2 years, 1 month ago
Who was Saul and why did he change his name to Paul after seeing the angel?
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M$2 Answers
Saul was a Jewish Pharisee who persecuted Christians and sent many to their deaths. He was present at the stoning of Steven (he held the cloaks while others did the dirty work).
While he was heading to Damascus with his entourage to persecute Christians there, he was struck by a blinding light and heard a voice asking "Why do you persecute me." He asked who the voice was, and was answered that "I am Jesus, who you are persecuting." Jesus commanded Saul to go to Damascus and wait there until he was told what to do.
Saul was blinded and stayed in one room for three days without eating or drinking, until our Lord directed a man named Ananais to visit Saul. Ananais restored Saul's eyesight and Saul went out immediately to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saul didn't make a decision to change his name to Paul, the Lord did. It was common for the Lord to give people new names once he chose them for his purposes. Abraham was originally named Abram and his wife, Sarah, was Sarai. Jacob was renamed Israel. The new name signifies a new identity, as one who now belongs to Christ and a new life, and not to the old life they had before.
While he was heading to Damascus with his entourage to persecute Christians there, he was struck by a blinding light and heard a voice asking "Why do you persecute me." He asked who the voice was, and was answered that "I am Jesus, who you are persecuting." Jesus commanded Saul to go to Damascus and wait there until he was told what to do.
Saul was blinded and stayed in one room for three days without eating or drinking, until our Lord directed a man named Ananais to visit Saul. Ananais restored Saul's eyesight and Saul went out immediately to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saul didn't make a decision to change his name to Paul, the Lord did. It was common for the Lord to give people new names once he chose them for his purposes. Abraham was originally named Abram and his wife, Sarah, was Sarai. Jacob was renamed Israel. The new name signifies a new identity, as one who now belongs to Christ and a new life, and not to the old life they had before.
source(s):
The Holy Bible, Acts 9
The Holy Bible, Acts 9
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M$
is that why kevin eagleton sed his name was calvin or kevin crabtree to the mormons?
That isn't explained in the Bible. In Acts, he's called Saul up to Chapter 13:9~ "Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit...."
It's notable that the name Saul also belongs to the first king of Israel, who was a humble man until he got a lust for power. By contrast, the name Paul means "little" or "small." Saul (the ex-Pharisee) may have chosen his new name to show that he had left his arrogant, Christian-persecuting ways behind him and desired to be a humble man of God.
Why did Saul change his name to Paul? He was previous known as Saul of Tarus. Was Paul, his Jewish name or a family name?