Paul's Name

Of course, Paul grew up as Saul in Tarsus. Saul is the Hebrew name his Jewish family gave him, and that's the name he used for the early part of his life. It means "asked for or inquired of God." I've heard sermons where the pastor indicated that his name changed because of his conversion on the Damascus Road. However, the Bible doesn't say this.

This fact became clear to me as I researched and wrote my first Christian, non-fiction book, On the Road to Jericho, which is at the publisher now. Saul was first called "Paul" in the Bible at Antioch in Acts 13. "Paul" is actually his Roman name, and since he was a Roman citizen, it may have been used some earlier. I think it's used more at Antioch and thereafter because he's becoming an apostle to the Gentiles, and Paul is a Gentile name.

Paul became one of the first missionaries and one of the greatest. He helped shape the early church, fighting for a theology based on God's mercy, grace, and love and what Jesus did on the cross and by His resurrection. Much of our understanding of the Christian life comes from his letters. But Paul's accomplishments didn't come from his own strength. It came from surrendering to God and letting Him work through Paul. We should do the same.

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