📖 FROM SAUL TO PAUL
A MAN TRANSFORMED BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Key Texts: Acts 9:1–20; 1 Timothy 1:12–16;
Galatians 1:11–16; Philippians 3:4–9
“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” — 1 Timothy 1:16 KJV
🔥 INTRODUCTION — PAUL WAS MORE THAN A CHANGED MAN; HE BECAME A PATTERN OF GRACE
Saul of Tarsus presents one of Scripture's greatest demonstration... more📖 FROM SAUL TO PAUL
A MAN TRANSFORMED BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Key Texts: Acts 9:1–20; 1 Timothy 1:12–16;
Galatians 1:11–16; Philippians 3:4–9
“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” — 1 Timothy 1:16 KJV
🔥 INTRODUCTION — PAUL WAS MORE THAN A CHANGED MAN; HE BECAME A PATTERN OF GRACE
Saul of Tarsus presents one of Scripture's greatest demonstrations of the grace of God.
Before meeting the risen Christ, Saul was religious, zealous, educated, sincere—and wrong.
📖 Acts 26:9
“I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”
This is important: sincerity does not guarantee truth.
Saul sincerely believed he was serving God while persecuting those who followed Christ.
But Acts 9 changed everything.
The risen, ascended Christ confronted Saul on the Damascus road:
📖 Acts 9:4–5
“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?… I am Jesus whom thou persecutest…”
From a Dispensational perspective, Paul's conversion and subsequent commission are enormously significant. Paul later explains that Christ made him “a pattern” to those who would afterward believe unto everlasting life (1 Timothy 1:16), called him “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), and revealed to him truth concerning the Mystery (Ephesians 3:1–9).
One clarification: Scripture does not say that Paul's conversion itself caused a supernatural name change from Saul to Paul. Acts 13:9 says, “Saul, (who also is called Paul).” The significance is not in a magical name change but in the extraordinary transformation and commission accomplished by God's grace.
His testimony declares:
RELIGION COULD NOT SAVE SAUL—BUT THE GRACE OF GOD TRANSFORMED PAUL.
1️⃣ PERSECUTOR — FROM FIGHTING CHRIST TO FOLLOWING CHRIST
📖 Acts 8:3; 9:1–6; 1 Timothy 1:13
Before Paul became a preacher, Saul was a persecutor.
A. PERSECUTING the Believers
📖 Acts 8:3
“As for Saul, he made havock of the church…”
Saul was not merely disagreeing with believers intellectually. He actively sought their imprisonment.
📖 Acts 9:1–2.
His religious zeal had become destructive.
B. PERSONALLY Confronted by Christ
📖 Acts 9:4
“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
What a confrontation!
Saul thought he was defending God's honor, but the risen Christ revealed that Saul was actually opposing Him.
Religious activity without revealed truth can make a person sincerely wrong.
C. PARDONED through Mercy
Paul later looked back and wrote:
📖 1 Timothy 1:13
“…who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy…”
Paul's past did not exceed God's grace.
🔥 PREACHING LINE:
SAUL HAD A TERRIBLE PAST, BUT GRACE GAVE PAUL A GLORIOUS PURPOSE.
2️⃣ PHARISEE — FROM RELIGIOUS CONFIDENCE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CHRIST
📖 Philippians 3:4–9; Romans 3:21–28
Saul possessed an impressive religious résumé.
Yet none of it could justify him before God.
A. CONFIDENCE in the Flesh
📖 Philippians 3:4–6
Paul could boast of his heritage, circumcision, Hebrew identity, Pharisaic position, zeal, and law-keeping reputation.
Human religion would have called Saul successful.
But salvation exposed the worthlessness of trusting human merit.
B. COUNTED as Loss
📖 Philippians 3:7
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
Paul stopped trusting what he had accomplished for God and began resting in what Christ had accomplished for him.
That is the difference between religion and grace.
C. CLOTHED in Christ's Righteousness
📖 Philippians 3:9
“…not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ…”
The sinner does not need improved self-righteousness.
He needs God's righteousness.
📖 Romans 3:22–24
🔥 PREACHING LINE:
**RELIGION SAYS, “LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE FOR GOD.”
GRACE SAYS, “LOOK WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR ME.”**
3️⃣ PATTERN — FROM CHIEF SINNER TO CHIEF EXAMPLE OF LONGSUFFERING
📖 1 Timothy 1:15–16
This is one of the most significant Pauline passages for a Dispensational understanding.
