I don't know what I was thinking!  There's only one reason that God chose Paul..for WHO he was. There's no need for WHAT WHEN, etc..The WHO explains the WHY.

Well, maybe a little of the WHEN..Why, because I believe God first considered Peter. He directed him to go to the Roman Pagan and tell him about Jesus.  Despite two dreams/visions in which he was made to know that the 'unclean" foods were palatable..signifying that it was alright for him to be in the Pagan's company, it took a third to finally convince him to to go.

At this time, it must've become obvious that Peter was too hide-bound in his ways and beliefs to accept another.  So, Paul was chosen. Here's a classic case of God choosing the unexpected..the great persecutor of the followers of Jesus!

But thnk of what a great prospect he would make to spread the gospel and special teachings to everybody, Jews and Pagans/Greeks.  He was a Roman citizen, and he could travel throughout the empire at will. He was familiar with the ways of the "Greeks', spoke the language, and he was literate.  But above all, he was ardent in his belief.  Nothing deterred him from the path of righteousness, once he believd in its tenets.  A persecutor in the name of the law could become a loving teacher in the name of Jesus.  All that was necessary was a miracle to convert him to be a slave for the Christ.

We all know the miracle that occurred on the Road to Damascus.  The glorious, blindingly, brilliant face of Jesus prostrated him and changed him immediately, after Jesus Christ gave him his mission.  Jesus even admonished him as to how he could ignore the "goad" that must've been plaguing him.

I believe that Steven's death had a great impact on Saul, by the way he died, intoning Jesus to forgive them. He forgave his enemies just as Jesus did on the cross.  Imagine Saul/Paul witnessing this man, self-composed, willingly dying for Jesus, face aglow with acceptance, and forgiving his enemies!  This must have made Saul wonder if Jesus was special..maybe He was  the Christ..the Messiah?  

I use this questioning device, followed by the vision of Steven in my play, ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN, for dramatic effect.  I believe this "goad"..this "picking with a sharp object", was the questioning of his conscience..was He or wasn't He?

So, from that moment on, Saul/Paul slaved for Jesus Christ as ardently as he defended the Law!  bob4Paul