Bible person
Paul
From persecutor to apostle
Saul of Tarsus persecuted the church until a blinding encounter near Damascus; he became the greatest missionary to the Gentiles, crossing the Empire all the way to Rome.
The persecutor
Saul of Tarsus was a zealous Pharisee, a Roman citizen and well educated. He approved of Stephen’s death and hunted Christians from house to house.
The light at Damascus
On his way to arrest Christians, a light knocks him down and the voice of Jesus asks: “Why do you persecute Me?” He is blind for three days and is healed by Ananias.
The apostle to the Gentiles
On three great journeys, he crosses the Empire founding churches and writing letters that became half of the New Testament, reaching Rome as a prisoner and preaching even in chains.
Did you know?
- About 13 letters of the New Testament are attributed to Paul.
- He carried the Gospel thousands of miles, by land and by sea. Acts 13–28
Where to read in the Bible
- Acts 9
- Acts 13–28
- Galatians 1
Connections
- linked to Lydia · stated in the text · Acts 16:14
- linked to Silas · stated in the text · Acts 16:19
- linked to Timothy · stated in the text · Acts 16:1–3
- linked to Priscilla and Aquila · stated in the text · Acts 18:3
- persecuted Stephen · cross-reference · Acts 7:58
- met Jesus of Nazareth · stated in the text · Acts 9:4–5
- was The Pharisees · stated in the text · Acts 23:6
- companion of Barnabas · stated in the text · Acts 13:2
- linked to Barnabas · stated in the text · Acts 9:27
- converted on the way to Damascus · stated in the text · Acts 9:3
- native of Tarsus · stated in the text · Acts 22:3
- sent from Antioch · stated in the text · Acts 13:1–3
- ministered in Ephesus · stated in the text · Acts 19
- founded a church in Philippi · stated in the text · Acts 16