Saul to Paul

Today’s reading: Acts 12:24-25, 13:1-15

“Then Saul, also known as Paul.” - Acts 13:9

Contrary to the popular opinion of some, Paul’s name was not changed upon his initial conversion to the Christian faith. By this point, it has been around 15 years since his roadside experience with Jesus and his subsequent baptism.

So why does Paul leave Saul behind as they embark on their First Missionary Journey?

“As a Roman citizen Paul would have borne three names, the third of which would have been the Latin ‘Paullus’; what his first two names were, we do not know. A Roman citizen could have a fourth name given at birth and used as a familiar name; in Paul’s case this could have been his Jewish name ‘Saul’.” - H.I. Marshall

Paul would stop nothing, short of sinning, to reach the Gentiles. He was not on these mission journeys to pacify, and blend in with, the Jews. Mostly, he angered them.

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, he lays it out: “by all means I may save some”.

What simple barriers can we remove in order to better reach the lost?