who was the apostle Paul?
407559
At one time Paul too had a closed mind. He confessed: “Formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man. Nevertheless, I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith.” (1 Timothy 1:13) However, he accepted the truth about Jesus Christ and cast off his prejudices.\n\nSaul enters the Bible record among those killing Stephen. “After throwing [Stephen] outside the city, they began casting stones at him. And the witnesses laid down their outer garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.” “Saul, for his part, was approving of the murder of him.” (Acts 7:58; 8:1) \nSaul’s being born a Roman meant that one of his male ancestors had acquired the privilege of citizenship. How? There are several possibilities. Apart from inheriting citizenship, it could be accorded to individuals or groups either for particular merits, for mere political expediency, or as a reward for some signal service to the State. A slave able to buy his freedom from a Roman, or one emancipated by a Roman citizen, would become a Roman himself.  How citizenship entered Saul’s family remains a mystery.\nSaul, or Paul, made honest provision for himself and supported his missionary activities by making tents. (Acts 18:2, 3; 20:34) The trade of tentmaker was typical of his native city, Tarsus. It is likely that Saul learned the tentmaking trade from his father in youth.\n\nSaul’s knowledge of languages—especially his mastery of Greek, the common tongue of the Roman Empire—also proved invaluable in his missionary work.  Analysts of his writings say that his Greek is excellent. His vocabulary is not classical or literary but, rather, reflects that of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures that he often quoted or paraphrased. On this evidence, various scholars assume that Saul received at least a good elementary education in Greek, probably in a Jewish school.   Saul’s education thus suggests that he came from a prominent family.\nHe was educated at the feet of Gamaliel, a well-known and highly esteemed teacher of the Pharisaic tradition. (Acts 22:3; 23:6) Those studies, comparable to a university education today, threw open the door of opportunity for achieving prominence in Judaism.  Though educated, Paul did not try to impress others with his speech,  nor did he seek to please men.   He did not insist on doing what he had the right to do, but adapted himself to the people to whom he preached, exercising care so as not to stumble others.\n\nTARSUS:  The principal city and capital of the Roman province of Cilicia; birthplace of the apostle Paul. \n\nA great fire ravaged Rome in 64 C.E., destroying about a fourth of the city. The rumor circulated that Nero was responsible and, according to Roman historian Tacitus, Nero tried to protect himself by placing the blame on the Christians.  Christians were tortured, put to death in large numbers, some even being burned alive in public. This appears to have marked the start of a great wave of persecution, not from religious opposers, but from political sources bent on exterminating the Christian congregation.\n\nLikely Paul, who evidently was freed after two years of imprisonment in Rome (c. 59-61 C.E.), now experienced his second imprisonment (c. 65 C.E.). It is generally held that he thereafter was put to death at Nero’s order
744911
Yes, God was thinking of doctors, since He is all knowing.  The Apostle Paul's companion was a Dr - Dr. Luke.  So doctors even made it into the Bible
1075515
d. Luther\nHis 95 thesus was on of the key stating points for the reformation.  Calvin also had a nice role in it.  However many historians beleive Luther laid the egg that would lead to the reformation.
354200
I would say that Paul's ministry was on of total submission to his Savior , Jesus.  He went where he was sent, no matter the risk.  He knew he was destined to go into the heart of Rome.  He was arrested and had the ability as a roman citizen to immediately tell his captors who he was.  He would have been released from captivity, by the Judge.  Instead he appealed to Caesar even though it could mean his ultimate demise.  Now that is submission.
168556
It seems to me you answered your own question-the Apostle Paul.
71026
His name was Saul...and he use to persecute and kill Christians...You can read about it in the book of Acts.
697556
Paul of Tarsus lead them to that.
801620
You either know or you don't. If you want to independently verify it, that's a whole other matter.\n\nI can't independently verify it for you. But I can suggest things for you to consider. As strong a personality as Paul may appear to you, ask yourself whether he was doing things for his own personal glory and gain or because he was a loyal servant of God. What powerful personality is happy to sit in prison for extended lengths of time like Paul did, without seeking a mob to demand his release, without seeking high-powered legal counsel to get him out? Paul was imprisoned for preaching salvation through Jesus and for attempting to establish Christ's Church. If Paul were merely working for Paul, would he not express outrage and seek to rally the troops to get himself acquitted of the charges against him?\n\nWhat Paul did was remain in prison, faithfully ministering to others all the while. He didn't worry too much about himself or his circumstances. He cared only for truth and for guiding others to seek it through Christ. Paul constantly pointed to Jesus as the authority, and discouraged people from putting any faith in Paul himself. Paul sought no glory, no reward, and no damages. Is this what ego-driven people tend to do?\n\nSo, think on these things before making your final judgment of Saul of Tarsus, the former capturer of Christians so that they could be brought to execution. ... Did you know that about him, by the way? That he used to enjoy rounding up Christians so that they could be put to death? This was the job he delighted in before Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus.
