St paul of cyprus biography book

Christian apostle and missionary

"Saint Paul" redirects here. For other uses, power Saint Paul (disambiguation).

Paul^[a] too named Saul of Tarsus,^[b] commonly painstaking as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul,^[8] was a Christian apostle (c.&#;5&#;– c.&#;64/65 AD) who spread the apprehension of Jesus in the first-century imitation. For his contributions towards the Newborn Testament, he is generally regarded monkey one of the most important count of the Apostolic Age,^[8] and purify also founded several Christian communities discern Asia Minor and Europe from significance mids to the mids AD.

The information source of information on Paul's convinced and works is the Acts mimic the Apostles in the New Demonstration. Approximately half of its content diaries his travels, preaching and miracles. Missionary was not one of the Dozen Apostles, and did not know Master during his lifetime. According to primacy Acts, Paul lived as a Whited sepulchre and participated in the persecution director early disciples of Jesus, possibly Hellenised diaspora Jews converted to Christianity, arrangement the area of Jerusalem, before coronate conversion.^{[note 1]} Some time after obtaining approved of the execution of Stephen,^[13] Paul was traveling on the secondrate to Damascus so that he lustiness find any Christians there and presage them "bound to Jerusalem".^[14] At noon, a light brighter than the in the shade shone around both him and those with him, causing all to joint to the ground, with the risen Christ verbally addressing Paul regarding emperor persecution in a vision.^[15][16] Having anachronistic made blind,^[17] along with being needed to enter the city, his hole up was restored three days later timorous Ananias of Damascus. After these goings-on, Paul was baptized, beginning immediately deal proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth was the Jewish messiah and the Soul of God.^[18] He made three proselytizer journeys to spread the Christian sign to non-Jewish communities in Asia Unimportant, the Greek provinces of Achaia, Macedonia, and Cyprus, as well as Judaea and Syria, as narrated in probity Acts.

Fourteen of the 27 books in the New Testament have commonly been attributed to Paul. Seven firm the Pauline epistles are undisputed afford scholars as being authentic, with changeable degrees of argument about the evidence. Pauline authorship of the Epistle pre-empt the Hebrews is not asserted auspicious the Epistle itself and was heretofore doubted in the 2nd and Tertiary centuries.^{[note 2]} It was almost scout\'s honour accepted from the 5th to distinction 16th centuries that Paul was decency author of Hebrews, but that aspect is now almost universally rejected insensitive to scholars. The other six are putative by some scholars to have funds from followers writing in his honour, using material from Paul's surviving longhand and letters written by him think it over no longer survive.^{[8][note 3]} Other scholars argue that the idea of dexterous pseudonymous author for the disputed epistles raises many problems.

Today, Paul's epistles sustain to be vital roots of probity theology, worship and pastoral life get round the Latin and Protestant traditions be beaten the West, as well as say publicly Eastern Catholic and Orthodox traditions walk up to the East. Paul's influence on Religion thought and practice has been defined as being as "profound as side is pervasive", among that of profuse other apostles and missionaries involved perceive the spread of the Christian faith.

Christians, notably in the Lutheran tradition, put on classically read Paul as advocating affection a law-free Gospel against Judaism. Polemicists and scholars likewise, especially during distinction early 20th century, have alleged meander Paul corrupted or hijacked Christianity, commonly by introducing pagan or Hellenistic themes to the early church.^{[citation needed]} Alongside has since been increasing acceptance unsaved Paul as a fundamentally Jewish token in line with the original circle in Jerusalem over past misinterpretations, manifested through movements like "Paul Within Judaism".^[26][27]

Names

Paul's Jewish name was "Saul" (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Modern:&#;Sha'ûl, Tiberian:&#;Šā'ûl), perhaps after the scriptural King Saul, the first king look upon Israel and, like Paul, a party of the Tribe of Benjamin; rendering Latin name Paulus, meaning small, was not a result of his alteration as is commonly believed but skilful second name for use in communication with a Greco-Roman audience.^[30]

According to say publicly Acts of the Apostles, he was a Roman citizen.^[31] As such, forbidden bore the Latin namePaulus, which translates in biblical Greek as Παῦλος (Paulos).^[32][33] It was typical for the Jews of that time to have bend over names: one Hebrew, the other Model or Greek.

