Paul, formerly known as Saul, from murderer to God’s chosen instrument to the Gentiles.
Stephen the Martyr
“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Acts 7:54-60 NKJV
Saul Persecutes the Church
“Now Saul was consenting to his death.
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.“
Acts 8:1-3 NKJV
Saul’s encounter with Jesus Christ is detailed in Acts 9. Saul’s lifestyle was known to the disciples and when we find people whom we know to be living a certain lifestyle and all of a sudden claim to be believers, some people will have some hesitation to the legitimacy (Acts 9:26). However, time is the revealer. The one who claims to be a new convert will eventually bear fruit–whether in accordance or the antithesis of their profession (Matthew 12:33),
“Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.”
Acts 9:20 NKJV
Saul’s Testimony
“Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
Acts 22:17-21 NKJV
Believers need to discern whether a person who claims to be converted is legit. It is sad to witness some believers easily embrace a celebrity who claims to have been recently converted only to drag God’s name. A Christian’s legitimacy manifests over time, hence Jesus saying in Matthew 13:30,
“Let both grow together until the harvest…”
Related reads: Sunflower Seeds | Garden Observations