The Apostle Paul Essay Example for Free

The Apostle Paul Essay This report paper will be on the life of Paul. We will look at many various different facts about this influential man of God. We all know the apostle Paul was used of God in a miraculous way, but this paper will take a behind the scenes look at some areas. I also endeavor to make this paper come alive and reveal things about the apostle Paul that maybe have never been discovered by the average reader and possibly forgotten by the veteran Christian. The Author of Acts First, let me begin by saying that in Acts class we learned the importance of Acts for the local New Testament church today. When the church is of course if we would just be reminded to get back to the book of Acts then we would see many of our church problems disappear in no time at all. Contrary to what many baby Christians believe the Apostle Paul did not write the Book of Acts, but rather we learn that Luke wrote it. This was Luke’s second treatise as it is written. Paul’s Transition The Apostle Paul that we know at the end of his Epistles is not the same as when we first meet him in the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul came a long way from where he was to where he ended up. The Bible tells us that he would persecute the Church passionately and without regard for the Believers. The Apostle Paul was arguably the world’s most influential missionary (obviously not counting the Lord Jesus) to ever walk planet earth. Paul was not always his name but actually he was called Paul only after his conversion. Paul’s first and original name was Saul. Saul was a terror to the church and a modern day widow maker in his heyday. We even see Saul there early on when Stephen the martyr was being slain by his adversaries. We read the account firsthand in Acts the seventh chapter verse fifty-eight the Bible says: Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young mans feet, whose name was Saul. Paul’s Childhood Before we get to far ahead in the story let me give a little bit of history of Saul from Tarsus. Saul was born either very close to the same time that Jesus was born or within a few years of His birth. He was born and lived in the city of Tarsus. Tarsus was a roman providence in the southeast of Asia Minor. This undoubtedly was beautiful lush gardens and beautiful scenery for Saul to enjoy growing up. Paul’s Schooling Saul enjoyed great scenery growing up but more importantly because of where he lived he received the best education of that day that money could buy. Saul from an early age was already leaps and bounds ahead of his peers academically. Saul had a sharp mind and we will see he used that later on his ministry, and the writing of Romans which I believe was written by the Apostle Paul. Paul was living the all around Jewish dream people would say as they heard about all he had. Paul’s Family We do not know much about the history and background of Saul’s family. We do however know that his dad was of one of the strictest tribe of the Jews. He was a Pharisee and also of the tribe of Benjamin. He had nothing but pure unmixed non tainted blood in their thinking. Paul’s Religion Act 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. His father was a Roman citizen, but we do not read in the Scriptures if the apostle Paul was wed or not. Saul grew up and finished his preliminary studies approximately at the age of thirteen. After this beginning he would gone to a prominent Jewish school to study law. Saul was privileged to have been able to study under the significant rabbi Gamaliel. It was here that he spent an immense amount of time pouring himself into his studies and where he learned many things. Historians tell us that Saul was already gaining political prowess and prestige rapidly ahead of his peers. Many people believe that Saul was already heavily involved in the Sanhedrin. Saul became an extreme activist and zealous about persecuting the church. This was partially ironic because we already know that Saul trained and learned from Gamaliel who taught the exact opposite of that. We see him standing up as one of the council saying: Act 5:34-35 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. Act 5:38-39 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Paul as a Persecutor Now that Saul was intent on persecuting the church he looked for Christians everywhere. Saul was a man that did no task half way. Saul would give everything in life one hundred and ten percent as we see evident all though the study of his life. Saul discovered one way or another that there were Christians in Damascus and so after a discussion with the chief priest he received orders or permission to take care of business. Saul was so dedicated that we see he is willing to make the one hundred and thirty mile trek to persecute the church. The chief priest gave him permission to go to Damascus and bring both men and women bound back to Jerusalem. Paul’s Conversion On this trip to Damascus is where Saul gets confronted with the truth and converted to the truth. The Lord stops him in his tracks and on his path by shining a bright light around him. The Lord asks him a question from Heaven,† Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Saul falls to the ground under the power of the light and asks, â€Å"Who art thou, Lord?