Who Was the Apostle Paul?
Who Was the Apostle Paul? Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted the early church until a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus transformed him into Christianity's greatest missionary.
Key verse: Acts 9:15 (KJV)
Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted the early church until a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus transformed him into Christianity's greatest missionary.
Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted the early church until a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus transformed him into Christianity's greatest missionary.
"He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." — Acts 9:15 (KJV)
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The Biblical Answer
Born Saul of Tarsus, Paul was a Roman citizen, a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and a zealous persecutor of Christians. He approved of Stephen's stoning (Acts 8:1) and was 'breathing out threatenings and slaughter' against believers (Acts 9:1) when the risen Christ appeared to him on the Damascus road, asking, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' (Acts 9:4). This encounter completely transformed him. Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), undertaking three missionary journeys that planted churches across the Roman Empire. He wrote at least 13 New Testament epistles — Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon — which form the theological backbone of Christianity. He suffered immensely: shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and ultimately martyrdom in Rome. His testimony summarizes his life: 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith' (2 Timothy 4:7).
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About The Church?
What the Bible teaches about the church, its purpose, and why believers should gather together.
Key Scripture References
"He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel."
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was the Apostle Paul?
Paul was a former persecutor of Christians who had a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and became the greatest missionary and theologian of the early church.
What Is the Gospel?
The gospel is the 'good news' that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, offering salvation to all who believe.
Who Were the Twelve Apostles?
The twelve apostles were the men Jesus chose as His closest followers and commissioned to spread the gospel: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias).
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside Acts. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Acts on day 309 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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