Saul of Tarsus, who later became known as the Apostle Paul, underwent a significant transformation in his beliefs and understanding after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Before his baptism, Saul held several key beliefs that needed to be corrected:
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Persecution of Christians: Saul was a zealous Pharisee who believed that the followers of Jesus were in error and that their teachings were a threat to Judaism. He actively persecuted Christians, believing that he was defending the Jewish faith.
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Understanding of the Messiah: Saul's conception of the Messiah was likely rooted in a traditional Jewish expectation of a political and military leader who would liberate Israel from oppression. His encounter with the risen Jesus challenged this understanding, revealing that Jesus was the Messiah in a spiritual and transformative sense rather than a conqueror in a political sense.
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Legalistic Righteousness: As a Pharisee, Saul adhered strictly to the law and believed that righteousness was achieved through the observance of Jewish laws and traditions. After his conversion, he needed to understand that salvation and righteousness come through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through the law alone.
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Role of Grace: Saul initially had no concept of grace as it pertained to salvation. His new understanding emphasized that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith, rather than something earned by works.
Through his baptism, Saul symbolically accepted this new understanding and publicly committed to following Jesus, marking the beginning of his ministry as an apostle and missionary to the Gentiles. His transformation from Saul to Paul represents a profound shift in thinking about God, faith, and the mission of Jesus.