The Impact of Saul of Tarsus

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” -Acts 9:31

Most Christians are aware that Saul of Tarsus was the persecutor of the church who was converted to Christ and became one of the first and primary missionaries to the Gentile world. But I think we sometimes underestimate the impact Saul actually had. According to Acts 9:31, when Saul became a Christian and stopped persecuting the church, “then the churches had rest.”

We’re all going to leave an impact on the world of some kind. Having influence is universal, but the kind of influence we have is what is important. Saul left carnage in his wake, but Paul left the gospel in every city where he walked. Saul persecuted the church at large, but Paul established churches in Jesus’ name. As a matter of fact, the churches (notice the plural usage) multiplied.

You may not be a persecutor of the church, but you may not be helping the cause either. All of your life will be spent influencing others either for or against Christ, whether you realize it or not. We cannot shirk this responsibility, it is simply a given. What influence has your life made so far? Does there need to be a change in you so that there will be a change in the impact you leave behind?