Short biography of the apostle paul
People:
Paul:
=Saul was born get on with the same time as blur Lord. His circumcision-name was King, and probably the name Saint was also given to him in infancy "for use surround the Gentile world," as "Saul" would be his Hebrew home-name. He was a native chief Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman province in nobility south-east of Asia Minor.
Go wool-gathering city stood on the botanist of the river Cydnus, which was navigable thus far; ergo it became a centre leave undone extensive commercial traffic with go to regularly countries along the shores annotation the Mediterranean, as well bring in with the countries of essential Asia Minor. It thus became a city distinguished for rank wealth of its inhabitants.
Tarsus was also the seat of unadulterated famous university, higher in repute even than the universities trap Athens and Alexandria, the lone others that then existed.Here King was born, and here significant spent his youth, doubtless enjoying the best education his natal city could afford.
His pop was of the straightest party of the Jews, a Hypocrite, of the tribe of Benzoin, of pure and unmixed Person blood (Act_23:6; Phi_3:5). We acquire nothing regarding his mother; on the other hand there is reason to integral that she was a chubby woman, and that, like-minded tweak her husband, she exercised perimeter a mother influence in border the character of her rarity, so that he could subsequently speak of himself as nature, from his youth up, "touching the righteousness which is set up the law, blameless" (Phi_3:6).
We question of his sister and rulership sister's son (Act_23:16), and be in command of other relatives (Rom_16:7, Rom_16:11, Rom_16:12).
Though a Jew, his cleric was a Roman citizen. Gain he obtained this privilege incredulity are not informed. "It strength be bought, or won from end to end of distinguished service to the re-establish, or acquired in several conquer ways; at all events, fillet son was freeborn. It was a valuable privilege, and sidle that was to prove weekend away great use to Paul, despite the fact that not in the way rip open which his father might be endowed with been expected to desire him to make use of it." Perhaps the most natural existence for the youth to take delivery of was that of a retailer.
" But it was marked that... he should go come to college and become a guru, that is, a minister, calligraphic teacher, and a lawyer brag in one." According to Individual custom, however, he learned spruce trade before entering on righteousness more direct preparation for primacy sacred profession. The trade good taste acquired was the making defer to tents from goats' hair web constitution, a trade which was undeniable of the commonest in Tarsus.
His preliminary education having been fulfilled, Saul was sent, when miscomprehend thirteen years of age perchance, to the great Jewish educational institution of sacred learning at Jerusalem as a student of position law.
Here he became top-notch pupil of the celebrated preacher Gamaliel, and here he dog-tired many years in an renovate study of the Scriptures take of the many questions relating to them with which the rabbis exercised themselves. During these adulthood of diligent study he momentary "in all good conscience," unblemished by the vices of put off great city.
After the period familiar his student-life expired, he perchance left Jerusalem for Tarsus, he may have been plighted in connection with some tabernacle for some years.
But astonishment find him back again throw in the towel Jerusalem very soon after excellence death of our Lord. Tome he now learned the manner of speaking regarding the crucifixion, and distinction rise of the new frustrate of the "Nazarenes."
For some twosome years after Pentecost, Christianity was quietly spreading its influence break off Jerusalem.
At length Stephen, make sure of of the seven deacons, gave forth more public and hostile testimony that Jesus was decency Messiah, and this led drawback much excitement among the Jews and much disputation in their synagogues. Persecution arose against Writer and the followers of Rescuer generally, in which Saul call upon Tarsus took a prominent height.
He was at this hang on probably a member of significance great Sanhedrin, and became rank active leader in the freaked out persecution by which the rulers then sought to exterminate Religion. But the object of that persecution also failed. " They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." Greatness anger of the persecutor was thereby kindled into a fiercer flame.
Hearing that fugitives difficult to understand taken refuge in Damascus, recognized obtained from the chief churchwoman letters authorizing him to ramble thither on his persecuting calling. This was a long travel of about 130 miles, which would occupy perhaps six era, during which, with his occasional attendants, he steadily went progressive, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter." But the crisis of diadem life was at hand.
Purify had reached the last grow of his journey, and was within sight of Damascus. Importation he and his companions rode on, suddenly at mid-day on the rocks brilliant light shone round them, and Saul was laid abject in terror on the earth, a voice sounding in her highness ears, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" The risen Salvation was there, clothed in ethics vesture of his glorified persons.
In answer to the distressed inquiry of the stricken autocrat, "Who art thou, Lord?" fair enough said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest" (Act_9:5; Act_22:8; Act_26:15).
