy God.
This separation continued through Moses' tabernacle, where a five-inch-thick veil embroidered with cherubim separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter God's presence, and only once a year with blood sacrifice. The entire temple system declared one message: the way is closed.
But at the moment of Christ's crucifixion, that veil was torn from top to bottom—not by human hands, but by divine action. The earthquake shook, rocks split, and the barrier between God and humanity was removed forever. Scripture reveals that the veil represents Christ's flesh: "through the veil, that is, His flesh." Jesus Himself became the way where there was no way.
Bold Access to Grace
Because of Christ's sacrifice, believers now have permanent, anytime access to God's presence. We're invited to "come boldly to the throne of grace" to receive mercy and find help in times of need. This isn't presumption—it's the very purpose of Christ's work. Instead of backing away in fear or shame, we should run forward in confidence, knowing that Jesus has made a way.
The Hope for Every Persecutor
Here's the most encouraging truth: it doesn't matter how opposed to God someone has been in their past. Even if someone actively worked to keep others from discovering the truth, even if they were on the completely wrong team, God's love and grace remain available. A radical transformation and life renewal can occur in a moment when someone turns to Jesus.
The persecutor who dragged believers from their homes, who approved of executions, who breathed murderous threats—this same person became the author of fourteen New Testament books, performed countless miracles, stood before kings, and saw innumerable people saved. Yet he remained humble, choosing a name that meant "little" rather than "longed for."
What matters isn't where you've been, but where you're headed. Your past doesn't disqualify you from God's purposes. Like Peter sinking in the water who simply cried "Help!" and was immediately rescued, sometimes that's all the prayer we need. God is more interested in your future and your destination than He is in your past failures.
The veil has been torn. The way is open. All who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. This is the liberty we have in Christ—freedom from the past, access to God's presence, and purpose for the future.
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