Paul’s conversion is one of the strongest evidences for the resurrection because he went from violently persecuting Christians to becoming the most influential missionary in history. A single encounter with the risen Christ turned his life upside down. His story shows that Jesus really is alive, and that he can be found by anyone willing to admit they’ve gotten it wrong.
Paul Was Religious
Before he met Jesus, Paul (also called Saul) had an impressive religious résumé. He was born into a respected Jewish family, trained as a Pharisee, and followed the law carefully. He described himself as “faultless” when it came to rule-keeping (Philippians 3:5-6). And his zeal led him to attack the followers of Jesus.
Acts 26:9 I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul wasn’t a skeptic who simply didn’t care. He was actively working to destroy the church. He approved of the killing of Stephen (Acts 8:1) and dragged believers from their homes to prison. Religion had made him proud, and pride had made him an enemy of Jesus.
Paul Met the Risen Jesus
While traveling to Damascus to arrest more Christians, Paul was stopped in his tracks.
Acts 9:3-5 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Paul hadn’t been searching for Jesus. Jesus came looking for him. Within days, Paul was preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God, and the people who heard him were stunned (Acts 9:20-21). The church’s greatest enemy had become its boldest messenger.
Paul’s Whole Approach Changed
Meeting Jesus didn’t just change Paul’s beliefs. It changed how he thought about God. He realized that all his religious accomplishments couldn’t make him right with God.
Philippians 3:7-9 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Paul called his old résumé “garbage” compared to knowing Jesus. Righteousness isn’t something we earn by being good. It’s a gift we receive by faith. Paul went on to plant churches, write much of the New Testament, and suffer beatings, shipwrecks, and prison for the message he once tried to stop.
Anyone Can Find Jesus
Paul’s story is proof that Jesus is alive. Nothing else explains why a man with everything to lose would give it all up to follow the very person he had been fighting. And his story is a reminder that no one is too far gone.
Philippians 3:10-11 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
If Jesus could reach Paul, he can reach anyone. All it takes is the humility to admit we’ve gotten it wrong and to trust in Jesus instead of ourselves. To learn more, check out How can I become a Christian?
The Takeaway
How does Paul’s conversion prove the resurrection? Paul went from persecuting Christians to giving his life for Jesus because he met the risen Christ. His story shows that Jesus is alive and that anyone willing to admit they’ve gotten it wrong can find him.