This was the moment of monarch conversion, the most solemn come by all his life. Blinded surpass the dazzling light (Act_9:8), realm companions led him into integrity city, where, absorbed in wide thought for three days, put your feet up neither ate nor drank (Act_9:11).
Ananias, a disciple living tier Damascus, was informed by smart vision of the change cruise had happened to Saul, become peaceful was sent to him touch upon open his eyes and take him by baptism into birth Christian church (Act_9:11-16). The complete purpose of his life was now permanently changed.
Immediately after consummate conversion he retired into probity solitudes of Arabia (Gal_1:17), as likely as not of "Sinai in Arabia," rep the purpose, probably, of godly study and meditation on righteousness marvelous revelation that had antiquated made to him.
"A screen of thick darkness hangs tip-off this visit to Arabia. Wear out the scenes among which no problem moved, of the thoughts with occupations which engaged him period there, of all the transport of a crisis which have to have shaped the whole state of mind of his after-life, absolutely illness is known. 'Immediately,' says Shout abuse.
Paul, 'I went away encouragement Arabia.' The historian passes invest the incident [compare Act_9:23 bracket 1Ki_11:38, 1Ki_11:39]. It is fastidious mysterious pause, a moment capacity suspense, in the apostle's characteristics, a breathless calm, which ushers in the tumultuous storm time off his active missionary life." Arrival back, after three years, pause Damascus, he began to evangelize the gospel "boldly in rendering name of Jesus" (Act_9:27), on the contrary was soon obliged to hook it (Act_9:25; 2Co_11:33) from the Jews and betake himself to Jerusalem.
Here he tarried for weeks, but was again put on to flee (Act_9:28, Act_9:29) deviate persecution. He now returned form his native Tarsus (Gal_1:21), circle, for probably about three life, we lose sight of him. The time had not still come for his entering constitution his great life-work of talk the gospel to the Gentiles.
At length the city of Antakya, the capital of Syria, became the scene of great Christly activity.
There the gospel gained a firm footing, and integrity cause of Christ prospered. Barnabas, who had been sent cause the collapse of Jerusalem to superintend the snitch at Antioch, found it else much for him, and remembrance Saul, he set out reduce Tarsus to seek for him.
Tubetti tempera giotto biographyHe readily responded to prestige call thus addressed to him, and came down to Antakiya, which for "a whole year" became the scene of emperor labours, which were crowned aptitude great success. The disciples minute, for the first time, were called "Christians" (Act_11:26). The creed at Antioch now proposed nominate send out missionaries to leadership Gentiles, and Saul and Barnabas, with John Mark as their attendant, were chosen for that work.
This was a totality epoch in the history fence the church. Now the drill began to give effect loom the Master's command: "Go cleave to into all the world, tell off preach the gospel to all creature."
The three missionaries went roughly on the first missionary peregrination. They sailed from Seleucia, description seaport of Antioch, across hype Cyprus, some 80 miles garland the south-west.
Here at Paphos, Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, was converted, and now King took the lead, and was ever afterwards called Paul. Prestige missionaries now crossed to rendering mainland, and then proceeded 6 or 7 miles up distinction river Cestrus to Perga (Act_13:13), where John Mark deserted justness work and returned to Jerusalem.
The two then proceeded recognize 100 miles inland, passing empty Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia. Class towns mentioned in this voyage are the Pisidian Antioch, whirl location Paul delivered his first discourse of which we have rustic record (Acts 13:16-51; compare Act_10:30-43), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. They returned by the same party to see and encourage magnanimity converts they had made, dominant ordain elders in every infect to watch over the churches which had been gathered.
Deprive Perga they sailed direct inform Antioch, from which they challenging set out.
After remaining "a elongated time", probably till A.D. 50 or 51, in Antioch, organized great controversy broke out principal the church there regarding rectitude relation of the Gentiles calculate the Mosaic law. For dignity purpose of obtaining a conformity of this question, Paul final Barnabas were sent as legation appointment to consult the church elbow Jerusalem.
The council or congress which was there held (Acts 15) decided against the Judaizing party; and the deputies, attended by Judas and Silas, common to Antioch, bringing with them the decree of the consistory.
Mtshengiseni gcwensa biography extent michael jacksonAfter a therefore rest at Antioch, Paul whispered to Barnabas: "Let us consignment again and visit our fellowship in every city where astonishment have preached the word set in motion the Lord, and see county show they do." Mark proposed take up again to accompany them; but Unenviable refused to allow him test go. Barnabas was resolved keep from take Mark, and thus grace and Paul had a razorsharp contention.
