Who
was Paul?
Who was Saul?
Who was Saul?
Paul, the apostle commonly known as St Paul and the Jewish name Saul.
Paul was an apostle, disciple, servant and a missionary for God. He traveled and preached that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and the Son of God.
God
selected Paul as his Saint to teach because he was highly educated, a Jew and a Roman citizen
and would be teaching to both. After his conversion, even though Paul was Jewish, he knew and believed
Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God. Jews of the day only believed Jesus was
a prophet.
God
selected Paul to be a great Holy Spirit-filled witness for us to learn from. He
was given the gift to do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God.
In the beginning Paul was Saul
and did evil things.
Acts 8;1-3
Saul Begins to Persecute
the Church
Now on that day a great
persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles
were forced to scatter throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 Some
devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul
was trying to destroy the church; entering one house after another, he dragged
off both men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 9;1-31
The Conversion of Saul
1 Meanwhile Saul, still
breathing out threats to murder the Lord’s disciples, went to the high priest
2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if
he found any who belonged to the Way, either men or women, he could bring them
as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he was going along, approaching Damascus,
suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground
and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
me?” 5 So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you
are persecuting! 6 But stand up and enter the city and you will be told
what you must do.” 7 (Now the men who were traveling with him stood there
speechless, because they heard the voice but saw no one.) 8 So Saul
got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, he could see nothing.
Leading him by the hand, his companions brought him into Damascus. 9 For
three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank anything.
10 Now there was a
disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision,
“Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 Then the Lord told him,
“Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’ and at Judas’ house look for a
man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, 12 and he has seen
in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he
may see again.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many
people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem,
14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who
call on your name!” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is
my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people
of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of
my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands
on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to
you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be
filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately something like scales fell
from his eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and
after taking some food, his strength returned.
For several days he was with
the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus
in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard
him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was
ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as
prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul became more and more
capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by
proving that Jesus is the Christ.
Saul’s
Escape from Damascus
23 Now after some days
had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him, 24 but Saul
learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day
and night so that they could kill him. 25 But his disciples took him at
night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a
basket.
Saul
Returns to Jerusalem
26 When he arrived in
Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all
afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But
Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how
he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus
he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was staying with
them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the
name of the Lord. 29 He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking
Jews, but they were trying to kill him. 30 When the brothers found out
about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
31 Then the church
throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced peace and thus was
strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the
Holy Spirit, the church increased in numbers.
God converted Saul and
used him as an example for us to learn from. He selected Paul as his Saint
to teach because he was a Jew and a Roman citizen and would be teaching to both. After his miracle conversion, even though Paul was Jewish, he knew and believed Jesus was the Messiah, the Son
of God. Jews of the day only believed Jesus was a prophet.
Besides
Jesus no single figure was more influential than Paul.
He was a servant for God.
Paul
traveled tens of thousands of miles spreading the word of Jesus.
The
famous story of Paul's great conversion and transformation as an evil young man
to a great warrior of God (on the road to Damascus) was amazing and a miracle. God planned for Paul to educate and teach all humanity throughout the
centuries including the present day.
Paul
suffered great tribulations but continually pursued with fantastic faith, he
was a man on a mission.
Paul
was lashed five times with thirty-nine lashes. He was left for dead from
stoning, but God raised him up again. Three times he was beaten with rods.
Three times he was shipwrecked - once he was in the water for a night and a
day. He was attacked by robbers. He was attacked by unbelievers. He was
attacked by his own countrymen and he was imprisoned may times.
Paul
suffered many things for the sake of the gospel but he never once deviated from
its salvation message.
Paul
and Barnabas preached and witnessed together.
Paul
founded many churches.
Paul
is considered is to be one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age.
He was both Jew and a Roman citizen.
Thirteen
of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament were attributed to Paul.
Paul's
idea that salvation is based on faith not works of the law.
In
the end Paul stated;
“I
fought the good fight.”
I
can’t wait to get to Heaven and meet Paul and listen to him.
click on pic to enlarge
Ephesians 3
Paul’s Stewardship
3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentile 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen
2
Timothy 4;6-8
6 For
I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure
has come. 7
I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
8 in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing.
Acts
17;11
Now
the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for
they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures
every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Colossians
1
1 From Paul, an apostle
of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 to
the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and
peace to you from God our Father!