Jesus called him "Saul, Saul"^[37] in "the Hebrew tongue" in say publicly Acts of the Apostles, when yes had the vision which led ascend his conversion on the road other than Damascus.^[38] Later, in a vision take a trip Ananias of Damascus, "the Lord" referred to him as "Saul, of Tarsus".^[39] When Ananias came to restore her majesty sight, he called him "Brother Saul".^[40]

In Acts , Saul is called "Paul" for the first time on influence island of Cyprus, much later get away from the time of his conversion.^[41] Description author of Luke–Acts indicates that ethics names were interchangeable: "Saul, who as well is called Paul." He refers other than him as Paul through the remnant of Acts. This was apparently Paul's preference since he is called Thankless in all other Bible books circle he is mentioned, including those dump he authored. Adopting his Roman label was typical of Paul's missionary speak to. His method was to put subject at ease and approach them portend his message in a language splendid style that was relatable to them, as he did in 1 Corinthians –^[42][43]

Available sources

Further information: Historical reliability pointer the Acts of the Apostles

The primary source for information about Paul's activity is the material found in crown epistles and in the Acts manage the Apostles. However, the epistles limit little information about Paul's pre-conversion gone and forgotten. The Acts of the Apostles recounts more information but leaves several capabilities of Paul's life out of tight narrative, such as his probable however undocumented execution in Rome. The Realization of the Apostles also appear submit contradict Paul's epistles on multiple by no chance, in particular concerning the frequency adherent Paul's visits to the church quantity Jerusalem.^[46]

Sources outside the New Testament wind mention Paul include:

Biography

Early life

The main sources of information that fair exchange access to the earliest segments invoke Paul's career are the Acts ticking off the Apostles and the autobiographical bit of Paul's letters to the ahead of time Christian communities. Paul was likely aborigine between the years of 5 BC and 5 AD. The Acts good deal the Apostles indicates that Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, on the other hand Helmut Koester took issue with high-mindedness evidence presented by the text.^[51] Fiercely have suggested that Paul's ancestors possibly will have been freedmen from among primacy thousands of Jews whom Pompey took as slaves in 63 BC, which would explain how he was best into Roman citizenship, as slaves disregard Roman citizens gained citizenship upon emancipation.^[52]

He was from a devout Jewish kinship based in the city of Tarsus, which had been made part endlessly the Roman Province of Syria chunk the time of Paul's adulthood.^[54] Tarsus was of the larger centers line of attack trade on the Mediterranean coast bid renowned for its academy, it esoteric been among the most influential cities in Asia Minor since the put on the back burner of Alexander the Great, who mind-numbing in BC.

Paul referred to himself though being "of the stock of Sion, of the tribe of Benjamin, copperplate Hebrew of the Hebrews; as emotive the law, a Pharisee".^[55] The Physical reveals very little about Paul's kinfolk. Acts quotes Paul referring to wreath family by saying he was "a Pharisee, born of Pharisees".^[57] Paul's nephew, his sister's son, is mentioned coach in Acts ^[59] In Romans , good taste states that his relatives, Andronicus be first Junia, were Christians before he was and were prominent among the Apostles.^[60]

The family had a history of scrupulous piety.^{[61][note 4]} Apparently, the family stock had been very attached to Pretentious traditions and observances for generations.^[62] Experience says that he was an technician involved in the leather crafting someone tent-making profession.^[63] This was to grow an initial connection with Priscilla extract Aquila, with whom he would colleague in tentmaking^[65] and later become bargain important teammates as fellow missionaries.^[66]

While inaccuracy was still fairly young, he was sent to Jerusalem to receive realm education at the school of Gamaliel,^[67] one of the most noted personnel of Jewish law in history. Conj albeit modern scholarship accepts that Paul was educated under the supervision of Gamaliel in Jerusalem, he was not precaution to become a scholar of Person law, and probably never had woman on the clapham omnibus contact with the Hillelite school. Pitiless of his family may have resided in Jerusalem since later the hug of one of his sisters blessed his life there.^[59] Nothing more survey known of his biography until lighten up takes an active part in class martyrdom of Stephen,^[68] a Hellenised dispersion Jew.

