I dont believe the bible ever defines him as a murderer however he himself declared that if you HATE someone you are guilty of murder. I think he was zealous in serving a false religious leadership who aree guilty of the murders.
2006-11-23 18:58:39 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
yes Saul of Tarsus was a murderer, and his story is a perfect example of the awesome Grace and Mercy of God. God took a vile and wicked sinner and turned him into the greatest missionary that has ever lived. Our God truely is THE AWESOME GOD.
2006-11-23 19:09:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Actually Paul never said that.
Jesus said in Matthew 5: "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Paul gave the order and stood by when Stephen, the 1st Christian martyr, was stoned. While he didn't commit the murder, he certainly conspired to commit murder. However, consider that what the Jews did to Stephen was not against Jewish law. So the real question is then, was it really murder? Hmm........
Well it may not have been murder, but certainly they were saying "Raca".
2006-11-23 19:07:02 · answer #2 · answered by edaily777 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Paul was grieved with his sins. Look at Acts 8:1-4. Paul who was at first called Saul, actually rounded up christians and sent them to prison, killing a few we learn later. Paul also said "sinners of which I am Chief" This is how badly he felt.
In chapter 9 we read on the road to Damascus Paul became a christian.
2006-11-23 19:07:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe he was present when a disciple (stephen stoned to death I think) was murdered and he was associated with catching and murdering early Christians. I have no comment on the Hate issue.
But then....he was touched by G-d and became the author of the most books in the Bible. Message? theres hope for anyone.
David
2006-11-23 19:01:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Prior to His being called to be a follower of Christ, Paul (while going by the name of Saul) was a Jewish authority who was a persecutor of the early Church.
Presumably, this involved at least some (if not many) Christians being killed. Whether Saul was directly responsible, who knows. But he likely had something to do with it, at least indirectly.
The Acts of the Apostles tells us that Saul approved of the murder of the apostle Stephen.
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2006-11-23 19:34:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul witnessed the stoning of Stephen without doing anything to stop it. In the book of James it states that the good we know we should do and we do not do that is sin. In this respect Paul committed murder of Stephen for not stopping the stoning of Stephen which by him not doing anything was also indicative of him supporting it.
2006-11-23 19:06:08 · answer #6 · answered by seekfind 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saul Of Tarsis had overseen many deaths of Christians, including Steven's stoning. That was before he encountered the Lord while on the road to Damascus to apprehend more Christians. After that encounter he never raised a hand to harm another person in his life.
2006-11-23 19:19:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the reasons Paul's conversion was so significant is because of what he was before he met Christ. He was a scholar, very well educated, and a murder of Christians. He would stand after he ordered them to be killed and watch as they died.
After his conversion this is why Christians were afraid of him, they weren't sure for awhile what he was up to. His life changed dramatically after he was saved, he was one of the finest Preachers after he met Jesus on the Damascus road. God used him to start other churches and to minster to many people, he even discipled other Preachers and put them in charge of churches.
2006-11-23 22:22:13 · answer #8 · answered by trainer53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You haven`t read his life written in the bible and how his faith turn around?
He was an educated man, intelligent, who has a voice in the upper class citizens, a leader of Cesar government executioner for any instigator against the gov`t. (of course Christ believer is against Cesar)
Jesus Christ at that time is an instigator of True belief (against religion=wrong interpretations of the covenant; against the government=as newly established group of the masses for God absolute truth in Faith)
Therefore, Paul is responsible of executing Christians and have done so many times.
God sees Paul as having blind obedience to the gov`t but his heart is good if only God will reveals himself to him.
Indeed, God reveals himself to Paul in a blinding light and said: "Paul, why are you killing me and (my people) the Christians" and from there on, God revealed Himself to Paul & become His best friend, the most strong, unafraid & loyal preacher for God to all races, the whole world over.
2006-11-23 19:29:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
He sounds a bit like modern day murderers who are "born again" on death row in the hope that it will save them. I'm sorry but once you have committed a murder you are always guilty of it.
2006-11-23 19:32:18 · answer #10 · answered by Ted T 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