1. Resurrection Part V The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Skeptic – James, brother of Jesus

2. Saul to Paul (More than just a letter?)

3. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Stoning of Stephen The Conversion of Saul

4. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Stoning of Stephen The Conversion of Saul

5. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Stoning of Stephen Acts 7:57-59 …they…rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.

6. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Stoning of Stephen Acts 7:57-59 …they…rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.

7. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Stoning of Stephen Acts 8:1-3 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

8. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Stoning of Stephen Acts 8:1-3 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

9. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus Acts 8:1-3 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

10. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus Acts 9:1-2 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

11. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus The Stoning of Stephen The Conversion of Saul

12. The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus 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.” Acts 9:3-6

13. The Conversion of Saul The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus 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.” Acts 9:3-6

14. The Conversion of Saul The Church Persecutor – Saul of Tarsus Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9:18-20

15. The Conversion of Saul Paul – The Apostle Set Free Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9:18-20

16. Evidence of Paul’s Conversion and Suffering Paul’s writings to Corinth, Galatia, and Philippi. Rumors circulating in Judea within three years of the conversion. Clement of Rome Polycarp Tertullian Dionysius of Corinth (Bishop at Corinth in the second century)* Origen*

17. What does this all mean to our apologetic? Lots!

18. What does this all mean to our apologetic? He believed that he had seen the risen Lord so fiercely, that he was willing to suffer for that belief to the point of martyrdom! Enemy attestation Multiple witness attestation. Eye-witness attestation Early evidence.

19. James The Brother of Jesus

20. James We do not have nearly the same wealth of information. Two gospels report that James, as well as his other brothers, were not believers (Mark 3:21, 31; 6:3-4; John 7:5). We have evidence that Jesus appeared to James. (1 Cor. 15:7) James is identified as the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts15:12-21; Gal. 1:19)

21. James James died a martyr Josephus Hegesippus* Clement of Alexandria*

22. What does this all mean to our apologetic? Lots!

23. What does this all mean to our apologetic? He believed that he had seen the risen Lord so fiercely, that he was willing to suffer for that belief to the point of martyrdom! Enemy attestation Multiple witness attestation. Eye-witness attestation Early evidence.

24. Next Week

25. The final piece of our apologetic (and perhaps the most controversial)… The Empty Tomb

26. That’s All Folks…