Why Did Paul Persecute the Christians?

By: Michelle Johnson | February 27, 2022

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Question: “Why did Paul persecute Christians?” – StudyingRel2022

Answer: First, let’s start by asking ‘what is persecution?’ Persecution can be described as harassment, ill-treatment, oppression, or any action that seeks to quell or bring an end to a movement – in the case discussed below, those that followed Jesus.

Paul was not alone in his persecution efforts against Christians. Scripture is clear that the reason for persecution is the proclamation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah.

Before we look at the persecution that was issued from the hand of Paul, let’s look at some other instances of persecution in the Bible.  We will start with Jesus – the One in whom Christians placed their faith and told others about. Scripture makes it quite clear Jesus is the Son of God, one with God, the Messiah foretold throughout the Old Testament scriptures. He knew who He was and communicated that to those who followed Him. The Gospels record the intentions and several attempts by the religious leaders to quell Jesus’s ministry – His mission to teach His followers who He was and what He was here to do. Here are a few examples: Matthew 12:14; 21:46; 22:15; Mark 3:2, 6; 11:18; 14:1; Luke 6:7,11; 11:53-54. Ultimately the charge against Jesus by the religious leaders was blasphemy. What is blasphemy? It is defined as disrespect or a sacrilegious action/statement, in this case, Jesus was claiming to be the promised Messiah and the Son of God. The punishment was crucifixion. This, in alignment with the definition above, was an action intending to put an end to Jesus’s teaching and the faith of those that followed Him. The religious leaders just wanted to be done with Jesus.

After Jesus’s resurrection and ascension into heaven, two of His disciples, Peter and John were at the Temple and Peter healed a lame man, commanding him to walk in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:6 NIV). They took the opportunity to teach the gathering crowd the truth about who Jesus was, citing their status as eyewitnesses as evidence to the events of His death and resurrection. Peter and John were arrested and brought before the religious leadership. In their testimony, they proclaimed Jesus was raised from the dead and is the only source of salvation (Acts 4:12). In this case, there wasn’t any physical harm to Peter and John, but the Bible records the leaders’ intent to stop the spread of this teaching:

1. “But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we (the religious leaders) must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” (Acts 4:17 emphasis mine)
2. “After further threats they let them go.” (Acts 4:21)

The story of Stephen, a follower of Jesus who was chosen to help distribute food to the widows, is found in Acts chapters six and seven. Stephen was arrested and accused by false witnesses. (Act 6:13-14) When brought before the high priest and religious leaders, Stephen delivered a rather lengthy discourse ultimately pointing to the leaders’ rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. The leaders were unhappy, to say the least. Stephen then testified that he saw heaven open and the Son of Man (Jesus) standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:1-57) The title “Son of Man” and position at the right hand of God clearly identified Jesus as Messiah.[1]  Outraged, the leaders dragged him out of the city to be stoned. (Acts 7:58) Stephen was persecuted by the religious leaders and killed for his belief and testimony that Jesus Christ is Messiah and Son of God. Near the end of the account of Stephen’s death, Acts tells us “the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul”. (Acts 7:58) This Saul is also known as (and more frequently referred to as) Paul. “Saul approved of their killing him (Stephen).” (Acts. 8:1) According to scripture, Saul was in complete agreement with the religious leaders who were outraged over the belief and teaching of the Christians that Jesus was the long-anticipated Messiah and God’s own Son. He joined the persecution of Stephen by his presence. Paul offers his own confession later in Acts – “I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.” (Acts 22.20)

Paul’s own life demonstrates it was the proclamation of the truth that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God that is at the core of persecution of Christians. Scripture tells us when Stephen died “a great persecution broke out against the church…” (Acts 8:1) While fellow followers of Jesus were left with the task of burying Stephen and mourning over his death, “Saul began to destroy the church…he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” (Acts 8:3) The persecution caused followers of Jesus to scatter to other towns and cities. Saul followed in pursuit. He headed in the direction of the city of Damascus and was armed with official papers from the high priest which sanctioned the imprisonment of the Christians. (Acts 9:1b-2) It is clear from scripture, Saul persecuted Christians because of their belief and proclamation that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God.

The record of Paul’s life in the Bible includes a very important turning point. While Saul was marching to Damascus, on the hunt for Christians, equipped with official permission to imprison them, something life-changing happened. Acts 9:3-6 documents this event:

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’

Saul followed Jesus’s directions. Over the next several days, Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized, spent time with the disciples that were in the city, and “began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20) The remainder of the book of Acts and the many other epistles (letters) written by Paul in the New Testament provide testimony to the persecution that Paul now suffered because he preached the name of Jesus. Regarding persecution, Paul’s life is easily divided into two distinct parts. Part 1 – Paul the persecutor, before he personally encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Part 2 – Paul the persecuted who willing suffered at the hands of those opposed to the truth he now believed and preached – Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God.

About the Author

Michelle Johnson is a Ph.D. student in the Theology and Apologetics program at Liberty University. She also earned her M.A. in Theological Studies and her M.Div. in Professional Ministries at Liberty University. Michelle graduated from the University of Minnesota with her undergraduate degrees. She and her husband Steve live in Mankato, Minnesota, where she also serves in women’s ministries. In addition to her love of theology and apologetics, Michelle also has a passion for historical studies, particularly the theology of the Patristics. When she is not spending time reading or writing, Michelle can often be found dreaming of her next travel adventure or enjoying a great cup of coffee.

Notes

            [1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck, eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, Il: Victor Books, 1983), 371.

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