Truth Matters Blog
all about Saul
Saul was a devout Jew, pharisee, and a student of one of the most respected teachers in Jerusalem Gamaliel. We get glimpses into his life before Christ through Paul recalling his conversion in Acts 22 (To an angry Jewish mob) and Acts 26 (Before King Agrippa).
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day” – Acts 22:3
A misguided zealousness for God lead him to persecute Christians in the first century. Paul had this to say about the terrible acts he committed against the followers of Christ unmercifully.
“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” – Acts 26:9-11
After receiving authority from the chief priests. Paul journeyed from Jerusalem to Damascus to arrest and punish Christians who “Called on the name of the Lord” – Acts 9:2. Those who called on the name of the Lord were those who had submitted themselves to the kingship of Jesus Christ. Saul was seeking those who abandoned the Jewish faith and had become what he considered “False Teachers. An offense such as this was punishable by death under Jewish law.
“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.” – Deuteronomy 18:20
Saul was doing what he believed to be correct. He was zealous for the Law. He was totally committed to obeying God. Later he would testify “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” – Acts 23:1.
Even though Saul did some terrible things. He was always committed to God and sought to obey him. Saul was still misguided. It is important that not only are we zealous for God. But also, humble, and willing to be taught and corrected. Saul’s correction came from Jesus himself.
Jesus appeared to Saul while in route to Damascus in the form of a bright light. The light was so bright that it outshone the mid-day sun.
And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” – Acts 9:4-6
Saul, blinded by the bright light, and the men traveling with him guided him. Saul proceeded to Damascus for further instructions. While in Damascus, Saul spent three days praying and not eating or drinking. It is important to note at this point that Paul is showing repentance and sorrow for what he had done. He had persecuted followers of Christ and by extension the Messiah he had been waiting his whole life for. Saul knew scriptures well. He had been physically looking and waiting for the Messiah but when Jesus came and did not fit his expectation. Saul did not recognize him. He was blind to the truth. His outward condition now matched the inward. Even though he had now met Jesus personally, repented, and prayed. Saul was still lost. He had not yet been told what he must do.
Meanwhile, in a vision, the Lord spoke to Ananias, a Christian living in Damascus, a man of good report among the Jews. He commanded Ananias to go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for Saul (Acts 9:11). Somewhat reluctantly (fearing Saul’s reputation as one who persecuted Christians), Ananias made the walk to Judas’ house. Here, he found Saul praying.
So, Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; – Acts 9:17-18
Jesus had told Saul that in Damascus he would be told what he must do. What did he have to do? What did Ananias tell him. When Saul (Paul) stood in front of an angry mob in Jerusalem. He told them what Ananias had instructed him to do.
And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ – Acts 22:14-16
Ananias instructed Saul that what he must do is be baptized. By doing so his sins would be washed away, and he would be calling on the name of the Lord. He would be submitting his life to Christ. Bowing the knee to King Jesus! Just like those he had been persecuting had done.
Saying a prayer does not make one a Christian today. Saul had been praying for 3 days but he still had all his sins. Sins that separated him from God. But by submitting himself to baptism and applying the blood of Christ. His sins were washed away! In a relationship with God again through his son!
Those who wished to be saved today must also have their sins washed away. They must repent of their sins. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And that he now reigns as king over his Kingdom. They must then submit to the king through baptism and translated into his kingdom. Once “in Christ”- (Galatians 3:27) and under his reign you must be submissive to him. Jesus said it best to his disciples as he prepared them for his departure.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” – John 14:15
How could we not love Him? The one who died for us and whose precious blood washes away our sins? Saul would spend the rest of his life showing how much he loved Christ. He was completely devoted. Devoted to his king.
He said “as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” – Philippians 3:6-8
How to Be A Christian Without Joining Any Denominations
It is a fact of history that almost all denominations came into existence many centuries after the time of Jesus Christ. Denominations were unknown during the times that the apostles of Christ lived and wrote the New Testament. Divisions, or denominational tendencies, that is, the tendency for one group of Christians to teach a doctrine different from that taught by another, were known about and experienced during the first century. Contrary to many religionists today who praise division or denominationalism, the apostles (by the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God) who wrote the New Testament condemned denominationalism. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3:3-4, corrected the congregation in Corinth by saying;
"…for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”
In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul also discussed division, or denominationalism;
"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (Study also Romans 16:17).
Thus, we can see that there were no denominations in the original New Testament church, indeed, the few small schisms as came into existence were quickly extinguished by the apostles. Denominationalism was neither necessary nor desirable. Then, we must ask, to what church did the Christians of the first century belong? It had to have been the Lord's church or body of Christ that Jesus died to save, that only and no other - Acts 20:28.
It is both reasonable and logical to ask, "Can I join the Lord's church today?" If one could join the Lord's church today, he would not be joining a denomination. The Lord's church is not a denomination nor does it contain denominations. The Lord's church would have all its New Testament markings and would not have those markings identifiable with denominationalism.
The main identifying mark of the Lord's church is that of a strict compliance with and submission to the apostle's doctrine as revealed in the New Testament. Creeds or other books (in addition to the Bible) and additional revelations are not needed and are against the teachings of the apostles who wrote in Galatians 1:8-9, " But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed…" The Bible reveals that all the knowledge that is needed for us to do every good work has already been supplied. Read 2 Timothy 3:17 and 2 Peter 1:3 . Additionally, 1 Corinthians 4:6 warns us against going beyond that which has been written.
Other things that identify the Lord's church are, having Christ as its head rather than some earthly person or office; having its headquarters in heaven rather than in some earthly city: and its members use the name Christian rather than some denominational name. Study Col. 1:18, 3:1, and 3:17.
But, how do men, today enter this pre-denominational church? Simply by doing the same thing that was expected of people in the first century: For the words of the apostles are to all mankind of any race and any century. They are for us.
One first and obvious step is believing that Jesus is the Christ and that through Him, and Him only, mankind can be saved.
But, contrary to the teachings of man, we must continue beyond this simple belief or acknowledgment. We must be obedient to the commandments of Christ, for Jesus said, "If' you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Obviously we must believe fervently that Jesus is God's Son, our Savior, The Christ. We must be obedient to both the commands of Jesus and those of the apostles. The apostles were told what to write in the Holy Scriptures which are the New Testament, for Jesus promised, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26).
There are several things a believer must do before he becomes a member of the Lord's church. One of these is to believe, another is to repent (to turn away from a sinful life - Acts 17:30) and yet another is to be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. Few teach baptism for the remission of sins and this requirement is yet another marking of the Lord's church, for Acts 2:38-47 reads, in part;
"Then Peter said unto them, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . . Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that same day about three thousand souls were added to them . . . And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved".
Thus, you cannot join the Lord's church in the sense that you join a club or other man-made organization. Through your complete obedience to the will of God you demonstrate your total trust in Him. God will then add you to the Lord's church, to this only, and none other. Thus, in this ancient manner it is possible to become a Christian without joining any denomination.
Adapted from an article in The Interactive Bible (http://www.bible.ca/r-non-denominational.htm), and Bible quotes are from the New King James Version.