Apostle Paul
Formerly known as: Saul of Tarsus
Originally was named Saul. He persecuted the believers until he himself became one.
Saul is first encountered in Acts 7
He is said to be a “young man” and willingly at the martyrdom of Stephen.
Acts 7:58 “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.”
Acts 8:1 “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
Acts 8:3-4 “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
Ironically, Saul even had impact on the dispersion of the Gospel prior to his conversion. This action (persecution of believers) by Saul (before his conversion) aided in the spreading of the Gospel outside of Judea (verse 4).
A PHARISEE and possible member of the SANHEDRIN
A Pharisee (Acts 26:5)
Acts 26:5 “Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.”
Acts 22:4-5 “And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.”
Acts 26:10-12 “Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,…”
Galatians 1:13b-14 “…beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”
An interesting note is that Saul had a “voice” in the judgment of the Believers.
Merrill Tenney in his book “New Testament Survey” (Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1985, p.249) makes the “suggestion”” that if we were to take this phrase literally, Saul would have to be more than 30 years old (age of maturity) to be eligible for membership in Sanhedrin.
Birth and Education
Born a Roman citizen in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. Speaking Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew. Education in Jerusalem under the teaching of Gamaliel.
Acts 22:3 “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”
Romans 11:1 - Paul states that he was an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul was a Scholar. Always referencing and quoting Old Testament within his writing. References to David, Isaiah and Abraham. These statements being attributed to the legends of Jewish history cannot be argued with.
Acts 18:3 Had skills and training to hold an occupation of a tentmaker, which would later help support his ministry.
Family
Acts 23:16 – “…his sister’s son…” the only mention of any family
Becomes a Believer
Conversion is recounted three times in the Book of Acts. Luke tells the story in Acts 9, Paul tells it in Acts Chapter 22 and 26, Galatians 1.
It can be said that his conversion experience on the road to Damascus changed the man. In a few moments the single largest threat to the Gospel was removed and the single largest spark for the Gospel was ignited!
Galatians 1:15-16a “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;”
It was not without hardships. Paul’s humility made it difficult for him to share what hardships he had suffered when he wrote his letter to the Corinthians. The questions they asked, forced Paul to need to validate his ministry. 2 Corinthians 11:22-33
He would then go on in 2 Corinthians 12:7 to discuss the spiritual agent responsible for maintaining Paul’s humility in ministry.
Galatians 6:17 “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”
Time between Conversion and Ministry (approx. 3+ years)
Galatians 1:16b-23 “…immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.”
Paul’s Ministry
See a timeline (in PDF format) of Paul’s Three Missionary Journeys to the Gentile countries by following this link.
These trips opened the road for spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. He would follow up on those trips with letters. In his letters (Epistles) Paul would establish the principles and beliefs that believers were to govern their lives with.
Paul would account for fourteen books of the Bible, being one of the most prolific writers to address the believers.
He does refer to himself as Apostle/Minister of the Gentiles – Romans 11:13; 15:16
Additional Events
It would be 14 years (Galatians 2:1) before Paul returned to Jerusalem to report on the work done among the Gentiles. This may or may not be the conference described in Acts 15 that occurs between Paul’s first and second missionary trips. According to what transpires in both books it appears to be.
This event as recorded in Galatians chapter 2 creates a confrontation between Paul and the other Apostles. Leading to a confrontation with Peter regarding his “conforming” to custom. Eventually the Apostles unanimously give Paul their blessings.
Acts 21-28 documents the last years of the life of Paul. Those chapters can be reviewed for further details.