Saint Paul
Saint Paul, c.5 AD -- 64/65 AD
born, Saul of Tarsus (Roman province in Asia Minor)
The Importance of Paul
Why Paul?
When we consider St. Paul's life
| Jewish | ✓ |
| Roman citizen | ✓ |
| Studied Greek philosophy | ✓ |
| Studied Jewish religion (under Gamiele | ✓ |
| Conversion from grave sin | ✓ |
Paul's Name
- Jesus called him "Saul":
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4)
"I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’" (Acts 22:7)
We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ (Acts 26:14)
- First called "Paul" in Acts 13:9:
"Saul, who also is called Paul."
- it was common for Jews to keep a Hebrew and Greek name
- Παῦλος, or "Paulos"
Overview
- author of 14 books of the New Testament
Criteria for Sainthood
| Crteria | |
|---|---|
| Holiness | ✓ |
| Model of Christian Life | ✓ |
| Teacher of the Church | ✓ |
| Intercessor | ✓ |
| Miracles | ✓ |
| Martyrdom | ✓ |
Notable Biblical passages
Peter's admission that Paul is "hard to understand"
Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Jews
Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Jews
Paul Imprisoned
Paul before the Sanhedrin.
Paul divides the Pharisees and the Sadducees, Acts 23:6-11:
Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; [I] am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, “We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue him from their midst and take him into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”