The Apostle Paul - a brief biography
The Apostle Paul is a key figure in the history of the Christian church. Born in Tarsus, in Celicia (modern-day Turkey), Paul was Jewish and his birth name was Saul. Paul’s parents were Pharisees (held strictly to the Law of Moses), and probably didn’t want much to do with Gentiles (which is so ironic considering Jesus’s call on Paul’s life as you’ll see). Saul and his family were Roman citizens and, at the age 13, he began his studies of Jewish history, the Psalms and the Prophets. So Saul knew his stuff. He became a lawyer and most likely a member of the Sanhedrin (sort of like the Jewish Supreme Court) and was zealous for his faith.
Saul was very familiar with the followers of Jesus and worked hard against the growth of the church. In Acts 7:54-60, after Stephen testified in front of the Sanhedrin, they became furious and stoned him to death. Acts 8:1 says, Saul was consenting to his death. The death of Stephen initiated a great persecution against the church of Jesus and Saul became determined to eradicate Christians. Acts 8:3 says, As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
In his rage against the Christians, Saul made a journey to Damascus, looking for Christians to put them in prison. On the road to Damascus, Paul encountered Jesus. Here’s the story. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything (Acts 9:3-9).
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight (Acts 9:10-12).
But Ananias had heard about Saul and how he was persecuting Christians, so he was hesitant to follow the Lord’s direction. The story continues, But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength (Acts 9:15-19). So, God chose Saul - a Jewish Pharisee who wanted nothing to do with Gentiles - to be his chosen voice to them.
Finally, Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once began to preach in synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:19-20).
Curiously, we’re not specifically told when Saul’s name was changed to Paul. Paul could have been a second name all along and, in Acts 13:9, it simply says, Then Saul, who was also called Paul… From then on he is known as Paul.
After his conversion, Paul would make several missionary journeys throughout much of the ancient world, spreading the gospel. Over the course of his ministry, Paul traveled more than 10,000 miles and established at least 14 churches. The Book of Acts records three separate missionary journeys that took Paul through Greece, Turkey, Syria, and numerous regions you won’t find on modern-day maps.
Paul wrote many of the New Testament books, with most theologians agreeing that he wrote Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus. Many were letters to churches he had helped established during his missionary journeys. For instance, 1 Corinthians opens: To the church of God which is at Corinth: and 1 Corinthians is addressed, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, similarly with Galatians, Ephesians and so on.
Curiously, the Bible doesn’t say how Paul died, although there are several different traditions about his death – either beheading or crucifixion. But, as a Roman citizen he may have been exempt from crucifixion. Paul certainly knew persecution as a Christian, being stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-20) and imprisoned several times during his ministry. But, no doubt he died proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.
