The Apostle Paul

Paul was a Jew born in Tarus, a city in Cilicia (Acts 21:39) and educated in Jerusalem by the Pharisee Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Paul was born to Hebrew parents and followed the Pharisaic branch of Judaism (Acts 23:6). He was a Roman citizen from birth (Acts 22:28). Paul had a sister and a nephew that lived in Jerusalem (Acts 23:16-22).

Before he became the Apostle Paul, he was known as Saul. Saul is first mentioned in the Bible in Acts 7:58 at the stoning of Stephen. The religious leaders that stoned Stephen left their cloaks in Saul's care. Acts 8:1 states that Saul was approving of Stephen's murder. Following Stephen's death Saul went on a campaign of persecuting the Christians. Acts 8:3 says that Saul began invading one house after another and dragging both men and women from their homes and turning them over to the prison. Acts 9:1-2 states that Saul was breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord and went to the high priest to get letters allowing him to bring bound to Jerusalem anyone who was a Christian.

Saul was on his way to Damascus when a light from heaven flashed around him. A voice from heaven said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul answered, "Who are you Lord?" The voice responded, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Jesus then told Saul to go into the city and he would be told what to do (Acts 9:3-6). When Saul was able to get up from the ground, he found that he was blind. The men that were with Saul led him into Damascus. For three days Saul could not see, nor did he eat or drink anything (Acts 9:7-9).

A disciple named Ananias was chosen by Jesus to go to Saul, who was praying. Ananais went to Saul and laid his hands on him, and Saul regained his vision. Jesus told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to bring His name to the nations (Acts 9:10-17). After Saul regained his vision he was baptized, and stayed for several days with the disciples. Immediately Saul began to preach the word of Jeus in the synagogues. The religious leaders made plans to kill Saul, but his disciples learned of the plan and they lowered him over the city walls in a basket (Acts 9:24-25). After this, Saul used the name Paul.

Paul went to Arabia after his conversion in order to meditate on God's purpose for him (Galatians 1:15-17). Later Paul went to Jerusalem where the brothers there did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas came to his aid in this situation (Acts 9:27). Later Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch to assist in the ministry there (Acts 11:22-30).

Paul and Barnabas began their first missionary journey to Cyprus. Paul was preaching to Sergius Paulus when a sorcerer named Elymas tried to oppose Paul. Paul caused Elymas to be struck temporarily blind which astounded Serius Paulus, who then became a believer (Acts 13:4-12). Later in the journey in Iconium the Jews planned to stone Paul and Barnabas but they fled to Lystra. In Lystra Paul healed a man that had been lame since birth. The Jews again incited the people of Lystra and they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city believing that he was dead (Acts 14). Paul and Barnabas preached in many cities and made many disciples.

On the first missionary journey Paul also went before the congregation and set the record straight on circumcision. Circumcision was not required for Gentile believes. Abstaining from idolatry, eating and drinking of blood, and sexual immorality were required (Acts 15).

Paul took a young disciple named Timothy on his second missionary journey. While in Macedonia Paul expelled a demon from a girl who had powers of prediction. He was jailed for this, but was freed by an earthquake. Later in Thessalonica jealous Jews instigated a riot against Paul, and he left for Beroea (Acts 16). Later Paul went to Athens and converted one of the court judges (Acts 17),

In his third missionary tour, Paul went to Ephesus for three years. This is where he composed his first letter to the Corinthian congregation. After another riot against him, Paul went to Macedonia and composed his second letter to the Corinthians. On his way to Jerusalem Paul raised Eutychus, who had been killed accidentally (Acts 19).

While Paul was at the temple cleansing himself a mob came for him. Roman soldiers rescued him from the mob. In the soldiers quarters Paul was stretched for a whipping. Paul used his Roman citizenship to prevent the soldiers from whipping him. Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin but did not back down in his preaching. He was transferred to Caesarea as there were plots for his death. There was no evidence to keep Paul in jail, but he was kept in custody for two years. Paul appealed to Caeser, and went before King Herod Agrippa II. Afterwards Paul was sent to Rome (Acts 22 & 23).

On the way to Rome Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Eventually he made it to Rome. He was permitted to stay in his own home, under the guard of soldiers. During the next two years he continued his ministry and wrote his letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, the Hebrews, and Philemon. Later Paul wrote to Timothy that his death was imminent (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Paul most likely suffered martyrdom at the hands of his enemies.

Saul was in extreme opposition of Christianity. He persecuted Christ's followers, both men and women. After his conversion Paul became an equally extreme disciple of Christ. He spent his life in the ministry, performed healings and resurrections. He made many disciples and later died for his faith. He is a fine example of Christian faith.

Bibliography

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Brooklyn: Watchtower

Bible and Tract Society, 1984.

Saul, the Pharisee, persecutor of Christians, consents in the martyrdom

of Stephen http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/chapt42.htm

Prat, F. "St. Paul." New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. 1911. Robert

Appleton Company. 1 Mar 2007 .