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer for
the Church
3 We always give thanks to God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since
we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all
the saints. 5 Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up
for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the
gospel 6 that has come to you. Just as in the entire world this
gospel is bearing fruit and growing, so it has also been bearing fruit and
growing among you from the first day you heard it and understood the grace of
God in truth. 7 You learned the gospel from Epaphras, our dear
fellow slave—a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf— 8 who
also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Paul’s Prayer for the Growth of the
Church
9 For this reason we also, from
the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to
fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and
understanding, 10 so that you may live worthily of the Lord and
please him in all respects—bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the
knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to
his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully 12 giving
thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance
in the light. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and
transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we
have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of Christ
15
He
is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,
16
for
all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether
visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or
powers—all things were created through him and for him.
17
He
himself is before all things and all things are held together in him.
18
He
is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.
19
For
God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son
20
and
through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the
blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Paul’s Goal in Ministry
21 And you were at one time
strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds, 22 but
now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you
holy, without blemish, and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you
remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of
the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation
under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.
24 Now I rejoice in my
sufferings for you, and I fill up in my physical body—for the sake of his body,
the church—what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. 25 I became
a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God—given to me for
you—in order to complete the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery
that has been kept hidden from ages and generations, but has now been revealed
to his saints. 27 God wanted to make known to them the glorious
riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of
glory. 28 We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people
with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. 29 Toward
this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works
in me.
Romans
1;8
[ Paul’s
Desire to Visit Rome ] First of all, I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole
world.
Colossians
1
Thankfulness for Spiritual
Attainments
1 Paul,
an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To
the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you
and peace from God our Father.
3 We
give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for
you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you
have for all the saints; 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven,
of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has
come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and
increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it
and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from
Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ
on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
9 For
this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for
you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all
spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner
worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good
work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all
power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness
and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified
us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
The Incomparable Christ
13 For
He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of
His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He
is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For
by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things
have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and
in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the
church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He
Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the
Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and
through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the
blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in
heaven.
21 And
although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil
deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death,
in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast,
and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was
proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a
minister.
24 Now
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on
behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in
Christ’s afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to
the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully
carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which
has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested
to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of
the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope
of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man
with all wisdom, so that we may present every man [am]complete in Christ.
29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which
mightily works within me.
Colossians
1
1 Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To
God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:
Grace
and peace to you from God our Father.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We
always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you
have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope
stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true
message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel
is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been
doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful
minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in
the Spirit.
9 For
this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for
you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through
all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may
live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in
every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened
with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great
endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has
qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of
light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought
us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The
Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all
things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all
things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the
body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so
that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to
have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to
himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making
peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once
you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your
evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body
through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from
accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do
not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you
heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which
I, Paul, have become a servant.
Paul’s Labor for the Church’s
24 Now
I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is
still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body,
which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God
gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery
that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the
Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles
the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 He
is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so
that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I
strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Acts
13;4
[ Paul
and Barnabas Preach in Cyprus ] So Barnabas and Saul,
sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed
to Cyprus.
Acts
13;9
But
Saul (also known as Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, stared
straight at him.
Acts
13;16
So Paul
stood up, gestured with his hand and said, “Men of Israel, and you Gentiles who
fear God, listen.
Acts
13;42
As Paul
and Barnabas were going out, the people were urging them to speak about these
things on the next Sabbath.
Acts
13;43
When
the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and God-fearing
proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with
them and were persuading them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts
13;45
But
when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they began to
contradict what Paul was saying by reviling him.
Acts
13;46
Both
Paul and Barnabas replied courageously, “It was necessary to
speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider
yourselves worthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.
Acts
13;50
But
the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high social standing and the
prominent men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul
and Barnabas, and threw them out of their region.
Acts
14;1
[ Paul
and Barnabas at Iconium ] The same thing happened in Iconium when Paul
and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a
large group of both Jews and Greeks believed.
Acts
14;8-21
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
8 In
Lystra sat a man who could not use his feet, lame from birth, who had never
walked. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he was speaking.
When Paul stared intently at him and saw he had faith to be
healed, 10 he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And
the man leaped up and began walking. 11 So when the crowds saw what Paul
had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to
us in human form!” 12 They began to call Barnabas Zeus and Paul
Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of the temple of
Zeus, located just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city
gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when
the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they tore their
clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you
doing these things? We too are men, with human natures just like you! We are
proclaiming the good news to you, so that you should turn from these worthless
things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and
everything that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the
nations to go their own ways, 17 yet he did not leave himself without a
witness by doing good, by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons,
satisfying you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even by saying these
things, they scarcely persuaded the crowds not to offer sacrifice to them.
