Paul, the Apostle who started as one of Christianity's
most extreme enemy was especially selected by Jesus Christ to become the
gospel's most committed messenger. Paul traveled tirelessly through the world,
taking the message salvation to the Gentiles. He was known as one of the
all-time colossal of Christianity.
Paul’s Home: Tarsus,
province of Cilicia which is known as southern Turkey in present days.Accomplishments: When Saul of Tarsus, who was then, renamed Paul, saw Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road, Saul converted to Christianity. He made three long missionary journeys throughout the Roman province, establishing churches, spreading the gospel, and giving strength and encouragement to early Christians. Paul is credited as the author of (13) books among the (27) books in the New Testament. His books have been characterized as being the most influential books of the New Testament after the gospel of Matthew and John. While he was proud of his Jewish heritage, Paul saw that the gospel was not only for Jews but also for the Gentiles (Non-Jews). Paul suffered a lot for his faith in Christ.
Paul's
Strengths: Paul had a commanding knowledge of
philosophy and religion, a brilliant mind and could argue with the top educated
and intellectual people of his days. At the same time, his clear,
understandable explanation of the gospel made his letters to early church the
foundation of Christian theology. Tradition portrays Paul as a physically small
man, but he endured enormous physical hardships on his missionary journeys. His
perseverance in the face of danger and persecution has inspired countless
missionaries since.
Paul's
Weaknesses: Paul approved of the death of stephen before he became christian
(Acts 7:58), and was a merciless persecutor of the early church.
What
can we learn from Paul’s life? God can change anyone
anytime. God gave Paul the strength, wisdom, and endurance to carry out the
mission Jesus entrusted Paul with. One of Paul's most famous statements is: "I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me," (Phil 4:13), reminding us that our power to live the Christian life comes from God,
not ourselves (Amen!).
Paul
also recounted a "thorn in his flesh" that kept him from becoming
conceited over the priceless privilege God had entrusted to him. In saying, "For when I am weak, then I am
strong," (2 Corinthians 12:2), Paul was sharing one of the greatest
secrets of staying faithful: absolute dependence on God.
Much
of the Protest during the reconstruction was based on Paul's teaching that people are saved by grace,
not works: "For it is by grace
you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8) This truth frees us to stop striving
to be good enough and to instead rejoice in our salvation that we gained
through the loving sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ.
Read from: the 13 letters of Apostle Paul in the bible & from (http://christianity.about.com)
Through your bible reading and having understanding about him?what is your comment about Apostle Paul ?
