In the liturgical (church year) calendar, January 25 is designated as The Feast of the Conversion of Paul. New Testament scholars agree, though, that Paul’s experience is not a conversion in the sense of changing from one religion to another. It is better described as a call to a new understanding and new behavior. Before Jesus revealed himself to Paul, he persecuted Christians because he thought they practiced a false religion, one different from Judaism. Through his experience on the road to Damascus, Paul comes to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. One commentator describes Paul’s experience as a conversion to living in opposition to God’s will to acting in accordance with it.
When Martin Luther comments on Paul’s conversion, he makes a connection between Paul acts of persecution and Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40 about feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and welcoming the stranger. Luther challenges us to look beyond clear examples of violent persecution and to recognize the serious impact of our actions and our non-actions on others.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “We are called!” by Kathryn A. Kleinhans in the January/February 2019 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate the Conversion of Paul. Today is the last day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Copyright © 2024 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected]. If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.