BIBLE TIMELINE: PAUL (1 A.D.)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Life of Paul (1 A.D.)
a) Saul (his birth name before renamed Paul) was born into a Jewish family in the city of Tarsus. His birth in a Roman "free city" grants him Roman citizenship, a privilege he will exercise later in life. His early training comes from the best Rabbinical school in Jerusalem, led by the well-known Pharisee Gamaliel.
b) Paul is thirty years old when he is an official witness at the stoning of Stephen. Paul's Pharisaic zeal for God's law and dedication to stopping the early spread of Christianity knew no bounds. After the death of Stephen, he leads the first great wave of persecution against the early church. On reflecting on his pre-conversion days he says,
i) "For you heard of my former conduct when I was in Judaism, how I was excessively persecuting the church of God and was destroying it; And I was advancing in Judaism far beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers." (Galatians 1:13-14, Holy Bible in Its Original Order - A Faithful Version (HBFV))
c) How BAD was Paul's persecution of the church? His dedication to eradicating those believing in the teachings of Jesus led him to take bold actions.
i) "Now Saul had consented to killing him (Stephen). And that day a great persecution arose against the church that was in Jerusalem . . . But Saul was ravaging the church, going from house to house, entering in and dragging out men and women, and delivering them up to prison." (Acts 8:1, 3)
d) After his efforts to stop the spread of early Christian beliefs in Jerusalem, Paul sets his sights on achieving the even more audacious goal of removing any Christian influence in the synagogues of Damascus. He receives written permission from the temple's High Priest to rid the city's synagogues of any who believe in "the way." His intention is to arrest those who believe Jesus is the Messiah and escort them back to Jerusalem for punishment.
e) It is during his trip to Damascus that THE pivotal event of Paul's life occurs. A spotlight from heaven shines on him (Saul) during his travel and the voice of Jesus asks "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4) God strikes him blind and his traveling companions must lead him to the city. These events lead to Paul's total repentance and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. God also heals him of his blindness.
f) After his conversion, the same zeal and single-minded dedication Paul had against Christianity transforms into a hyperactive-like quest to spread the gospel worldwide. Paul's ministry lasts thirty-five years until his death at the age of sixty-six. His accomplishments are astonishing given the rudimentary (by today's standard) level of transportation and other difficulties that exist in the first century.
2. Important people, events and accomplishments in the life of apostle Paul.
i) Witnesses stoning of Stephen.
ii) Is personally taught by Jesus for three years.
iii) Resurrects one person from the dead.
iv) Stoned to death then brought back to life.
v) Carries out five evangelistic journeys.
vi) Preaches the gospel to Caesar and his household.
vii) Visits more than 50 cities.
viii) Writes fourteen books (epistles) of the Bible (the most of any author).
ix) Trains other evangelists like John Mark and Timothy.
x) Endures total of 5+ years in prison.
xi) Martyred at the hand of the Romans.
a) Paul is easily the most influential Christian in the New Testament short of Jesus himself.
The End ...
1. Life of Paul (1 A.D.)a) Saul (his birth name before renamed Paul) was born into a Jewish family in the city of Tarsus. His birth in a Roman "free city" grants him Roman citizenship, a privilege he will exercise later in life. His early training comes from the best Rabbinical school in Jerusalem, led by the well-known Pharisee Gamaliel.
b) Paul is thirty years old when he is an official witness at the stoning of Stephen. Paul's Pharisaic zeal for God's law and dedication to stopping the early spread of Christianity knew no bounds. After the death of Stephen, he leads the first great wave of persecution against the early church. On reflecting on his pre-conversion days he says,
i) "For you heard of my former conduct when I was in Judaism, how I was excessively persecuting the church of God and was destroying it; And I was advancing in Judaism far beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers." (Galatians 1:13-14, Holy Bible in Its Original Order - A Faithful Version (HBFV))
c) How BAD was Paul's persecution of the church? His dedication to eradicating those believing in the teachings of Jesus led him to take bold actions.
i) "Now Saul had consented to killing him (Stephen). And that day a great persecution arose against the church that was in Jerusalem . . . But Saul was ravaging the church, going from house to house, entering in and dragging out men and women, and delivering them up to prison." (Acts 8:1, 3)
d) After his efforts to stop the spread of early Christian beliefs in Jerusalem, Paul sets his sights on achieving the even more audacious goal of removing any Christian influence in the synagogues of Damascus. He receives written permission from the temple's High Priest to rid the city's synagogues of any who believe in "the way." His intention is to arrest those who believe Jesus is the Messiah and escort them back to Jerusalem for punishment.
e) It is during his trip to Damascus that THE pivotal event of Paul's life occurs. A spotlight from heaven shines on him (Saul) during his travel and the voice of Jesus asks "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4) God strikes him blind and his traveling companions must lead him to the city. These events lead to Paul's total repentance and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. God also heals him of his blindness.
f) After his conversion, the same zeal and single-minded dedication Paul had against Christianity transforms into a hyperactive-like quest to spread the gospel worldwide. Paul's ministry lasts thirty-five years until his death at the age of sixty-six. His accomplishments are astonishing given the rudimentary (by today's standard) level of transportation and other difficulties that exist in the first century.
2. Important people, events and accomplishments in the life of apostle Paul.
i) Witnesses stoning of Stephen.
ii) Is personally taught by Jesus for three years.
iii) Resurrects one person from the dead.
iv) Stoned to death then brought back to life.
v) Carries out five evangelistic journeys.
vi) Preaches the gospel to Caesar and his household.
vii) Visits more than 50 cities.
viii) Writes fourteen books (epistles) of the Bible (the most of any author).
ix) Trains other evangelists like John Mark and Timothy.
x) Endures total of 5+ years in prison.
xi) Martyred at the hand of the Romans.
a) Paul is easily the most influential Christian in the New Testament short of Jesus himself.
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