Topical Encyclopedia Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is a pivotal figure in the New Testament, renowned for his role as the Apostle to the Gentiles. His mission to spread the Gospel beyond the Jewish community marks a significant expansion of early Christianity and underscores the universal nature of the Christian message.Background and Conversion Paul was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and was a Roman citizen by birth. He was a Pharisee, well-versed in the Jewish law, and initially a zealous persecutor of Christians. His life took a dramatic turn on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Christ. This transformative experience is recounted in Acts 9:3-6 : "As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' He replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'" Commission to the Gentiles Following his conversion, Paul was commissioned by Christ to be an apostle to the Gentiles. This mission is affirmed in Acts 9:15 , where the Lord tells Ananias, "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Paul's calling is further emphasized in Galatians 1:15-16 : "But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood." Missionary Journeys Paul's missionary journeys are chronicled in the Book of Acts, where he travels extensively throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches and spreading the Gospel. His first journey, alongside Barnabas, took him to Cyprus and Asia Minor. During his second journey, Paul ventured into Europe, reaching Macedonia and Greece. His third journey focused on strengthening the churches he had established and furthering his outreach. Paul's approach to ministry was characterized by his adaptability and deep understanding of both Jewish and Gentile cultures. He famously declared in 1 Corinthians 9:22 , "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some." Theological Contributions Paul's epistles form a substantial portion of the New Testament and are foundational to Christian theology. His letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, among others, address key theological issues such as justification by faith, the role of the law, and the nature of the Church as the body of Christ. In Romans 1:16 , Paul articulates the inclusive nature of the Gospel: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." This statement encapsulates his mission to bring the message of salvation to all people, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. Challenges and Opposition Paul's ministry was not without challenges. He faced opposition from both Jewish and Gentile communities, endured imprisonment, and suffered numerous hardships. Despite these trials, Paul remained steadfast in his mission, as he expressed in 2 Timothy 4:7 : "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Legacy Paul's legacy as the Apostle to the Gentiles is profound. His writings continue to influence Christian thought and practice, and his life exemplifies the transformative power of the Gospel. Through his tireless efforts, the message of Christ reached far beyond its Jewish roots, establishing a foundation for the global Church. Nave's Topical Index Acts 13:2,3,47,48As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Nave's Topical Index Acts 22:17-21 Romans 11:13 Romans 15:16 Galatians 1:15-24 Library Paul Having Been Sent Bound from Judea to Rome, Made his Defense ... Paul in Malta and Rome. The Last Glimpse of Paul The Apostle of the Gentiles. On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is ... On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xv. 21,"Jesus Went Out Thence ... How the Priest Wighard was Sent from Britain to Rome, to be ... The Scriptures Mentioned by Him. The Epistle to the Romans. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans 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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