† and Jesus replies to him by saying,† I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Right away Saul falls under intense conviction was converted and immediately asks the Lord what He would have him to do. On a brief side note this is an incredible testimony to the conversion and character of Saul. He would do everything one hundred percent and never give up until the Lord moved him and we see that every time he goes through a difficult situation (which was quite often) in his ministry. Saul’s name was eventually changed to Paul later on (which is the Gentile name) and he is temporarily blinded by the bright light. He fasts and goes without food or drink for three days. Scholars speculate it was there that he agonized and struggled but returned victoriously. A few days later he received his sight after Ananais put his hands on him and he was baptized. Paul’s Ministry He writes and informs us in Galatians that after his salvation experience he spent some time alone in the desert area of Arabia. After a period of some three years Paul is now charged up and ready to go. Many people speculate as to what exactly Paul did for those three years. We believe with research that is it safe to say that the Apostle Paul was deep in studying and learning more and more. Paul was a Pharisaical man before, but now after dealings with the Lord we see him as dry sponge soaking up the wisdom of the Word and becoming reading to dispense of it. Three years later he returned to Damascus and was ready to now preach boldly. Unfortunately they did not receive him kindly and he was forced to flee for his own personal safety. He left and went unto Jerusalem only to face the same result three weeks later. Paul was beginning to face the beatings and persecutions and torture that he had so readily dished out to the people to whom now he was called to minister. Paul was undergoing life altering events that did not even seem to faze him in the least possible way. The Apostle Paul was starting to really emerge and became quickly one of the leading missionaries for the faith. We see the church at Antioch catch spiritual fire and become burden for missions and those around them. They decided to send John Mark, Barnabas, and Paul on their very first missionary trip. This would revolutionize missions for ever after. Paul’s First Missionary Trip These three men would begin sailing from Seleucia across to Cyprus which was approximately eighty miles to the southwest. It was on this journey that Saul would no longer be called Saul but rather the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul took the lead role on this trip and took charge. They trekked across the mainland, and unfortunately for whatever reason John Mark left the missions field. The absence of John Mark would become a sore spot between Barnabas and the Apostle Paul in the future. However, the trip continued and they passed though Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia. They turned the world upside down with their passion and mission trip. As they returned back home they retraced their steps visiting babes in Christ along the way and encouraged many churches. They would ordain elders within the church to act as an overseer in their presence to make sure all things would continue as they were. From the city of Perga they sailed unto Antioch. Paul’s Division After a while being in Antioch the Apostle Paul proposed that they return and check up on their brethren to see how they fared. The planning was going great and the trip was sure to be even bigger and better than the first until it came to a screeching halt. For the aforementioned reasons there was a sharp division between the two. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, his cousin, and give him another chance, but the Apostle Paul was quick to remember what happened last time when John Mark bailed on them. The division was so sharp that they parted company Paul’s Second Missionary Trip Paul began his second missionary journey with a new missionary partner, Silas. Barnabas took his cousin and went on a missionary journey separate. The Apostle Paul began this missionary trip about A.D. 51. Each missionary tour that Paul took he wanted to stay out a little longer and go a little further in to the mission field. After each missionary trip he would return to Antioch give reports to the churches and check up on and encourage the brethren. Paul’s Third Missionary Trip On this third missionary trip he toured the upper coast of Asia Minor as he made his way slowly to Ephesus. As we said earlier each trip the apostle Paul wanted to stay longer and longer on the mission field and this trip was no different. He tarried there with the brethren for three years ministering to them. Like the other trips he suffered much persecution here as well. It seems that this trip might have had the most severe torture as Paul was getting older the beatings were becoming more severe and the hurled rocks would only hurt that much more against his bare sun beat back. Paul suffered so much on his mission’s trips yet he always wanted to do more and he maintained a joyful attitude despite his circumstances. Conclusion The Apostle Paul was a man that experienced great transformation in his life. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisee’s and Hebrew and on his way to Hell. God miraculously saved him on his way to persecute the church and turned his life around. Paul was a zealous man with a lot of passion whatever he did and the ministry was no different. Paul went on multiple missionary trips leading many people to Jesus. He challenged the churches, established order when necessary and revolutionized missions. The Apostle Paul is someone we should model our missions after. He had a desire to please God and did whatever it took to lead the churches in the way of truth. Paul truly lived a life that daily was â€Å"back to Acts†. And He was a real man because he preached Christ and Him crucified. May we all be as dedicated to the cause of Christ as we saw in this paper that The Apostle Paul was to Jesus Christ his Lord and Saviour.