I have difficulty in understanding the meaning of this series of events.
Paul's conversion came after a number of Christians were kill for being Christians. I don't understand why Paul's conversion wasn't forced on him earlier, it would have saved the lives of some innocent people. We are given no hint regarding the delay.
One thought is that the conversion of Paul was made to maximize the number of converts in the future, i.e., the sacrifice of a few innocent people to convert more people. One question that arises from this approach is just what is the maximum ratio of innocent deaths to future converts that is acceptable, somewhat like a business decision. This type of action violates a couple of Commandments: Do unto others.... and Thou shall not kill . . .
Another possibility may be that Paul needed a number of deaths under his belt before he would be receptive to a conversion. I would think that a very hard heart could be changed with enough visions and bodily pains.
And then, it may be that we are deliberately left to ponder why a misguided Jew, also a Roman citizen, would be the one chosen, instead of Stephen, to spread the Christian gospel.
Christians killed before conversion: As far as I understand from my study of the Bible so far, preserving life on earth (or even making it nice and happy) is not God's main goal. Rather, God's goal is to forgive us in Christ so that we may receive the Holy Spirit, be sanctified here, and be resurrected into a perfect world afterward. The early martyr's weren't innocent victims... they were faithful witnesses that could expect consolation in heaven. Jesus said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." Luke 6:22-23 Jesus gave lots of hints about this persecution, and even about certain death, to his disciples and followers. Also, sometimes persecution strengthens and spreads things. Acts 8:1 says, "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." Maybe the point was to spread the word. Finally, we could ask the same question of any conversion... why not earlier? I don't know. God is Sovereign. It's the Job lesson, as explained in Romans 9:20-21, "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?"
ReplyDeleteSacrifice for converts: I don't see how the early persecution of the church meant more converts later except in the sense above where witnesses were dispersed. I think of Judas here. God knew Judas would betray Jesus, let it happen, and worked good from it. I don't know that you could say GOD killed the martyrs any more than you could say GOD caused Judas to betray Christ. And even so, the commandments are for us, not for God. As Jesus said He was Lord of the Sabbath and so could do 'unlawful' things on that day, God can override any commandment as He wills. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Why Paul? Paul was, as he says, "taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God.." Acts 22:3. Paul was zealously religious himself... maybe God liked that. Paul was highly educated in the Scriptures and so was able to argue and persuade according to them. Paul was a Roman citizen and so had the privileges of, access to and understanding of the Gentile world to which he was called to preach and minister the gospel... all helpful circumstances. Also, converting Paul would certainly let people know that it was indeed GOD that did the converting since the transformation was so radical and unexpected.
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."