WATCHWORD:
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ 6 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:1-9
Meditation:
All About Paul
What do we know about the apostle Paul? We know that he was born in Tarsus, which is modern-day turkey. That, at an early age, he was brought by his family to Jerusalem and enrolled him in the rabbinical school. We know he became a Pharisee at an unusually young age, probably 24, and was a rigorous defender of Judaism to the point where he established a reputation for persecuting those who were following the fledgling Christianity. We know that he witnessed and approved of the stoning of Steven, and was aggressive in pursuing Christians even to the point of violating the privacy of homes.
We are most familiar with his travel to Damascus to find Christians there and bring them to Jerusalem, when he had an encounter with Jesus the Christ, a year after the crucifixion, which Paul had witnessed. Following this encounter, Paul spent some three years in the Arabian wilderness before returning to Damascus to begin his ministry of teaching Jesus. Over the next eight years he moved about Syria, Turkey and Judea teaching about Christ, and spent a year in Antioch serving that church under the apostle Barnabas.
Paul and Barnabas planned a missionary journey, the first of three, completing the first, before returning to Jerusalem to appear before the Jerusalem Council lead by the apostle James. After some agonizing, the council approved Paul, partly on the strength of the work he and Barnabas had done on the first missionary journey, planting churches throughout the middle east.
Fourteen by the 27 books of the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to Paul. The four letters to the churches in Thessalonica and Corinth and the letter to Rome were written following the Council of Jerusalem and during his missionary journeys. Four letters (Ephesians, Philippines, Philemon, and Colossians) were written while in prison. The remaining letters were written while under house arrest in Rome, 60-67 AD, eventually being executed at the ate of 59. The Book of Hebrews was written between 67 and 69 AD, giving credence to the argument that it was probably written by followers of Paul, possibly using some of his notes. Thirty years in his ministry, and what an impact!
That may be more than you needed to know about the Apostle Paul. If you are ever in a Bible Trivia conversation, here you have some answers. So be it.
Unique Facts About Paul:
Many people believe that Saint Paul was the second most important figure in Christianity after Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote most his messages and letters in ‘koine,’ the common Greek language?
St Paul and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt had a fascinating connection between them. Paul was born in Tarsus, the same place where Queen Cleopatra met Marc Anthony. Ah, romance!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me with my prayer life. I know that to pray without ceasing is to be constantly aware how thankful I am for Your greats gifts and strengthen my life in You. Thank you for the guidance that comes to me throughout my life. He me Lord to exhibit a continual attitude of dependency and trust in You, and to have a constant awareness of You in the Holy Spirit that dwells within me. It is in Your Name that I offer all these prayers. Amen.
