The Life And Missions Of St Paul

The Life And Missions Of St. Paul Essay, Research Paper

Outline

1. Introduction

2. The early life of Saul/Paul

3. The stoning of St. Stephan

4. The blinding of Paul on his way to Damascus

5. The conversion of Saul

6. Saul returns to Jerusalem

7. Paul s Belief and Theology

8. Paul s Teaching Methods

9. The imprisonment and death of Paul

10. The Canonization of Paul

11. The effects of St. Paul on modern world

Paul of Tarsus is one of Christian History greatest oddities. He was born and a Zealot. (Cremona P.18) I relished In the death and destruction of Christians and their heretic religion. Then in a flash of blinding light Saul was knocked from his horse. From that fall one of the greatest readers of the Christian faith, He converted anyone who would listen and even a few who did not want to listen. He traveled a cross most of the known world and did not stop even at the cost of his life. The greatest enemy the church ended up being its savior and propagator.

Paul was originally not known as Paul. His given name was that of Saul. He was the son of a tent mat maker in Tarsus. Since Tarsus was a major crossroads of trade and caravans, his family became slightly rich. This qualified his family for Roman citizen ship. This gave him certain rights such as exception from execution and public humiliation as punishment for crimes. Also living in a roman trade city exposed Saul to many different languages that would pay off in his future journeys. Saul most likely spoke Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and probably a handful more. All which were used in his spreading of Christ s word to the gentiles of the known world (Cremona, Saint Paul, 32). He willingly joined the most zealous form of Judaism, the Pharisees (Cremona P. 18). As a Pharisee, Saul studied under one of the Jewish religions greatest scholars of the first century Gamaliel. Gamaliel instilled a religious Saul an even more religious zeal (F.F. Bruce, New Testament History, 236). This religious fervor, a roman citizen ship, a strong Jewish tradition of hard work, and a gift for words and public speaking helped mold on of the greatest spreaders of the catholic church (F.F. Bruce, New Testament History, 236).

When Saul was in his twenties he participated in the brutal death of St. Stephan. He attended one of Stephan meetings with a group of ruffians with full blessing form the sanhedrien. He argued Stephen s points until both were out of breath and then order Stephan death. Saul was only in his twenties so Pharisee law did not allow him to stone Stephan. Therefore, he guarded the cloaks of all the stoners. With him guarding the cloaks, the stoners were able to concentrate on their brutal task. That way he was able to Stephan through all the other stoners. Out of the whole mob of killers, Saul is the only one mentioned in any history (Cremona P. 19). As Stephan gave up his final breath he was said to have reached up to god and Smiled (Cremona P. 24). It good almost be that as Stephan was taken to heaven god had said if you knew the apostle tat I shall create form your blood. He will be THE Apostle and have no equal in all the ages of the church (Cremona P. 24). Taking a look back through are churches history it can be observed that no apostle ever matched the intensity and fevered love of god that was obtained by one of Christianity s greatest persecutors (Cremona P. 24).

After dealing with Stephan Saul felt confident enough that these Christians were dangerous and obtained warrants from the sanheirden to arrest the Christians in Damascus. Damascus and his escort of loyal Jews set out to rid Damascus of the Christian menace . On the way to Damascus it is said that god reached out to Saul. Saul was Engulfed by a bright light and heard a voice. SAUL, Saul why do you persecute me. Saul responded who are you. and the lord replied I am Jesus. The light engulfing Saul vanished and the caravan scattered in fear of the light. As Saul opened his eyes he learned he had become blind.

In Damascus there lived a faithful follower of Jesus named Ananias. The lord ordered Ananias to go out to the main street and find a man named Saul from Tarsus. Ananias begged god not to make him go to help Saul because he had heard of the terrible deeds of Saul. God ordered Ananias to go exclaiming, HE is my chosen one. He shall spread the word to the foreigners. Now GO! Ananias left and found Saul was god had told him he would be. Saul had been taken by some of the caravan to a local house to rest. Ananias entered the house and placed his hands on Saul proclaiming Saul the lord Jesus who spoke to you on the road has sent me to cure you. Open your eyes, see, and be filed with the Holy Spirit. Saul opened his eyes ate and was cured.

For the following weeks Saul spent his times with the followers of the way. There he learned Jesus message and began to preach his word like known had before. The people of Damascus became confused by Saul’s new convictions. They asked themselves if this was the same, one sent to arrest the Christians in the first place. He caused even more confusion among the Jews. Who he tried to convince that Jesus was the Messiah. Some of the Jews became outraged and planned to kill Saul. Saul Learned of the plan and was lowered over the city walls in a basket.

Saul went back to Jerusal

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