From Hatred to Love"

        "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary 

                         to the name of Jesus Of Nazareth

                                           ACT 26 : 9

        Paul is struck by the irony of the Jews opposing him for teaching that which is the great hope of Judaism resurrection, nevertheless, he understands their antipathy for he has been in their shoes. He like they, once opposed Jesus' work of building His church. As he says"'I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."' Dr. Kistemaker notes that "the term name must be understood in the broad sense of Jesus' teaching and ministry, is, His revelation." Paul is saying that he once was utterly opposed to everything Jesus stood for. With these words to King Agrippa and the other dignitaries assembly in governor festus' audience chamber Paul moves a brief recap of his persecution of the church.

       Much of what Paul says here has been reported earlier in Acts. He notes that he acted on the authority of the authority of the chief priests to imprison believers in Jerusalem furthermore, he says that when their trials took place before the Sanhedrin, he voted as the prosecutor that christianss should be put to death. He says he "'punished the' often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme."' It is uncertain what Paul means by "'blaspheme,"' though kistemaker writes that "the context implies the cursing of Jesus' person, teaching, and work ( 1cor. 12:3)." Paul confesses that he was "'exceedingly enraged"' against the christians, so much so that he was willing to go after believer even in Damascus.

      Even before Paul recounts for Agrippa what happened to him on the Damascus road, he here gives the king an example of the change that has taken place in him. Whereas he once hated, persecuted, hunted, and condemned Christians, he now calls them "saints." Writing in his commentary on Acts kistemaker says, "by using this explicit term, the former prosecutor not only openly admits that he inflicted injuries on innocent people but also ascribes to them the attributes of holiness. In short, he regards the' highly." Paul has moved fro' hatred of believers to love for them. He once attacked them mercilessly, believing he was bringing divine vegeance on God enemies. But now he sees these people of the way as the people of God. Beloved and sanctified by the heavenly. God has changed his heart and mind completely.