Saul of Tarsus
Saul was a Jewish man who lived during the early days of the Christian church.
He was a scholar who spent a lot of time studying Jewish religious law. He was very zealous for the Jewish traditions and learned more about the laws than the other men his age.
Saul hated Christians and spent a lot of time persecuting them. He was present at the time of the stoning of the apostle Stephen, witnessing it and giving his approval of it.
That same day a great religious persecution broke out and Saul went house to house dragging out Christians and throwing them in prison.
He really believed he was doing the right thing and that by destroying Christianity he could protect the Jewish traditions he so dearly loved.
He did so many other violent acts towards Christians on a regular basis that his reputation was known far and wide.
The last time he tried it, he went to the high priest and asked for paperwork to take to the synagogues (Jewish houses of worship) in Damascus. He wanted to gather up any Christians there and take them back to the prison in Jerusalem.
As he neared Damascus a bright light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground.
A voice said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Saul asked who it was.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and I will tell you what you must do.”
Saul got up and immediately realized he was blind.