Introduction
Four years ago, I was converted to Christianity from Hinduism. I have a lot in common with Paul because before being converted, I used to hold arguments with my friends who were Christians about Christianity. Therefore, Paul’s experience is the major aspect utilized in this assignment from Luke’s account as revealed through the book of Acts. The paper explains the conversion of Paul from Saul and his new life as a convert and witness of Christ, the oppositions he encountered, his response to them, and lessons that learned from the same.
Saul’s life before and during Conversion
The pre-Christian Saul was a well-known persecutor of the church. Apart from making threats, Saul helped to facilitate actual persecution with an example revealed during the death of Stephen when the bible records that the clothes of the witnesses were under his feet (NIV, 2011, 7:57). This shows that he was fully opposed to Christianity. Such an opposition used to be part of me when I was still in Hinduism. Instead of supporting the murder of Christians like Saul used to do, before my conversion, I used to oppose Christianity through arguments. Even when Saul undergoes conversion, he was on his way to Damascus, to persecute the believers but was met by Jesus on the way that changed him (NIV, 2011, 9:1-17). By confronting Saul and asking him why he was persecuting Him, Jesus identified with His disciples whom Paul was persecuting. This reminds me that in my life before I got converted when I opposed Christians, I was not just doing it to them but was opposing Christ Himself. This happened until I met the Lord who transformed me to start standing for him and to defend Him.
Paul’s Testimony after Conversion
In the ninth chapter of Acts, Paul gains strength after receiving meat and being prayed for by Ananias. After this, “Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah (NIV, 2011, 9:19-22).”
This is very much common in my experience. Paul who was once a persecutor of the Christian Jews is now proclaiming the gospel to them and proving the messiahship of Jesus to them. In the same way, I used to be opposite to Christian views as a Hindu but after being converted to Christianity, am now obliged to share my testimony and win many to Christianity.
In his mission as an evangelist of Christ, Paul faces a lot of opposition from the Jews he was witnessing to. For example, in the thirteenth chapter, it’s documented that while on a mission to Cyprus and Antioch, he encountered opposition from a Jewish sorcerer called Bar-Jesus and from Jews who contradicted what had been taught. However, in both situations, Paul responds with boldness and under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This response results in more conversions, especially among the gentiles.
From this, I learn that I need to be full of the Holy Spirit and boldness to be able to respond accordingly to those that oppose me in my efforts to win them to Christ. In the seventeenth chapter, Paul responds in the same manner while at Athens where he finds philosophers. He reasons with them and presents the gospel to them with integrity. In verse thirty-two, we see some of them get converted and others sneer after Paul had taught them on the resurrection (NIV, 2011, Acts 17: 16-34). Like Paul, at times, in my witnessing for Christ, I encounter a lot of opposition form from unbelieving scholars. However, by depending on the Lord and the Holy Spirit to enable me to proclaim His word boldly, am assured that many will be converted.
Conclusion
Paul was converted to Christianity so that he may reach out to those who oppose Christianity like he used to. As he witnessed, he met opposition, especially from Jews. He did not fear, but he relied on the Holy Spirit who used him greatly. Besides, he worked as a tentmaker as he kept persuading Jews and Greeks to believe in Christ.
Reference
NIV (New International Version), (2011). Acts 7, 9, 13, 17 & 18. Stephen’s Speech for the Sanhedrin; On Cyprus, Saul’s Conversion, In Pisidian Antioch; In Athens; In Corinth. Web.