Paul's Birth Name
What was the Hebrew Name of Paul?
Meanwhile, Saul (before he became Paul) was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. . . . (Acts 9:1, New Internation Version Bible).
Birthplace
Where was Paul born? The birth of Paul (Saul) took place in the Roman free city of Tarsus, which is located in the province of Cilicia.
But Paul said, "I am a man who is indeed a Jew, a citizen of Cilicia from Tarsus, which is no insignificant city. I beseech you, allow me to speak to the people." (Acts 21:39, HBFV).
His Tribe
What tribe of Israel was he from? The apostle Paul was raised in an Israelite family from the tribe of Benjamin.
For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1, HBFV).
Education
In his youth, what kind of education did Paul receive?
"'My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know . . . that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.' " (Acts 26:4 - 5, NKJV).
Did He Initially Like Christians?
Was Paul (Saul) initially favorable toward Christians? Saul, taught in the ways of the self-righteous Pharisees who ultimately helped arrange for Jesus' death, had no love for Christians before his conversion. He was willing to go into people's home in order to find those believing in "the way," arrest them then throw them in prison.
Now Saul had consented to killing him (Stephen). And that day a great persecution arose against the church that was in Jerusalem; and all the believers were scattered throughout the countries of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles . . .
But Saul was ravaging the church, going from house to house, entering in and dragging out men and women, and delivering them up to prison. (Acts 8:1, 3, HBFV).
A Zeal for God
How zealous was Paul for Judaism? Paul's zealousness knew no bounds. Scripture says he initiated going to the High Priest for permission to hunt down Christians and bring them to Jerusalem in chains for punishment.
Now Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, asking him for letters to take to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who were of that way, he might bring them bound, both men and women, to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1 - 2, HBFV).
God's Call
How did God get Paul's attention?
It took a blinding light from heaven and the booming voice of Christ himself to get Paul's attention as he traveled to Damascus (Acts 9:3 - 6, 8 - 9). His travel was for the expressed purpose of finding believers in the synagogues, arresting them, then taking them back to Jerusalem for punishment. The bright light caused Paul to loose his sight for three days - which not only got his attention but gave him time to repent!
The Commission
What did God want to accomplish through Paul? Paul's three-fold mission from God was to preach the gospel to the pagans (Gentiles), to rulers or kings, and to the children of Israel wherever he found them.
But the Lord said to him (Ananias), "Go, for this man is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel; For I will show him what great things he must suffer for My name." (Acts 9:15 - 16, HBFV).
How Soon Did He Preach?
How long after Paul's conversion did it take him to preach the gospel? The Bible says after his conversion he "immediately" began to preach (Acts 9:19 - 22). No doubt he had learned public speaking skills while being trained as a Pharisee in his youth. His preaching was so powerful that eventually some people in Damascus wanted him killed!
The First Death Threat
How did Paul escape his first death threat? The apostle escaped the first threat against his life by secretly, under the cover of darkness, being let down a wall in Damascus in order that he could flee.
Then the disciples took him (Paul) by night and let him down by the wall, lowering him in a basket. (Acts 9:25, HBFV).
Did Christians Accept Him?
Was Paul readily accepted by believers in Jerusalem?
"When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple." (Acts 9:26, NRSV).
The First "Christians"
Where were believers first called Christians? Believers in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were first called Christians, as a term of derision, in the city of Syrian Antioch.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul; And after finding him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that for a whole year they assembled together with the church and taught a great multitude. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:25 - 26, HBFV).
Miraculously Freed
How were Paul and Silas freed from a jail? They were ultimately freed through a miraculously caused earthquake, which shook so violently that all the prison cell door were opened and the chains worn by the prisoners fell off!
But about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors opened, and the bonds of all were loosed. (Acts 16:25 - 26, HBFV).
Roman Citizenship
Did Paul ever benefit from his Roman citizenship? The apostle's Roman citizenship kept him, after his arrest in Jerusalem's temple, from being beaten by a Roman centurion.
But as he was being tied with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" (Acts 22:25, HBFV).
Support
Did Paul always receive financial support? The apostle did not receive much financial support from the people he served. There were even times when he refused to receive any money from people, like the church at Corinth, because of their spiritual immaturity (see 2Corinthians 11).
Intimidation
Was Paul ever intimidated by the apostles? Paul was a man of strong convictions. Taught to be a Pharisee, he no doubt learned how to debate and argue with others over doctrines, teachings and traditions. He did not hesitate to confront the apostle Peter when he saw him acting contrary to the gospel (Galatians 1)!
Traveling Companions
Who were Paul's traveling companions? The Bible names several people directly who Paul took on his five evangelistic missions. They are Barnabas (Acts 11:29 - 30), Mark (John Mark, Acts 12:25), Barsabas and Silas (Acts 15:22), Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:18), Sopater of Berea, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus, Trophimus and Timothy (Acts 20:4) and Luke (2Timothy 4:11).
An Apostle
Who referred to Paul as an Apostle? The apostle Peter, in his second Bible book, referred to Paul's special calling and the unique understanding given him to convey God's precious truth (2Peter 3:14 - 15).