St. Paul of Tarsus: The Apostle to the Gentiles
The author of much of the New Testament, Paul of Tarsus was highly educated, a student of the famous Gamaliel, and a very holy man who gave his life for Christ during Emperor Nero’s persecutions. Born Saul in Tarsus, an ancient city located in Celicia, now southern Turkey, he was the son of devout Jewish parents of the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Pharisee, a member of the strictest Jewish sect. Zeal for the law of Moses consumed him to such a degree that he persecuted the followers of Jesus in the very early days of the Church. When Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death, Paul sanctioned his killing. After his conversion, Paul became the greatest missionary the Church has ever known. He died by the sword in Rome.
Persecutor of Christians
In his extreme rage, he threatened the followers of Christ with death for the sake of the law. He even got letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that he might find Christians there and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains
Conversion
When he was on the road to Damascus, Saul died and Paul was born. Jesus appeared to him and inquired, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul fell to the ground, blinded by the glory of Christ. “Who are you?" Saul inquired.
“I am Jesus.”
“Lord what would you have me to do?” Saul stammered completely overwhelmed..
Faithful to the directions given him by the heavenly vision, Paul proceeded to Damascus to a street called Straight to the house of someone named Judas who announced to Saul that Ananias wished to speak with him.
Restoration of Sight and Baptism
Ananias welcomed Saul, laid his hands on him restoring his sight and then baptized him. When Ananias introduced Saul to the Christian community, the people were terrified of him, knowing that he was a raging persecutor of Christians. He preached in the synagogue of Damascus, telling the world that he had been converted to faith in Christ.
Escape from Damascus
Saul went into the Arabian desert there to study and meditate upon what had happened to him. When he returned to Damascus, he learned that some of the Jews were hatching a plot to kill him and King Aretas, governor of the city, was looking for him to throw him in jail. Some of the Christians put him in a large basket and taking him to the old wall of the city, lowered him down from the wall through a window. Some other Christians arranged for him to join a caravan going to Jerusalem. Thus began his life as a persecuted man for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Missionary Activity
In Jerusalem, Saul met with the apostles and told them how he had been chosen to be the apostle to the Gentiles, informing them that he was a Roman citizen and that he now chose to be known by his Roman name Paul. On three missionary journeys, Paul set up Christian churches far and near in towns where he most often met with persecution. A fearless apostle, he suffered persecution for preaching the gospel. He was mistreated, scourged, and thrown in jail.
Captivity
Finally he was taken into captivity in Jerusalem and falsely accused of taking Gentiles into the temple of the Jews.The tribune Lysias had him taken in chains to the fortress Antonio, but upon learning that the Jews were planning to kill him, Lysias sent him to Caesarea where he remained in prison until Festus became procurator and planned to send Paul back to Jerusalem to face trial. Paul, a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar. This required his being sent to Rome for his trial.
Rome
Shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul finally reached Rome where he rented a place to live and preached the gospel for two years. It is possible that he traveled to Spain, for that was his desire. Some people even believe that he may have gone as far as Britain, but there is no proof.
Martyrdom
Paul was imprisoned in the Mamertine prison in Rome, finally suffering martyrdom during the persecutions of Nero at Aquae Salviae, known today as Tre Fontane, slightly east of the Appian Way. Since he was a Roman citizen, he was not crucified as was St. Peter, but died by the sword. The great Basilica of St. Paul Without the Walls marks the site of his burial.
Works Cited
Becker, Allienne R. I, Paul . . . : The Life of the Apostle to the Gentiles. Writers Club Press, New York: 2001.
