Paul

Paul, first known a Saul (“God hears”) of Tarsus, was a brilliant young Pharisee in Jerusalem who vehemently opposed any of the true followers of Christ and their teaching. Being a lawyer at the age of 20 and one who believed in strict adherence to the Law in order to be righteous, he couldn’t grasp the message that righteousness came by simply believing and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord. Determined to stamp out Christianity, he was feared by many. In route to Damascus to arrest Christians there, Jesus appeared to him and by dramatic means, he was converted. Soon he started to preach Jesus and His saving grace to all, especially the Gentiles. Paul authored 13 of the letters found in the New Testament. The apostle Paul is considered the chief missionary of the early church.