Paul never converted to anything.
Christian mythos teaches that Saul, a rabbi, converted to Christianity. In fact, that is utter fallacy to support false doctrine/theology.
Here is what my New American Standard Bible says,
“Acts 9:1-3 (NASB)
The Conversion of Saul
9 Now [a]Saul, still breathing [b]threats and murder against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;… ”
First, that big ‘The Conversion of Saul,’ is inserted by the editors. It is not inspired Scripture, and the only thing it does is set the reader up with a FALSE premise!
Read the rest of the chapter and you will see that Saul had an amazing encounter with the risen Messiah. You will see he begins to preach Messiah, but he was not, nor did he ever ‘convert’ to some other religion!
Here are his own words, some 15 or 20 years later,
“Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”
He says, “I AM…,” not, “I was…”
Elsewhere (also, post supposed conversion) he says,
“I am a Jew…”
Not, “I was a Jew…”
Some time after both of those quotes he says,
“But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve [a]the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;…”
You might ask, “who is ‘they?'” and “a sect of what?”
Well, ‘they’ are his Jewish accusers, and ‘they,’ his accusers believe him to be a member of a ‘sect’ of normative first century Judaism named ‘the Way.’ Notice, his Jewish accusers do not accuse him of being the leader of some other religion.
There are more supporting quotes and statements throughout the Apostolic writings, but why is this important?
This is important because it affects every aspect of our understanding of Paul’s writings.
If he was a Jew who never stopped being a Jew; if he was a Pharisee who never stopped being a Pharisee; if he kept Torah and never stopped keeping Torah; then, it affects everything we understand about him and about his writings!
Think about it.
Most all theology in the last 1700 years is predicated on the false idea that Saul/Paul rejected the Torah and started a new religion.
His own testimony is that he ‘believ[ed] everything in accordance with Law (Torah) and that is written in the Prophets…’
The Torah says that anyone, even if a prophet with signs and wonders, who teaches any doctrine that leads people away from the commandments of God is to be put to death.
“I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar…..If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
and he also says,
“Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our [b]fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground [c]for putting me to death.
It is a simple and concise case…
There are only two possible conclusions:
1. Either, Paul indeed was converted to some new Torah-less religion and then to save his skin, he was willing to lie multiple times in a court of law as well as to any who would listen… making him no Apostle at all!
or. 2. Paul never ‘converted’ to anything, but kept Torah and preached the fulfillment of the Jewish hope for the coming of the Holy One of Israel! And, he was willing to suffer and die to get the message to the nations that they could ‘come home’ and be grafted into Israel!!
Take off the man-made doctrinal filters and read the whole Word.
The Paul who allegedly ‘did away with the Law, wrote,
31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead we uphold the law.
And,
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.
No, Saul/Paul never converted to anything. He was a Torah-keeping Jew who preached the Gospel of the Kingdom as we can now be grafted into Israel!!
Shalom!
_______________
Here are some additional ‘Paul’ pages to consider:
The Pauline Paradox Series (See all four parts!)
10 question pop quiz on Paul! (Challenging!!)
natsab 
Hello Pete, I posted this to my Facebook page, it’s great! Thank you. I am soliciting comments on facebook and to my email. I will share any comments with you if you like. Shalom!
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Thank you for the repost. Would love to hear/share comments. My purpose is outreach and prodding people to think/process what they think they know… I can say, I thought I knew the Scriptures until a couple years ago when the Father began to really push me toward truth.
I think we have a common friend in Travis, do we not?
Shalom!!
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Since Paul came from his Jewish background both culturally and religiously, he was indeed “converted.” Yes, he was still Jewish culturally, yet no longer a follower of “the law” but of the “Christ!” A believer in Christ was called both “followers of the Way” and “a Christian!”
Don’t cause divisions over technical language issues!
~~~~~
From Acts:
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am, Lord.” Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’ and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For his praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.”
But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on your name!”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again.
He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, his strength returned.
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”
— Acts 9:10-22 NET
https://bible.com/bible/107/act.9.10-22.NET
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Grant, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, Acts does not support your assertion the Paul was ‘culturally’ a Jew. In fact history as recorded in New Testament strongly teaches that we are to keep the Torah as Gid’s everlasting, unchanging, standard of righteousness.. here are a couple areticles to chew on…
Shalom.
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And some would be surprised that Peter, James, John, or any of the others were never called Christian either. Or that Jesus never proclaimed to them He was ‘ the Christ’ Then what did He proclaim? How did this ever get propagated? It would be good to have a study on this.Let us be good Bereans.
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You really need to study what the word “Christian” means in the Greek and then find it in the Hebrew language. Jim Staley does an excellent teaching on this subject. Find it on youtube, “Where did the name Christian come from” under Jim Staley with Passion For Truth Ministries. Thanks, Ezra
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Ezra, thanks for dropping by.
