To me, the most amazing transformation that comes about in the bible is the transformation of Saul.
Saul was a Jew, born of the Roman Empire, and a Pharisee. He started out as a staunch opponent of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He persecuted the church heavily, and he threw many in prison for their belief in Jesus Christ.
In Acts 9 Jesus Christ revealed himself to Saul: Acts 9:3-6 KJV 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Saul was temporarily blinded for three days, until another follower of Christ was sent to him to heal him of his blindness and to lay hands on Saul so that he would receive the Holy Spirit. From that day on, Saul became a vehement supporter and follower of Jesus Christ, becoming an apostle. His name was changed to Paul, and he travelled around Asia and the Mediterranean bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentiles.
Paul travelled around Asia and the Mediterranean proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul went on to write 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament, and he was powerful. It is written that people were healed merely from aprons and handkerchiefs that came from Paul. Acts 19:11-12 KJV: 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
What strikes me the most is the way Paul described himself:
Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Philemon 1:1
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
A prisoner of Jesus Christ. Those are STRONG words. They sound scary, but I tell you it is quite the opposite; it is actually exhilarating.
When you truly give yourself to Jesus you become free in becoming a prisoner. You become lost in His love, and He changes you. He lives in you.
What an amazing transformation and testament to the mighty power of God.
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