Paul the Apostle
A Pharisee who persecuted the first Christians; struck down on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).
The record
- Born
- 1st century, Tarsus, Cilicia
- Converted
- on the road to Damascus (Acts 9)
- Became
- Apostle to the Gentiles; author of the Epistles
- Died
- martyred at Rome (tradition), under Nero
Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee, took a leading part in the persecution of the first Christians. The account of his conversion is given three times in the Acts of the Apostles; this is the ninth chapter, in the Douay-Rheims translation. He was travelling to Damascus with authority to arrest believers there.
9:1. And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 9:2. And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 9:3. And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. 9:4. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 9:5. Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad. 9:6. And he, trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?Acts 9:1–6 (Douay-Rheims)
Blinded, Saul was led into Damascus. There a disciple named Ananias was sent to him.
9:18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales: and he received his sight. And rising up, he was baptized.Acts 9:18 (Douay-Rheims)
Under the name Paul he became the foremost missionary of the early Church, carrying the Christian message across the Roman world and writing the letters that make up much of the New Testament. Christian tradition holds that he was put to death at Rome in the persecution under Nero.