According to the Bible did Paul believe he was doing God's work by persecuting the early Christian Church?

Question

I can't remember where I posted my comment before, but earlier I proclaimed there was an instance in the Bible where Saul, before he became the apostle Paul, persecuted the early Christian Church because he thought he was doing God's work. Another poster who I suppose was a Christian denied there was any such passage that indicated that Paul thought he was doing God's work. In any case this citation was supposed to illustrate just how wrong you can be about what you think Spiritual truth is. It is all too easy to be a modern day Pharisee closing our hearts to new ideas because of tradition and or intellectual attachment. Revelation, not necessary by a vision, is one way truth can be found. I only hope we will all be open to it, including yours truly.

In response to NobodySpecial, as far as I can discern Saul was not persecuting Christians till after the death of Christ. Secondly though the Christian Church might not have been offically called the Christian Church at the time, most of them would have simply considered themselves Jews, it is commonly understood within Christian circles that the Christian Church is the body of believers. Semantics are a pharisees inclination.

In response to tampadelphian. You mean like how Saul changed his mind not to kill Christians anymore to become the Apostle Paul?

Answer 1

Absolutely... Saul was being quite the pharisee...

Answer 2

Paul's letters are scripture. Peter thought so, and Luke verified Paul's calling in Acts. Every early Christian group accepted Paul, except for the Ebionites who rejected every New Testament book except Matthew and who further rejected the Deity of Christ. The only other person to question Paul's writings was Marcion, who came over a hundred years later and also threw out the Old Testament. There is no reputable Scriptural or Historical grounds for your position.

Answer 3

If you're constantly changing your beliefs, then they're not beliefs to begin with. I just don't understand why it is so offensive to some that people can be somewhat stubborn in sticking to their guns---I happen to find it an admirable trait.

Oh, and "Nobody Special"...who do you think the apostles were? Chopped Liver?? No, they were just sitting on their spiritual keisters absorbing Christ's message. Take a look at the Book of Acts and the retelling of The Day of Pentecost.

Answer 4

Christianity didn't come about until after Christ's death. Paul could not have been persecuting Christians before he became an apostle.

Answer 5

Yes! Saul did believe that he was doing Gods will. You should talk with Jehovah's witnesses. They are student's of the bible. They can show you evedience from the bible to prove this.

Answer 6

"I thank Him Who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Answer 7

Yes.

Answer 8

Paul had some serious psychological issues.Have you even read his stuff?Hot damn, someone get the straightjacket!!

Answer 9

He didn't think he was doing God's work. He thought he was doing his job.

Answer 10

yes.