St. Paul

St. Paul, originally named Saul of Tarsus, was born in the early first century in Tarsus, a city in modern-day Turkey, then part of the Roman Empire. A devout Jew of the Pharisee sect, Saul was a Roman citizen by birth, which afforded him certain privileges and protections. He was highly educated in Jewish law and tradition, studying under the renowned rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Initially, Saul was a fierce persecutor of early Christians, believing their teachings to be a threat to Judaism. His life took a dramatic turn on the road to Damascus, where he experienced a profound vision of the risen Christ. Blinded by the encounter, he was led to Damascus, where he was baptized by Ananias and regained his sight. From that moment, Saul became Paul, one of the most fervent apostles of Christianity. Paul embarked on three major missionary journeys across the Roman Empire, spreading the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. He founded numerous Christian communities in cities such as Ephesus, Corinth, and Philippi, and his letters (epistles) to these communities form a significant portion of the New Testament. Paul’s teachings emphasized salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s covenant, and the transformative power of grace. His tireless efforts to unify Jewish and Gentile believers were instrumental in shaping early Christianity.