Bible Questions and Answers

Paul is the great "apostle to the gentiles"

Romans 11:13  I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles

He wrote much of the New Testament through his letters to various new churches: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians and to his associates, Timothy, Titus, Philemon.  Many scholars feel that he is also the author of the letter to the Hebrews. Most of the Acts of the Apostles is devoted to the work of Paul as he traveled the Roman world to preach the Gospel.

Paul's name was originally Saul. He was born to a probably very wealthy family in one of the most wonderful cities of the ancient world, Tarsus, in the province of Cilicia. Cilicia is in the south-east corner of modern day Turkey.  He was Jewish and his parents belonged to the sect of Judaism called the Pharisees. He went to Jerusalem to study with a renowned Rabbi named Gamalial during the time of Jesus' ministry. There are hints that he had at least 1 encounter with the Lord. They might well have been about the same age.

Eventually, Saul of Tarsus, became a bitter enemy of the church and was given authority by the Jewish rulers to persecute all Jews who believed in Jesus. In pursuit of this objective, he was travelling to the city of Damascus when he was suddenly confronted by a brilliant vision - See Acts chapter 9. It was Christ himself.

After his dramatic encounter with the risen Lord, Saul changed from being the most bitter enemy of Christ to his most ardent supporter. History is unsure and the Bible does not state where, when, and how he died. But there is some evidence that he was executed by beheading in Rome during the reign of Nero.

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless,
Mike