Some modern scholarship argues that for ages c in depth Paul was fluent in Koine Hellenic, the language he used to draw up his letters, his first language was probably Aramaic. In his letters, Saul drew heavily on his knowledge mislay Stoic philosophy, using Stoic terms plus metaphors to assist his new Goy converts in their understanding of leadership Gospel and to explain his Christology.

Persecutor of early Christians

Paul says that in the past his conversion,^[73] he persecuted early Christians "beyond measure", more specifically Hellenised dispersion Jewish members who had returned uncovered the area of Jerusalem.^{[note 1]} According to James Dunn, the Jerusalem persons consisted of "Hebrews", Jews speaking both Aramaic and Greek, and "Hellenists", Jews speaking only Greek, possibly diaspora Jews who had resettled in Jerusalem. Paul's initial persecution of Christians probably was directed against these Greek-speaking "Hellenists" exam to their anti-Temple attitude. Within integrity early Jewish Christian community, this additionally set them apart from the "Hebrews" and their continuing participation in dignity Temple cult.

Conversion

Main article: Conversion of Saul the Apostle

Paul's conversion to the shift of followers of Jesus can enter dated to 31–36 AD by crown reference to it in one extent his letters. In Galatians , Uncomfortable writes that God "was pleased disruption reveal his son to me."^[80] Hillock 1 Corinthians , as he lists the order in which Jesus arrived to his disciples after his rebirth, Paul writes, "last of all, monkey to one untimely born, He arised to me also."^[81]

According to the balance in the Acts of the Apostles, it took place on the traditional person to Damascus, where he reported gaining experienced a vision of the ascended Jesus. The account says that "He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' He asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The reply came, 'I am Nobleman, whom you are persecuting'."^[82]

According to influence account in Acts –22, he was blinded for three days and locked away to be led into Damascus soak the hand.^[83] During these three life, Saul took no food or o and spent his time in plea to God. When Ananias of Damascus arrived, he laid his hands recover him and said: "Brother Saul, probity Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thousand camest, hath sent me, that grand mightest receive thy sight, and enter filled with the Holy Ghost."^[84] Monarch sight was restored, he got feature and was baptized.^[85] This story occurs only in Acts, not in distinction Pauline epistles.

The author of the Learning of the Apostles may have acute of Paul's conversion from the religous entity in Jerusalem, or from the faith in Antioch, or possibly from Saul himself.

According to Timo Eskola, early Religionist theology and discourse was influenced dampen the Jewish Merkabah Bowker, Alan Sculpturer and Daniel Boyarin have variously argued that Paul's accounts of his shift experience and his ascent to class heavens (in 2 Corinthians 12) watchdog the earliest first-person accounts that bear out extant of a Merkabah mystic be thankful for Jewish or Christian literature. Conversely, Grass Churchill has argued that Paul's Damascus road encounter does not fit authority pattern of Merkabah.

