One Man: Saul the Sinner, Paul the Saint

By Arthur Sullivan

One Man: Saul the Sinner, Paul the Saint, although based on historical and documented events, includes fictional encounters that may or may not have occurred.

To be certain, Paul was an amazing man. His journeys were epic and his life of service teaching the message of the Messiah, Jesus, are inspiring. His transformation from Saul to Paul is nothing less than miraculous.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891300330

Arthur Sullivan

Sydney Grundy (1848–1914) and Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900) were successful collaborators during the late nineteenth century. Grundy attended Owens College where he studied law before he embarked on his theatrical career. Elsewhere, Sullivan was raised in a musical family where he learned to play multiple instruments at an early age. He would go on to produce H.M.S. Pinafore (1878) and The Pirates of Penzance (1879). Meanwhile, Grundy worked on A Little Change (1872), A Pair of Spectacles (1889) and A Village Priest (1890).

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One Man: Saul the Sinner, Paul the Saint

Arthur Sullivan

ISBN 979-8-89130-032-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89130-033-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Arthur Sullivan

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Meet Saul, the Sinner

Chapter 2

Saul of Tarsus

Chapter 3

The Road to Damascus

Chapter 4

A New Life

Chapter 5

The First Journey

Chapter 6

St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians

Chapter 7

The Second Journey

Chapter 8

Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians

Chapter 9

Paul in Corinth

Chapter 10

Paul's First and Second Letters to the Corinthians

Chapter 11

The Third Journey and Return to Jerusalem

Chapter 12

The Voyage to Rome, Paul's Fourth Journey

Chapter 13

St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians

Chapter 14

Paul's Letter to Philemon

Chapter 15

St. Paul's Letter to the Romans

Chapter 16

Final Chapter of the Life of Paul

Epilogue

About the Author

Dedication

To my fifteen grandchildren.

Whenever I look at your faces, I see a beautiful future for each of you and hope for the world.

I love you all so very much, Granddad.

Steven Christopher Sullivan

Erin Patricia Sullivan

Lisa Michelle Sullivan

Benjamin Everett Oakes

Kayleigh Justine Sullivan

Matthew Christopher Oakes

Trevor Ryan Sullivan

Sean Patrick Sullivan

Isabella Grace Oakes

Joseph Arthur Sullivan

Julia Rose Sullivan

Emily Lynn Sullivan

Gabrielle Diana Sullivan

Dylan Edward Sullivan

Lochlan James Sullivan

My special thanks to my beautiful and smart editor, my daughter, Lauren Patricia Sullivan Oakes.

Prologue

It was a cold January night in Reston, Virginia. I was outlining what I thought was going to be my next book, Death on the Green. I soon became very tired and quickly went to sleep. When I awoke the next morning, my first words were Saint Paul. During my slumber, I was inspired or nudged to write a book about someone I truly did not know. Certainly, I had heard his name, but his life story was not known to me. I immediately began to research the life of Paul and became increasingly intrigued by his life and character.

We all know that Paul was a prolific writer of letters. Nearly every Sunday at Mass, we read one of Paul's letters. My research concluded that there are many very fine books written about Paul from a historical perspective. This is not necessarily one of them. Though based on historical and documented events, this book overlays a fictional account of the life of Saul and Paul (the same man) with events and actions that seem reasonable, to me.

To be certain, Paul is an amazing man. His journeys are epic, and his life of service teaching the message of the Messiah, Jesus, are inspiring. His life was also a study in contrasts. His metamorphosis from Saul to Paul is nothing less than miraculous. Paul's life proves that the power of forgiveness is real. Paul demonstrates that one can change and begin anew. It is a choice that is available to everyone. I believe that through prayer and reflection, the power of redemption resides in you.

I have also included the seven letters that were written by Paul. Although the New Testament includes thirteen letters that are attributed to him, biblical scholars have determined that only the seven that are included herein are authentic. I found his letters well-written and timeless. With some exceptions that will be obvious to you, they are as relevant today as they were nearly two thousand years ago.

(My apologies to Bible scholars, however, as Paul's letters have been reproduced without the use of footnotes and line numbers.)

Other books published by Arthur Sullivan:

A Dispassionate Man (2020)

A Passionate Woman (2021)

The Devil's Passion (2022)

Chapter 1

Meet Saul, the Sinner

If you don't denounce the man, Jesus, I will whip you until you die. And then I will whip your wife and your son. Killing all three of you is pleasing to me. With that warning, Saul exposed his scourge, comprised of leather straps embedded with small bits of metal.

As his Roman guards hung the man on a tree and ripped off his shirt, Saul issued the first lash, which ripped a large section of the man's skin from his back. As the blood began to flow, Saul repeated his warning, adding that he was looking forward to stripping the clothes off his wife and whipping her as well. He then yelled at his victim, How many lashes will your son endure before he is dead too?

Where is your savior now? asked Saul. Why is here not here to save you? It only took four more lashes from his scourge to kill his victim.

Saul yelled at the man's widow, Woman, will you save yourself and your son? Simply denounce Jesus, and I will let you both go. Say nothing, and you will soon be dead as well.

Yes, the woman cried back. I denounce Jesus. Please do not kill us, she begged.

