Twice Born

FEW if any of the characters in sacred history had a more varied career than he who is first presented to us as Saul, the zealous persecutor of the Christians, and again, when “born of the Spirit,” as Paul the saintly student and exponent of the Christ-teaching. Saul, we read, was born of good Jewish parentage, in the city of Tarsus, province of Cilicia, Asia Minor. Tarsus being a leading trading-point, as a child and youth he doubtless watched with eagerness and was profoundly impressed by the activity of commercial life in this city, as is proven by his style of writing and the metaphors he employs. At an early age he became a pupil of Gamaliel, a learned doctor who was thoroughly versed in the Jewish law, and who was also very broad and liberal in his views; but while Saul absorbed his teacher’s legal instruction, he failed to take on his liberality, for we find him later developed into a biased, narrow-minded, fanatical man.

Saul’s zeal for the protection of the Jewish customs, rites, and ceremonies, of which he had a thorough knowledge, was the key which admitted him to the favor of the priests. He was studious and earnest in mastering the law, and he grew in popularity, influence, and prominence with the public. From the way in which he speaks of his vote (Acts xxvi, 10). he was probably a member of the Sanhedrim. To him the law was the temporal and eternal guide of his actions, and any rule of conduct set forth therein was justifiable in his mind. He was without doubt a sincere worshiper of God, living up to his highest understanding, and his cruelty and intolerance were actuated by the conviction that he was called to crush out this new doctrine, heresy, or religion, thereby saving his people from disobedience and suffering. He was fully convinced that all good was wrapped up in the law, regardless of its failure thus far to reform and uplift the Jews; hence he became a leader in waging war against the Christians.

It is sad that Saul could not have gleaned some spiritual light from the law, or extracted from the writings of Moses, that colossal man of antiquity, some of the great prophetic truths found in his statements; but the letter of the law filled his thoughts, and his heart was empty of love. Nor has two thousand years brought about much change in human nature in this respect, for today, as then, the creedal belief stands ready to denounce, malign, and belittle any class of people who do not subscribe to its doctrines. The fact that Saul was honest does not excuse his mistakes, nor can we pardon his cruelty because he was zealous for his cause. When the day arrived for his greatest campaign against the Christians, he equipped himself with letters of authority and endorsement from the high priest, marshalled together his assistants, and began to map out his plans of procedure. This done, he was ready to start on his journey to Damascus. Receiving the best wishes of the priests for his success, and stirred by enthusiasm from the people as he left, he started off with added determination to crush out not only the Christ-teaching, but to put to death its followers. He had witnessed the death of Stephen and been a party to it, and believed at the time that this strong measure would strike such terror to the hearts of Christians that they would cease their work through fear. Instead of that they had but scattered in different directions, and the truth was thus spreading more rapidly, a fact which added intensity to his eagerness to exterminate what he supposed a great evil.

While he was spurred on to assail these people, they were waiting quietly at Damascus, aware of the approaching evil, but fully conscious of the protecting presence of God. They knew that His love surrounded them, and that no harm could touch them while they realized His power. Their weapons were spiritual, while Saul’s were carnal, and they were not only protecting themselves from his malicious assault, but they were earnestly praying that he might be converted, and to their prayers we may largely credit his change of thought. Christians often pray for their own security and safety, but few of them are as earnest in their prayers for the conversion of the one who would try to harm them. If all Christians would assume this position, they would not only be safe themselves, but would change their enemies into friends.

As Saul journeyed, the advice of his former teacher, Gamaliel, to the council, “Refrain from these men, and let them alone;” and the fact that the Christians, in spite of punishment and the command laid upon them, “ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ,” must have come to him, the while God’s light flashed before his mental vision the uselessness of his mission as well as the evil of his work. Repentance seized him, true judgment acted, and he resolved to follow the light wherever it led. Great floods of light began to fill his consciousness, while Truth illumined his darkened sense of justice and right. He awoke to an experience that changed his whole future, and problem after problem in rapid succession doubtless rose before him for solution.

As Paul, the follower of Christ, he would he ostracized from the Jewish church, favor, influence, and society, he would be deserted by his friends, exposed to want, ridicule, persecution, possibly death. Did he count the cost? No. One of the customs of his people was that each boy should learn a trade, and he had mastered the art of tent-making and was thus assured of a living wage. But every bridge must be burned behind him, for he had now become convinced that Christ Jesus was the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, and for a few years before entering upon his mission he lived a quiet, retired life. During this period he was doubtless in touch with some of the disciples, who were instructing him in the new faith. In the accomplishment of his purpose he counted no sacrifice too great. To use his own words: “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

As the years passed, it was seen that neither influence, affluence, nor want could make this sterling character shrink one inch from duty; neither priest, parent, nor neighbor could change his course. He did not seek the advice of any one, for he was absolutely certain of his position. He saw his duty clearly, and used his old-time aggressiveness in the performance of the same. His enthusiasm was melted by Love into firmness, kindness, gentleness, meekness, mercy. His vengeance was tempered by Truth into a power against sin. His real strength, he found, was in communion with the Father, and his success was due to his willingness to be led of God. As Saul he had been a leader against good; now, spiritually reborn as Paul, he became a leader for good. His honesty, loyalty, self-sacrifice left deep imprints in human experience; his knowledge and strength were utilized to acquaint men with the saving Christ. His fidelity to Principle was unswerving.

At first Paul did not seem to comprehend the full import of his work, but he was always awaiting another incoming wave of Love, and as he comprehended the Word, and understood Truth, he did not shut it up in the dungeon of mere theory, but made it a part of his existence. When, in his work of teaching and evangelizing the world, he dispensed the bread of life to every waiting thought, he was fearless, earnest, and honest. Kings trembled before his logic, while his eloquence, baptized with the Holy Spirit, pierced the hearts of his hearers. Each tide of Love carried him higher in the understanding of the supremacy and power of Spirit, until he exclaimed, “determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ.” How true it was of himself, what he later wrote to the Corinthians: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature,” for surely the transformation from the old to the new “man” was never more clearly outlined than in the life of St. Paul.