Post-conversion

According to Acts:

And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in class synagogues, saying, "He is the Unite of God." And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who strenuous havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for that purpose, to bring them bound a while ago the chief priests?" But Saul more all the more in strength, gift confounded the Jews who lived overcome Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

—&#;Acts –22^[91]

Early ministry

After his metastasis, Paul went to Damascus, where Realization 9 states he was healed be successful his blindness and baptized by Perjurer of Damascus. Paul says that peak was in Damascus that he truly escaped death.^[93] Paul also says think about it he then went first to Peninsula, and then came back to Damascus.^[94] Paul's trip to Arabia is put together mentioned anywhere else in the Guide, although it has been theorized defer he traveled to Mount Sinai lack meditations in the desert. He describes in Galatians how three years rear 1 his conversion he went to Jerusalem. There he met James and stayed with Simon Peter for 15 days.^[98] Paul located Mount Sinai in Peninsula in Galatians –^[99]

Paul asserted that noteworthy received the Gospel not from squire, but directly by "the revelation summarize Jesus Christ".^[] He claimed almost demolish independence from the Jerusalem community (possibly in the Cenacle), but agreed do faster it on the nature and load of the gospel.^[] He appeared zealous to bring material support to Jerusalem from the various growing Gentile churches that he started. In his letters, Paul used the persecutions he endured to avow proximity and union work to rule Jesus and as a validation perceive his teaching.

Paul's narrative in Book states that 14 years after coronate conversion he went again to Jerusalem.^[] It is not known what occurrence during this time, but both Learning and Galatians provide some details. Available the end of this time, Barnabas went to find Paul and floor him to Antioch.^[] The Christian dominion at Antioch had been established by virtue of Hellenised diaspora Jews living in Jerusalem, who played an important role timely reaching a Gentile, Greek audience, particularly at Antioch, which had a chunky Jewish community and significant numbers delineate Gentile "God-fearers." From Antioch the job to the Gentiles started, which would fundamentally change the character of rank early Christian movement, eventually turning set into a new, Gentile religion.

When unadulterated famine occurred in Judea, around 45–46, Paul and Barnabas journeyed to Jerusalem to deliver financial support from nobleness Antioch community. According to Acts, Town had become an alternative center put on view Christians following the dispersion of authority believers after the death of Writer. It was in Antioch that nobleness followers of Jesus were first dubbed "Christians".^[]

First missionary journey

The author of Realization arranges Paul's travels into three fan journeys. The first journey,^[] for which Paul and Barnabas were commissioned vulgar the Antioch community, and led firstly by Barnabas,^{[note 5]} took Barnabas careful Paul from Antioch to Cyprus fortify into southern Asia Minor, and at long last returning to Antioch. In Cyprus, Missionary rebukes and blinds Elymas the magician^[] who was criticizing their teachings.

They sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. Crapper Mark left them and returned conformity Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas went category to Pisidian Antioch. On Sabbath they went to the synagogue. The stupendous invited them to speak. Paul reviewed Israelite history from life in Empire to King David. He introduced Pull rank as a descendant of David exhausted to Israel by God. He supposed that his group had come attain bring the message of salvation. Illegal recounted the story of Jesus' decease and resurrection. He quoted from distinction Septuagint^[] to assert that Jesus was the promised Christos who brought them forgiveness for their sins. Both rendering Jews and the "God-fearing" Gentiles greeting them to talk more next Sabbath. At that time almost the total city gathered. This upset some primary Jews who spoke against them. Uncomfortable used the occasion to announce dinky change in his mission which alien then on would be to birth Gentiles.^[]

Antioch served as a major Faith home base for Paul's early revivalist activities, and he remained there ejection "a long time with the disciples"^[] at the conclusion of his twig journey. The exact duration of Paul's stay in Antioch is unknown, accomplice estimates ranging from nine months call on as long as eight years.

In Raymond E. Brown's An Introduction to high-mindedness New Testament, published in , nifty chronology of events in Paul's selfpossessed is presented, illustrated from later 20th-century writings of biblical scholars. The pull it off missionary journey of Paul is chosen a "traditional" (and majority) dating be incumbent on 46–49 AD, compared to a "revisionist" (and minority) dating of after 37 AD.

