Topical Encyclopedia The Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is a central figure in the New Testament, renowned for his missionary journeys and theological contributions to early Christianity. Despite his significant role in spreading the Gospel, Paul faced considerable persecution, particularly from Jewish communities who opposed his teachings about Jesus Christ as the Messiah.Background and Conversion Paul was born into a Jewish family in Tarsus and was a Pharisee, well-versed in the Law of Moses. Initially, he was a fervent persecutor of Christians, as seen in Acts 8:3, where he is described as "ravaging the church." However, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) marked a turning point, transforming him into a devoted follower of Christ and a passionate evangelist. Persecution Begins Following his conversion, Paul began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God, which led to immediate opposition. In Damascus, the Jews conspired to kill him, forcing him to escape by being lowered in a basket through an opening in the city wall (Acts 9:23-25). This early incident set the tone for the persistent persecution he would face throughout his ministry. Missionary Journeys and Opposition During his missionary journeys, Paul frequently encountered hostility from Jewish leaders and communities. In Pisidian Antioch, after initially receiving a positive response, the Jews incited prominent city figures against him, leading to his expulsion (Acts 13:50). In Iconium, a similar pattern emerged, with Jews and Gentiles plotting to stone him (Acts 14:5). In Thessalonica, the Jews were "jealous" and formed a mob to attack the house of Jason, where Paul was staying (Acts 17:5). In Berea, Jews from Thessalonica followed him, agitating the crowds and forcing Paul to leave (Acts 17:13-14). Legal Challenges and Imprisonment Paul's teachings also led to legal challenges. In Corinth, the Jews brought him before Gallio, the proconsul, accusing him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law (Acts 18:12-13). Gallio dismissed the case, seeing it as a matter of Jewish law rather than Roman concern. In Jerusalem, Paul's presence in the temple sparked a riot, as Jews from Asia accused him of defiling the holy place by bringing Gentiles into it (Acts 21:27-29). This led to his arrest and subsequent trials before Jewish and Roman authorities. Despite the false accusations, Paul used these opportunities to testify about his faith and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Final Imprisonment and Martyrdom Paul's final imprisonment in Rome, as recorded in the latter chapters of Acts, was a result of Jewish accusations. Although the specifics of his death are not detailed in the Bible, early Christian tradition holds that he was martyred under Emperor Nero. Theological Implications Paul's persecution by the Jews highlights the tension between the nascent Christian movement and traditional Jewish beliefs. His experiences underscore the cost of discipleship and the fulfillment of Jesus' words that His followers would face opposition (John 15:20). Despite the persecution, Paul's unwavering commitment to his mission exemplifies the transformative power of the Gospel and the resilience of faith in the face of adversity. Nave's Topical Index Acts 9:23,24And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: Nave's Topical Index Library Paul's Missionary Labors. Paul Appeals to Caesar Paul Before Festus and Agrippa. The Apostle Paul. From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem. Paul's Narrow Escape from Death Paul's Account of what He Saw and Heard on his Way to Damascus Paul in Corinth. Endurance of the World's Censure. Paul in Malta and Rome. Resources Was the Apostle Paul actually a false prophet? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org What should we learn from the account of Paul and Silas? | 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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