On the Road to Damascus: From Persecutor to Persecuted

Chuck Swindoll begins his book on the life of the Apostle Paul by describing him as a man who, before his conversion, “looks more like a terrorist than a devout follower of Judaism”.  
Swindoll is not being provocative. Luke—the Apostle Paul’s protégé, friend, and partner in ministry—says that Saul “was ravaging the church … dragging away men and women” (8:3). Acts Chapter 9 begins with "Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, ...” (9:1). Saul had "approved of putting Stephen to death." He was a key figure in the "great persecution … against the church in Jerusalem” (8:1). Even the Apostle Paul himself later on says , “I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (1 Tim 1:13a; also cf. 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13–14; Phil. 3:6). However, Saul "was shown mercy because [he] acted ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Tim 1:13b).

The reaction of Saul—a pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, and a representative of Judaism—against the church is not surprising. Jesus’s ministry over issues like purity laws, Sabbath, and His claims to deity generated much hostility from the Jewish leaders that they killed. The Apostles continued to preach about the Lord's resurrection, ascension, and fulfillment of prophecies. It is curious whether the Apostle Paul, looking back on his life under Judaism, would have include himself as one who has "a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2).

Saul wanted to extend his murderous campaign into Damascus so he “went to the high priest and asked for a letter from him to the Synagogues in Damascus” (Acts 9:1-2).  The Lord Jesus brought Saul's murderous campaign to a sudden halt. However, what is of paramount significance here that you may not have noticed is that Jesus does not tell Saul, "Why are you persecuting My church?" Instead, the Lord Jesus, asks "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" When terrorists persecute a Nigerian Christian, they are persecuting Jesus Himself. When the Chinese Communist Party persecutes a Chinese Christian, they are persecuting Jesus Himself. When the Mullahs in Iran persecute an Iranian Christian, they are persecuting Jesus Himself.

Luke 10:16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

 Luke 10:16 indicates the seriousness of the charge of persecuting Jesus. It means to challenge God. Gamaliel’s warning to the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:39) was not to persecute the Apostles because if it is from God, they would be found guilty of fighting against God. Saul found out on the road to Damascus that he should have heeded his teacher's warning. Likewise, the Lord Jesus told Saul, "It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5). A goad is a spiked stick used to drive animals. Kicking against it would not be pleasant and so is fighting against God.
 
But Saul was "a chosen instrument" of Christ to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. Being associated with both Jews and Gentiles, trained in the OT Scriptures as well as Greek philosophies and Roman laws, Paul was the ideal man to give this new message: in Christ, there is no Jew and no Gentile.

As Saul was standing there watching and approving of the stoning of Stephen:

• Did Saul see the meekness in Stephen's eyes?
• Did he remember which side of Stephen's body the first stone hit? Where did the second stone hit?
• Did he hear Stephen as he said "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" He must have! Stephen "cried out with a loud voice" that last sentence (Acts 7:60).

We do not know what the future hold for the faithful Christians in America. However, even if persecution comes we must remember the words of our Lord:

Matt 5:10-12a “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;"  

The Chapter started with Saul seeking to destroy those who preach Christ, thirty verses later, he was preaching Christ himself. He went to Damascus to persecute followers of Christ, few days later he has to escape for his life being persecuted for becoming a follower of Christ himself .

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 
we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; 
               perplexed, but not despairing; 
           9 persecuted, but not forsaken; 
               struck down, but not destroyed; 

God could change Saul the terrorist to become Paul the Apostle. He could do that in everyone. That is why you, as a Christian, must "bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14).

Are you prepared if persecution did come?