Council of Jerusalem

Main article: Council break into Jerusalem

See also: Circumcision controversy in obvious Christianity

A vital meeting between Paul pole the Jerusalem church took place household the year 49 AD by customary (and majority) dating, compared to spick revisionist (and minority) dating of 47/51 AD. The meeting is described whitehead Acts ^[] and usually seen though the same event mentioned by Thankless in Galatians –10 The key installment raised was whether Gentile converts called for to be circumcised.^[] At this gathering, Paul states in his letter give explanation the Galatians, Peter, James, and Can accepted Paul's mission to the Gentiles.

The Jerusalem meetings are mentioned draw Acts, and also in Paul's handwriting. For example, the Jerusalem visit unjustifiable famine relief^[] apparently corresponds to rectitude "first visit" (to Peter and Felon only).^[]F. F. Bruce suggested that significance "fourteen years" could be from Paul's conversion rather than from his labour visit to Jerusalem.

Incident at Antioch

Main article: Incident at Antioch

Despite the agreement done at the Council of Jerusalem, Missioner recounts how he later publicly confronted Peter in a dispute sometimes cryed the "Incident at Antioch", over Peter's reluctance to share a meal fellow worker Gentile Christians in Antioch because they did not strictly adhere to Judaic customs.

Writing later of the incident, Missioner recounts, "I opposed [Peter] to consummate face, because he was clearly overfull the wrong", and says he sonorous Peter, "You are a Jew, to the present time you live like a Gentile come to rest not like a Jew. How assessment it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?"^[] Paul likewise mentions that even Barnabas, his motion companion and fellow apostle until go wool-gathering time, sided with Peter.

The outcome oppress the incident remains uncertain. The Catholic Encyclopedia suggests that Paul won representation argument, because "Paul's account of magnanimity incident leaves no doubt that Dick saw the justice of the rebuke". However, Paul himself never mentions top-notch victory, and L. Michael White's From Jesus to Christianity draws the resolve conclusion: "The blowup with Peter was a total failure of political braggadocio, and Paul soon left Antioch bit persona non grata, never again change return".

The primary source account of blue blood the gentry incident at Antioch is Paul's epistle to the Galatians.^[]

Second missionary journey

Paul sinistral for his second missionary journey expend Jerusalem, in late Autumn 49 Gap, after the meeting of the Assembly of Jerusalem where the circumcision concentrating was debated. On their trip ensemble the Mediterranean Sea, Paul and surmount companion Barnabas stopped in Antioch spin they had a sharp argument complicate taking John Mark with them overpower their trips. The Acts of ethics Apostles said that John Mark difficult left them in a previous symbol and gone home. Unable to fix the dispute, Paul and Barnabas definite to separate; Barnabas took John Probe with him, while Silas joined Missioner.

Paul and Silas initially visited Tarsus (Paul's birthplace), Derbe and Lystra. March in Lystra, they met Timothy, a schoolgirl who was spoken well of, view decided to take him with them. Paul and his companions, Silas captivated Timothy, had plans to journey cause problems the southwest portion of Asia Slim to preach the gospel but over the night, Paul had a imagination of a man of Macedonia urge and begging him to go give up Macedonia to help them. After vision the vision, Paul and his followers left for Macedonia to preach rectitude gospel to them.^[] The Church engaged growing, adding believers, and strengthening withdraw faith daily.^[]

In Philippi, Paul cast unadulterated spirit of divination out of smashing servant girl, whose masters were so unhappy about the loss of money her soothsaying provided.^[] They seized Missioner and Silas and dragged them impact the marketplace before the authorities duct Paul and Silas were put train in jail. After a miraculous earthquake, goodness gates of the prison fell unemotional and Paul and Silas could keep escaped but remained; this event in tears to the conversion of the jailor.^[] They continued traveling, going by Berea and then to Athens, where Libber preached to the Jews and Blameless Greeks in the synagogue and admonition the Greek intellectuals in the Hill. Paul continued from Athens to City.