A. PROBLEM Paul Confessed
📖 1 Timothy 1:15
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
Paul never built his ministry upon his own goodness.
He magnified God's grace because he understood the depth of his guilt.
B. PATIENCE Christ Demonstrated
📖 1 Timothy 1:16
“…that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering…”
The former persecutor became a display of Christ's longsuffering.
The man deserving judgment received mercy.
C. PATTERN God Provided
The verse continues:
“…for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”
In a Dispensational reading, Paul's salvation has dispensational significance.
He is not merely an interesting conversion story.
He becomes a pattern connected with those who afterward believe.
🔥 PREACHING LINE:
WHEN GOD SAVED SAUL, HE DIDN'T JUST RESCUE A SINNER—HE DISPLAYED A PATTERN OF GRACE.
4️⃣ PREACHER — FROM DESTROYING THE FAITH TO DECLARING CHRIST
📖 Acts 9:20; Galatians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
What an amazing reversal!
A. PREACHED Christ
📖 Acts 9:20
“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”
The mouth that opposed Christ began proclaiming Christ.
Grace changes direction.
B. PROCLAIMED What He Once Destroyed
📖 Galatians 1:23
“He which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.”
Imagine the testimony!
People who knew Saul as a persecutor now heard Paul preaching Christ.
C. PRESENTED the Saving Gospel
Paul later clearly states the Gospel entrusted to his preaching:
📖 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Christ died for our sins.
He was buried.
He rose again the third day.
Our salvation today rests completely upon Christ's finished work—not baptism, law-keeping, religious rituals, church membership, or human merit.
📖 Ephesians 2:8–9
🔥 PREACHING LINE:
THE MAN WHO ONCE TRIED TO SILENCE THE MESSAGE BECAME THE MAN WHO SPREAD THE MESSAGE.
5️⃣ PAULINE REVELATION — FROM ISRAEL'S RELIGIOUS SYSTEM TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY
📖 Galatians 1:11–12; Ephesians 3:1–9; Romans 16:25
Here we reach a major dispensational truth.
Paul's message was not merely something he learned from the Twelve.
A. RECEIVED by Revelation
📖 Galatians 1:11–12
“…I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Paul's authority came from the risen Christ.
B. REVEALED the Mystery
📖 Ephesians 3:3
“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery…”
The Mystery concerns truth previously hidden in God.
📖 Ephesians 3:5–9
From a Dispensational perspective, this distinguishes Paul's apostleship and revelation from Israel's prophetic kingdom program.
Compare:
📖 Acts 3:21 — “spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets…”
with:
📖 Romans 16:25 — “…the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”
PROPHECY — spoken.
MYSTERY — secret.
C. RIGHTLY Divided for Understanding
📖 2 Timothy 2:15
Without right division, believers confuse:
Israel with the Body,
law with grace,
prophecy with mystery,
earthly calling with heavenly calling.
🔥 PREACHING LINE:
PAUL DIDN'T INVENT THE MYSTERY—THE RISEN CHRIST REVEALED IT TO HIM.
6️⃣ PURPOSE — FROM ENEMY OF BELIEVERS TO APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES
📖 Romans 11:13; Acts 26:16–18; Ephesians 3:1–2
Grace did not merely save Paul from something.
Grace saved and commissioned him for something.
A. APPOINTED as Apostle
📖 Romans 11:13
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles…”
Paul clearly identifies his distinctive apostleship.
B. ASSIGNED a Ministry
📖 Ephesians 3:1–2
Paul speaks of:
“…the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward…”
The risen Christ entrusted Paul with a stewardship.
Therefore, we cannot understand God's present working clearly while ignoring Paul's distinctive apostleship.
C. ANNOUNCED Reconciliation
📖 2 Corinthians 5:19–20
Paul calls the present ministry:
“the ministry of reconciliation.”
We proclaim to lost people that salvation has been provided through Christ's finished crosswork.
We do not preach:
“Improve yourself so God will accept you.”
We preach Christ and His sufficient work.
🔥 PREACHING LINE:
GRACE TOOK CHRIST'S ENEMY AND MADE HIM CHRIST'S AMBASSADOR.
