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Apostle to the Gentiles

Paul (Saul of Tarsus)

1st century AD · c. AD 5–67

Life

Pharisee who persecuted the church until Christ confronted him on the Damascus road. Three missionary journeys; wrote 13 NT letters; martyred in Rome.

Pharisee turned apostle on the Damascus road; planted churches across the Roman world; wrote thirteen letters.

Key Facts

  • Trained under Gamaliel
  • Stoned Stephen
  • Damascus Road
  • Three missionary journeys
  • Shipwrecked
  • Wrote from prison
  • Beheaded under Nero (tradition)

Why this matters

Primary theologian of the early church; carried the Gospel across the Roman world.

Contemporaries

Mary, mother of Jesus

Mother of the Messiah

c. 18 BC – AD 48

Joseph of Nazareth

Earthly father of Jesus

c. 25 BC – AD 20

John the Baptist

Forerunner of Christ

c. 5 BC – AD 28

Jesus of Nazareth

Messiah, Son of God

c. 4 BC – AD 33

Peter

Apostle

c. AD 1–64

John the Apostle

Apostle, beloved disciple

c. AD 6–100

Barnabas

Son of Encouragement

Apostolic

Timothy

Paul's young companion, pastor of Ephesus

Apostolic

Luke

Physician, historian

Apostolic