Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1–7 (RSV)
Lutherans are Christ-centered, Pauline Christians. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the beating heart of our theology, teaching and faith. We rely upon the witness of St. Paul more than any other witness in the New Testament.
St. Paul's theology lies at the core of the Reformation. Luther saw that the grace of God through faith in Christ is the Gospel. We have St. Paul to thank for clearly teaching the Church of this truth.
St. Paul's life offers hope to every sinner. We first encounter him in Acts, where he oversees the murder of St. Stephen. He was Saul at that time, and his hatred for Christians and the Church was boundless. He was convinced of his service to God by trying to destroy the Church along with as many Christians as he could.
Before his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road, Saul was more hopelessly lost than Judas. Saul would have gladly driven the nails into Jesus' flesh, counting it a good, God-pleasing act.
Jesus transformed Saul, the destroyer of the Church, into St. Paul. St. Paul would spend his life proclaiming the Risen Jesus and spreading the Church. He would die for the faith he once sought to eliminate.
If Saul, who became St. Paul, can be redeemed by our Lord Jesus, then there is hope for us all.