Paul had more liberal Pharisaical teaching. I think that is the key to his usefulness. The conservative community was extremely legalistic about the law, both oral and written. Those are the ones that crucified Jesus because they could not grasp that he actually was the Messiah since he did not fulfill prophesy according to their legalistic understanding of the scriptures. Paul on the other hand was more like Nicodemus. He understood the word of God on a theological level not simply as law; he had a desire to understand it more than to know it. It is pretty clear, in spite of this, that he did not understand Jesus to be the Messiah prior to his conversion, but after being confronted by God, his eyes were opened (literally and figuratively). Were he a conservative, it is more likely that he would have ignored it and remained blind for the remainder of his life.

His theological understanding comes out in volumes in the New Testament, especially in Romans. Paul’s understanding was so strong that he was able to bring consistency to God’s plan for His people both Jews and Christians. Paul’s understanding was also such that he was able to make sense of Gentile Christians. This deeper level of understanding no doubt was the catalyst that made him so useful in bringing large groups of people, both Jew and Gentile, to Christ.

Probably like Paul, I’m not terribly proud of my past. Much of it is meaningless according to Solomon. In spite of that, I believe that my past prepared me to understand people in a way I otherwise would not have. I believe I am able to minister to people both accurately and mercifully—meet them where they are at. This isn’t to say I would tolerate sin, but that I believe God can use me to convict mercifully rather than prophetically.

The Theological Background of the Apostle Paul