Paul: A Story of Transformation from Persecution to Symbol of Faith
Paul is a key figure in the spread of Christianity. Through his transformation on the road to Damascus, he changed from a persecuting Jew to Jesus Christ's most faithful apostle.
Paul's Life
Paul was born as Saul in Tarsus to a devout family. Through his father, he possessed dual "citizenship" and dual names: Saul from the tribe of Benjamin, bearing the name of the Jewish King Saul, while also receiving the nickname Paulus (Paul) meaning "small." With both Tarsus and Roman citizenship, Saul lived in Jerusalem where he trained in tent-making/leatherworking.
He received religious education from the famous Pharisee scholar Rabbi Gamaliel I in Jerusalem. Initially persecuting Christians on behalf of the Jewish High Council, Saul encountered a vision of Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. After this experience, he claimed that Christ gave him the mission to "spread the Gospel especially to non-Jews (Gentiles)" and joined the Christian community. His friends now called him Paul; he also used this name in his letters.
He was commissioned as a missionary by the Christian community in Arabia and Damascus. He stayed in Jerusalem for two weeks, meeting Peter and James. After working in Tarsus and Syria-Cilicia, he was called to Antioch by Barnabas, and together they embarked on their first major missionary journey.
At the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem, Paul debated ritual laws with Peter and Barnabas. Paul opposed requiring non-Jewish believers in Christ to adhere to Jewish rituals. Though initially reaching a compromise, Paul's view eventually prevailed.
While freely continuing his missionary work among non-Jews, he maintained ties with the first community in Jerusalem. He undertook second and third missionary journeys. However, he was arrested by the Romans in Jerusalem, accused of inciting the people. As his case dragged on, he remained in prison for two years.
Using his Roman citizenship, he demanded his case be heard before the Emperor. Under house arrest in Rome, he maintained contact with the local Christian community, wrote letters, and received visitors. He was martyred during Emperor Nero's persecution of Christians. Whether Paul met with the Emperor remains unclear.
Paul was born as Saul in Tarsus to a devout family. Through his father, he possessed dual "citizenship" and dual names: Saul from the tribe of Benjamin, bearing the name of the Jewish King Saul, while also receiving the nickname Paulus (Paul) meaning "small." With both Tarsus and Roman citizenship, Saul lived in Jerusalem where he trained in tent-making/leatherworking.
He received religious education from the famous Pharisee scholar Rabbi Gamaliel I in Jerusalem. Initially persecuting Christians on behalf of the Jewish High Council, Saul encountered a vision of Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. After this experience, he claimed that Christ gave him the mission to "spread the Gospel especially to non-Jews (Gentiles)" and joined the Christian community. His friends now called him Paul; he also used this name in his letters.
He was commissioned as a missionary by the Christian community in Arabia and Damascus. He stayed in Jerusalem for two weeks, meeting Peter and James. After working in Tarsus and Syria-Cilicia, he was called to Antioch by Barnabas, and together they embarked on their first major missionary journey.
At the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem, Paul debated ritual laws with Peter and Barnabas. Paul opposed requiring non-Jewish believers in Christ to adhere to Jewish rituals. Though initially reaching a compromise, Paul's view eventually prevailed.
While freely continuing his missionary work among non-Jews, he maintained ties with the first community in Jerusalem. He undertook second and third missionary journeys. However, he was arrested by the Romans in Jerusalem, accused of inciting the people. As his case dragged on, he remained in prison for two years.
Using his Roman citizenship, he demanded his case be heard before the Emperor. Under house arrest in Rome, he maintained contact with the local Christian community, wrote letters, and received visitors. He was martyred during Emperor Nero's persecution of Christians. Whether Paul met with the Emperor remains unclear.