Minimal Fact #3

Minimal Fact #3 of Jesus' Resurrection:*

Paul, the skeptic and persecutor of Christians, converted to becoming a follower of Christ.

In Paul's own words (1 Corinthians 15:9-10, Galatians 1:12-16, 22-23, and Phillipians 3:6-7), he describes himself as a persecutor of the church. We also have record in Acts (7:58, 8:1-3, 9:1-19, 22:3-16, 26:9-23) of Paul's actions against the church. There was also a report circulating among the region of Galatia that said, “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy" (Gal 1:22-23).

Paul also describes in his own words (see passages above) of his conversion. This is significant because Paul doesn't claim to have heard the Gospel message from some schmo around town, but Paul claims to have seen the risen Lord himself. He then has a dramatic change of life, eventually becoming an apostle and leader in the church.

Paul could have been mistaken, of course. But one thing we know is that he truly believed it. No less than 6 other sources (Luke, Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Tertullian, Dionysius of Corinth, and Origen) testify to Paul's suffering and martyrdom for the faith. People have (and do) die for believing something that is wrong, but they never die for a lie. This is why the vast majority of scholars in this field agree that Paul did in fact become a convert to Christianity.

Paul was a persecutor, said he met the risen Jesus, became a leader in the church, suffered and died for the faith.

Minimal Facts:
1) Jesus died by crucifixion.
2) The disciples believed that they experienced the risen Jesus.
3) Paul, the skeptic, became a believer in Christ.

*Adapted from The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, by Habermas & Licona.