Paul

A Christian missionary who once persecuted the church.

Paul's missionary


Area of Paul's
missionary travels

Early Life.  Paul was a missionary apostle mainly to Gentiles. His journeys, sufferings, words and works are described in the Acts of the Apostles and in letters which he wrote to the churches at Rome, Corinth, and other places. His Hebrew name was Saul, but he is better known to us as Paul. He was a Pharisee, strictly trained in the law and Jewish traditions, and a Roman citizen. Paul's trade was tent-making.  Paul approved of the stoning of Stephen and Paul himself persecuted the church. 

Ministry.  His conversion occurred on the road to Damascus when a light from heaven flashed about him and he heard a voice: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Paul was temporarily blinded, but was healed by a Christian named Ananias. Thereafter Paul was zealous to proclaim publicly Jesus as the Christ. People were astonished because Paul had formerly persecuted the church. The book of Acts recounts his work on three extended missionary journeys through Asia Minor and Greece. On these journeys Paul helped establish Christian congregations in many cities around the eastern and northern Mediterranean.

Arrest.  He was eventually arrested in Jerusalem on charges of bringing Greeks into the Temple, then he was imprisoned in Caesarea for two years.  After he appealed his case to the emperor he was sent to Rome.  During the voyage he was shipwrecked but found refuge on Malta.  In Rome he was placed under house arrest for two years.  His death is not recorded in the Bible although later traditions say that he was martyred. 

Acts 9:1-19 - Conversion
Acts 21:27-36 - Arrest
Acts 28:11-31 - Rome



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