Unbelievers, could you explain this to me?

A lot of you, in response to questions asked, responded that the bible is just a book written by men for the purpose of controlling the mes, or whatever, and not inspired by the holy spirit. How then do you explain many of the authors, especially those from the new testament, like Paul, who professed his belief of what he saw, and how he was called to worship Jesus Christ, and make followers? If you know Paul, then you know he was the worst persecutor of the early Christian church, a man of great power and influence, a Pharisee in fact, until on the road to Damascus he was blinded by Christ, and asked by Jesus, "Saul, why do you persecute me?" at which point he did a radical 180 turn, and lived the rest of his life as a servant to Christ, unto his death. Since he would not realize any of the benefits of 'controlling the mes' what was his aim? He spent many years in prison, was finally beheaded, and for what if he was actually just trying to influence the mes? Almost all of the early Christian followers were tortured, and died, so you mean to tell me NOT ONE came clean in spite of all this and said "Yeah, it's all made up"? I'll tell you, they believed, because they were eye witnesses to Christs glory, there is no other explanation.