The Sudden Conversion of Paul and James
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The Sudden Conversion of Paul and James
Paul
From the New testament we know a number of facts about Paul (Saul) prior to his conversion. Before his conversion he persecuted the Church (Galatians 1v13) in Jerusalem and beyond (Acts 8v1-3, 9v1-2). He held a position of power within Judaism, as a Pharisee (Act 26v12), and was considered to be a scholar (Acts 22v3). He was extremely zealous for his ancestral and religious traditions as a Jew and was extremely proud to be considered a Hebrew (Galatians 1v14).
With such a background it is no wonder that he was naturally opposed to the gospel.
So why did Saul suddenly become a Christian?
This is extremely difficult to explain if you are not accepting of what Paul himself says of his conversion.
Some have suggested an ulterior motive for his actions. Perhaps he was motivated by greed or fame. But stop to consider this for a moment. As a Pharisee, a scholar and a man of influence Saul had that as a Jew. He left it all behind and chose poverty in order to follow Jesus (1 Corinithians 4v11-12). Paul was regarded as foolish and weak - even by other Christians. (1 Corinthians 4v10-13) He was hated by the world outside the Church and suffered great persecution for his faith. Read what Paul says about this:
"I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked."
2 Corinthians 11v23-27
It is impossible to explain Pauls conversion naturally. Paul himself writes that he saw the risen Christ (1 Cor. 15v8). In fact, he claimed to have seen Christ on more than one occasion - (see for example, Ac 18:9-10; 22:17-21; 23:11; 2 Co 12:8-9). No one doubts that Paul was the author of these letters - not even atheistic scholars. So how then do we explain this?
Perhaps Paul is lying. But why would he do that? What would he have to gain. Eusebius of Caesarea states that Paul was beheaded in the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero; this event has been dated either to the year 64, when Rome was devastated by a fire, or a few years later, to 67. It is commonly accepted that Paul died as a martyr in Rome. Why would anyone die for something they know to be lie?
Clearly Paul was not deceived by anyone else - as his conversion was as a result of his own experiences - not someone else's.
What else is left? Perhaps Paul was mentally unstable and only thought he had seen the risen Jesus? Maybe. But the epistles of Paul contain some of the most profound theology and well reasoned argument found in the New Testament. If Paul was able to produce such magnificent work then it is extremely unlikely that he was mad.
What other explanation is there?
"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), "The Adventure of Bruce-Parting ton Plans"
Once again both Sherlock Holmes and William of Occam would seem to suggest that we should accept Paul's own explanation; that he encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus.
James
James was one of Jesus' younger brothers. Aparently, neither James, or any of Jesus' other brothers believed in him during his lifetime (See for example Mark 3v21,31-5 and John 7v1-10). Aparently they did not believe Him to be a prophet, the Messiah or anyone special.
But after the resurrection Jesus' brothers seem to unexpectedly pop up in the Christian fellowship in the upper room in Jerusalem (see Acts 1v14).
Notice that not only James - but seemingly all Jesus' brothers became believers after the resurrection. See for example 1 Cor. 9:5: "Do we have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?"
Then notice that there is no further mention of them until Acts 12v17 - the story of Peter's delivarence from prison by the angel. The very first thing Peter says is "Go tell James".
Another very interesting scripture is Galatians 1v19. Here Paul tells about his visit to Jerusalem for a fortnight. He says that besides Peter he saw none of the apostles "except James the Lord's brother". This would seem to imply that just 3 years after the resurrection of Christ James was being counted as an apostle.
Now see Galatians 2v9. Paul says here that when he visited Jerusalem 14 years later there were 3 pillars of the Church - Peter, John and James.
Then in Acts 21v18 James is considered to be the sole head of the Jerusalem Church and of the council of elders.
Josephus the Jewish historian tells us that James was later stoned to death by the Sanhedrin sometime around 60AD.
How then can we explain the conversion of Jesus' brothers? They did not believe in Him during His lifetime - and this is not really surprising. What would it take for you to believe that your brother or sister was in fact the one and only Son of God, able to work miracles, forgive sins and the saviour of Israel? Probably nothing would convince you.
However, we know for a fact that they were ardent believers after the supposed resurrection of Christ. What could have caused such a sudden and radical change of heart? Could it be that this remarkable transformation is to be found in the fact that Jesus "then appeared to James".