What was Paul's big vision that made him believe that Christ, a man he had never met, had been resurrected

Question

And how did that spell the beginning of the Christian religion?

Answer 1

It happened when Paul (Saul of Tarsus back then) was knocked off his horse, while he was on his way to kill more christians. Then Paul heard a voice, "Saul! Why do you persecute me!" Paul asked who am I speaking to. The Voice replied, "It is I Jesus"

Paul stated that he was the least of the disciples, however his teachings and doctrines make up more than half of the New Testament. Not bad for a guy who's first job was persecuting christians.

Paul told the Church at Ephesis, Eph 3:8 "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ"

Also scholars state that Paul was an over achiever when it came to anything he had passion for.

According to Acts Chapter 8 & 9:

Act 8:1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him [Stephen] to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Act 8:2 {Some} devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.
Act 8:3 But Saul {began} ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
Act 9:1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
Act 9:2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
Act 9:4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
Act 9:5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He {said,} "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
Act 9:6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."
Act 9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Act 9:8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
Act 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Answer 2

Trying reading the 9th. Chapter of the Book of Acts, verses 1-19. I am not so sure that Paul did not know that Jesus had been resurrected before he had his big encounter on the road to Damascus; but He certainly had no Godly fear in him until this big ordeal. It was not actually the beginning of Christian religion, but it began with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the apostle Paul most certainly had a great part in carrying out the great commission which was given unto us by Jesus, in Matt. 28:19-20.

Answer 3

Paul was once a persecutor of Christians. One day, he was riding his horse and he fell. The fall caused him to loose his sight. God spoke to him and told him that he needed to stop persecuting Christians. Paul repented and regained his sight. From then on, he became a great man who preached to the nations. It did not start Christianity, though. Christianity was started by Christ himself (hence the name). When Jesus rose from the dead, that was called the Resurrection. For 40 days after, he established his Church through the Apostles. He declared that Peter would become the head of the Church on Earth because Jesus had to Ascend into Heaven. Jesus also told Peter that there must be successors after him to lead His Church. Thus he established the Papacy. Of course, that was when Jesus started all the other rich traditions that are in His Church today. He taught the Apostles how He wished to be worshiped. This was the start of the Holy Eucharist in the Mass.

This answer is becoming quite long, as can be expected in explaining the history of Christ's Church. Feel free to ask more specific questions. I love to answer them. :)

Answer 4

Marky-Mark said fairly much everything. All I can add is that Paul's experience had to be most profound to change him from his violent zeal for Judaism to Christ.

I did not say that Judaism is violent, but had some violent followers - as I suppose many religions do today. Even some sects of Buddhist monks who have declared peace as their prime belief, have gone a bit medieval on folks for various reasons.

Non the less, Paul had loved throwing followers of Jesus in prison. It was his profession and was quite good at it. His experience with meeting Jesus had to of been powerful to get him to abandon a well paying job that gave him so much pleasure for a life of poverty and peace, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

He was on the road to Damascus to whup some Christians when as it is reported that he flashed...I mean a flash of light occurred and God said something like; "Saul,Saul why persecuteth me thou...." ?
annnyway, needless to say Saul (who got a name change later on because God thought Paul sound stronger or whatever)
Saul/Paul was now an official true believer and convert until the time he was be-headed...
I liked my man, he was strong to the end

Answer 6

Acts 9 explains the story.

Answer 7

In acts ch. 26:12-18 Paul recounts his conversion. This is what he said....

I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now[a] send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Answer 8

Well, apparantly he claimed Jesus spoke to him.

Up until then, Christianity was a Jewish sect... Just a Jewish sect. Paul turned it into it's own religion, seprate from Judaisim.

Answer 9

Resurrection is not a new phenomenon/myth, even in Paul's time. So the answer is blind faith and hearing/seeing things that aren't there e.g. schizophrenia

Answer 10

A life times supply of fish and a new pair of sandals.