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"Saint Paul" and "Saint-Paul" redirect here. For other uses, see Saint Paul (disambiguation).
Paul the Apostle
Ananias restores the sight of Saint Paul.
A 1631 painting by Pietro Cortona.
Apostle to the Gentiles
Born c. 5 [1]
in Tarsus[Acts 22:3]
Died c 67[2]
in Rome[2]
Venerated in All Christianity
Major shrine Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Feast January 25 (The Conversion of Paul)
February 10 (Feast of Saint Paul's Shipwreck in Malta)
June 29 (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul)
November 18 (Feast of the dedication of the basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul)
Attributes sword
Patronage Missions; Theologians; Gentile Christians;
Paul the Apostle, also called the Apostle Paul, Paul of Tarsus, and Saint Paul (c. 5 - c. 67 ),[2] was one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with his writings forming a considerable portion of the New Testament. His influence on Christian thinking has been of utmost significance due to his role as prominent Apostle of Christianity during the spreading of the Gospel through early Christian communities across the Roman Empire. Being a Roman Citizen of Jewish heritage he found himself being part of a group dedicated to violently persecute the early Jewish Christianity in Israel when he was known as Saul. The turning point for Saul, as recounted in the book of Saint Luke, Acts of Apostles, was during a travel to a city in Asia, named Damascus, as part of the ongoing persecution plan to early and clandestine Christian communities, accompanied by a caravan of men and being ready to violently repress the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, whom he had never met nor ever seen, he was converted when the Resurrected Jesus appeared to him in all his luminous glory leaving him blind. He recovered his sight as soon as he arrived to the city that he was originally heading to, and as instructed by Jesus, he found one of the Christians whom he was going to persecute. This Christian, Ananias of Damascus was in turn instructed and enlightened to look for a man with such a condition, and imposing his hands on Saul he was instantly healed. Saul adopted the name of Paul being turned from persecutor to faithful Apostle. He died a Martyr in Rome proclaiming the Faith in the Jewish Messiah, The Son of God.
His conversion to faith in Jesus Christ took place in a profound life-changing experience on the road to Damascus. Along with Peter and James the Just he was one of the most prominent early Christian leaders.[3] He was also a Roman citizen—a fact that afforded him a privileged legal status with respect to laws, property, and governance.[4][5]
Fourteen epistles in the New Testament are attributed to Paul. His authorship of six of the thirteen is questioned by a minority of scholars,[6] three of which are more widely debated.[7] Paul's influence on Christian thinking arguably has been more significant than any other New Testament author.[6] Augustine of Hippo developed Paul's idea that salvation is based on faith and not "Works of the Law".[6] Martin Luther's interpretation of Paul's writings heavily influenced Luther's doctrine of sola fide.
Paul's conversion dramatically changed the course of his life. Through his missionary activity and writings he eventually transformed religious belief and philosophy throughout the Mediterranean Basin. His leadership, influence and legacy led to the formation of communities dominated by Gentile groups that worshiped the God of Israel, adhered to the Judaic "moral code" but relaxed or abandoned the "ritual" and dietary obligations of the Mosaic law all on the basis of Paul's teachings of the life and works of Jesus Christ and his philosophy of a "New Covenant" established through Jesus' death and resurrection. These communities eventually became "Christianity", in the split between Paul and his followers and those of the Nazorean Jewish community under James. See split of early Christianity and Judaism.
Contents
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* 1 Sources of information
* 2 Names
* 3 Prior to conversion
* 4 Conversion and mission
o 4.1 Post-conversion testimony
o 4.2 Early ministry
o 4.3 First missionary journey
o 4.4 Second missionary journey
o 4.5 Third missionary journey
o 4.6 Journey to Rome
o 4.7 Persecution
o 4.8 Council of Jerusalem
o 4.9 Incident at Antioch
o 4.10 Visits to Jerusalem in Acts and the epistles
o 4.11 Resumed mission
* 5 Arrest and death
* 6 Writings
o 6.1 Authorship
o 6.2 Atonement
o 6.3 Relationship with Judaism
o 6.4 World to come
o 6.5 Role of women
