What do we know about Paul?
Introduction. The apostle Paul is one of the better known of the apostles. Paul wrote about fourteen out of the twenty-seven New Testament books. As far as we know, Paul traveled and established more churches than any other apostle.
The background of Paul. Paul or Saul as he was previously known, was born in Tarsus, "a city of Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city" (Acts 21: 39). Paul was a Jew, but had Roman citizenship (Acts 16: 37, 39, 22: 25-28). "Saul" became "Paul" shortly after he was sent on his first preaching trip (Acts 13: 9). Saul was taught at the feet of the distinguished Jewish teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22: 3). Saul as a Jew was zealous and thought he had to persecute Christians, believing they were heretical (Acts 22: 3-5). Saul was present when Stephen was put to death (Acts 7: 58, 8: 1-3). Paul's memory of his terrible misguided deeds caused him to "labor more abundantly than they all" for the cause of Christ, once he became a Christian (1 Cor. 15: 10, Acts 9: 4-16).
Paul, the apostle. Paul was an apostle "born out of due time" (1 Cor. 15: 8, 9). Paul wrote by inspiration and his writings constitute "the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14: 37). Just as Paul or Saul was zealous as a Jew, Paul the apostle labored without ceasing to promote the cause of Christ (1 Cor. 15: 10). The first thirty years of history, as recorded in Acts, consists first of Peter (Acts 2-12) and then the three preaching trips of Paul (Acts 13-28). Paul remained faithful and dedicated until the end of his life (2 Tim. 4: 6-8). Paul is an example, both in the matter of his salvation and his subsequent life (1 Tim. 1: 11-15; 1 Cor. 11: 1).
Conclusion. In view of the character, abilities, and enduring qualities of Paul, the Lord was able to use him in the establishment and spread of the Lord's church and in the making known of the final will of God (Jude 3). It is tragic that some in the First Century as well as now, question Paul's apostleship (Gal. 1, 2).
The background of Paul. Paul or Saul as he was previously known, was born in Tarsus, "a city of Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city" (Acts 21: 39). Paul was a Jew, but had Roman citizenship (Acts 16: 37, 39, 22: 25-28). "Saul" became "Paul" shortly after he was sent on his first preaching trip (Acts 13: 9). Saul was taught at the feet of the distinguished Jewish teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22: 3). Saul as a Jew was zealous and thought he had to persecute Christians, believing they were heretical (Acts 22: 3-5). Saul was present when Stephen was put to death (Acts 7: 58, 8: 1-3). Paul's memory of his terrible misguided deeds caused him to "labor more abundantly than they all" for the cause of Christ, once he became a Christian (1 Cor. 15: 10, Acts 9: 4-16).
Paul, the apostle. Paul was an apostle "born out of due time" (1 Cor. 15: 8, 9). Paul wrote by inspiration and his writings constitute "the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14: 37). Just as Paul or Saul was zealous as a Jew, Paul the apostle labored without ceasing to promote the cause of Christ (1 Cor. 15: 10). The first thirty years of history, as recorded in Acts, consists first of Peter (Acts 2-12) and then the three preaching trips of Paul (Acts 13-28). Paul remained faithful and dedicated until the end of his life (2 Tim. 4: 6-8). Paul is an example, both in the matter of his salvation and his subsequent life (1 Tim. 1: 11-15; 1 Cor. 11: 1).
Conclusion. In view of the character, abilities, and enduring qualities of Paul, the Lord was able to use him in the establishment and spread of the Lord's church and in the making known of the final will of God (Jude 3). It is tragic that some in the First Century as well as now, question Paul's apostleship (Gal. 1, 2).