The Book of Acts

Paul’s Story

 

“But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the holy spirit, looked intently at him...” - Acts 13:9

            What was Paul’s story and why was his name changed from Saul to Paul. Born a Jew in the Roman city of Tarsus, he was very proud of his heritage as shown in Philippians 3:5, where he says, “Circumcised on the eighth day of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee.”

            Saul was a devout Jew who had studied in the Pharisaic teachings under the tutelage of the well-respected Rabbi Gamaliel. His zealous devotion to Judaism led him to mercilessly persecute Christians, which was a very natural way to show his devotion to the Pharisaic teachings. He viewed the Christian movement as a threat to Judaism and was hellbent on doing his part to snuff it out.

            It was a common custom for individuals in those days to have dual names. Jesus, on the Damascus Road, referred to him by his Hebrew name Saul, so when did his name change to Paul? Once converted to Christianity, Saul testified to the Jews in Damascus and then back in Jerusalem, however, when he began to preach to the Gentiles, he used his Roman name Paul, which he felt would be received better than his Hebrew name, putting his listeners at ease. This was especially true the deeper into the Roman Empire he travelled. He was able to speak to the Gentiles in their own language as one of them. 

            It should also be noted that the name Saul has a regal connotation, so he also chose his Roman name Paul going forward because it means “little” or “small”. This would be due to his desire to be less than Christ who was admittedly much greater. This thought was voiced in John’s gospel (John 3:30) when John the Baptist stated regarding Jesus, “He must become greater, and I must become less and less.” 

            There is a lesson to learn here and that is that Christ must be preeminent in our lives for it is He who sacrificed his own life on our behalf and not the reverse. There is a lesson for today’s pastors as well. When you are tempted to focus more on your own achievements and the expansion of your ministry rather than focusing on Christ and the expansion of his kingdom, beware, for you have now become your own stumbling block to having a God honoring church. 

The Apostle Paul considered it a privilege to minister in the name of Christ though he deemed himself unworthy to do so. His humility enabled him to become the key individual, aside from Jesus himself, that would shape the history of Christianity. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.           

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.