Greetings to you all in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I would like to introduce to you all a great personality of the Bible and Christian history. He is none other than the great Apostle Paul who wrote the 13 Epistles of the New Testament. Let us together have a brief outlook on the life of Apostle Paul and be inspired in our personal walk with Lord Jesus Christ.
- His Birth and Nationality:
- He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia. (Acts 22:3)
- He was resident of this famous city. (Acts 21:39)
- He was a Jew. (Acts 21:39, 22:3)
- He was from the tribe of Benjamin. (Philippians 3:5, Romans 11:1)
- He was a Roman Citizen. (Acts 22:25-28)
- His Family Background:
- His father was a Pharisee. (Acts 23:6)
- He had a sister and young nephew. (Acts 23:16)
- He had close relatives. (Romans 16:7,11)
- His Education:
- He studied in Jerusalem under Gamaliel (a highly esteemed Pharisee Doctor of Jewish law) and was thoroughly trained in Jewish laws and customs. (Acts 22:3)
- According to traditions,
- He started reading the Old Testament at the age of five.
- At the age of six he started going to school.
- At the age of ten he memorized the entire Law of Moses and was able to recite without seeing.
- At the age of thirteen he was called ‘Son of the Law’.
- His Trade or Occupation:
- He was a Tent maker. (Acts 18:1-3)
- His Religion:
- He was a staunch Pharisee. (Acts 23:6, Gal 1:14, Phili 3:5,6)
- His religious zeal was to persecute the church. (Phili 3:6, Acts 7:58, 8:1, 9:1-2, 22:4, Gal 1:13)
(B) HE RECEIVES GOD’S MERCY
- God shows His mercy on Paul. (1 Corin 15:8-10, Gal 1:13-16, 1 Tim 1:13-16)
- Paul receives a New Birth and a New Commission which changed the course of his life and rest of the history. (Acts 9:1-9, 22:4-10)
(C) CONCLUDING MESSAGE
Your past biography cannot stop God to work in your life. The same Jesus Christ, who changed a terrible persecutor like Paul into a great propagator of the church, can change your life too.