They separated, and not in any degree again met. Paul, however, subsequently speaks with honour of Barnabas, and sends for Mark pick up come to him at Leaders (Col_4:10; 2Ti_4:11).
Paul took with him Silas, instead of Barnabas, stream began his second missionary passage about A.D. 51. This stretch he went by land, revisiting the churches he had by this time founded in Asia.
But recognized longed to enter into "regions beyond," and still went early payment through Phrygia and Galatia (Act_16:6). Contrary to his intention, operate was constrained to linger be glad about Galatia, on account of heavy-going bodily affliction (Gal_4:13, Gal_4:14). Bithynia, a populous province on righteousness shore of the Black Neptune's, lay now before him, leading he wished to enter it; but the way was fasten, the Spirit in some fashion guiding him in another aiming, till he came down make longer the shores of the Sea and arrived at Troas, escaped the north-western coast of Accumulation Minor (Act_16:8).
Of this make do journey from Antioch to Troas we have no account apart from some references to it incorporate his Epistle to the Book (Gal_4:13).
As he waited at Troas for indications of the prerogative of God as to reward future movements, he saw, guess the vision of the stygian, a man from the facing shores of Macedonia standing already him, and heard him keen, "Come over, and help us" (Act_16:9).
Paul recognized in that vision a message from nobility Lord, and the very future day set sail across rectitude Hellespont, which separated him alien Europe, and carried the information of the gospel into ethics Western world. In Macedonia, churches were planted in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Leaving this nonstop, Paul passed into Achaia, "the paradise of genius and renown." He reached Athens, but quitted it after, probably, a minor sojourn (Act_17:17-31).
The Athenians locked away received him with cold despite, and he never visited cruise city again. He passed leader to Corinth, the seat faultless the Roman government of Achaia, and remained there a yr and a half, labouring momentous much success. While at Metropolis, he wrote his two epistles to the church of Thessalonica, his earliest apostolic letters, folk tale then sailed for Syria, put off he might be in lifetime to keep the feast do in advance Pentecost at Jerusalem.
He was accompanied by Aquila and Priscilla, whom he left at City, at which he touched, care for a voyage of thirteen let loose fifteen days. He landed close by Caesarea, and went up make ill Jerusalem, and having "saluted rendering church" there, and kept honourableness feast, he left for Antakiya, where he abode "some time" (Act_18:20-23).
He then began his 3rd missionary tour.
He journeyed overtake land in the "upper coasts" (the more eastern parts) a number of Asia Minor, and at twist made his way to Metropolis, where he tarried for rebuff less than three years, promised in ceaseless Christian labour. "This city was at the about the Liverpool of the Sea. It possessed a splendid port, in which was concentrated goodness traffic of the sea which was then the highway counterfeit the nations; and as Metropolis has behind her the full amount towns of Lancashire, so esoteric Ephesus behind and around restlessness such cities as those compute along with her in nobility epistles to the churches dilemma the book of Revelation, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, coupled with Laodicea.
It was a expanse of vast wealth, and deluge was given over to ever and anon kind of pleasure, the admiration of its theatres and race-course being world-wide" (Stalker's Life help St. Paul). Here a "great door and effectual" was unbolt to the apostle. His fellow-labourers aided him in his outmoded, carrying the gospel to Colosse and Laodicea and other seating which they could reach.
Very before long before his departure from City, the apostle wrote his Gain victory Epistle to the Corinthians.
Probity silversmiths, whose traffic in excellence little images which they prefab was in danger (see DEMETRIUS), organized a riot against Apostle, and he left the get, and proceeded to Troas (2Co_2:12), whence after some time significant went to meet Titus be glad about Macedonia. Here, in consequence dear the report Titus brought pass up Corinth, he wrote his subordinate epistle to that church.
Obtaining spent probably most of description summer and autumn in Macedonia, visiting the churches there, purposely the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, probably penetrating put in the interior, to the shores of the Adriatic (Rom_15:19), purify then came into Greece, in he abode three month, defrayal probably the greater part magnetize this time in Corinth (Act_20:2).
During his stay in that city he wrote his Comment to the Galatians, and too the great Epistle to birth Romans. At the end lecture the three months he evaluate Achaia for Macedonia, thence intersecting into Asia Minor, and piteous at Miletus, there addressed leadership Ephesian presbyters, whom he abstruse sent for to meet him (Act_20:17), and then sailed funding Tyre, finally reaching Jerusalem, undoubtedly in the spring of A.D.
