1. Birthplace: Paul was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, around A.D. 5-10.
2. Jewish Heritage: He was born into a Jewish family from the tribe of Benjamin and was a Roman citizen by birth, a status that afforded him certain legal privileges.
3. Education: Paul was well-educated and trained as a Pharisee under Gamaliel, one of the most respected Jewish teachers of the time. His education gave him a deep understanding of Jewish law and traditions.

Conversion to Christianity

4. Persecution of Christians: Before his conversion, Paul, known as Saul, was a zealous persecutor of Christians, believing that he was defending the Jewish faith. He was present at the stoning of Stephen but did not partake in Stephen’s persecution, the first Christian martyr.
5. The Damascus Road Experience: Paul’s life changed dramatically on the road to Damascus, where he intended to arrest Christians. He had a powerful vision of the risen Jesus, who asked, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Blinded by the encounter, Paul was led into Damascus, where a disciple named Ananias restored his sight, and he was baptized.
6. Name Change: After his conversion, Saul began to be known as Paul, especially as he started his missionary work among the Gentiles.

Ministry and Missionary Journeys

7. Early Ministry: After his conversion, Paul spent time in Arabia and then returned to Damascus before going to Jerusalem to meet Peter and the other apostles. He began preaching the Gospel, focusing initially on the Jewish communities.
8. Missionary Journeys: Paul undertook three major missionary journeys across the Roman Empire, spreading the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. His journeys took him to places like Cyprus, Galatia, Macedonia, Greece, and Asia Minor.
9. Church Planting: Paul was instrumental in founding several Christian communities across the Roman Empire. His letters to these churches, many of which are preserved in the New Testament, provide theological instruction, encouragement, and correction.
10. Imprisonment: Paul was imprisoned multiple times for his faith. His Roman citizenship protected him to some extent, but he suffered beatings, shipwrecks, and other hardships during his ministry.
11. Theological Contributions: Paul’s letters (epistles) make up a significant portion of the New Testament. They include Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and possibly Hebrews. His writings address key theological issues, such as justification by faith, the role of the law, Christian ethics, and the nature of the church.

Later Life and Death

12. Final Imprisonment: Paul was eventually arrested in Jerusalem and appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen. He was taken to Rome, where he lived under house arrest for two years, continuing to preach the Gospel.
13. Martyrdom: According to tradition, Paul was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero around A.D. 64-67. As a Roman citizen, he was likely beheaded rather than crucified.

Legacy

14. Theological Influence: Paul’s teachings have had a profound impact on Christian theology and practice. His concept of salvation by grace through faith has shaped the doctrine of many Christian denominations.
15. New Testament Contribution: Paul is traditionally credited with writing 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament, though some scholars debate the authorship of a few.
16. Missionary Model: Paul’s approach to missionary work, including his use of local leaders, letters, and a network of churches, serves as a model for Christian mission efforts throughout history.
17. Universal Message: Paul’s emphasis on the universality of the Gospel—that it is for all people, Jew and Gentile alike—was groundbreaking and central to the spread of Christianity.