The Spirit of God introduces Saul (Paul) to us as a Hebrew of the Hebrews. He had all the credentials necessary to be a leader of God's earthly people, the Jews. He was "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin... as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Phil. 3:5-7.
Saul first comes to our notice at the slaying of Stephen. As a young man he watched, and the clothes of the witnesses were laid at his feet (Acts 7:58). Before Stephen was stoned, he declared to all that he saw Jesus at the right hand of God. Little did Saul, his enemy, know that he, too, would have this experience (Acts 9:5).
After the death of Stephen, Saul pursued his relentless course of making havoc of the Church, entering into houses and imprisoning many believers (Acts 8:3). He obtained permission from the high priest (by letters to Damascus) that in case he should find any believers, he would bring them bound to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1,2).
Conversion As He Journeyed to Damascus, Suddenly a Light From Heaven Shone About Him (Acts 9:3), and As He Fell Upon the Earth He "Heard a Voice Saying Unto Him, Saul, Saul, Why Persecutest Thou Me?" Acts 9:4. He Answered, "Who Art Thou, Lord? and the Lord Said, I Am Jesus Whom Thou Persecutest: It Is Hard for Thee to Kick Against the Pricks." Acts 9:5. These Pricks of Conscience May Be the Impression Left Upon Him at the Stoning of Stephen.
Astonished, he said, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" He was told to arise, and go into the city, then he would be told what to do. Saul arose, but he had become blind and had to be led by the hand into the city of Damascus to the house of Judas.
Overcome by this tremendous revolution in his life, he neither ate nor drank for three days. The Lord spoke to a believer, Ananias, telling him to "go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul... he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias... putting his hand on him," therewith receiving his sight. Acts 9:11,12.
Ananias hesitated to do this, recalling Saul's history of persecuting the Christians, but the Lord assured him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake." Acts 9:16.
Ananias went to Saul who received his sight again, was filled with the Spirit, and was baptized (Acts 9:13-18).
Saul remained certain days with believers who were at Damascus, preaching Christ in the synagogues that He is the Son of God (Acts 9:20). Then Saul went from Damascus into Arabia and back to Damascus.
"Saul increased the more in strength," proving that Jesus was the very Christ. This called forth the enmity of the Jews who took counsel to kill him (Acts 9:23,24).
The disciples, knowing this, let Saul down by the wall in a basket. He went from there to Jerusalem three years after his conversion where he was as yet not received (Acts 9:26) and saw Peter.
Barnabas took Saul and brought him to the apostles, explaining what had happened to him on his way to Damascus and how he had seen the Lord. Saul continued with them in Jerusalem.
When he testified also to the Grecians, they went about to slay him, so that the brethren sent him to Tarsus by way of Caesarea.
Following this the churches had rest from persecution in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified and multiplied (Acts 9:27-31).
The gospel was preached to the Grecians in Antioch where a great number believed and turned to the Lord (Acts 11:20).
After Barnabas had preached, he went to Tarsus seeking Saul and took him to Antioch where they assembled with the Church and much people for a whole year. It was there in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).
Because of a dearth, the saints at Antioch sent relief to those in Jerusalem by the hands of Saul and Barnabas (Acts 11:30). Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem taking with them John Mark the nephew of Barnabas.
First Journey There Were Gathered at Antioch Prophets and Teachers Who Ministered to the Lord and Fasted. the Holy Ghost Said, "Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the Work Whereunto I Have Called Them," so They Were Sent Away and Embarked on Their First Journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor (Acts 13:1,2).
Saul and those with him went from Paphos (on the island of Cyprus) to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark departed, returning home to Jerusalem. Leaving Perga they went to Antioch in Pisidia where Paul gave a discourse on Israel's history, leading up to Jesus and the resurrection. He gave a warning to the Jews among them who would despise and perish. (Antioch in Pisidia is a different Antioch.)
The following Sabbath almost the entire city turned out to hear Paul and Barnabas. Some blaspheming Jews caused Paul to say, "[Ye] judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Acts 13:1-46. The Gentiles hearing this were glad and "as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Thus the Word of the Lord was spread abroad.
The Jews expelled Paul and Barnabas from their coast. So they shook off the dust from their feet and went to Iconium (Acts 13:47-52), where many Jews and Greeks believed the word.
Under persecution they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, preaching the gospel. Paul healed a lame man, causing him to rise to his feet. The city was moved, believing that their gods had come down to heal, and they tried to worship Paul and Barnabas, but Paul told them that they were mere men. The Jews stirred up persecution and stoned Paul, leaving him as dead. (It could have been at this time that Paul had his experience of entering the third heaven. 2 Cor. 12:1-4.)
But he revived and the next day departed to Derbe with Barnabas, then returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. (This was a different Antioch from the one where they were commended to the Lord's work.)
They ordained them elders in every church, commended the believers to the Lord, and returned by way of Perga to Antioch where they first were commended to the grace of God. They gathered the church together and rehearsed their experiences, remaining there a long time (Acts 14:1-28).
Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem in connection with a dispute as to circumcision. The Lord used Peter and James to settle the matter which was a most vital thing for all time. If this had not been settled, Christianity would have been divided into two camps.
Paul and Barnabas, with Judas and Silas, chief men among the brethren, journeyed to Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
Second Journey Paul and Barnabas Continued in Antioch, Then They Decided to Visit the Brethren in Asia Minor Where They Had Preached the Word of God. Barnabas Wanted to Take John Mark With Them, but Paul Refused, Because John Mark Had Left Them Previously. so Barnabas and John Departed to Cyprus (Acts 15) While Paul Took Silas With Him to Derbe and Lystra. Paul Found There a Disciple Named Timotheus, Whom He Baptized and Took Him With Him in the Work.
