The Apostle Saul ( Paul )
Saul (later to be known as
the apostle Paul) was zealous in all that he did. He was from the
Jewish tribe of Benjamin, and when describing himself, he said he was a
Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the Mosaic Law, a Pharisee; as for zeal,
persecuting the Christian Church, as for legalistic righteousness,
faultless. (Philippians 3:4-6) Even so, he was to become one of the
greatest evangelists of his day in spreading Christianity after his
encounter with Christ Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Saul
did everything he could to try and stop the growth of Christianity. In
fact, when Stephen (the first recorded Christian martyr in the New
Testament) was killed, Saul was there (watching the cloaks of those who
were stoning Stephen.)
On
the day Stephen was martyred, a great persecution broke out against the
Christian Church in Jerusalem and all except the apostles were
scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. At that time, Saul began to
destroy the Church. Going from house to house , he dragged off
Christian men and women and put them in prison. Eventually he obtained
letters from the Jewish religious leaders to Jews in Damascus and he
went there to bring the Christians (known as followers of the Way at
that time) back to Jerusalem to be punished.
About
noon, as he came near to Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven
flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,
'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute Me?' Who are you Lord?' He asked. I
am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' Next, Jesus
instructed Saul to get up and go into Damascus.
Because
of the brilliance of the bright light, Saul had been blinded. For
three days he could not see (his companions had to lead him into
Damascus by hand.)
While
in Damascus, Jesus instructed a devout follower of the Way to pray for
Saul in order that his sight be restored. When he did, immediately Saul
could see. Saul was told that he would be Jesus' witness to all men
of what he had seen and heard. At that time, Saul got up and was
baptized a follower of Christ Jesus. Saul was to become known as the
apostle to the Gentiles (non-Jews) whereas Peter was called the apostle
to the Jews.
Saul's
great abilities and earnest enthusiasm in spreading the gospel of Christ
have made his name revered wherever the Christian religion is known.
It is his writings which make up much of the New Testament of the Bible.
After
his wonderful conversion, Saul went to Jerusalem where he saw Peter,
James and John. Later, he went forth with Barnabas to preach (sent
forth from the church in Antioch.)
Much
can be read about the life and missionary journeys of Saul in the New
Testament of the Bible. On his first missionary journey, while at
Paphos on the island of Cyprus, we see Saul, also, referred to as Paul
(the name we have known him by since.)
Paul
suffered much in spreading the Gospel. Most of his missionary efforts
were in what is modern day Greece and Turkey, and the surrounding
areas.
After being
released from imprisonment in Rome, as part of his further missionary
journeys, it is believed that Paul, also, visited Gaul and Spain (there
is, also, a belief that he visited England.)
When
Paul returned to Rome, he was taken prisoner again and imprisoned for
nine months with the apostle Peter in the Mamertine prison.
It was in Rome that the apostle Paul suffered martyrdom. By order of the Emperor Nero, Paul was beheaded with a sword.
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