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Fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to Paul. The authenticity of seven of these is undisputed and six are thought to have been written by his followers using his material. Paul created a theology based on Christ, rather than on the Mosaic Law and established the fundamental beliefs of Christianity: that God sent his Son who was crucified for the benefit of humanity and that his resurrection brought the promise of salvation to believers.
Paul distinguished Christianity from Judaism by saying that humans are saved from sin by faith and not by following rituals or a law as the Jews believed. The Torah was not necessary for salvation, Jesus alone was decisive. Thus, gentiles (non-Jews) could convert to Christianity and did not need to become Jews and follow their laws. They just needed faith in Jesus. Up to then Christians had been Jewish Christians who saw Jesus as the promised messiah of the Jews, spread the word only to other Jews and still followed Jewish laws, customs and rituals and went to the synagogue. Paul made Christianity accessible to everyone and laid the foundations for the conversion of the gentiles of the Roman Empire.
Paul wrote much of the theology of atonement. Faith alone assured salvation because Jesus's death was for the benefit of the believers. He died for the sins of humanity, so that they would be forgiven, so that humanity could be redeemed. His resurrection brought the promise of salvation to believers. The blood of Christ made the reconciliation between God and man possible. Paul said that Jesus would return and that those who died believing in him as the saviour would be brought back to life and would be taken to meet the lord with the living ones.
Most of Christianity relies heavily on Paul's writings. They exerted the most powerful influence on the development of Early Christianity and provide the roots of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant theologies. The writings of many subsequent prominent theologises were developments or interpretations of his work. There were several strand of Early Christianity. Some modern scholars argue that the form of faith preached by Paul is different from that found elsewhere in the New Testament, but his view became predominant.
Paul also played an important role in the development of Christian churches. He exalted the Christian church as the body of Christ and presented Christ as 'the end of the law.' He saw the world outside the Church as being under judgment.
What else can I help you with?
Where are the writings of Paul and other early Christians collected?
The Bible.
Did Paul murder Christians in the past?
No, Paul did not murder Christians in the past. He was initially a persecutor of Christians but later became a follower of Jesus and a prominent figure in the early Christian church.
Was paul of tarsus friends with jesus of nazareth?
Paul was not a friend of Jesus, as the bible says Paul wanted to persecute and kill the early christians.
How did Paul's preaching differentiate early Christians from Jews?
Paul preaching Jesus on the cross and salvation. Jews deny Jesus.
The writings of Paul and other early Christians are collected in?
The New Testament is the most popular collection. However, there are also non-canonical writings attributed to Paul as well as to other Christians.
How did Paul influence the early church?
Paul founded many of the early New Testament Churches. He taught the churches what he had received from the Lord. He guided and corrected the early churches. Paul also prayed for the many New Testament churches.
What were some of the major messages of St. Paul to the early Christians?
John and Paul like the apostles were teaching the gospel messages which is the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
How did Paul come to accept Christianity?
It is said that Paul, a persecutor of the early Christians, had a vision on the Damascus Road, was temporarily blinded, and when his vision was restored, he "saw the truth" and became one of early Christianity's most avid supporters.
Why were early Christians attracted to the islands?
Why were early christians attracted attracted to the island
Why is Saint Paul considered a saint?
St. Paul, besides many other things, died the death of a martyr. Martyrdom was all the early Christians needed to know about a person to declare them as a saint.
Why is St. Paul so important to the church?
The letters of Paul make up most of the New Testament. He is writing guidance and encouragement to many churches throughout the area. His ideas on meeting and conducting services are instrumental in the worship of many Christians. Paul was a Roman citizen and when arrested demanded to be taken to Rome to be tried. This move of his is the one major thing that made Christianity advance through Europe.
Why was Paul important to cristianity?
Paul, whose original name was Saul, is important because he was a tireless persecutor of early Christians. The story goes, like this, he was struck down and blinded by God before one of his offensives against the Christians. He instantly converted, changed his name to Paul, and helped to spread Christianity all over the world.
