Paul the Apostle The New Testament holds stories of the events which occurred after Jesus ascended into heaven, leaving His apostles to spread the Christian message on earth. As the number of people who wanted to follow Christ increased, so did the annoyance of the Jewish officials. Saul, a young Pharisee, at the time felt that Jesus’ disciples were engaged in ruining all of what he believed was important. Brought up a very strict Jew, Saul had been determined to hunt high and low for the followers of Jesus Christ; until they were all imprisoned, or preferably killed. He would have never thought that one day he’d be a part of God’s plan to spread the word of Jesus. With his mission to persecute the followers of Christ, Jerusalem’s prisons were beginning to fill with followers. During his search in Damascus, he had been struck by a flash of lightning, which had knocked him off his horse and onto the ground. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:1-5)
As he rose from his position, comprehending the voice as Jesus; he came to realize he had been struck blind. His soldiers led Saul into the city, and found a room where he could stay. Two days passed, and he would neither eat nor drink. On the third day, a man named Ananias had come to his door. “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”. (Acts 9: 17-19)
With that, Ananias laid his hands on Saul’s head; allowing him to see once again. With relief and joy, Saul fell on his knees and gave thanks to God. To the astonishment of his soldiers, he begged to be baptized. From his recovery, he began his new mission. As an outward sign of his new inner life, Saul changed his name to Paul. He began to put more energy and dedication into preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, than he had previously spent in the persecution of Jesus’ followers. Throughout his mission, Paul was seen as a spiritually powerful, wise, and courageous man. However, God made Paul weak in order for him to be able to recognize what he can accomplish as a weak being. “For when I am weak, I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:2)
Prior to his conversion, Saul had approved the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). With the result of his transformation, the Jews who had refused to believe in Jesus Christ felt that their greatest ally had betrayed them. By means of their disappointment, they plotted to kill him. He came to realize that he was being persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ, just as he had persecuted so many others. Luckily, Paul had heard of this plan, and escaped. Once seen as a merciless persecutor; Paul’s ability to change, and live the life of a Christian, came through Gods strength and power. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)
Paul is given the opportunity to change his life around from the evil to good, as he began helping others learn about the “Good news”. From the establishment of Christianity, Jesus has told his disciples that the religion was to be spread across the world. Due to persecution, the gospel had been preached mostly as people traveled. Now, the disciples traveled specifically in order to plant new churches.
As both Paul and Barnabas travelled side-by-side, they overcame obstacles. For a year, the two preached to the