One of the great arguments for the validity of Christianity is the radical transformation of legalistic believers in Judaism bowing heart/body/mind before Jesus, a known former resident of the town of Nazareth.
The Apostle Paul is the most radical transformation. CB, you know Paul was on his way to Damascus to imprison (and see killed) followers of Jesus. Paul was not metaphorically knocked down, blinded, and laid up. He was literally shaken by God like a ragamuffin in order to get his attention. Jesus Himself spoke to Paul. Paul had a vision of the resurrected Lord. THAT is his qualification to apostleship. It is a qualification that you, I, and other Christians do not have. It is what makes his writings scripture and my writings rants.
No one denies that Paul was an extreme case. Not that there haven’t been other dramatic examples of people turning from extreme hate and persecution to following Christ. The point still remains and can not be definitively proven either way that Paul or any of those others could have simply returned to their evil ways. It’s simply speculation that anyone is left with no choice and against their will, are forced to follow Christ. Only the Catholic church and other cults try those tactics.
Hey, it doesn't even have to be a legalistic believers in Judaism to see a radical transformation.
Been there, done that.
Thankfully, God did not have to knock me to the ground and blind me to get my attention even though ti wasn't easy.