St Paul holds the title of ‘the Apostle.’ The importance of his missionary work and letters in shaping the tradition of the Church cannot be understated. He is one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, responsible for spreading the gospel across the Mediterranean and articulating key theological doctrines that continue to shape Christian belief.
Paul was born a Jew, raised in the Mosaic Law, and educated by Gamaliel, a member of the Sanhedrin, in the teachings of the Pharisees. He was also born in Asia Minor, in Tarsus (modern-day Turkey), and, by virtue of his birth, was a Roman citizen. He straddled both the Greek-speaking pagan Roman world while maintaining his beliefs and practices as a Pharisaic Jew. In this capacity, Paul was an early persecutor of the followers of Christ (Acts 8:3; Gal 1:13).
Paul, however, underwent a radical conversion following an encounter with the risen Christ while travelling on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19; 1 Corinthians 15:8). The author of Acts records that Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, where he was planning to further persecute the Christians living there (Acts 9:1-4). Paul heard Jesus’ voice asking why he was persecuting him (Acts 9:4-6).
Paul then regarded himself as an apostle, called to preach the gospel to the nations. Upon travelling to Jerusalem, he met with and was accepted by the apostles Peter and James (Gal 2:1-10). He eventually took part in the Council of Jerusalem, which determined that Gentiles were considered part of God’s covenant without the need for circumcision.
Paul travelled throughout the Near East with companions such as Timothy, Titus, Barnabas, and others, establishing churches and encouraging the conversion of Gentiles to this new faith. Paul founded or influenced churches across the Mediterranean, including in Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, Ephesus, Troas, Miletus, Rome, Galatia, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. It is his letters, offering guidance to these fledgling churches and church figures, that survive in the New Testament, building a theology centred on themes of grace, the role of the Law, the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul, who was persecuted and imprisoned multiple times throughout his ministry, was eventually arrested and taken to Rome, where he was traditionally believed to have been executed under Emperor Nero around 64–67 CE.