7️⃣ POWER — FROM SELF-RELIANCE TO SUFFICIENCY IN CHRIST
📖 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10
Paul eventually learned something every servant must learn:
God does not need our self-sufficiency.
A. WEAKNESS Admitted
📖 2 Corinthians 12:9
“…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul did not have to pretend he was invincible.
Grace taught him dependence.
B. WORK accomplished by Grace
📖 1 Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
Paul worked abundantly, but he refused to take ultimate credit.
He said:
“…yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
C. WALK centered in Christ
📖 Galatians 2:20
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”
This is the heart of Christian living.
Not:
SELF IMPROVEMENT.
But:
CHRIST-CENTERED TRANSFORMATION THROUGH SOUND DOCTRINE WORKING IN THE BELIEVER.
🔥 PREACHING LINE:
**SAUL'S STRENGTH WAS HIS RELIGIOUS RESUME.
PAUL'S STRENGTH WAS THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD'S GRACE.**
📣 CALL TO ACTION — THREE B's
1️⃣ BELIEVE THE GOSPEL
📖 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
Do not merely admire Paul's conversion.
Make sure you are saved.
Christ:
DIED FOR YOUR SINS,
WAS BURIED,
AND ROSE AGAIN.
📖 Romans 4:5
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth…”
Stop trusting religion.
Trust Christ's finished work.
2️⃣ BUILD UPON PAULINE DOCTRINE
📖 1 Corinthians 3:10
Paul says:
“…as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation…”
Study Romans through Philemon carefully.
Understand:
GRACE.
JUSTIFICATION.
IDENTIFICATION.
THE BODY OF CHRIST.
THE MYSTERY.
OUR HEAVENLY CALLING.
And:
📖 2 Timothy 2:15
RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH.
3️⃣ BECOME A TESTIMONY OF GRACE
📖 1 Corinthians 11:1
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
We do not worship Paul.
We follow his God-given pattern as he followed Christ.
Let people see what grace can accomplish in a surrendered, doctrine-filled life.
🏁 CONCLUSION — WHAT GRACE DID TO SAUL
Look at the transformation:
PERSECUTOR → PREACHER
PHARISEE → GRACE BELIEVER
ENEMY → AMBASSADOR
SELF-RIGHTEOUS → JUSTIFIED BY FAITH
DESTROYER → EDIFIER
RELIGIOUS ZEALOT → APOSTLE OF GRACE
SELF-RELIANT → CHRIST-DEPENDENT
But never miss the center:
**PAUL WAS NOT GREAT BECAUSE PAUL WAS GREAT.
PAUL'S STORY IS GREAT BECAUSE GOD'S GRACE IS GREAT.**
📖 1 Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
💡 FINAL THOUGHTS — THE SEVEN P's OF PAUL'S TRANSFORMATION
1️⃣ PERSECUTOR — Grace showed him MERCY.
📖 1 Timothy 1:13
2️⃣ PHARISEE — Grace destroyed his SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.
📖 Philippians 3:7–9
3️⃣ PATTERN — Grace displayed Christ's LONGSUFFERING.
📖 1 Timothy 1:16
4️⃣ PREACHER — Grace gave him the GOSPEL.
📖 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
5️⃣ PAULINE REVELATION — Grace revealed the MYSTERY.
📖 Ephesians 3:1–9
6️⃣ PURPOSE — Grace made him the APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES.
📖 Romans 11:13
7️⃣ POWER — Grace taught him CHRIST'S SUFFICIENCY.
📖 2 Corinthians 12:9
🔥 SAUL SHOWS US WHAT RELIGION CAN PRODUCE.
✝️ PAUL SHOWS US WHAT THE GRACE OF GOD CAN DO.
Religion gave Saul credentials.
Grace gave Paul Christ.
Religion made Saul boast in himself.
Grace made Paul glory in the Cross.
Religion sent Saul to persecute.
Grace sent Paul to preach.
Religion trusted human righteousness.
Grace revealed the righteousness of God.
FROM SAUL TO PAUL—NOT THE POWER OF SELF-REFORMATION, BUT THE POWER OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
📖 1 Timothy 1:14
“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
⚔️✝️✠ Lady Dinah Scivoletti ✠✝️📖⚔️
⚔️✝️✠ Turco, Joan of Arc Priory ✠✝️📖⚔️
⚔️✝️✠✠Act and God will Act (Actus et Deus Act)✠✠✝️📖⚔️
