Les Feldick Bible Study

What was Saul of Tarsus's attitude toward the followers of Christ?

Saul of Tarsus exhibited intense hatred toward anything connected to the followers of Christ. His opposition was rooted in hatred. The scriptural account introduces this adversarial disposition as the backdrop for Acts chapter 9, showing he opposed those who belonged to Christ.

Les explains that the scriptural account introduces Saul of Tarsus in Acts chapter 9 as having hatred for anything connected to the followers of Christ. This description sets the stage for the events of that chapter. The context also notes that the followers of Christ addressed Him as Lord or Master, never merely as Jesus, and that Paul later consistently used terms like the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the primary point regarding Saul's attitude is his intense hostility toward Christ's followers.

Acts 9:1

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

More Questions

What was Saul doing to Christians in Israel before his conversion?

Before his conversion, Saul was trying to stamp out everyone in Israel who had proclaimed and believed Jesus was the Messiah.

Who were the disciples Saul was persecuting in Acts 9?

In Acts 9:1 the 'disciples of the Lord' that Saul was persecuting were ordinary Jewish believers in Jesus as the Christ, not the twelve apostles.

Why did Saul think Christians deserved to die?

Saul's attitude toward anyone who embraced Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah was that they were not worth living, because he saw them as nothing but a threat to his religion.