Saul was born in the city of Tarsus in modern-day Turkey. He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, and was named, in Greek, Saulos, from the Hebrew name Shaoul, meaning desired. Israel’s first king had the same name, and he was of the same tribe.

Saul’s hometown, Tarsus, was part of the Roman Empire, and it had a famous university. According to Roman law, someone born in their territory became a Roman citizen, no matter what his race. Saul’s parents gave their son the Greek name Paulos according to the language of the empire. He was brought up as a religious Jew, trained in the Hebrew language and Scriptures (Phil. 3). Later, Saul received further training in Jerusalem by the famous rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Most of the Jewish people rejected Jesus of Nazareth, and so did Saul. He developed an extreme hatred towards those Jews who had become followers of Jesus of Nazareth.

God intervened when Jesus Himself appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, close to the city (Acts 9:1–28). This encounter changed Saul forever and prepared him to become Christ’s devoted servant. Paul visited many towns and cities, and many accepted his message and believed God’s Word through God’s work within them. God was victorious in the places Paul visited, and assemblies were formed. Praise Him!