Paul: Difference between revisions - Church of God Knowledge Encyclopedia

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===Childhood===

[[file:Tarsus, Cilicia, Turkey (37371485070).jpg|thumb|230x230px|The region of Tarsus, where Paul was born and raised]]

Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor. Raised by devout Jewish parents, he was [[Circumcision|circumcised]] on the eighth day, following Jewish tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A5&version=NIV |title=Philippians 3:5 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The Bible provides limited information about Paul’s family, though relatives such as Andronicus, Junia, and Lucius are mentioned as fellow saints and fellow workers in the spread of the gospel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016%3A7%2C%2011%2C%2021&version=NIV |title=Romans 16:7, 11, 21 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> From a young age, Paul studied under the renowned teacher Gamaliel,<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gamaliel-I Gamaliel I], ''Britannica''</ref> gaining a deep understanding of Jewish [[Law of Moses|law]]. It is also believed that he learned the craft of tent-making, a skill that later allowed him to support himself during his apostolic ministry.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2018%3A1-3&version=NIV Acts 18:1-3]</ref><ref name=":3">[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A33-35&version=NIV Acts 20:33-35]</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012%3A13-15&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 12:13-15].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204%3A10-12&version=NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12]</ref>

Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor. Raised by devout Jewish parents, he was [[Circumcision|circumcised]] on the eighth day, following Jewish tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A5&version=NIV |title=Philippians 3:5 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The Bible provides limited information about Paul’s family, though relatives such as Andronicus, Junia, and Lucius are mentioned as fellow saints and fellow workers in the spread of the gospel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016%3A7%2C%2011%2C%2021&version=NIV |title=Romans 16:7, 11, 21 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> From a young age, Paul studied under the renowned teacher Gamaliel,<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gamaliel-I Gamaliel I], ''Britannica''</ref> gaining a deep understanding of Jewish [[The Law of Moses|law]]. It is also believed that he learned the craft of tent-making, a skill that later allowed him to support himself during his apostolic ministry.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2018%3A1-3&version=NIV Acts 18:1-3]</ref><ref name=":3">[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A33-35&version=NIV Acts 20:33-35]</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012%3A13-15&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 12:13-15].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204%3A10-12&version=NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12]</ref>

===Young Adulthood: Persecuting Early Church===

Paul belonged to the [[The Pharisees|Pharisees]], one of the three major sects of Judaism, alongside the [[The Sadducees|Sadducees]] and the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Essene Essenes]. The Pharisees were distinguished by their strict observance of the Law, often incorporating additional customs and traditions not found in the Scripture.<ref>[https://www.christianity.com/jesus/birth-of-jesus/genealogy-and-jewish-heritage/how-were-the-pharisees-legalistic.html Who Were the Pharisees in the Bible?], ''Christianity.com'', August 21, 2023</ref> Deeply committed to this legalistic faith, Paul regarded the Church of God as a [[Heresy|heretical]] movement that violated the Law and was, therefore, an ''object of hostility''. As a rising leader within Judaism,<ref>[https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=DdTrCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82+apostle+paul+age&source=bl&ots=Sca1NyEwoN&sig=ACfU3U3VDLjUr40cKffj0r-Ydg4kaYASxg&hl=ko&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi65t-Shf2FAxUdh1YBHeRkDl8Q6AF6BAgvEAM#v=onepage&q=%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82%20apostle%20paul%20age&f=false When Paul Met Jesus: How an Idea Got Lost in History], Stanley E. Porter, Cambridge University Press, 2016, pg. 18-21 </ref> he played a key role in persecuting the church.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201%3A13&version=NIV |title=Galatians 1:13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2022%3A4-5&version=NIV Acts 22:4-5]</ref> Paul was involved in the execution of Stephen, witnessing his death.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207%3A58-59%2C%208%3A1-2&version=NIV Acts 7:58-59, 8:1-2]</ref> Biblical passages, such as “Saul began to destroy the church”<ref name=":2" /> and “still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,”<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1&version=NIV Acts 9:1]</ref> reflect his aggressiveness during this period.

