prophecies

Our Fourth Eyewitness of Jesus – Paul the Apostle

Our fourth eyewitness of Jesus – Paul the Apostle, will be taking the stand shortly. Before hearing his testimony I want to share an observation. The end-time signs are converging at warp speed all around the world. Jesus Christ’s return is imminent and many people still do not believe in the Son of God. Therefore, I am reaching out to those who visit this site to give HOPE and show why we indeed can place our lives in His loving hands and believe in Jesus the Messiah. This is why I am sharing eyewitness testimonies from credible witnesses of His day.

The testimony of the Apostle Paul adds further evidence to the trustworthiness of the gospel’s picture of Jesus. Paul confirmed the gospel’s testimony of Jesus.

Although he was not an eyewitness of the life of Jesus Christ, his testimony is important because he was a contemporary of Jesus. Paul wrote within thirty years of the events recorded in the New Testament. He also challenged his readers to investigate the truth for themselves. He, therefore, is a helpful witness in confirming the reliability of the account of Jesus as found in the gospels.

Saul was the man who persecuted the early church and who wholeheartedly consented to the death of Steven the first martyr. However, Saul himself became converted in a miraculous way, resulting in a complete change of lifestyle and message. Surprisingly, Paul becomes an outstanding spokesman for the Church that he once persecuted.

No credible scholar, including most critics, denies the life and astonishing turnaround of this apostle. Without a supernatural, resurrected Jesus, there is no adequate explanation for Paul’s radically reoriented life.

Who Was Paul (Saul)?

  • Saul, “who is also called Paul” (Acts 13:9), was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin. – Phil 3:5–6
  • He was born in Tarsus in the region of Cilicia around AD 1–5 in a province in the southeastern corner of modern-day Tersous, Turkey. (Acts 22:3).  
  • The Hebrew name given to him by his parents was Saul, the name of Israel’s first king.
    • He chose to use his Hebrew name, Saul, until sometime after he began to believe in and preach Christ. After that time, as “the apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), he used his Roman name, Paul. It would make sense for Paul to use his Roman name as he traveled farther and farther into the Gentile world.
  • The name Saul means “asked for.”
  • His parents were Pharisees—fervent Jewish nationalists who adhered strictly to the Law of Moses
  • Saul/Paul spoke Aramaic, a derivative of Hebrew, which was the official language of Judea. He also could speak Greek and passable Latin.
  • Saul’s family were Roman citizens but viewed Jerusalem as a truly sacred and holy city. – Acts 22:22-29

Saul’s Education

Jewish law prescribed that a boy begins the study of the Scriptures at five years of age and the study of the legal traditions at ten. At thirteen a Jewish boy became a bar mitzvah (“son of the commandment”) at which time he took upon himself the full obligation of the law and the more promising lads were directed into rabbinic schools under abler teachers.

Undoubtedly, Saul was immersed as a boy in such a curriculum as well, being taught in the synagogue school and at home. It is some indication of Saul’s youthful ability, and perhaps also of his parents’ importance, that not only was he selected for further rabbinic study, but that he came to Jerusalem to study at the feet of Gamaliel one of the greatest rabbis of the first century (Acts 22:3).

Moreover, Saul went on to become a lawyer, and all signs pointed to his becoming a member of the Sanhedrin and explicitly claimed to be a Hebraic Jew trained in the most worthy traditions of his fathers, whose Pharisaic qualifications could hardly be surpassed.

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.” – Acts 22:3

“Circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;” – Phil 3:5

A Persecutor of Christians

Saul (Paul) first appears in the book of Acts at the martyrdom of Stephen:

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke”.

“Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” –  Acts 6:8-14

“And they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.” – Acts 7:58

Saul Was Zealous for the Law

Saul became determined to eradicate Christians, ruthless in his pursuit as he believed he was acting in the name of God. Arguably, there is no one more frightening or more vicious than a religious terrorist, especially when he believes he is doing the will of the Lord by killing innocent people.

This is exactly what Saul of Tarsus was: a religious terrorist. Acts 8:1-3 states,

“At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles… As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” – Acts 8:1-3

Saul who loved God and was Zealous for the law thought that these Jewish believers in Jesus of Nazareth were a cult. Therefore, he took it upon himself to stamp out these blasphemous followers.

Saul’s Conversion

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” – Acts 9:1-2

After receiving those letters, He was on his way to Damascus when Saul was confronted by the risen and glorified Christ.