Paul took a second journey with Silas and Timothy through Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece.
It was on this trip that the Spirit of God revealed certain ones at Philippi, such as the women who gathered at the riverside to pray, who later formed the assembly.
Having been cast into prison for preaching the gospel, Paul and Silas sang praises to the Lord. Suddenly an earthquake shook everything and the prisoners' bands were loosed. "The keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled." Paul called to him, and he called for a light and was converted in the prison by that well-known scripture, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31. This was the beginning of the assembly at Philippi.
In Thessalonica Paul reasoned with those in the synagogue out of the Scriptures. Some believed, but others set the city in an uproar and Jason was taken prisoner.
Paul and Silas departed by night to Berea where they found the people to be more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the Word readily.
The Jews stirred up the people, and Paul returned to the sea. He was taken to Athens by disciples, and while waiting for Silas and Timothy, he preached in Mars' Hill (Acts 17:22). A few believed, but the leaders rejected him.
Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met Aquila and Priscilla who also were tent makers. There he abode.
The Lord spoke to Paul saying, "I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them." Acts 18:10,11.
The first and second letters to the Thessalonians were written while Paul dwelt at Corinth for one year and six months.
The Jews made insurrection against Paul, but he still remained in Corinth for a while, then sailed into Syria. Paul had cut off his hair in Cenchrea, for he had made a vow.
He left Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus, then sailed to Caesarea, saluted the church, and went on to Antioch.
Third Journey After Some Time He Went to Galatia and Phrygia, Encouraging the Disciples (Acts 18:11-23). Paul Baptized Certain Jews Who Had Not Heard That the Holy Spirit Had Come (Acts 19:1-4).
Paul returned to Ephesus and continued there two years and three months. Although he purposed to see Rome, his purpose was not granted at that time (Acts 19:21). He later went to Rome in chains. (Galatians and First Corinthians were written at this time.) Paul was persecuted at Ephesus, and the city went into an uproar but was quieted by the town clerk (Acts 19:24-41).
After visiting Macedonia and Greece, where he abode three months, he continued on to Troas where he met many disciples who had waited for him. He abode several days at Troas where the disciples gathered for the breaking of bread on the first day of the week. Paul preached there until midnight. He walked from Troas to Assos and went on to Mitylene and Miletus by boat.
Paul sailed by Ephesus, not stopping there, intending to be at Jerusalem for the Passover (Acts 20:1-16), but later he sent (Second Corinthians and Romans were written at this time.) for the elders from Ephesus and met them on the shore. He told them what would follow after his decease, and they sorrowed because they would see his face no more, then "accompanied him to the ship." Acts 20:17-38.
Paul sailed into Syria to Tire, tarrying seven days. He was warned not to go to Jerusalem and he sailed to Caesarea where he stayed many days.
A prophet named Agabus prophesied of Paul's captivity at Jerusalem (Acts 21:14). This occurred in the house of Philip the evangelist.
Nevertheless Paul arrived at Jerusalem and made a vow seven days at the temple. When the people were stirred up and went about to kill Paul, the chief captains of the Roman army delivered him but kept him confined.
In Bonds Before the Multitude Paul Rehearsed His Conversion, but This Resulted in a Tumult, and Paul Was Taken Into the Castle (Acts 21:15;22:30). Being Put Before the Counsel of the Jews, He Divided the Pharisees and the Sadducees Because He Spoke of Resurrection. the Lord Stood by Paul That Night Saying, "Be of Good Cheer, Paul: for As Thou Hast Testified of Me in Jerusalem, so Must Thou Bear Witness Also at Rome." Acts 23:11.
The Jews then banded together to kill Paul, but his sister's son heard of this and entering the castle told him. Paul's nephew was brought before Claudius Lysias, the chief captain, who ordered a small army to take Paul to Caesarea that night. He was then placed in the custody of Felix the governor (Acts 23:35).
After five days Ananias the high priest came down with an orator to seek to take Paul to Jerusalem captive, but instead he was kept bound for two years, then heard by Festus. Rather than going to Jerusalem to be judged, Paul appealed unto Caesar.
He was heard by King Agrippa. As was said at his conversion, he must witness before kings. Paul recounted his life and conversion to Agrippa and Festus (Acts 26:32). As Paul sailed for Rome, he experienced a shipwreck, but the Lord spoke to Paul while on the ship and told him that all persons on the wrecked ship would be spared (Acts 27).
They were cast upon land at Malta. Paul healed the father of Publius, chief man of the island, also others. There he abode three months before sailing to Rome where the brethren met him at Appii Forum.
At Rome Paul was allowed to dwell in his own hired house, chained to a soldier who kept him (Acts 28:16). He called the chief of the Jews together to inquire if they had heard of his imprisonment and why. They asked to hear his testimony. Receiving no response, Paul spoke one word, "Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand.... Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it."
"Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house... preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." Acts 28:25-31.
There, in his own hired house, he wrote the letters to the Ephesians, Philemon, the Colossians, and the Philippians.
Forth Journey Being Liberated, He Took Another Journey to Crete and Left Titus There (Titus 1:5). He Bade Timothy to Remain at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3) While He Himself Went Into Macedonia (1 Tim. 1:3).
Hebrews, the first letter to Timothy, and a letter to Titus were written at this time.
Paul wintered at Nicopolis, then visited Miletum, leaving Trophimus there sick (2 Tim. 4:20).
Paul was then arrested and sent to Rome.
The second letter to Timothy was written at this time.
Paul's ministry covers approximately 30 years. He was about fifty years old when put to death by Nero.
So ends a life of purpose, selflessness, moral power, endurance, hope and love. Soon, by grace, we shall meet this mighty servant of God.