Yes, Saul of Tarsus is highly significant in Acts as the central figure in the transition from Israel to the Church.
Saul first appears at Stephen's stoning, holding garments, and then leads persecution against believers. His conversion in Acts 9 marks a shift from God's dealings with Israel to the raising up of the Body of Christ. Les teaches that Saul, later Paul, becomes the primary apostle to the Gentiles, and his introduction signals a major change in God's program.
Acts 7:58 — This verse introduces Saul at Stephen's stoning, showing his first appearance in Acts.
Acts 9:1-2 — This describes Saul's mission to Damascus to persecute believers, setting the stage for his conversion.
In Acts 7:58, Saul appears at the stoning of Stephen, where the witnesses laid their clothes at his feet. Acts 8:1 records that Saul was consenting to Stephen's death, and a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2 describes Saul as 'breathing out threatenings and slaughter' and seeking letters from the high priest to Damascus to arrest believers. After his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6), Saul is converted and begins to preach that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:20). The book of Acts then follows his ministry, showing his role in taking the gospel to the Gentiles.
Les emphasizes that Saul of Tarsus is introduced as a 'new man on the scene' in the transitional book of Acts. He was a Pharisee who thought he was serving God by persecuting believers. His conversion marks a shift from God's program with Israel to the introduction of the Church, the Body of Christ. Les highlights that Peter fades from the narrative after Acts 10, and Paul becomes the dominant figure, showing the transition. Saul's zeal and education made him instrumental in spreading Christianity, and Les considers Paul one of the greatest men in history, alongside Moses.
Saul is first introduced at the stoning of Stephen, where the witnesses laid their clothes at his feet. Les points out that this is the first mention of Saul, a man who would later become central to the New Testament. At this point, Saul is a zealous Pharisee who approves of Stephen's death and begins to persecute believers.
After Stephen's martyrdom, Saul began a 'rampage' against believing Jews in Jerusalem and Judea. Not content with that, he sought letters from the high priest to go to Damascus to arrest believers and bring them back to Jerusalem. Les describes Saul as 'breathing out threatenings and slaughter' and acting as a religious fanatic who thought he was doing God a service.
Les explains that Saul's conversion in Acts 9 is the 'next event of importance' after Stephen's stoning. It marks a shift in God's dealings from Israel to the Gentiles, as the Church, the Body of Christ, begins to form. After Peter's visit to Cornelius in Acts 10, Peter disappears from the narrative, and Paul becomes the leading figure, taking the gospel to the Gentile world.
Why the Resurrection Happens in Order — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
mention of Gentiles, he said, "...ye men of Israel, why marvel at this? Or why look so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we made this man to walk?" Verse 13, "...who did? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Now did that mean anything to Gentiles? No.
Introduction of Saul at Stephen's Stoning
Saul is introduced at the stoning of Stephen, where the witnesses laid their garments at his feet, marking his first appearance in the transitional book of Acts.
Saul's Role in Stephen's Martyrdom
Les highlights that Saul was standing there holding the garments of those throwing stones, showing his active participation in Stephen's death.
Saul's Persecution of Believers
Saul's rampage against believing Jews began after Stephen's martyrdom, and he sought to extend his persecution to Damascus.
Transition from Peter to Paul
After Saul's conversion and Peter's visit to Cornelius, Peter is no longer mentioned, indicating the rise of Paul and the Gentile ascendancy.
Saul's World-Impact
Saul's conversion would 'turn the world inside out,' and Paul is credited with being the instigator of Christianity as it is known today.
Saul's Rage and Ananias
Saul on the way to Damascus was like a 'raging bull,' breathing out threatenings, and Ananias, a devout believer, had heard of Saul's intent.
Saul's Mission and Jewish Context
Saul's mission to Damascus was still Jewish, seeking letters to synagogues, showing the context before the full Gentile turn.
Acts 7:58: And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
This is the first mention of Saul in Acts, showing his presence at Stephen's martyrdom.
Acts 8:1: And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
This verse shows Saul's approval and the resulting persecution.
Acts 9:1-2: And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
This describes Saul's zeal to persecute believers, setting the stage for his conversion.
Acts 9:20: And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
This shows the immediate result of Saul's conversion, as he began to preach Jesus.
Saul is significant because his introduction and conversion mark a turning point in God's program, moving from dealing primarily with Israel to calling out the Church, the Body of Christ. He becomes the apostle to the Gentiles and the dominant figure in the latter half of Acts.
Les describes Saul as a zealous Pharisee who persecuted believers, thinking he was serving God. He was present at Stephen's stoning and actively sought to stamp out the early Jewish believers.
Saul's conversion illustrates the transitional nature of Acts, showing the shift from Peter's ministry to Paul's, and from Israel-centered promises to the inclusion of Gentiles in the Body of Christ.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Resurrection Happens in Order — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23