“As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” He said, “Who are You, Lord?””As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” He said, “Who are You, Lord?”

“The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…trembling and astonished, he said, “Lord, what will You have me do?” The Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9:3–20

Recognizing the importance of Paul’s experience for all would-be Christians, Luke records not just one, but three accounts of Paul’s conversion.

  • Acts 9:3–20
  • Acts 22:5–16
  • Acts 26:12–19

However, many followers of Jesus were suspicious and thought Paul’s conversion was a trap. You can read the full account here.

The apostle Paul spent his life proclaiming the risen Christ Jesus throughout the Roman world, often at great personal peril (2 Cor 11:24–27).

Paul died a martyr’s death in AD 67 in Rome.

Paul’s conversion stands as one of the greatest witnesses to the deity of Christ and the truth of Christianity.

Paul the Apostle’s Ministry

  • Paul’s involvement in the Christian movement spanned approximately thirty years.
  • He traveled extensively throughout Asia Minor and into Europe, establishing congregations that he left in the hands of trusted associates.
  • In the New Testament, we have thirteen letters written by Paul. His writings can be divided into three categories:
    • Before he was in prison,
    • While he was in prison,
    • After he was released from prison.
      • Some of the letters of the Apostle Paul may actually have been written earlier than the gospels.

We will now call the Apostle Paul to the witness stand.

Paul’s Testimony

Paul’s testimony confirms the facts of the evidence presented in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John concerning Jesus Christ. Here is a brief listing of those facts.

  • Jesus is the Creator of the universe.
  • “All things were created through Him, and without Him, nothing was created that was created.” – John 1:3
    • He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature. For by Him, all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him.” – Col 1:15-16
  • Jesus was sinless.
    • “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Cor 5:21
  • Jesus’ death was by crucifixion.
    • “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks.” – 1 Cor 1:21-23
  • Jesus Rose from the Dead on the Third Day.
    • “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and was seen by Cephas, and then by the twelve.– 1 Cor 15:3-5

Paul the Apostle – Points to Remember

Below are three points to remember about the testimony of the Apostle Paul.

1. Paul Was a Contemporary of the Disciples

The Apostle Paul, though not an eyewitness to the events of the life of Christ, was living at the same time as the disciples who were eyewitnesses. Therefore, he was their contemporary.

2. He Wrote Within Thirty Years of the Events

Paul’s letters were composed within thirty years of the events of the life and ministry of Jesus. This is far too short a time for him to have radically changed the message of Jesus without receiving criticism from both believing and non-believing eyewitnesses of the events.

3. Paul Challenged His Readers to Investigate the Evidence

Paul challenged his readers to investigate for themselves the evidence concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He wrote to the Corinthians:

“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.” – 1 Cor 15:3-6 NLT

Many eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection were still alive when Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. Anyone doubting the fact of the resurrection could check out their testimony.

Therefore, we find that when all the evidence is in, the Apostle Paul gives further testimony to the truths about Jesus as written in the four gospels.

Conclusion

Paul’s conversion stands as one of the greatest witnesses to the deity of Christ and the truth of Christianity.

Christianity has a simple explanation for Paul’s dramatic metamorphosis: he was saved as he himself said in a confrontation with the resurrected Christ. Was indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit and empowered to perform miracles, teach, preach, build churches, and write epistles.

No other explanation can account for how such an antagonist to the gospel could suddenly and thoroughly change into a man who would eventually write 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament.

Jay Gresham Machen one of the modern era’s most able defenders of orthodoxy, counted Paul’s conversion as the second greatest proof of the faith, eclipsed only by the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah and soon returning king.

Something remarkable happened on the way to Damascus, over 2000 years ago. Christianity has an explanation for it; the skeptics are still looking for one. One that will never be found.

Paul’s encounter with the living Christ on the Damascus road that so transformed his life is another powerful witness to the deity of Jesus. Moreover, it also provides a powerful endorsement for his testimony of Jesus’ identity, a testimony that has not been impeached to date, and never will be.

Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God,
nor is He the best of several ways;
He is the only way.

– A. W. Tozer

Do you have a relationship with the King of kings, Jesus Christ? He is our only hope of eternal life.

Maranatha! Until next time, I am Passionately Loving Jesus, the Anchor of my Soul.

Resources Used

Image by Sergei Tokmakov, Esq. https://Terms.Law from Pixabay

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