The Apostle Paul *
Paul was a murderer, who was transformed by God through the new birth which only comes from above.
He became a Christian by God's power. Here are things to know about Paul, and additional resources for further examination. It is quite interesting.
About Paul
Paul was 30 old when he is an official witness at the stoning of Stephen. His Pharisaic zeal for God's law and dedication to stopping the early spread of Christianity knew no bounds. After seeing Stephen's life taken, he leads the first great wave of persecution against the early church. On reflecting on his pre-conversion days Paul says the following.
"For you heard of my (Paul is speaking) former conduct when I was in Judaism, how I was excessively persecuting the church of God and was destroying it; And I was advancing in Judaism far beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers." (Galatians 1:13 - 14)
How bad were the persecutions of Paul against the early New Testament church? His dedication to eradicating those believing in the teachings of Jesus led him to take bold actions, even going from house to house in order to find believers! (Acts 8:1, 3)
After his efforts to stop the spread of early Christian beliefs in Jerusalem, he sets his sights on achieving the even more audacious goal of removing any Christian influence in the synagogues of Damascus. He receives written permission from the temple's High Priest to rid the city's synagogues of any who believe in "The Way." His intention is to arrest those who believe Jesus is the Messiah and escort them back to Jerusalem for punishment.
It is during his trip to Damascus that the pivotal event in the life of Paul occurs. A spotlight from Heaven shines on him (Saul) during his travel and the voice of Jesus asks "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4) God strikes him blind temporarily his traveling companions must lead him to the city. These events lead to his total repentance, conversion, and the Holy Spirit came to dwell in him.
After his conversion, [and commission by the Lord as an Apostle], the same zeal and single-minded dedication Paul had against Christianity transforms into a hyperactive-like quest to spread the gospel worldwide. His amazing ministry lasts 35 years until his death at the age of 66. His accomplishments are astonishing given the rudimentary (by today's standard) level of transportation and other difficulties that exist in the first century.
Important events and accomplishments in the life of Paul include his witnessing of the stoning of Stephen. After being saved he was personally taught by Jesus, for three years, while living in Arabia(1). During his ministry he resurrects at least one person from the dead. Paul carries out at least five evangelistic journeys, visits more than 50 cities in his travels and preaches the gospel to Emperor Caesar and his entire household.
Important note: Paul was alive the same time as the original 12 Apostles... if he was not a believer, man of God, follower of Christ, sent to the non Jews to proclaim the Gospel, if he was saying untrue things... those 12 (and at minimum those whom God through the Holy Spirit used to write the NT books we have today) wouldve clearly written about him in their writings as a warning to the Churches everywhere. There is not one negative thing about Paul written by them. Once they and the Church embraced him as a believer he was given a platform & commission by God and was used by God to give believers everywhere (and for all time) words from God.
What he says in the Bible aligns with truth, what Scripture says, is of righteousness, and aligns with the Gospel, it is true - therefore it is to be recieved as truth just as the rest of Scripture is.
He wrote 14 books (epistles) of the Bible (the most of any author), trained other evangelists and gospel preachers like John Mark and Timothy, (and every believer today), and endured a total of more than five years in prison.
The apostle Paul, whose life was cut short by the Romans in 68 A.D., is easily the most influential Christian in the New Testament short of Jesus himself.*
Don't let those modern decievers (who are actually) led by Satan [those who follow doctrines of demons, who are not of God but are lovers of sin] ... dont let them mislead you about Paul or his writings! The Church has always (ever since back when his letters were written), recieved what he said as the Word of God, so to must we if we claim to know God and have salvation through Christ. To disregard Paul's writings is to disregard what God through the Holy Spirit has written as Scripture, to us to be known, believed, understood, embraced, and obeyed.
Paul was taught personally by Jesus. Paul knew Him (and Christ knew Paul), after being called to conversion and Apostle ministry.
Galatians 1:11-17
Galatians 1:11-12: "For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
Galatians 1:15-17: "But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me, so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus."
(8)BibleStudy
Resources about Paul
Paul's writings are Scripture, from God
FAQ Progressives ask about what Paul said
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