I am familiar with Jim Staley and understand what I think he is trying to do in ‘redrawing’ definitions, though, as you’ll see, I don’t completely agree with him in this area.
Indeed, ‘Christ’ or Xristos in the Greek is the word for Messiah, or Mashiach. The problem is that popular culture, and even Christendom, associates the term wrongly with some new movement or religion started by the Messiah or by Shaul/Paul.
Personally, rather than fight a semantics battle over definitions, wherein the definitions MUST be clearly redefined in every conversation, I find more wisdom and sustainability in by-passing as much of the Greek/Roman Catholic influences as possible and return straight to the Hebrew. Did Paul call himself a ‘Christian’ or was he a fulfilled Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin who was reaching out to the nations so they could be grafted into Israel?
I rest my case.
Blessings, Pete
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Your arguments puzzle me. The Jews were waiting on the Messiah. Had they all accepted Jesus as the Messiah, we would all be called Jews today. The fact that they did not necessitated the distinction of a name for those Jews who did. Eventually this sect was called “Christians” (followers of the Christ). Fulfilled Jews. It is not troubling at all that Paul identifies himself as a Jew. He did not convert, per se, but embraced the fulfillment of his Judaism. The only true converts were gentiles. So wouldn’t that make today’s Jews the first Protestants?
Secondly the only parts of the Torah Chrstians are not obligated to embrace are the externals (food, attire, ablutions, etc.). The Law (10 Commandments) are vital to the moral life and salvation. When Jesus broke open the Scriptures for the Apostles, He was teaching them about the Old Testament Scriptures (since the New Testament hadn’t yet been written, let alone complied as part of a Bible).
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I would beg to differ. Christians are obligated to the externals. God has one standard of righteousness. He calls differing weights and measures/unjust scales an abomination. He says unclean food is an abomination, He says the feasts are forever in all your dwelling places throughout your generations, and He says the nations will be judged by fire for breaking the everlasting covenant.
I would encourage you to read what it actually says, not what you’ve been told it says…
Shalom!!
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Excellent article, and the church fathers agree on the subject: http://nazarenespace.com/m/blogpost?id=2182335%3ABlogPost%3A216857
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Wow! Short but very interesting read. We need to always double check sources, but the info accurately reflects other things I’ve read!
If we are to be imitators of Messiah, or as Paul, commands, ‘Imitate me as I imitate Messiah…’ then we must continue the journey to find and recapture the true roots of the faith!
Thanks for that!
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Yep, all the letters by them are online and available to read/reference and the info is documented. So nice to have internet lol!
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Wow! There are some other things need to be looked into honestly. Don’t know what Jim S said but if we look at ‘who’ else was called Christ or cristos, surely we could/would reconsider what we call our Messiah. A Hebrew/Jew would never have called their prophet, rabbi, son etc. by a Greek/pagan name….. No matter what language the ruling authorities spoke!!!!
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He recently said it when he started his new christian roots label…I thought i tild you about that. Anywho, apropos that 119 just put out a video yesterday called ‘ Paul the Nazarene’ http://119ministries.com/119ministries.com/paul-the-nazarene-ringleader
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Something else I would like to see is a thorough study on Ezekiel. If we would read it through without picking/choosing what we want, I believe we might put to rest some of the objections to Torah and some of the other things that are always so volatile. We hear Prophecy, prophecy, prophecy pulled out to tell us of the endtimes, but how does all the
Torah on our heart etc get bypassed as if it is not even there??? Do we not do an injustice to Our Father’s Word when we completely ignore His completed admonitions??? He tells the people thru the prophets why judgment came upon Israel before and says the same thing at the endtimes. Why is it completely ignored??? Let’s reconsider what He truly says while we still have time and stop rejecting His Precious Word. Sorry for the soap box, but it came to me again today as I was reading Ezekiel. It made me read thru the rest of the book again. What an eye opener it will be to those ‘who have ears to hear and eyes to see and hearts to receive’ !!!
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Amein, Sis!
You are correct, I personally need to dig in Ezekiel more. It is a book too easily bypassed… particularly the verses about Torah being written on our hearts!
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Thank you for post, I have found the truth written here as well. Pauline Cristianity was a Roman/Greek creation to merge, control, and destroy ” the way”
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Shalom and welcome!!
Poke around the blog. Much to read and comment on!
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Shalom Achi Pete,
When I first saw this post from someone else, I was mad and angry that someone would have the audacity to post such a thing……thinking why would anyone be so bent on defaming Sha’ul/Paul, as to claim he wasn’t a “Christian”. Then, after reading through the posted material, and going into scripture ( I use “The Scriptures” from ISR 1998 version with restored names of Abba and Messiah in Hebrew), and also thinking that, it was never about converting to “Christianity” as the RCC would have us think, but that we are to be grafted into the Household of Yisra’el and made heirs to the promises of Avraham, Yitsaqh, & Ya’akov (who was renamed Yisra’el by Abba).
