Also Known As: Paul The Apostle, Saul Of Tarsus, Saint Paul

Died At Age: 62

Born Country: Turkey

Born In: Tarsus, Mersin

Famous As: Religious Preacher

Religion: Roman Catholic

Died On: 67

Place Of Death: Rome

A Hellenistic Jew, St Paul is known worldwide as one of the earliest Christian missionaries, along with
Saint Peter and James the Just. He was also known as Paul the Apostle, the Apostle Paul and the Paul of
Tarsus. However, he preferred to call himself 'Apostle to the Gentiles'. Paul had a broad outlook and was
perhaps endowed as the most brilliant person to carry Christianity to varied lands, such as Cyprus, Asia
Minor (modern Turkey), mainland Greece, Crete and Rome. St Paul's efforts to accept gentile converts
and make Torah unnecessary for salvation was a successful task.

Italian Men Turkish Men

Childhood

Paul was born in Tarsus, in 10 AD, and was originally named Saul. Raised as a pharisaical Jew, he, in his
initial years, even persecuted Christians, taking part in the stoning of St. Stephen, the first Christian
martyr. Being momentarily blinded by the vision of the image of resurrected Jesus, on the road to
Damascus, led Saul to convert. He was baptized as Paul and went to Arabia for three years, indulging in
prayers and reflection.

Coming back to Damascus, Paul again resumed his journey, but this time, the destination was Jerusalem.
After 14 years, he again went to Jerusalem. Though the apostles were suspicious of him, St. Barnabas
perceived his sincerity and brought him back to Antioch. During a famine, which struck Judea, Paul and
Barnabas journeyed to Jerusalem, to deliver financial support from the Antioch community. With this,
they made Antioch an alternative centre for Christians and a major Christian center for Paul's
evangelizing.

Council of Jerusalem & Incident at Antioch

Around 49-50 AD, an important meeting took place between Paul and the Jerusalem church. The focus
of this meeting was to decide whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised. It was at this meeting
that Peter, James, and John accepted Paul's mission to the Gentiles. Though both Paul and Peter had
made an agreement at the Council of Jerusalem, the latter's was reluctant to share a meal with Gentile
Christians in Antioch and was publicly confronted by Paul. This is referred to as the 'Incident at Antioch'.

Resumed Mission

In 50-52 AD, Paul spent 18 months in Corinth, with Silas and Timothy. Thereafter, he headed towards
Ephesus, an important center for early Christianity since the 50s (AD). The next 2 years of Paul's life were
spent in Ephesus, working with the congregation and organizing missionary activity into hinterlands.
However, he was forced to leave on account of several disturbances and imprisonment. Paul's next
destination was Macedonia, where he went before going to Corinth. After residing in Corinth for three
months, he made a final visit to Jerusalem.

Arrest & Death

In 57 AD, Paul arrived in Jerusalem with money for the congregation. Though reports state that the
church welcomed Paul gladly, James had given a proposal that led to his arrest. Retained as a prisoner
for two years, Paul had his case reopened when a new governor came into power. Since he appealed as a
Roman citizen, Paul was sent to Rome for trial, by the Caesar. However, on the way, he was shipwrecked.
It was during this time that he met St. Publius and the islanders, who showered kindness on him. When
Paul reached Rome, in AD 60, he spent two years under house arrest, after which he died.

Writings

Thirteen epistles in the New Testament have been credited to Paul. Out of them, seven are considered to
be absolutely genuine (Romans, First Corinthians, Second Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, First
Thessalonians, and Philemon), three are doubtful and the rest three are believed not to have been
written by him. It is believed that while Paul dictated his epistles, his secretary paraphrased the gist of his
message.

Along with the other works, the epistles of Paul were circulated within the Christian community and read
aloud in churches. Most of the critics are of the opinion that the epistles written by Paul are one of the
earliest-written books of the New Testament. His letters, mostly addressed to the churches he had either
founded or visited, contained explanation of what Christians should believe and how they should live.
Paul's works contain the first written account of what it means to be a Christian and thus, the Christian
spirituality.

Paul and Jesus

Instead of describing Christ, Paul's work concentrated on the nature of Christians' relationship with
Christ and, in particular, on Christ's saving work (to give up His own life to safeguard others' life). Some of
the life incidents of Jesus Christ, mentioned by Paul, are the Last Supper, His death by crucifixion and His
resurrection. St Paul had written three doctrines - Justification, Redemption and Reconciliation. Paul said
that Christ took the punishment on behalf of sinners, so that they are relieved off their divine
retribution. In the doctrine of 'Justification', faith is regarded as the most vital constituent.

Paul argued that holding on Christ, at the time of His death and resurrection, a person would become
one with the Lord. However, in terms of the release of soul, a person will achieve that on the grounds of
His sacrifice. 'Redemption' is themed on freeing of slaves. Just as a specific price was paid to relieve a
slave from the ownership of another, in the same way, Christ paid the price of His death, as a ransom, to
relieve the common man from his sins. 'Reconciliation' deals with the fact that Christ brought down the
dividingwall between Jews and Gentiles, created by law. The doctrine basically deals with the making of
peace.
Holy Spirit

Though it was permissible,Paul, in his writings, condemned eating the meats that had been offered to
pagan idols. He had also written against frequenting pagan temples as well as orgiastic feasting. In the
writing, the Christian community has been compared to a human body with its different limbs and
organs, while the spirit is regarded as the Spirit of Christ. Paul believed that God is our Father and we are
fellow heirs of Christ.

Relationship with Judaism

Though not intended, Paul hastened the separation of the messianic sect of Christians from Judaism. His
writing stated that faith in Christ was important in salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike, thus deepening
the gap between the followers of Christ and mainstream Jews. Paul was of the opinion that Gentile
converts need not become Jews, get circumcised, follow Jewish dietary restrictions or, otherwise,
observe Jewish Law. He insisted that faith in Christ was sufficient for salvation and that the Torah did not
bind Gentile Christians. However, in Rome, he emphasized on the positive value of the Law, to show
God's reliability.

Resurrection

Paul, through his writing, gave hope to everyone belonging to Christ, dead or alive, that they would be
saved.

The World to Come

The letter written by Paul, to the Christians - at Thessalonica, explicitly expresses the end of the world.
When asked, what would happen to those already dead and when the end would be, Paul replied the
age as passing. He assured the men that the dead would rise first, followed by the living. Though unsure
about the exact time or season, Paul stated that there would be a war between Jesus Christ and the man
of lawlessness, followed by the victory of Jesus.

Influence on Christianity

St. Paul is said to have the greatest influence on Christianity. In fact, both Jesus and Paul seem to have
equally contributed to Christianity. A significant author of the New Testament, Paul elevated the status of
Christian church as the body of Christ and the world outside as under His judgment.
Last Supper

One of the earliest references to the Last Supper can be seen in Paul's writings. Scholars believe that the
Lord's Supper had its origins in a pagan context. They say that the tradition of last supper probably
originated in the Christian communities, founded in Asia Minor and Greece. During this time, dinners
were organized to memorialize the dead.