Paul (Saul of Tarsus) – An Apostle who Spread Christianity

Did you know Paul got angry with his best friend for a disagreement?

Paul had many friends but his best friend was Barnabas. Paul always gave new disciples a chance and took them with him on missionary journeys. Barnabas wanted to go with Paul because he was Paul’s best friend. But one time Paul took John Mark on a missionary trip, which led to a lot of conflict between the two friends. From this Barnabas decided to separate from Paul.

Introduction

Paul’s real name was Saul. Before converting to Christianity, he was known as Saul. When he converted to Christianity, he was given the title of Paul. Saul was formerly a Jew and he also persecuted Christians a lot. But he had a meeting with Jesus that changed his life. Saul belonged to the Tarsus area. Once he was going to Damascus, something happened to him on the way, the details of which we will read later. Paul’s life suddenly changed so much that he became a great leader of Christianity.

Verse

“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.  I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.  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, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.” (Galatians 1:13-16)

Incident on Damascus Road

Paul was a great persecutor of Christians and a firm believer in Judaism. Once he was going to oppress some Christians and to arrest them. He was on his way to Damascus when a bright light fell in his eyes that blinded him. A voice came to him, which was saying why are you persecuting me? It was actually the voice of Jesus. When Paul arrived in Damascus, there was a Christian named Ananias. He prayed for Paul and through the blessing of his prayer, Paul’s sight (which had been missing for three days) was restored. This incident changed Paul’s life. He converted from Judaism to Christianity and started to convey the message of Christianity to the people with all his heart and sincerity.

Verse

“As he neared 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.” (Acts 9:3-6)

Verse

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.” (Acts 9:17-18)

Paul’s Missionary Journey

After the incident in Damascus, Paul made a promise to him that he would remain faithful to Christianity until his death and would continue to convey its message to the people. Immediately after this incident, Paul began to preach. He preached in many places including the Roman Empire, Greece, Cyprus etc. Paul made the first journey with Barnabas. Wherever he went to preach Christianity, he used to build churches. So that, newly converted Christians can worship there. He played a very important role in the spread of Christianity. He not only introduced Christianity to people but also gave them teachings so that people can understand and follow it and make their world and the hereafter better.

Verse

“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1-4)

Verse

“During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:9-10)

Letters of Paul

Paul was one of the first 12 disciples of Jesus. He is very important in Christianity. He wrote many letters that have an important place in the Bible. His letters include Romans, Corinthians, Galatians and Ephesians. He wrote letters to many Christian leaders. Paul’s letter contains solutions to many problems. He gave many teachings about spiritual life in his regions.

Verse

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

Verse

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Imprisonment of Paul

The Roman government created many difficulties for Paul. Paul’s teachings were spreading widely in the Roman Empire and people were joining Christianity. The Jewish leaders were afraid that if this continued to happen, Judaism would disappear one day and Christianity would spread. The Jews did not want this. Therefore, the Jewish leaders conspired against Paul and the result of this conspiracy was that Paul was arrested. Paul spent a long time in prison, but he did not stop preaching. Even sitting in prison, he wrote letters and preached Christianity to the people. There were many difficulties in the release of Paul because some rulers in the Roman government were greedy, like Felix, followed by Festus, who heard Paul’s case.

Verse

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14)

Verse

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Paul’s life is an example for us that a man who was an enemy of Christianity was chosen by God to preach Christianity. This shows that God can choose anyone whether that person is good or bad. If God wants to take work from a person, then he can definitely do it. Paul’s destiny was to preach Christianity and he became a great leader of Christianity instead of being an enemy. Paul is highly respected in Christianity because he was a man who spread Christianity and built churches in different regions until his death.

Verse

“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)

Verse

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)