Saul responded, Very good. I am glad that you have found the true religion. Now get to the synagogue, and pay your ransom to the Jewish leaders. They alone are your truth and foundation for life. Now run before I change my mind.

With that, the woman and her son ran away, leaving Saul and his Roman entourage laughing. His senior Roman legion guard, Clodius, asked Saul, Are you certain you're not getting soft, Saul? In days past, you would have killed all three of them. You and I know that this woman simply said what you wanted to hear to save herself and her boy.

Saul responded loudly, Hear me now, and don't forget these words. If I ever see this woman again, I will strike her with my sword and remove her head. And the head of her son.

His Roman guards knew Saul as a callous man, who was focused on killing as many Christians as he could discover. The mere mention of his name caused the followers of Jesus to hide in fear. They knew that should Saul discover them, death was certain to follow.

The guards asked Saul, What do you want us to do with this man's body?

Saul responded, Leave it there as a message to other Christians who may come this way. Post a message on his body that reads ‘Christian.' They will understand.

I must be on my way to Damascus now, Saul advised the Romans. You should return to your camp. I will see you in ten days.

As you wish, Saul, responded Clodius, the senior guard.

As Saul rode toward Damascus, he considered the events of the past week and said to himself, Eight dead Christians, not a bad week.

Chapter 2

Saul of Tarsus

Saul was born in in the year AD 5, which is five years after the birth of Christ, in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey). He was born to privileged Greek-speaking Jewish parents, who were also Roman citizens. Five years later, the family moved to Jerusalem, where Saul studied Hebrew scriptures. Reportedly, Saul studied under the guidance of Rabbi Gamaliel, a leader of the Pharisees. Saul was quickly recognized as a gifted and ambitious student.

While it is not generally known how Saul developed an absolute hatred for Christians, it is possible that because they did not follow strict Jewish traditions, he developed a strong disdain for what he perceived as their idolatrous practices. He also mistrusted their association with Gentiles, a group Saul particularly hated.

It is also possible Saul's anti-Christian zeal developed when he witnessed the killing of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Because Stephen preached about the Messiah, Jesus, he was hauled before the Sanhedrin, the same Jewish council that had condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy. When Stephen continued to preach a passionate defense of Christianity and love for Jesus, a mob, that included Saul, dragged him outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. Stephen's death seemed to validate Saul's hate-based mission.

For the first half of his life, Saul was recognized as a ruthless persecutor of the members of the emerging Christian movement, as well as Gentiles. He was ruthless and cruel. Killing men, women, and children seemed to be easy for him, especially if they openly espoused a belief in the Messiah, Jesus.

Chapter 3

The Road to Damascus

As he made his way to Damascus, Saul was considering that he should first meet with the local Roman guards and seek their assistance. There must be a lot of Christians in the area, I'll need their help to apprehend and torture them. I'll start where they normally ironically convene, near the synagogue.

Just ahead, Saul could see that the sun appeared to be dropping on his path. Strange, he thought, it is too early in the day for the sun to set. Also, it seemed that the sun had a stronger glow, so strong that it was impossible for his eyes to gaze upon it.

Suddenly, a voice thundered across the wilderness. Why do you persecute me? the voice asked.

Saul, shaken and still blinded by the sun, responded, Who are you?

The voice responded, It is Jesus. Why do you hate me? I love you and consider you my brother.

Saul was afraid and began trembling when suddenly simultaneous lightning strikes and deafening thunder caused his horse to rear up and throw Saul to the ground. He fell prostrate on the horse path and begged, Please do not kill me.

Jesus responded, I would never kill you. I will ask much of you, and later in your life, your reward will be eternal rest in heaven. But first, you must change your life, cease your hateful mission, and follow me.

For the next three hours, Saul, lying face down on the horse path, had detailed visions of the many murders he committed and began to weep. He had visions of the Christian men, women, and children he killed from their perspective. He felt the pain of his scourge and the sadness of their demise. He also felt shame and sorrow.

Then just as quickly as the event began, it was over. Saul looked up and could feel the sun's warmth, which indicated that it was still daylight, but he was now blind. He stood up and slowly walked toward his destination. Just outside the city, he met three people who presented themselves as Christians and offered to help him. Saul thanked them for their help and asked if they could guide him to the synagogue. About twenty minutes later, they helped Saul find a place to sit on the steps of the synagogue and departed the area. For the next several hours, Saul sat and prayed. In his prayers, he quietly asked Jesus for forgiveness and wisdom. He knew he had to remain silent for fear that the Jewish leaders might have him tortured if they heard his prayers.

Jesus, please forgive my many transgressions and faults, Saul prayed. He also begged Jesus for direction and guidance.

You look like you might be hungry, a man asked.

Thank you, yes, I am very hungry, Saul replied. May I ask your name, kind sir?

I am Ananias, and I have been enlightened to save you, he responded.

Enlightened? Who would seek to save me, asked Saul.

Jesus, Ananias replied. He loves you and asked that I take you to my home.

Thank you, Saul responded as Ananias helped him up and guided him to his home.

Upon arriving at the home of Ananias, he sat Saul at the table and fed him bread and wine.

Saul said, "I am still very confused about the events