It is true that Sha’ul wasn’t converted to anything, except that after his immersion, was made a completed Jew….Messianic Hebrew. He was chosen by Yahusha HaMoshiach Himself, while on the road to Damascus to persecute the other followers of Messiah…was blinded, Acts 9:10-20
10 And there was at Damascus a certain taught one, by name Ḥananyah. And the Master said unto him in a vision, “Ḥananyah!” And he said, “Here I am, Master.” 11 And the Master said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Yehuḏah for one called Sha’ul of Tarsos, for look, he is praying, 12 and has seen in a vision a man named Ḥananyah coming in and laying his hand on him, so as to see again.” 13 And Ḥananyah answered, “Master, I have heard from many about this man, how many evils he did to Your set-apart ones in Yerushalayim, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on Your Name.” 15 But the Master said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before nations, sovereigns, and the children of Yisra’ĕl. 16 “For I shall show him how much he has to suffer for My Name.” 17 And Ḥananyah went away and went into the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Sha’ul, the Master יהושע, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me, so that you might see again and be filled with the Set-apart Spirit.” 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it were scales, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was immersed. 19 And having received food, he was strengthened. And Sha’ul was with the taught ones at Damascus some days. 20 And immediately he proclaimed the Messiah in the congregations, that He is the Son of Elohim.
It’s always hard to unlearn what we have learned from before, but as long as we remain plyable and receptive before Abba Yahuah, there is much which has to be revealed in this short time we have left. The “Church” system has perverted and distorted Abba’s word so much, it’s a shame…..the lies passed down through the millennia, and both shepherds and the flocks are highly deceived…..so much of the Hebrew thinking is gone, but making a comeback…..the church however, still thinking in terms of the Greek….sad. Todah Rabah achi for your insights….we all need to rethink how we look at Abba’s Word, to start looking at it from the Hebrew perspective as was its origins and language……Shalom and blessings to all
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Thank you so much brother!! I, myself, have been plenty challenged in the last few years, but thank Abba for His patience!!
A fun side note to the whole Damascus story is the Messianic Jew who was righteous (kept Torah) who prayed that the scales be removed!
Yep. Those Torah Keepers are the weaker brethren… (tongue firmly planted in cheek!)
Welcome!!
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If only the church would open their eyes and see that what they’re learning and teaching others is a lie……if they could only see the message in this:
Ephsiyah/Eph 2
1 And you were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest. 4 But Elohim, who is rich in compassion, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah – by favour you have been saved – 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Messiah יהושע, 7 in order to show in the coming ages the exceeding riches of His favour in kindness toward us in Messiah יהושע. 8 For by favour you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, 9 it is not by works, so that no one should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah יהושע unto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that you, once gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called ‘the circumcision’ made in the flesh by hands, 12 that at that time you were without Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Yisra’ĕl and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no expectation and without Elohim in the world. 13 But now in Messiah יהושע you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. 14 For He is our peace, who has made both one, and having broken down the partition of the barrier, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity – the Torah of the commands in dogma – so as to create in Himself one renewed man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and to completely restore to favour both of them unto Elohim in one body through the stake, having destroyed the enmity by it. 17 And having come, He brought as Good News peace to you who were far off, and peace to those near. 18 Because through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the set-apart ones and members of the household of Elohim, 20 having been built upon the foundation of the emissaries and prophets, יהושע Messiah Himself being chief corner-stone, 21 in whom all the building, being joined together, grows into a set-apart Dwelling Place in יהוה, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of Elohim in the Spirit.
With emphesis on verses 18-22 and with spiritual eyes open, one can clearly see that there is only one people of Yahuah Elohim….always has been, always will be. The church for some wierd reason, is teaching replacement theology that there is two peoples….that which you bring out in your article, “Christians” & Jews. But even Moshiach made it clear what and/or who the disciples were suppose to go to first….Mattitiyahu/Matt 10: 5, 6
5 יהושע sent these twelve out, having commanded them, saying, “Do not go into the way of the gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Shomeronites, 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Yisra’ĕl.
This whole thing is about restoring the House of Yisra’el that Abba divorced because of their whoring after pagan gods of the nations, scattering them to the 4 winds of the earth, and also making them forget who they were. This current time we’re in, is the restoration of all things of the house of Yisra’el and of the house of Yahudah….
Shalom
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Paul converted to a Person, Christ. He persecuted Christ prior to this conversion. Scripture says there is Israel after the flesh, and then there is true Israel, spiritual Israel. Before Paul’s conversion, he only was an Israelite after the flesh. After his conversion, he was a part of spiritual Israel as well.
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All spiritual Israelites are physical Israelites. Paul did not convert to anything. That is Christian mythology. Maybe he was a “completed” Jew, but he was part of the covenant before he found Yeshua.
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Quit picking and choosing scriptures
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Show me where I’m wrong.
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Keep up the ‘tov’ work of Truth!
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