St Paul- His life and death
St Paul’s background
Paul was born in Tarsus as Saul in a Jewish community. Saul was born into a relatively wealthy family and was well educated, evident from his letters. He also learnt a trade of tent making which was a custom for Jewish males at the time. Saul joined the Pharisees which is a Jewish group and was first involved in persecuting Christians. Paul was a fierce critic and persecutor of Christians before he converted. Saul was baptised and was then referred to as Paul. He travelled extensively, preaching the message of God.
St Paul’s conversion to Christianity:
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9: 5-6
One of the things that make Paul such an interesting person was his conversion experience. The story of
Paul’s conversion:
1. Paul oversees the stoning of St. Stephen
2. Paul falls to the ground and is blinded – Paul had a vision and heard a voice saying to him- “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” the reply- “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do”
3. Ananias prays for Paul
4. Paul regains his sight
5. Paul is baptized
The overwhelming experience of Paul’s life was the vision of the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus and this changed his whole life. The personal call by the risen Lord to Paul made his relationship with Jesus the absolute centre of his life.
St Paul’s Journeys
As a result of his personal conversion, Paul was inspired to preach the Gospel and travelled to spread the news.
St Paul’s first Journey:
On his first journey, also the shortest journey, he was accompanied by Barnabas. This journey ended when Paul returned to Jerusalem for the council. He was already working with Gentiles and was convinced that all Jews and Gentiles should hear about Jesus. He strongly argued for this position at the council of Jerusalem. Paul travelled to Cyprus, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and finally Derbe.
St Paul's second journey:
On this journey, Paul travelled with Silas and they spent most of the time in Athens and Corinth, two major centres of Greek culture and learning and also travelled to Philippi and Thessalonica. Paul spread the news about Jesus and the Gospel to everyone and went to the synagogues to speak to the Jews. Paul’s message was always centred on how Jesus has come for all and there was a place in the Christian community for everyone who put their faith in the risen Lord.
St Paul’s third journey:
Paul revisited many of the Christian Communities he had founded or written to. One of the God’s he visited was at Ephesus. Here Paul preached against the worship of false gods. He visited places including- Ephesus, Troas and Miletus.
St Paul’s Letters
St Paul wrote 14 letters also known as epistles and the letters of St Paul were a vital part in shaping Christianity and were a big part of his life. Paul wrote letters to Romans, Corinthians, Galatians and many more communities such as Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. Below are 3 of many communities he
wrote:
- Romans-In this letter, the St Paul writes about the relationship of the Christian faith to the unbelievers. He addresses powerfully about the meaning of union -with Christ through baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Philippians- The letter of St. Paul to the Philippians was written at the time of his confinement in Rome. St. Paul exposes his most personal feelings as he sees the approaching end of his life. He also praises the Philippian Church as a model Christian community in every way, encouraging and inspiring its beloved
members.
- Galatians- In this letter, St Paul expresses his profound anger and distress at the fact that the Galatians were practicing“another gospel”.
Council of Jerusalem
The council of Jerusalem settled the debate on who could be a follower of Jesus and St Paul argued that Christianity was open to all people whether you are Gentile or Jew and Non-Jews did not need to follow Jewish law such as food laws and other rituals in order to be a Christian, all they needed was their faith in
Jesus.
St Paul’s death
St Paul was martyred by the romans and was beheaded. Paul was sent to prison 3 times, and on his third time, upon refusing to forsake the Lord his God, the Romans put him to death by beheading him. St Paul was a major figure in founding Christianity and he was the ultimate missionary, travelling throughout many countries, preaching the gospel of Jesus.
Paul was born in Tarsus as Saul in a Jewish community. Saul was born into a relatively wealthy family and was well educated, evident from his letters. He also learnt a trade of tent making which was a custom for Jewish males at the time. Saul joined the Pharisees which is a Jewish group and was first involved in persecuting Christians. Paul was a fierce critic and persecutor of Christians before he converted. Saul was baptised and was then referred to as Paul. He travelled extensively, preaching the message of God.
St Paul’s conversion to Christianity:
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9: 5-6
One of the things that make Paul such an interesting person was his conversion experience. The story of
Paul’s conversion:
1. Paul oversees the stoning of St. Stephen
2. Paul falls to the ground and is blinded – Paul had a vision and heard a voice saying to him- “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” the reply- “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do”
3. Ananias prays for Paul
4. Paul regains his sight
5. Paul is baptized
The overwhelming experience of Paul’s life was the vision of the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus and this changed his whole life. The personal call by the risen Lord to Paul made his relationship with Jesus the absolute centre of his life.
