Apostle paul family background

What is the story of Saul of Tarsus before he became the apostle Paul?

Answer



It is difficult to overestimate the influence of the apostle Paul. He is known worldwide as one of the greatest Christian missionaries. His inspired writings cover a large portion of the New Testament, and it is safe to say that he remains one of the most read authors in human history. His abrupt turnaround from zealous persecutor of Christians to one of Christianity’s greatest proponents surely shaped the history of the early Christian church. But who was Saul of Tarsus before he became the apostle Paul? What do we know about his life prior to meeting Christ on the Damascus Road?

Saul of Tarsus was born in approximately AD 5 in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia (in modern-day Turkey). He was born to Jewish parents who possessed Roman citizenship, a coveted privilege that their son would also possess. In about AD 10, Saul’s family moved to Jerusalem. Sometime between AD 15—20 Saul began his studies of the Hebrew Scriptures in the city of Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel. It was under Gamaliel that

Paul the Apostle

Christian apostle and missionary

"Saint Paul" redirects here. For other uses, see Saint Paul (disambiguation).

Saint


Paul the Apostle

Saint Paul (c. 1611) by Peter Paul Rubens

BornSaul of Tarsus
c. 5 AD[1]
Tarsus, Cilicia, Roman Empire
Diedc. 64/65 AD
Rome, Italia, Roman Empire
Venerated inAll Christian denominations that venerate saints
CanonizedPre-Congregation
Major shrineBasilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy
Feast
AttributesChristian martyrdom, sword, book
PatronageMissionaries, theologians, evangelists, and Gentile Christians, Malta

Theology career
EducationSchool of Gamaliel[6]
Occupation(s)Christian missionary and preacher
Notable work
Theological work
EraApostolic Age
LanguageKoine Greek
Tradition or movementPauline Christianity
Main interestsTorah, Christology, eschatology, soteriology, ecclesiology
Notable ideasPauline privilege, Law of Christ, Holy Spirit, Unknown God, divinity of Jesus, tho

Paul the Apostle

"Saint Paul" redirects here. For the U.S. city, see Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Paul the Apostle, (born as Saul of Tarsus) and also often called Saint Paul (2BC–64/65), was a Messianic Jewish-Romanwriter and rabbi. He was a convert to Christianity. It is believed that he wrote thirteen books of the Bible, together called the Pauline epistles. They are letters to churches and Christians. He wrote these letters to encourage them, to help them understand Christian teaching, and to help them to live Christian lives.

Life

[change | change source]

Anti-Christian

[change | change source]

Paul's name was originally Saul (not to be confused with King Saul from the books of Samuel in the Old Testament). He grew up learning both the Jewish law and the Greek ways of discussing things. We are first introduced to Saul in the Bible near the end of Acts 7. The Christian movement had begun with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Saul was strongly against this, and he was happy as he watched Saint Stephen, the first martyr of Jesus, being killed by stoning af

Copyright ©bandfull.pages.dev 2025