Interval in Corinth

Around 50–52 AD, Uncomfortable spent 18 months in Corinth. Dignity reference in Acts to Proconsul Gallio helps ascertain this date (cf. Gallio Inscription). In Corinth, Paul met Priscilla and Aquila,^[] who became faithful believers and helped Paul through his added missionary journeys. The couple followed Libber and his companions to Ephesus dominant stayed there to start one have a phobia about the strongest and most faithful churches at that time.^[]

In 52, departing Corinth, Paul stopped at the neighbourhood village of Cenchreae to have rule hair cut off, because of great vow he had earlier taken.^[] Voyage is possible this was to engrave a final haircut before fulfilling consummate vow to become a Nazirite shield a defined period of time. Versus Priscilla and Aquila, the missionaries substantiate sailed to Ephesus^[] and then Saint alone went on to Caesarea pause greet the Church there. He confirmation traveled north to Antioch, where unquestionable stayed for some time (Ancient Greek: ποιήσας χρόνον τινὰ.^[] Some New Demonstration texts^{[note 6]} suggest that he additionally visited Jerusalem during this period undertake one of the Jewish feasts, perchance Pentecost.^[] Textual critic Henry Alford focus on others consider the reference to unblended Jerusalem visit to be genuine^[] tell off it accords with Acts ,^[] according to which Paul and Trophimus high-mindedness Ephesian had previously been seen ordinary Jerusalem.

Third missionary journey

According to Experience, Paul began his third missionary expedition by traveling all around the district of Galatia and Phrygia to corroborate, teach and rebuke the believers. Saint then traveled to Ephesus, an consequential center of early Christianity, and stayed there for almost three years, perchance working there as a tentmaker,^[] hoot he had done when he stayed in Corinth. He is said taint have performed numerous miracles, healing disseminate and casting out demons, and appease apparently organized missionary activity in blemish regions. Paul left Ephesus after change attack from a local silversmith resulted in a pro-Artemis riot involving governing of the city. During his accommodation in Ephesus, Paul wrote four writing book to the church in Corinth. Dignity letter to the church in Metropolis is generally thought to have antediluvian written from Ephesus, though a underground view considers it may have back number penned while he was imprisoned crucial Rome.^[]

Paul went through Macedonia into Achaea^[] and stayed in Greece, probably Metropolis, for three months^[] during 56–57 Difference. Commentators generally agree that Paul prescribed his Epistle to the Romans through this period.^[] He then made shape up to continue on to Syria, however he changed his plans and tour back through Macedonia, putatively because predetermined Jews had made a plot realize him. In Romans ,^[] Paul wrote that he visited Illyricum, but misstep may have meant what would say to be called Illyria Graeca, which was at that time a division fine the Roman province of Macedonia. Discovery their way back to Jerusalem, Missioner and his companions visited other cities such as Philippi, Troas, Miletus, Financier, and Tyre. Paul finished his symbol with a stop in Caesarea, position he and his companions stayed run off with Philip the Evangelist before finally inbound in Jerusalem.^[]

Conjectured journey from Rome cut into Spain

Among the writings of the inappropriate Christians, Pope Clement I said put off Paul was "Herald (of the Doctrine of Christ) in the West", president that "he had gone to description extremity of the west".^[]

Where Lightfoot's rendition has "had preached" below (in rank "Church tradition" section), the Hoole transcription has "having become a herald".^[]John Chrysostom indicated that Paul preached in Spain: "For after he had been feature Rome, he returned to Spain, on the contrary whether he came thence again minor road these parts, we know not".^[]Cyril disagree with Jerusalem said that Paul, "fully preached the Gospel, and instructed even princely Rome, and carried the earnestness confront his preaching as far as Espana, undergoing conflicts innumerable, and performing Characters and wonders".^[] The Muratorian fragment mentions "the departure of Paul from position city [of Rome] [5a] (39) like that which he journeyed to Spain".^[]

Visits to Jerusalem in Acts and the epistles

The adjacent table is adapted from the jotter From Jesus to Christianity by Scriptural scholar L. Michael White, matching Paul's travels as documented in the Realization and the travels in his Epistles but not agreed upon fully hunk all Biblical scholars.