The First Celebrity Convert
Saul was if not the first, one of the first celebrity converts. He had achieved success and notoriety outside of Christianity. He was known both in Jerusalem and other Ancient Near Eastern cities for his zeal for Judaism and for persecuting Christians. He was as close to a celebrity as anything the New Testament era could offer. The path he took to ministry effectiveness notable.
His conversion was a remarkable work of God.
He was immediately received with fear and skepticism. Even the one who baptized him was not so sure at first.
Saul began preaching immediately.
The first evidence of the veracity of Saul’s conversion was his immediate desire to preach Christ (Acts 9:21). We sometimes wince at this with celebrity believers, but they live so much in the public eye that they desire to proclaim Christ publicly immediately. Saul of Tarsus was no exception.
Even Saul needed his three years.
There is some indication in the text that while he was zealous early, it took time for his effectiveness as an evangelist to grow (Acts 9:22). According to Paul himself, he spent three years in the backside of the desert communing with Christ and learning from God. Those three years probably occurred between Acts 9:21 and 22. Paul already had a formal biblical education. What he did not have before was the presence of the Holy Spirit so that he might truly understand the significance of what he already knew. That understanding took time to develop.
Every celebrity convert needs to understand that while there is such zeal upon conversion, there is also a discipling process that needs to take place outside of the public limelight—even for someone with extensive biblical knowledge like Saul.
Saul was accountable to a local church.
Every new convert, no matter how popular or influential, needs to be humble enough to learn from and be accountable to others. Saul also made his way to Jerusalem and joined the fellowship of existing believers. He functioned under the authority of the local church and Apostles. He challenged them when necessary (Galatians 2) but always worked as part of, and not independent of the established church leadership.
Eventually, Saul faced persecution in Jerusalem and was shipped off to Tarsus. We find him again in Acts 13 where God separates him along with Barnabas for the work of ministry. He learned and prepared for years before God called him into specific missionary service.
Maybe today’s celebrity converts and those helping them could learn a little from Saul of Tarsus.
Even after the 3 years on the backside of the desert (“between Acts 9:21 and 22”) none of the disciples in Jerusalem (apparently even including the apostles–9:27a) believed Saul was a disciple (9:26) just because he so professed. Barnabas’ subsequent defense of Saul in 9:27b was based upon Saul’s unmistakably changed life and message — not a mere profession.
Believers would likewise be wise today not to immediately receive professors of salvation. Unlike our Lord Jesus in John 2:23-25 all it often takes today is for someone to say, “I’m a Christian, too” and gullible believers “commit” (lit., “believe”) themselves to him/her.