Have you heard of names Dr. Vinton Cerf and Dr. Robert Kahn? Probably not. But these were two people who revolutionize how we communicate. In fact, the reason you are reading this, is due to them. They were the inventors of the Internet. There are many such people in the past who have impacted our lives and lives of millions of others, without them even knowing. Apostle Paul is one of them, whose life and legacy have left mark on the World history even to date, after 2000 years. This short character study looks at the most significant events in the life of Paul the Apostle. (There is no way to summarize his life in such a short study, but this is meant for a quick reference).
Paul – Early Life
• Name: Saul (other name: Paul)
• Meaning: Small, little
• Birthplace: Tarsus, Cilicia (currently in Turkey, 12 miles from the Mediterranean) (Acts 9:11)
• Siblings: Sister (Acts 23:16)
• Occupation: Tent making (Acts 18:2-3), his father would most likely be a master tentmaker.
• Religious affiliation: Jew (Romans 11:1)
• Tribe: Benjamin (Romans 11:1)
• Education: The Pharisee under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), Gamaliel’s speech (Acts 5:33-39)
• Citizenship: The Romans passport (Acts 22:27-28)
• Physical appearance: Short and Bald
Paul the Zealous Persecutor
Read Acts 7:54-60
What was the role of Saul in the stoning of Stephen?
• Stoning of the Church leader Stephen in Jerusalem
• Saul was the official approver of the stoning of Stephen. (Acts 7:59-60)
What was Saul’s master plan to crush this new cult ‘The Way’? Read Acts 8:3, Acts 9:1-2)
• Destroy the Church
• Go house to house
• drag off men and women of the Way
• put them in prison
• Breathing murderous threats against the disciples.
• Got the permission letter from the high priest to go to Damascus
The Turning Point
Read Acts 9:3-9
What happened on the road to Damascus?
How did this event shake Saul’s fundamental beliefs?
Who was he really persecuting, as the voice said? (v. 9:5)
Read 9:10-19
Why was Ananias hesitant? How did he obey God’s command?
- Brother, Paul
What was God’s plan for Saul? (v. 15)
God’s conquering work on Saul is like Divine chess player systematically, patiently maneuvering his opponent into a corner until finally he concedes, “Checkmate.”
C.S Lewis (Paraphrased)
Persecutor turned Preacher
Read Acts 9:20-24, Acts 13:1-3
What was the special call on Paul’s life? (Acts 13:1-3)
Paul and the band of brothers traveled to Asia minor with three missionary journeys, preaching the gospel, planting many churches among the Gentiles along the way. (You can read more online about these missionary journeys.)
Paul the Prolific Writer
Paul in the later part of his life in prison, wrote many letters to the Churches he had planted, encouraging, admonishing them to stay true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are atleast 13 of those letters that has survived, which are in the Bible.
- Galatians
- 1 and 2 Thessalonians
- 1 and 2 Corinthians
- Romans
- Ephesians,
- Philemon,
- Colossians,
- Philippians
- 1 Timothy
- Titus
- 2 Timothy
Key Verses from Paul’s Life
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
1 Corinthians 15:10
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21
Philippians 3:7-9
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