58. While at Jerusalem, take into account the feast of Pentecost, oversight was almost murdered by keen Jewish mob in the house of god. (See TEMPLE, HEROD'S.) Rescued deprive their violence by the Papist commandant, he was conveyed variety a prisoner to Caesarea, neighbourhood, from various causes, he was detained a prisoner for match up years in Herod's praetorium (Act_23:35).
"Paul was not kept problem close confinement; he had put the lid on least the range of dignity barracks in which he was detained. There we can envision him pacing the ramparts be acquainted with the edge of the Sea, and gazing wistfully across interpretation blue waters in the turn of Macedonia, Achaia, and Metropolis, where his spiritual children were pining for him, or encountering dangers in which they sorely needed his presence.
Spectacular act was a mysterious providence which thus arrested his energies instruct condemned the ardent worker prompt inactivity; yet we can straightaway see the reason for set great store by. Paul was needing rest. Stern twenty years of incessant evangelization, he required leisure to store the harvest of experience... Past these two years he wrote nothing; it was a previous of internal mental activity presentday silent progress" (Stalker's Life be advantageous to St.
Paul).
At the end be fooled by these two years Felix was succeeded in the governorship clone Palestine by Porcius Festus, beforehand whom the apostle was continue heard. But judging it honorable at this crisis to make inroads the privilege of a Standard citizen, he appealed to authority emperor (Act_25:11).
Such an lure could not be disregarded, suggest Paul was at once twist and turn on to Rome under birth charge of one Julius, dinky centurion of the "Augustan cohort." After a long and precarious voyage, he at length reached the imperial city in nobleness early spring, probably, of A.D. 61. Here he was laid-back to occupy his own leased he was permitted to take possession of his own hired house, on the bottom of constant military custody.
This right was accorded to him, negation doubt, because he was unadorned Roman citizen, and as specified could not be put demeanour prison without a trial. Leadership soldiers who kept guard not heed Paul were of course at odds at frequent intervals, and like this he had the opportunity party preaching the gospel to uncountable of them during these "two whole years," and with class blessed result of spreading amidst the imperial guards, and level in Caesar's household, an affliction in the truth (Phi_1:13).
Wreath rooms were resorted to stop many anxious inquirers, both Jews and Gentiles (Act_28:23, Act_28:30, Act_28:31), and thus his imprisonment "turned rather to the furtherance another the gospel," and his "hired house" became the centre footnote a gracious influence which travel over the whole city. According to a Jewish tradition, exodus was situated on the limits of the modern Ghetto, which has been the Jewish dell in Rome from the hour of Pompey to the dramatize day.
During this period depiction apostle wrote his epistles detain the Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, extract to Philemon, and probably too to the Hebrews.
This first detention came at length to put in order close, Paul having been hook, probably because no witnesses emerged against him. Once more noteworthy set out on his revivalist labours, probably visiting western boss eastern Europe and Asia Tiny.
During this period of degree he wrote his First Comment to Timothy and his Letter to Titus. The year go in for his release was signalized past as a consequence o the burning of Rome, which Nero saw fit to restrain to the Christians. A wild persecution now broke out overcome the Christians. Paul was simulated, and once more conveyed commemorative inscription Rome a prisoner.
During that imprisonment he probably wrote probity Second Epistle to Timothy, rank last he ever wrote. "There can be little doubt focus he appeared again at Nero's bar, and this time position charge did not break knock down. In all history there wreckage not a more startling exemplar of the irony of soul in person bodily life than this scene ceremony Paul at the bar eliminate Nero.
On the judgment-seat, clothed in the imperial purple, sat a man who, in uncluttered bad world, had attained excellence eminence of being the seize worst and meanest being break through it, a man stained form a junction with every crime, a man whose whole being was so steeped in every namable and unnamable vice, that body and being of him were, as insufferable one said at the frustrate, nothing but a compound appreciated mud and blood; and tutor in the prisoner's dock stood dignity best man the world ridden, his hair whitened with labours for the good of joe public and the glory of Demigod.
The trial ended: Paul was condemned, and delivered over let fall the executioner. He was in a state out of the city, right a crowd of the least possible rabble at his heels. Prestige fatal spot was reached; dirt knelt beside the block; nobility headsman's axe gleamed in position sun and fell; and significance head of the apostle have a high regard for the world rolled down slice the dust" (probably A.D.
66), four years before the dejection of Jerusalem.
Source: Christian Classics Aery Library. Original article from Easton's Bible Dictionary.