Saint Paul The Great Apostle

Paul the Great Apostle Saint Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, is one of the greatest apostles in the entire Bible. Paul is born around 5BC and 5AD in a large town named Tarsus, which is located in present day Turkey. Although he is a very small man physically, he does everything in his life with an enormous amount of passion. Paul is born into a Jewish family that was not wealthy as the son of a Pharisee (Sanders). Since Saul learns a strong work ethic at a young age, he knows the importance of working hard for everything in life. In 1 Corinthians 4:12, he writes, “We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us” (NLT). Even from an early age, an amazing determination …show more content…
Then, he plans to travel to Damascus to chain up the disciples of Jesus and bring them back to be imprisoned. However, God has different plans for Paul that change his life forever. As he is traveling along the road to Damascus, Jesus comes to him in a huge flash of light. As he is approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shines down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”(NLT). Paul is so overwhelmed by the glory of Jesus that he, the persecutor of Christians, falls to his knees and declares Him as Lord. Paul arises blind because of the glory of Jesus. Three days after travelling to Damascus with the help of his companions, God restores his eyesight and gives him the job of a minister and witness. Then Paul dedicates his life to spreading the gospel. (Elwell and …show more content…
Without Paul, the New Testament may not have ever been written. During Paul’s missions of witnessing, he writes thirteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament. Paul’s letters shape the Christian church and transform the word of God. Sanders states, “Paul’s letters reveal a remarkable human being: dedicated, compassionate, emotional, sometimes harsh and angry, clever and quick-witted, supple in argumentation, and above all possessing a soaring, passionate commitment to God, Jesus Christ, and his own mission”(Sanders). Paul was following Christ with so much passion and admiration; he carried his cross everyday knowing that spreading the good news is his calling. Unfortunately, Paul’s influence did not come without a price. He is mocked, beaten, and bruised for his witnessing. One example is in Acts 16:22-23 when Paul and Silas, another follower of Christ, heal a slave girl of a demon. The repercussions of their actions become tortuous when, “a mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape” (NLT). This illustrates the difficulty of Paul’s journey and the faith Paul has in Christ to keep him safe through all the challenges along the way. Pau continues to face overwhelming obstacles and stares death in the face