Life of St. Paul – Upbringing and Conversion

May 16, 2009

In His Providence, God equipped Paul with many of the skills that he would need to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, long before he fell off his horse on the road to Damascus. Just a few of these skills included a great Jewish memory, proficiency in Greek, and training in philosophy.

Physically, this man of medium height and medium build had a thorn in the flesh that he thrice asked to be removed.

It is likely that Paul is in his late 20s or early 30s when he first appears in the Book of Acts. If Stephen died in A.D. 34, Paul would have to have been born sometime between A.D. 1-8.

His primary instructor, Gamaliel was a master of the Hillel school of Pharisaic Judaism. This tolerant and learned teacher of the Law would later remark that if the Christians continued to flourish, it is proof that they have Divine commission.

Paul was not nearly as tolerant as his old teacher, but a firebrand who was extremely zealous–to the point of violence. Phillippians 3:4-7 shows his extreme Pharisaic piety, yet he considers it rubbish when compared with the Gospel.

The Tarsus-born lad grew up in Jerusalem amidst a culture of religious extremism and fastidiousness. He learned from the Pharisees that Jesus was certainly a fraud that taught false doctrines. He considered those who followed ”the Way” to be Jewish heretics whose errors needed to be vehemently opposed. He spent roughly a year rounding up Christians for the high-ranking Pharisees.

While on his way to round up Christians in Damascus he was struck down by a light brighter than the Palestinian mid-day sun. The three accounts of his conversion each provide key details. Taken together, they depict arguably the most dramatic conversion in the history of the Church. He fasts for three days in repentance, and is soon Baptized to wash away his sins. Immediately Paul begins proclaiming the Gospel, though he is too controversial to be employed by the Apostles in Jerusalem.

Music: Boismortier’s Sonata 6 in G Minor – Andante, from the album ‘Six Sonatas for Flute and Violin – Opus 51 – Boismortier’ performed by Duo de Bois. www.magnatune.com

  • /
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

Download MP3 (39:14; 22 MB)

Acts Lecture 40 – The Affliction in Asia, Part II

February 1, 2022

Acts Lecture 39 – The Affliction in Asia, Part I

January 25, 2022

Acts Lecture 38 – The Philippian Jailer

January 18, 2022

Acts Lecture 37 – Mission to the Galatians

January 11, 2022

Acts Lecture 36 – The Second Missionary Journey

January 4, 2022

Acts Lecture 35 – The Prohibition of Blood

December 28, 2021

Acts Lecture 34 – The Council of Jerusalem, Part II

December 21, 2021

Acts Lecture 33 – The Council of Jerusalem, Part I

December 14, 2021

Acts Lecture 32 – A Drama of Ideas, Part III

November 30, 2021

Acts Lecture 31 – A Drama of Ideas, Part II

November 23, 2021

Acts Lecture 30 – A Drama of Ideas, Part I

November 16, 2021

Acts Lecture 29 – Paul and Barnabas

November 2, 2021

Acts Lecture 28 – Rejection

October 26, 2021

Acts Lecture 27 – Paul’s Speech

October 19, 2021

Acts Lecture 26 – Bar-Jesus

October 12, 2021

Acts Lecture 25 – The Holy Spirit Speaks

October 5, 2021

Acts Lecture 24 – Barnabas in Antioch

September 28, 2021

Acts Lecture 23 – Herod Agrippa

September 21, 2021

Acts Lecture 22 – Communion of Churches

September 14, 2021

Acts Lecture 21 – Peter and the Gentiles

September 7, 2021

Acts Lecture 20 – Cornelius the God-fearer, Part II

August 31, 2021

Acts Lecture 19 – Cornelius the God-fearer, Part I

August 24, 2021

Acts Lecture 18 – The Christians Disperse

August 17, 2021

Acts Lecture 17 – Paul in Damascus

August 10, 2021

Acts Lecture 16 – The Good Pharisee

August 3, 2021

Acts Lecture 15 – The Ethiopian Eunuch

July 20, 2021

Acts Lecture 14 – The First Heretic

July 13, 2021

Acts Lecture 13 – Saul of Tarsus

July 6, 2021