Paul

Biography

Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee zealous for the law, trained under Gamaliel, and a violent persecutor of the early church. He approved of Stephen's stoning and was "breathing threats and murder" against Christians when Christ appeared to him on the Damascus road. The persecutor became the preacher. Blinded by the light and humbled before the risen Lord, Paul spent time in Arabia before beginning the most influential missionary career in history. His three missionary journeys established churches throughout Asia Minor and Greece, and his letters form the largest section of the New Testament. Paul's theology clarified salvation by grace through faith, the relationship between law and gospel, the nature of the church as Christ's body, and the hope of resurrection. His personal testimony remained constant: "The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Paul suffered shipwrecks, beatings, stonings, imprisonments, and constant danger. Tradition holds he was beheaded under Nero, having "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith."