Paul Senz is a native of Verboort, Oregon, and a graduate of the University of Portland, where he is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry. Conversion is not meant only for non-Christians or non-Catholics; conversion is not something that is only meant for those who have led dramatically sinful lives; conversion is a re-orientation of our wills toward God’s, a change of heart wherein we seek what God wills, and strive to do what He is calling us to do. How could Saul be persecuting him if he was dead? The death of Stephen and the persecution that followed was a blow to the community of believers and it pushed many others to leave Jerusalem for the surrounding towns. His conversion dramatically reoriented his life of devotion to the will of God from Pharisaic Judaism to primitive Christianity. Subscribe. Jesus’ interaction with Paul shows the awareness and attention Jesus gives to his people. Paul's conversion occurred after Jesus's crucifixion. Saul was a Pharisee and a murderer who persecuted the church... but a remarkable transformation took place and he became Paul, a significant and influential spiritual leader in the Christian faith. The conversion of St. Paul is important to us for two reasons. Many of us are on our own personal journey into the idea of calling. He breathed on the remaining disciples the murder that he had already breathed in from the death of the others. Visit the Calling Lab to get started. Saul, which is Paul’s given name, was born into a Jewish family in Tarsus (Turkey) around the year A.D. 8; he was also a Roman citizen, a fact that would play a large role later in his life. The first time we meet Saul in Sacred Scripture is at the scene of a martyrdom, the killing of the first martyr, Stephen. What happens to us is also done to Jesus (Acts 9:4-5; cp. 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22), and it appears only in Acts. Jesus told Saul to go into the city, and get instructions there. After his experience on the road to Damascus, Paul recognized the folly of his ways, and had a dramatic change of heart. This is a man who had explicitly, and apparently with some relish, persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ. Learn more. These five different texts include several repeated elements: 1) Paul was chosen by the Lord; 2) Paul is sent as a witness to both Jews and Gentiles; 3) Paul’s mission will encounter rejection and require suffering; 4) Paul will bring light; 5) Paul will preach repentance; 6) Paul’s witness will be based on his Damascus Road experience — what he has seen and heard. Still known as Saul, and “still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,” he sought permission from the high priest to bring back to Jerusalem in chains any men or men who belonged to “the Way”. We are all called to conversion. Seeking out more disciples of Jesus Christ, Saul wanted to punish them, and perhaps encourage them, by such punishment, to recant and rejoin the Jewish fold. The one whom the Romans executed in shame and ignominy? Ananias came to Saul, and told him that he had been sent by the Lord. He exhaled what he inhaled. Saul was traveling to Damascus to arrest those in the synagogues who followed Jesus, and bring them to Jerusalem in chains. When he rose to go, and opened his eyes, he could see nothing. This is related to us in the ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Damascus stood about 135 miles to the north-northeast of Jerusalem, about a week’s journey away. The Way — This was one of the earliest designations of Christianity (cf. (Witherington) “The choice of Ananias for this task made it clear that Saul of Tarsus was not dependent upon the Twelve, and also that an apostle was not required for bestowing the Spirit (as might have been concluded from the case in Samaria).” (Kent), “In this passage we have the most famous conversion story in all history.” -Barclay, “This was a radical change of religious direction, and it was accompanied by a radical change of action: the active persecutor became an even more active preacher and evangelist.” -Barrett, “The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch was in a chariot; the conversion of Saul of Tarsus was down in the dust.” -McGee, “He who had intended to enter Damascus like an avenging fury was led by the hand into that city, blind and helpless as a child.”-Barclay, “Saul became God’s primary instrument in taking the gospel to the Gentile world.” -Constable.