822283
disagree. for paul could not of done this;  Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior was an exceptionally significant figure on a very imperative mission during His first coming.\n\nAt the outset, Jesus’ mission written of in the New Testament, was predominantly predicted through prophecy in the Old Testament. Thus we can conclude that one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth and put on flesh was to fulfill prophecy. But what did He teach? What was the purpose of His mission? What prophecies did He fulfill? \n\n\nSinners to Repentance\n\nJesus Christ first revealed He was on a mission (sent by the Father) when He was a young boy at the age of twelve in his hometown of Nazareth (Luke 2:42 & 49).\n\nThe foundation of Jesus’ mission was the message He repeatedly conveyed during His delegation on earth which was “repentance.” “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus Christ was on an essential mission to allow mankind the opportunity to convert from our habitual sinful nature into virtuous, just beings. He came to earth to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, teaching the subject of repentance to be the initial provision for eternal salvation. \n\nIn Luke 5:32 Jesus states, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” After the death of Jesus, His disciples, beginning with Peter, steadfastly preached the doctrine of repentance to the men and woman of Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Acts 2:38).\n\n\nAccess to the Kingdom of God\n\nJesus Christ was present on earth preaching the gospel of the Kingdom at a time and location where masses of people, predominately the Israelites, were under the notion they would be saved, and justified by the Law of Moses. \n\nIn John 14:6, Jesus candidly professed to the people there is only one manner in which to obtain eternal salvation and access to God the Father, and that way was through Him. By the will of the Father, (John 12:49) Jesus made several declarations He was indeed the Messiah and the world’s “key to salvation.” “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48-51). “I am the vine” (John 14:15). “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…” (John 10:9).\n\nWe are not justified by the law, circumcision, or the sacrificing of animals. We are justified by Jesus Christ’s shed blood and by our good deeds according to His will. Specific provisions for eternal salvation can be found in John 3:5, where Jesus taught the disciples one must be baptized by water and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (after one has repented) in order to gain access to the Kingdom of God. \n\n\nJesus Came to Die for the World \n\n“For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life” (Romans 5:10)! These are the righteous words form the Apostle Paul, instructing us that indeed we have been reunited with God through the gracious sacrifice of Jesus Christ.\n\nJesus’ death propitiated God’s wrath against mankind for our multitude of sins (Hebrews 2:17, Romans 3:25). We know by the testament of the apostle Peter (2 Peter 3:9) that it is not God’s will that any souls should perish, but that all should repent and be saved. Therefore Jesus, full of grace and benevolence, ordained by the Father, came down to earth to pay the death penalty (a penalty mankind could not afford to pay, 1 Corinthians 15:3) and to reconcile us to God by purifying our souls with His shed blood (1 John 1:7). “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).\n\nWe can now be justified in the sight of God by the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 5:9). Justification is legal acquittal from damnation by God, our judge, in which He pronounces sinners as righteous subsequent to their repentance and acceptance of Jesus as their personal savior.\n\nJ
482089
Paul (when he was called Saul) was the son of a religious leader (I always thought he was a Pharisee, perhaps I was wrong). Anyway, he studied law to become a religious leader, this is recorded in the Bible, although I cannot remember exactly where it was located.
1016056
Exactly. Pope John Paul was a great man. He should be an example for all of us. I strive to uphold his example in my every day life.
1164372
I'm not catholic..but I liked John Paul. I think he stood for Christian values...and I love the story of his life
639198
I would've said Jesus...but he walked everywhere.\nI could've said Paul...but he was more of a marathon traveler.\n\nI would say David, for he was running after God's own heart, and running errands, and running away from king saul.\n\nok...so it wasn't funny....but at least it is an answer...
374382
Alright all you would be Biblical scholars out there -- Paul did have 2 friends in which he was close to -- They were Aquillia who was the husband to Priscilla and they were tent makers -- Paul was a Free Roman at birth on to adult hood witch was no small matter in and of itself during that day in time -- He was raised at a Gentile (non-Jew uncircumcised) and only claimed to be Jewish in his later years from the tribe of Benjamin, from a long-established Pharisee family in Tarsus that was practically erased off the face of the earth so there was no one around to validate his claim. -- Before he became Paul he was known as Saul in the Roman Empire and carried a fair amount of status. Men of that status were automatically expected to have a wife even just for show. Usually a mutually agreed upon business arrangement between the brides father and the groom for more political power -- The wife always stayed at home while the men when away and about to deal with business. So it is commonly accepted that he did have a wife in that capacity but not a wife in the since of how we perceive them today. As for "the thorn in his side" it has been speculated on for thousands of years -- Most commonly believe that it was eye sight problems he continued to have after the blinding light of seeing the full glory of Jesus that day -- Others speculate that it was his wife calling him back home to Rome and quit his insanity with the new religion -- And some take it literally that he had some sort of kidney, bowel or internal problem -- But the truth is no one knows -- There is a lot of new information on Paul in the newly published Gnostic Gospels found with the Nag Hamani Library from the 70's -- You can find the complete Gospels and English translations on the Internet that can shed new light and a different perspective on biblical times if that's what you are looking for -- Maybe a few more facts to fill in the gaps -- Hope all this helps and please feel free to email me if you have any more questions, I'll be happy to help and share what I know --\n---Angel
952013
I believe that this portion of Acts is describing the storm that shipwrecked the apostle Paul on the island of Cauda.  The book of Acts provides the basic history of the spread of Christianity during the three decades after the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.  Most agree it was recorded by Luke as the traveling companion of Paul.
249010
Oh yeah, all day long!\n\nCheck out Saul/Paul's story. He was killing and persecuting and stuff and as soon as Jesus showed up he was like, "Oh, I guess they ARE right."\n\nAnd then he was a longwinded lamb 'til Nero chopped off his head.\n\nThen, there was this guy I loved in college...
343940
Paul did meet Jesus,on the road to Damascus,and was indeed a Disciple.Next time do a little more research.