St Paul’s Journeys
As a result of his personal conversion, Paul was inspired to preach the Gospel and travelled to spread the news.
St Paul’s first Journey:
On his first journey, also the shortest journey, he was accompanied by Barnabas. This journey ended when Paul returned to Jerusalem for the council. He was already working with Gentiles and was convinced that all Jews and Gentiles should hear about Jesus. He strongly argued for this position at the council of Jerusalem. Paul travelled to Cyprus, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and finally Derbe.
St Paul's second journey:
On this journey, Paul travelled with Silas and they spent most of the time in Athens and Corinth, two major centres of Greek culture and learning and also travelled to Philippi and Thessalonica. Paul spread the news about Jesus and the Gospel to everyone and went to the synagogues to speak to the Jews. Paul’s message was always centred on how Jesus has come for all and there was a place in the Christian community for everyone who put their faith in the risen Lord.
St Paul’s third journey:
Paul revisited many of the Christian Communities he had founded or written to. One of the God’s he visited was at Ephesus. Here Paul preached against the worship of false gods. He visited places including- Ephesus, Troas and Miletus.
St Paul’s Letters
St Paul wrote 14 letters also known as epistles and the letters of St Paul were a vital part in shaping Christianity and were a big part of his life. Paul wrote letters to Romans, Corinthians, Galatians and many more communities such as Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. Below are 3 of many communities he
wrote:
- Romans-In this letter, the St Paul writes about the relationship of the Christian faith to the unbelievers. He addresses powerfully about the meaning of union -with Christ through baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Philippians- The letter of St. Paul to the Philippians was written at the time of his confinement in Rome. St. Paul exposes his most personal feelings as he sees the approaching end of his life. He also praises the Philippian Church as a model Christian community in every way, encouraging and inspiring its beloved
members.
- Galatians- In this letter, St Paul expresses his profound anger and distress at the fact that the Galatians were practicing“another gospel”.
Council of Jerusalem
The council of Jerusalem settled the debate on who could be a follower of Jesus and St Paul argued that Christianity was open to all people whether you are Gentile or Jew and Non-Jews did not need to follow Jewish law such as food laws and other rituals in order to be a Christian, all they needed was their faith in
Jesus.
St Paul’s death
St Paul was martyred by the romans and was beheaded. Paul was sent to prison 3 times, and on his third time, upon refusing to forsake the Lord his God, the Romans put him to death by beheading him. St Paul was a major figure in founding Christianity and he was the ultimate missionary, travelling throughout many countries, preaching the gospel of Jesus.
St Paul’s symbol
The symbol above I made for St Paul is very symbolic and reflective of his life. His symbol is of a church and the colour exploding out from it reveals St Paul’s passion and energy to his work and the church represents his founding of the Christian community and churches. One undeniable characteristic of St Paul was his energy and commitment to his work and he was a person of great passion and he lived out his beliefs. As first a Pharisee he believed that to follow the law was the way to please God and live a just and holy life and after his conversion he brought the same passion to his Christian life and the burst of colours represent this. St Paul was largely responsible for the initial spread of Christianity and an important belief of the early Christians was their acceptance of all people in the church and and everyone had a place in the church as evident in the symbol as the people are accepted and are inside the church. Paul’s symbol is very reflective of his attitude and his great commitment to his work.
The symbol above I made for St Paul is very symbolic and reflective of his life. His symbol is of a church and the colour exploding out from it reveals St Paul’s passion and energy to his work and the church represents his founding of the Christian community and churches. One undeniable characteristic of St Paul was his energy and commitment to his work and he was a person of great passion and he lived out his beliefs. As first a Pharisee he believed that to follow the law was the way to please God and live a just and holy life and after his conversion he brought the same passion to his Christian life and the burst of colours represent this. St Paul was largely responsible for the initial spread of Christianity and an important belief of the early Christians was their acceptance of all people in the church and and everyone had a place in the church as evident in the symbol as the people are accepted and are inside the church. Paul’s symbol is very reflective of his attitude and his great commitment to his work.