Who was Paul of Tarsus? (Part I)

One of the great missionaries of the Bible was as well some what of a controversial person in many aspects concerning things such as birth heritage to his conversation skills to his self proclaimed Apostolic rebirth.

I am speaking of Saul of Tarsus or better known to most Biblical readers as (Paul of Tarsus) or Apostle Paul and to other faiths as Saint Paul. Though there is no found records of the name change of Saul to Paul scripture reflects how long he was called Saul. In reference to the history of Saul and his name there have been many through interpretation over many years. Some are the following: Ancient Greek is (Saulos and Paulos), Latin (Paulus or Paullus) and Hebrew translation has him as Sa'ul ha Tarsi (Saul of Tarsus).

Paul (Saul) was born from the Tribe of Benjamin in a Mediterranean city called Tarsus (today is south-central Turkey). As far as his nationality of birth he would be of Jewish decent and by his account his father was a Pharisee.The popularity of Paul with regard to the church ministry (followers of Jesus) revolves some around his conversion of Judaism to Christianity. Paul was not always known for his writing of letters to the Churches or his missionary expeditions. As a young man Paul studied the perfect meaning of the law under Jerusalem's Temple Leadership and this intensified his hatred for those who followed the Church (law and teachings of Jesus). Paul who grew large in Jerusalem's legal stature was known as an Arch Prosecutor under the law and responsible for the incarceration and death of many of those who were followers of the laws of Jesus Christ and the new Christian movement which had found it's way through Rome and Jerusalem.

One possible first documented account of how consenting Paul (Saul) had become was at the stoning of Stephen who an appointed Deacon by the 12 Apostles offended many due to his accounts of Jewish history concerning Moses and the and the defiance of Israel. Paul's hatred toward the Church was so intense that he had raised havoc through many of the churches and homes of those followers of the Christian faith through out Jerusalem. Even as Paul left for his journey to Damascus he went to the high priest in Jerusalem and requested letters to all the synagogues (churches) that if he found any of these followers on his way he would have them arrested and brought back to Jerusalem to face judgment. By seeing this illustration of Paul and his kindled anger for the followers of Jesus one could only wonder of what could possibly transpire to cause him to suddenly became a man of such devotion to spread the word of Jesus and to even council and later to begin to reprimand churches on their legitimacy in following the laws of Jesus.

Paul's conversion, also know as the (Pauline conversion) to some had taken place on the road to Damascus as he traveled with a few men that could have been possibly guards or court officers. While traveling this road what happened to Paul is explained in several accounts within the New Testament. One known account was recorded by Luke in the book of Acts that on his way he encountered a bright light which caused him to fall to the ground without sight and was spoken to by the voice of Jesus asking (Saul, Saul why persecutest thou me?) After his encounter he was escorted on to Damascus where for three days he was said to have not regained his sight or eaten or had anything to drink. We was met in Damascus by a Disciple by the name of Ananias whom Jesus had spoken with prior to Paul's arrival. Ananias was told exactly what to do from Jesus to complete Paul's transformation.

To date there has been no known documentation or scripture that acknowledges Paul having personally known Jesus Christ prior to his crucifixion. Paul as well claims that his conversion to Christianity was not through a personal walk with Jesus as was with the chosen 12. Paul attributes his conversion to a divine revelation of Jesus Christ accounting his journey on the road to Damascus

Sources:
Thompson Chain Ref Bible/B.B.Kirkbride
Wikipedia/Paul of Tarsus
Pastor Carl Wagner (not quoted)