19 But
Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning the crowds over, they
stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming him to be
dead. 20 But after the disciples had surrounded him, he got up and went
back into the city. On the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Paul and Barnabas Return to
Antioch in Syria
21 After
they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they
returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch.
Acts
15;12
The
whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul while
they explained all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the
Gentiles through them.
Acts
15;35
But Paul
and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming (along with many
others) the word of the Lord.
Acts
15;.
[ Paul
and Barnabas Part Company ] After some days r said to Barnabas, “Let’s
return and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the
Lord to see how they are doing.”
Acts
15;40
but Paul
chose Silas and set out, commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers and
sisters.
Acts
16;1
[
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas ] He also came to Derbe and to
Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a
believer, but whose father was a Greek.
Acts
16;3
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany
him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those
places, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
Acts
16;9-10
A
vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was
standing there urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After Paul
saw the vision, we attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding
that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
Acts
16;14
A
woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a
God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what
Paul was saying.
Acts
16;16-38
Paul
and Silas Are Thrown Into Prison
16 Now
as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit
that enabled her to foretell the future by supernatural means. She brought her
owners a great profit by fortune-telling. 17 She followed behind Paul
and us and kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who
are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” 18 She continued to do this
for many days. But Paul became greatly annoyed, and turned and
said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of
her!” And it came out of her at once. 19 But when her owners saw their
hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged
them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 When they had brought
them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into
confusion. They are Jews 21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful
for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.”
22 The
crowd joined the attack against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul
and Silas and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had
beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and commanded the jailer to
guard them securely. 24 Receiving such orders, he threw them in the inner
cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About
midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly a great
earthquake occurred, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.
Immediately all the doors flew open, and the bonds of all the prisoners came
loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing
open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he assumed the
prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out loudly, “Do
not harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29 Calling for lights, the jailer
rushed in and fell down trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. 30 Then
he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and
your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him, along
with all those who were in his house. 33 At that hour of the night he took
them and washed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized right
away. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set food before them,
and he rejoiced greatly that he had come to believe in God, together with his
entire household. 35 At daybreak the magistrates sent their police
officers, saying, “Release those men.” 36 The jailer reported these words
to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent orders to release
you. So come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to
the police officers, “They had us beaten in public without a proper trial—even
though we are Roman citizens—and they threw us in prison. And now they want to
send us away secretly? Absolutely not! They themselves must come and escort us
out!” 38 The police officers reported these words to the magistrates. They
were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas were Roman
citizens.
Acts
17;4
Some
of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a
large group of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
Acts
17;13
But
when the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul had also
proclaimed the word of God in Berea, they came there too, inciting and
disturbing the crowds.
2
Peter 3;15
And
regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul
wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him.
__________
Paul's life
.
A.D. 6 Born a Roman citizen to Jewish parents in Tarsus (in modern eastern
Turkey)
c.
20–30 Studies Torah in Jerusalem with Gamaliel; becomes a Pharisee
c.
30–33 Persecutes followers of Jesus of Nazareth in Jerusalem and Judea
Paul’s
Conversion
c.
33–36 Converted on the way to Damascus; spends three years in Arabia; returns
to Damascus to preach Jesus as Messiah
c.
36 Flees Damascus because of persecution; visits Jerusalem and meets with the
apostles
36–44
Preaches in Tarsus and surrounding region
44–46
Invited by Barnabas to teach in Antioch
46
With Barnabas visits Jerusalem to bring a famine relief offering
Mission
Trips
47–48
First missionary journey with Barnabas, to Cyprus and Galatia
49
At the Council of Jerusalem, Paul argues successfully that Gentile Christians
need not follow Jewish law; returns to Antioch; confronts Peter over question
of Jewish law
49–52
Second missionary journey with Silas, through Asia Minor and Greece; settles in
Corinth; writes letters to Thessalonians
52
Visits Jerusalem and Antioch briefly; begins third missionary journey
52–55
Stays in Ephesus; writes the letters to Galatians and Corinthians
55–57
Travels through Greece and possibly Illyricum (modern Yugoslavia); writes
letter to Romans
Paul’s
Arrest & Death
57–59
Returns to Jerusalem and arrested; imprisoned at Caesarea
59–60
Appears before Festus and appeals to Caesar; voyage to Rome
60–62
Under house arrest at Rome; writes letters to Philippians, Ephesians,
Colossians, and Philemon
62–64
Released; journeys to Spain?; writes letters to Timothy and Titus
64
Returns to Rome; martyred during perse
timothy skon, Chaplain, Prayer Minister,
Serving others, guided by Jesus
3/9/16