who first despised the christian movement, but then later traveled to preach jesus’ message?

The person you’re looking for is Saul of Tarsus, later known as the apostle Paul.

Quick Scoop

• Saul first despised the Christian movement and violently persecuted early believers, even imprisoning and approving the deaths of Christians.

• On the road to Damascus, he experienced a dramatic encounter with Jesus, after which he converted and began traveling widely to preach Jesus’ message across the Roman world.

• Under the name Paul, he helped establish many early churches and wrote several New Testament letters that are central to Christian teaching today.

In short: the answer to “who first despised the Christian movement, but then later traveled to preach Jesus’ message?” is Saul (Paul) the apostle.