Paul was an evangelist, teacher, and missionary in the early Christian church. He brought the first news of the Gospel to many parts of the Roman Empire. He also wrote thirteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament. These books were all written as letters to specific churches or to individuals. Paul also figures prominently in the book of Acts, which chronicles the early years of the Christian church. Acts chapters 13-28 focus on his ministry in the Roman world.
What Was Paul’s Background?
Paul was Jewish and came from a devout Jewish background. Before becoming a Christian, his name was Saul of Tarsus. In several places, he gives us some details about his life prior to meeting Jesus.
Philippians 3:5-6 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
Saul was proud of his Jewish heritage and his own ability to obey the law. He thought that he found righteousness before God through his obedience. In fact, Saul became so zealous in his desire to obey God that he ended up persecuting the Christian church, being in attendance at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1).
How Did Paul Become a Christian?
On his way to persecute more Christians in Damascus, Saul met the risen Christ.
Acts 9:3-6 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,“Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Through this confrontation, Paul realized that Jesus was, in fact, God’s Messiah and the savior of the world. Paul put his faith in Jesus, and went on to Damascus. In Damascus, Paul was baptized and received his commission from God to tell the Gentile world about Jesus.
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.”
Immediately, Paul began to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to any who would listen. The rest of the book of Acts chronicles his journeys: evangelizing new territories, planting churches, being persecuted, and preaching that salvation is by the grace of God alone through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul and Christian Theology
Paul’s letters further developed the Christian doctrines that the first century Christians were trying to understand. He helped make clear the nature of salvation by faith and the deity of Jesus Christ. He also continually showed how doctrine is meant to be applied to life. Paul taught that Christians would be transformed through understanding biblical truth.