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Paul traveled to Rome and the Mediterranean coast several times, pioneering routes that had never been taken before. His journeys were marked by relentless hardship. He endured threats of murder, severe violence, and flogging, facing dangers from cities, deserts, rivers, and seas. Additionally, he experienced deprivation, hunger, betrayal by false brethren and his own people, threats from robbers, slander from believers, and various physical ailments.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2023%3A12-14&version=NIV Acts 23:12-14].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2011%3A23-28&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 11:23-28]. </ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012%3A7&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 12:7]</ref> Paul admitted that at times his suffering was so intense that he despaired even of life.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201%3A8-9&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 1:8-9]</ref> Despite these trials, he remained committed to preaching the gospel and overcame every obstacle through his reliance on God.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204%3A12-13&version=NIV Philippians 4:12-13].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208%3A35%E2%80%9337&version=NIV Romans 8:35–37]</ref> His unwavering dedication to the principle, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord,”<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014%3A8&version=NIV Romans 14:8]</ref> resulted in great outcomes wherever he traveled.

===Passion for the Salvation of Souls===

Paul allocated more than half of his missionary activities to nurturing the faith of new believers. He revisited regions where he had previously faced life-threatening situations to bolster their faith. Moreover, he addressed issues with churches either by visiting them personally or by sending letters to correct practices related to [[Law of Moses|Old Testament laws]] or Jewish customs. His mission encompassed more than just preaching the gospel; he worked to create a foundation for saints to adapt to local cultures, appointed reliable overseers to guide them, and remained actively concerned with the well-being and care of the churches and their members. Paul tailored his approach to different groups: he identified with the weak to support them, aligned himself with Jewish customs to reach Jewish people, and adapted his methods to various individuals. His actions reflected a love that considered others, following the example of Jesus Christ.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209%3A20-23&version=NIV 1 Corinthians 9:20-23] </ref>

Paul allocated more than half of his missionary activities to nurturing the faith of new believers. He revisited regions where he had previously faced life-threatening situations to bolster their faith. Moreover, he addressed issues with churches either by visiting them personally or by sending letters to correct practices related to [[The Law of Moses|Old Testament laws]] or Jewish customs. His mission encompassed more than just preaching the gospel; he worked to create a foundation for saints to adapt to local cultures, appointed reliable overseers to guide them, and remained actively concerned with the well-being and care of the churches and their members. Paul tailored his approach to different groups: he identified with the weak to support them, aligned himself with Jewish customs to reach Jewish people, and adapted his methods to various individuals. His actions reflected a love that considered others, following the example of Jesus Christ.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209%3A20-23&version=NIV 1 Corinthians 9:20-23] </ref>

