Acts 9:1

Saul kept up his violent threats. See Acts 8:3. The life of this man is about to undergo a radical transformation as he comes face to face with the Risen Lord! Saul tried to live as he understood the Law of God. It was because of ignorance that he tried to destroy the church (1 Timothy 1:13). [One year or more has passed since the death of Stephen.] Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5); his Jewish father was a Roman citizen, so Saul was born a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28). He was born in Tarsus, a Greek city, capital of Cilicia. He grew up with the Greek language and customs, as well as being raised a strict Pharisee (Philippians 3:5-6). While still young, he went to Jerusalem to study the Law at the theological schools, and was taught by one of the greatest teachers of the Law, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), He was one of the militant Pharisees (Acts 26:5), and probably had been trained as a missionary for Judaism. It is thought that he had been away from Jerusalem during the time of Christ's public ministry and the events of the Cross. As we first meet him, he is a young man [between 30 and 35 years old], outstanding and with great influence, active in his attempt to destroy what he believes to be a heresy, and a trusted leader of those who are enemies of Christianity.