1. Early Life and Background

Paul—originally known as Saul—was born around 5 BCE in Tarsus, Cilicia. He was a Roman citizen and a devout Pharisee trained under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:5). Before his conversion, Saul zealously persecuted the early Christian church (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:4)

2. Damascus Road Conversion

Between AD 33–36, on his journey to arrest Christians in Damascus, Saul encountered a blinding light and heard Jesus say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9). He spent three days blind, then was healed, baptized, and began proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.

Soon after, he spent time alone in Arabia, then returned to Damascus and later Jerusalem, where he met Peter and James (Gal. 1:17–18; Acts 9:26–30)

3. Missionary Journeys and Church Planting

Paul embarked on three major missionary journeys, expanding the gospel across Asia Minor and Europe (Acts 13–21)

• First Journey (c. 46–48 AD): With Barnabas to Cyprus and southern Galatia, founding churches and converting many.
• Second Journey (c. 49–52 AD): Paused at Jerusalem for the Council, then traveled through Asia Minor and Greece, working in cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.
• Third Journey (c. 53–58 AD): Strengthened churches, spent nearly three years in Ephesus, and visited Macedonia and Corinth.

4. Imprisonments and Rome

Because of his faith, Paul faced multiple imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and persecution (2 Cor. 11:24–27). Eventually arrested in Jerusalem, he appealed to Caesar (Acts 21–28). While traveling to Rome, he was shipwrecked on Malta (Acts 27–28), and finally arrived in Rome, where he lived under house arrest, preaching the gospel for two years before his martyrdom under Nero c. AD 64–67.

5. Paul's Contributions to the New Testament

Paul authored 13 epistles in the New Testament—seven of which are widely recognized as authentic: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon; others (like Ephesians, Colossians, Timothy) are debated.

His letters tackled theology (justification by faith, union with Christ), practical Christian living, church unity, ethics, and Christology. Iconic teachings include:

• Romans: Salvation by grace through faith; righteousness from God (Rom. 3:21–26).
• Galatians: Freedom from the law; Christian liberty.
• 1 Corinthians: Love chapter (13), spiritual gifts, resurrection.
• Philippians: Joy in suffering; Christ’s example (Phil. 2).

6. Paul’s Legacy and Influence

Paul is widely regarded as the most influential person after Jesus in early church history. His letters form roughly half of the New Testament, shaping doctrine, practice, and missionary strategy for centuries.

His work ensured that the gospel reached both Jews and Gentiles, cultivating a global church rooted in faith, grace, and unbreakable unity in Christ.