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@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 ===Childhood===
 [[file:Tarsus, Cilicia, Turkey (37371485070).jpg|thumb|230x230px|The region of Tarsus, where Paul was born and raised]]
-Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor. Raised by devout Jewish parents, he was [[Circumcision|circumcised]] on the eighth day, following Jewish tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A5&version=NIV |title=Philippians 3:5 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The Bible provides limited information about Paul’s family, though relatives such as Andronicus, Junia, and Lucius are mentioned as fellow saints and fellow workers in the spread of the gospel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016%3A7%2C%2011%2C%2021&version=NIV |title=Romans 16:7, 11, 21 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> From a young age, Paul studied under the renowned teacher Gamaliel,<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gamaliel-I Gamaliel I], ''Britannica''</ref> gaining a deep understanding of Jewish [[Law of Moses|law]]. It is also believed that he learned the craft of tent-making, a skill that later allowed him to support himself during his apostolic ministry.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2018%3A1-3&version=NIV Acts 18:1-3]</ref><ref name=":3">[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A33-35&version=NIV Acts 20:33-35]</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012%3A13-15&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 12:13-15].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204%3A10-12&version=NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12]</ref>
+Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor. Raised by devout Jewish parents, he was [[Circumcision|circumcised]] on the eighth day, following Jewish tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A5&version=NIV |title=Philippians 3:5 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The Bible provides limited information about Paul’s family, though relatives such as Andronicus, Junia, and Lucius are mentioned as fellow saints and fellow workers in the spread of the gospel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016%3A7%2C%2011%2C%2021&version=NIV |title=Romans 16:7, 11, 21 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> From a young age, Paul studied under the renowned teacher Gamaliel,<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gamaliel-I Gamaliel I], ''Britannica''</ref> gaining a deep understanding of Jewish [[The Law of Moses|law]]. It is also believed that he learned the craft of tent-making, a skill that later allowed him to support himself during his apostolic ministry.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2018%3A1-3&version=NIV Acts 18:1-3]</ref><ref name=":3">[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A33-35&version=NIV Acts 20:33-35]</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012%3A13-15&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 12:13-15].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204%3A10-12&version=NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12]</ref>
 ===Young Adulthood: Persecuting Early Church===
 Paul belonged to the [[The Pharisees|Pharisees]], one of the three major sects of Judaism, alongside the [[The Sadducees|Sadducees]] and the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Essene Essenes]. The Pharisees were distinguished by their strict observance of the Law, often incorporating additional customs and traditions not found in the Scripture.<ref>[https://www.christianity.com/jesus/birth-of-jesus/genealogy-and-jewish-heritage/how-were-the-pharisees-legalistic.html Who Were the Pharisees in the Bible?], ''Christianity.com'', August 21, 2023</ref> Deeply committed to this legalistic faith, Paul regarded the Church of God as a [[Heresy|heretical]] movement that violated the Law and was, therefore, an ''object of hostility''. As a rising leader within Judaism,<ref>[https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=DdTrCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82+apostle+paul+age&source=bl&ots=Sca1NyEwoN&sig=ACfU3U3VDLjUr40cKffj0r-Ydg4kaYASxg&hl=ko&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi65t-Shf2FAxUdh1YBHeRkDl8Q6AF6BAgvEAM#v=onepage&q=%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82%20apostle%20paul%20age&f=false When Paul Met Jesus: How an Idea Got Lost in History], Stanley E. Porter, Cambridge University Press, 2016, pg. 18-21 </ref> he played a key role in persecuting the church.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201%3A13&version=NIV |title=Galatians 1:13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2022%3A4-5&version=NIV Acts 22:4-5]</ref> Paul was involved in the execution of Stephen, witnessing his death.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207%3A58-59%2C%208%3A1-2&version=NIV Acts 7:58-59, 8:1-2]</ref> Biblical passages, such as “Saul began to destroy the church”<ref name=":2" /> and “still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,”<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1&version=NIV Acts 9:1]</ref> reflect his aggressiveness during this period.
@@ Line 183: / Line 183: @@
 Paul traveled to Rome and the Mediterranean coast several times, pioneering routes that had never been taken before. His journeys were marked by relentless hardship. He endured threats of murder, severe violence, and flogging, facing dangers from cities, deserts, rivers, and seas. Additionally, he experienced deprivation, hunger, betrayal by false brethren and his own people, threats from robbers, slander from believers, and various physical ailments.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2023%3A12-14&version=NIV Acts 23:12-14].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2011%3A23-28&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 11:23-28]. </ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012%3A7&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 12:7]</ref> Paul admitted that at times his suffering was so intense that he despaired even of life.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201%3A8-9&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 1:8-9]</ref> Despite these trials, he remained committed to preaching the gospel and overcame every obstacle through his reliance on God.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204%3A12-13&version=NIV Philippians 4:12-13].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208%3A35%E2%80%9337&version=NIV Romans 8:35–37]</ref> His unwavering dedication to the principle, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord,”<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014%3A8&version=NIV Romans 14:8]</ref> resulted in great outcomes wherever he traveled.
 ===Passion for the Salvation of Souls===
-Paul allocated more than half of his missionary activities to nurturing the faith of new believers. He revisited regions where he had previously faced life-threatening situations to bolster their faith. Moreover, he addressed issues with churches either by visiting them personally or by sending letters to correct practices related to [[Law of Moses|Old Testament laws]] or Jewish customs. His mission encompassed more than just preaching the gospel; he worked to create a foundation for saints to adapt to local cultures, appointed reliable overseers to guide them, and remained actively concerned with the well-being and care of the churches and their members. Paul tailored his approach to different groups: he identified with the weak to support them, aligned himself with Jewish customs to reach Jewish people, and adapted his methods to various individuals. His actions reflected a love that considered others, following the example of Jesus Christ.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209%3A20-23&version=NIV 1 Corinthians 9:20-23] </ref>
+Paul allocated more than half of his missionary activities to nurturing the faith of new believers. He revisited regions where he had previously faced life-threatening situations to bolster their faith. Moreover, he addressed issues with churches either by visiting them personally or by sending letters to correct practices related to [[The Law of Moses|Old Testament laws]] or Jewish customs. His mission encompassed more than just preaching the gospel; he worked to create a foundation for saints to adapt to local cultures, appointed reliable overseers to guide them, and remained actively concerned with the well-being and care of the churches and their members. Paul tailored his approach to different groups: he identified with the weak to support them, aligned himself with Jewish customs to reach Jewish people, and adapted his methods to various individuals. His actions reflected a love that considered others, following the example of Jesus Christ.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209%3A20-23&version=NIV 1 Corinthians 9:20-23] </ref>
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