Final answer:
Saul of Tarsus was a devout Pharisee and fierce persecutor of Christians before his conversion to become the Apostle Paul. His life changed after a profound experience on the road to Damascus, where he was struck by a blinding light, leading to his advocacy for Christian faith and influence on its spread.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before his conversion on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus, who would later be known as Paul, was a devout Pharisee and persecutor of Christians. He did not start as a disciple of Jesus; rather, he was a respected member of the Jewish community and actively opposed the spread of Christianity. His dramatic conversion is recorded in the book of Acts and led to a complete transformation in his life, as he became a passionate advocate for the Christian faith.
Saul's role as a persecutor meant that he initially sought to destroy the Christian group. The account of his conversion tells of being struck by a blinding light and hearing a voice. After being led to Damascus, Ananias healed Saul, allowing him to regain his sight and marking the start of his new life as a proponent of Christianity. The spread of Christianity was significantly influenced by Paul as he traveled to various cities, preaching to both Jews and Gentiles and writing many of the Epistles found in the New Testament.