We’re about to close the curtains on Saul’s Conviction-Conversion story, as some say the rest is history. That is true, as his story became the launchpad for the movement of Christianity across the Roman Empire. Ironically, I read a paper once that suggests that humanity’s view of failure included the Jewish ‘rejection of’ Y’shua Jesus. This for the writer, extended to Paul, aka Saul being touted as Christianity’s originator.
Let’s not get it twisted. Saul may be considered the last disciple of Jesus. But he is not and was not the Messiah. We can hear his own words about his faith in Y’shua as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Romans 1:1, 6 AMP
[1] Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],
[6] and you also are among those who are called of Jesus Christ to belong to Him;
From Persecutor to Bond-Servant
It’s worth noting that Saul, the persecutor of Christ followers, became one of Christ’s greatest supporters. For Saul, acceptance of God’s call included a metanoia i.e., a complete turn around repentance from his old lifestyle. So much so that he preferred to use the name Paul, a Roman name which means, least. Saul, on the other hand, means asked or prayed for, and its Hebrew in origin.
The shift in name usage speaks to his conviction-conversion as well as to his radical shift in perspective. As Saul, he was wholly Jewish with a Jewish mindset against Y’shua. I can imagine that the name Saul was affiliated with persecution and fear. This was not good for the calling upon his life. Interestingly, it was his Roman identity that was affiliated with humility, grace, and the Gospel of Christ.
Self-Check
In what ways have variations in our names communicated different aspects of our persona to others? Is there any that we would rather not have the world know because of negative connotations?
Application
Some would maintain that Saul-Paul was not converted to Christianity. For the most part, I concur. However, his radical shift from persecutor to apologetic, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, indicates that he was souled out. He never wavered in his self introduction. It was almost part of his title, Paul, a prisoner, bond-servant of Christ. He further clarified himself as an apostle and one set apart to share the good news about Y’shua. There’s no question about it. Saul was transformed.
We also need to know our identity in Christ. In our knowing, we must be resolute, having a clear sense of what it means we stand for. It is not an authorization to go name calling or persecuting others, nor is it a name we use from time to time. The issue of persecution may return, as it has in other spaces. If/when that time arrives, we must know Who and what we represent.
Point to Ponder
If called to encourage believers elsewhere, how would we describe ourselves? Would our name and posture affirm our belief in Christ?
What’s your take, was Saul converted, or merely convicted?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
