Apostle living at the time of the New Testament

Paul

Acts 7:58; 9:1–31; 22:3, 28; Philippians 3:5–6; 2 Timothy 4:6–8

Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee, “of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews,” who studied under Gamaliel and persecuted the church, approving of Stephen’s death (Philippians 3:5–6; Acts 22:3; 7:58; 8:1–3). On the road to Damascus a light from the sky shone around him, and a voice said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He answered, “Who are you, Lord?” and heard, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Blind for three days, he was healed and baptized by Ananias, and the Lord called him “my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:1–19).

Called Paul among the Gentiles, he made three missionary journeys, planting churches around the Mediterranean, suffering beatings, shipwreck, and prison (Acts 13–21; 2 Corinthians 11:23–28). He was arrested in Jerusalem, appealed to Caesar, and was taken to Rome (Acts 21–28). Thirteen New Testament letters bear his name. He counted everything loss for the knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:7–8), and near the end wrote, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6–8). Tradition holds that he was beheaded at Rome.

Born at Tarsus in Cilicia, a Roman citizen from birth, trained in Jerusalem under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3, 28). He was a young man when Stephen was stoned (Acts 7:58), which Ussher dates to AD 33, and met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus in AD 35 (Ussher). Following early church writers, Ussher dates his beheading at Rome under Nero to June AD 67; many historians prefer AD 64 to 68. His birth year isn't recorded; about AD 5 is a common estimate.

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