THOSE WHO COME TO FAITH IN JESUS ARE CHANGED FOREVER!

SAUL OF TARSUS BEFORE BEING CONFRONTED BY JESUS

Acts 7:55 - 8:3 - "But (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him:  and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he knelt down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep....And Saul was consenting unto his death.  And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.  As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and (dragging out) men and women, committed them to prison."
Acts 26:4-5 - The Apostle Paul in his own defense before King Agrippa:  "My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the (strictest - ἀκριβής akribēs) sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee."

SAUL, UPON MEETING JESUS, BECAME THE APOSTLE PAUL

Acts 9:1-6 - "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way (believers in Christ), whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why (do you persecute) Me?  And he said, Who art Thou, Lord?  And the Lord said, I am Jesus Whom (you persecute):  it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  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."

Philippians 3:1-9 - "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.  To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (those who would demand you be circumcised).  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh.  If any other man think that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the Law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the Law, blameless.  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may (please - κερδαίνω (kerdainō) Christ.  And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

HAVE YOU COME  TO FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

IF YOU HAVE, HOW DID YOUR LIFE CHANGE?

I WENT FROM ATHEIST TO A "JESUS FREAK" PRAISING GOD!