Few figures in the New Testament are as striking, surprising, or influential as St Paul. Unlike Peter, who walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry, Paul first appears as an enemy of the early church — a man determined to silence the followers of Christ. Yet through a dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus, he became one of Christianity’s greatest defenders and the author of many New Testament letters.

Paul’s writings reveal a man whose life was completely transformed. His words — shaped by intellect, conviction, suffering, and personal experience of Christ — continue to guide Christians to this day.

Below are some of Paul’s most significant insights, drawn from his letters.

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1. Paul’s Dramatic Conversion

Paul begins with a simple confession:
He once opposed the faith he later preached.

He describes his former life candidly:

“I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.” (Galatians 1:13)

But everything changed on the road to Damascus. The risen Christ appeared to him in a blinding light and called him by name. It was an encounter Paul never forgot — one that redirected the entire course of his life.

He writes:

“Last of all… He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1 Corinthians 15:8)

Paul’s apostleship rests entirely on this encounter with the risen Jesus.

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2. Paul on the Centrality of Jesus Christ

Paul’s message is remarkably consistent across all his letters:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, crucified and risen, and salvation comes through Him alone.

“This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy. 1:15)

He stresses that salvation is a gift:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

And he summarises the Christian message simply:

“We preach Christ crucified.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

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3. Paul as Witness to the Resurrection

Paul gives one of the earliest recorded summaries of the resurrection appearances:

“Christ died for our sins… He was buried… He was raised on the third day… He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve… After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at the same time…” (1 Corinthians 15:3–6)

He also includes his own appearance in this list, confirming that he considers himself a witness of the risen Lord.

For Paul, the resurrection is not optional; it is the heart of the Christian faith.

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)

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4. Paul on Christian Living

Paul instructs believers to live lives worthy of their calling:

“Let love be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)

“Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

He also describes the inner transformation that comes from following Christ:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

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5. Paul on Suffering and Perseverance

Paul did not have an easy life after becoming a Christian. He was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned, and eventually executed. Yet he never abandoned his mission.

He writes:

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)

And again:

“Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

These are not theoretical statements — they come from a man who endured extraordinary hardship for Christ.

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6. Paul on Eternal Hope

Paul was confident in the promise of life after death. As his life drew toward its end, he wrote one of the most moving passages in Scripture:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

He then adds:

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord… will award to me on that day.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Paul’s hope was firm, grounded in the victory of Christ.

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Conclusion – A Life Transformed by Christ

Paul’s life is one of the strongest evidences for the truth of Christianity:

• A former persecutor becomes its greatest missionary.
• A man of status embraces suffering for the gospel.
• A brilliant mind declares that the cross is the wisdom of God.
• A former enemy of Christ dies as His servant.

Paul’s words continue to speak powerfully today because they are the testimony of a man changed forever by meeting the risen Lord.

His words were also reinforced in the gospel writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that were completed at a later date, making their writings more relevant and much closer in time to Jesus.

Do we trust St Paul?
His life, letters, and legacy give us every reason to do so.

Mike.

mike@acaseforgod.com

Post 15 of a 33-part series exploring the evidence for the existence of God.

References from the non-Christian writers of early times are compiled in my next Blog.