Topical Encyclopedia The Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is one of the most prominent figures in the New Testament, renowned for his missionary journeys and theological contributions to early Christianity. However, his ministry was marked by significant persecution, which he endured with steadfast faith and resilience. This entry explores the various instances and nature of the persecution faced by Paul as recorded in the Scriptures.Background and Conversion Before his conversion, Saul was a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted Christians. His dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) transformed him into a fervent apostle of Jesus Christ. This conversion marked the beginning of his own experiences of persecution, as he became a target for the same kind of hostility he once directed at others. Persecution in Damascus and Jerusalem Following his conversion, Paul began preaching in Damascus, where he faced immediate opposition. The Jews conspired to kill him, necessitating his escape by being lowered in a basket through an opening in the city wall (Acts 9:23-25). Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, he encountered skepticism from the disciples, but Barnabas vouched for him. Despite this, Paul faced threats from Hellenistic Jews, prompting the brethren to send him to Tarsus for safety (Acts 9:26-30). Missionary Journeys and Continued Persecution Throughout his missionary journeys, Paul encountered relentless persecution. In Pisidian Antioch, he faced opposition from Jewish leaders who incited a crowd against him, leading to his expulsion from the region (Acts 13:50). In Iconium, both Jews and Gentiles plotted to stone him, forcing him to flee to Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:5-6). In Lystra, Paul was stoned and left for dead by a hostile crowd, yet he miraculously survived and continued his ministry (Acts 14:19-20). In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned after casting out a spirit from a slave girl, but they were miraculously freed by an earthquake (Acts 16:22-26). Persecution in Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth In Thessalonica, Paul's preaching incited jealousy among the Jews, leading to a mob riot and his subsequent departure to Berea (Acts 17:5-10). In Berea, the Jews from Thessalonica followed him, stirring up trouble and forcing him to move on to Athens (Acts 17:13-14). In Corinth, Paul faced opposition from the Jewish community, but the Lord assured him in a vision of His protection, allowing him to continue his work there for a year and a half (Acts 18:9-11). Arrest and Trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea Paul's return to Jerusalem marked the beginning of a series of legal challenges. Accused by the Jews of defiling the temple, he was seized and nearly killed by a mob before being rescued by Roman soldiers (Acts 21:27-36). He was subsequently held in custody in Caesarea, where he defended himself before governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa (Acts 24-26). Journey to Rome and Final Imprisonment As a Roman citizen, Paul exercised his right to appeal to Caesar, leading to his journey to Rome. En route, he endured a shipwreck but eventually arrived in Rome, where he lived under house arrest for two years, continuing to preach the Gospel (Acts 28:16-31). Paul's letters, particularly 2 Corinthians, provide insight into the personal toll of his sufferings. He recounts being "in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often" (2 Corinthians 11:23). Despite these hardships, Paul remained unwavering in his mission, viewing his sufferings as a participation in the sufferings of Christ and a testament to the power of the Gospel. Legacy of Perseverance Paul's experiences of persecution highlight the cost of discipleship and the resilience required to advance the Christian faith amidst adversity. His life serves as a powerful example of unwavering commitment to Christ, inspiring believers to endure trials with faith and courage. Nave's Topical Index Acts 17:5-9But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took to them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. Nave's Topical Index 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 Library Paul's Missionary Labors. The Apostle Paul. On the Angels. Endurance of the World's Censure. He Proves Out of St. Paul that Grace is not Given According to ... Paul Before Festus and Agrippa. St. Paul From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus The Young Saul and the Aged Paul [Footnote: to the Young. ] 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 |
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