Paul referred to himself in this moment of redemption as one “untimely born” (I Cor. 15:8) or as some interestingly translate it, “traumatically born,” forcibly removed from the womb. Paul was birthed traumatically from death to life, Jesus abruptly terminating his maturation into sin, bringing him into the kingdom of God.

By presenting Himself to Paul, Jesus made him an eyewitness to His resurrection. The risen Jesus sums up salvation from sin and death. The resurrection is the exclamation point that the kingdom of God has come.