Topical Encyclopedia Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is a central figure in the New Testament and a pivotal character in the spread of early Christianity. Born in Tarsus, a city in the Roman province of Cilicia, Paul was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:3, 22:28). His upbringing in a Hellenistic city and his Roman citizenship provided him with a unique perspective and the ability to bridge cultural divides, which later proved invaluable in his missionary work.Education and Early Zeal Paul was educated under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law (Acts 22:3). This education grounded him deeply in the Jewish Scriptures and traditions, making him a zealous adherent to the Pharisaic interpretation of the law. His zeal for the Jewish faith and traditions is evident in his early actions against the nascent Christian movement. Paul himself recounts, "I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison" (Acts 22:4). Persecution of Christians Paul's fervor for the Jewish law led him to become a fierce persecutor of Christians. He was present at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and approved of his execution (Acts 7:58, 8:1). His zeal drove him to seek letters from the high priest to the synagogues in Damascus, authorizing him to arrest any followers of "the Way" and bring them to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2). Paul later reflects on this period of his life with regret, acknowledging his actions as misguided zeal: "For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I severely persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it" (Galatians 1:13). Transformation and Mission Paul's life took a dramatic turn on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Christ. This encounter led to his conversion and subsequent baptism (Acts 9:3-18). From that point forward, Paul became a fervent apostle of Jesus Christ, dedicating his life to spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. His background as a Pharisee equipped him with a deep understanding of the Scriptures, which he used to argue persuasively for the truth of the Gospel. Paul's Legacy Paul's transformation from a zealous Pharisee to a devoted apostle of Christ is a testament to the power of divine grace. His epistles form a significant portion of the New Testament and continue to influence Christian theology and practice. Paul's writings reflect his deep understanding of the law and his conviction that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law (Romans 3:28). His life and teachings underscore the transformative power of encountering Christ and the call to spread the Gospel to all nations. Nave's Topical Index Acts 22:3I am truly a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as you all are this day. Nave's Topical Index Acts 23:6 Acts 26:5 2 Corinthians 11:22 Galatians 1:14 Philippians 3:5 Library The Foundation of the Church. The Conversion of Paul. Paul a Prisoner How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. " St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ. Paul Before the Council. The Pharisee and Publican Paul Before his Conversion. The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ... Days of Preparation Resources Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical? | GotQuestions.orgDid Paul ever meet Jesus in person? | GotQuestions.org Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Paul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea Paul is Confined in the Fortress Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned Paul is Persecuted by the Jews Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen Paul is Returned to the Fortress Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology" Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin, Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh" Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Paul: His Independence of Character Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus Paul: His Vision and Conversion Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria) Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill Related Terms |
    |