answersLogoWhite

0

A:

Paul is regarded, along with St. Peter, as one of the two leading apostles of Christianity. He was probably the most influential person in defining Christianity, prior to the authorship of Mark's Gospel around 70 CE.

In his epistles, Paul says that he persecuted Christians until God chose to reveal Jesus in him, after which he went straight away to Arabia (Petrea) and then to Damascus. The extent of his persecution is not known, at least from his epistles, but Acts of the Apostles, written some decades after his death, portrays him as a ruthless and dedicated persecutor and says that Paul had been known as Saul until some time after his conversion.

We know little about Paul's religious views or theology. Clues in the epistles suggest that he was somewhat gnostic but, even if he was, his importance to Christianity means that Catholic-Orthodox Christians had to claim him as their own. Consistent with Gnosticism, he said that he received the gospel from no man, but by revelation.

He did not seem to realise that Jesus was a man who lived and died in Palestine in the recent past, and seems to have understood the resurrection and ascension to heaven as being the same event. Paul says that Jesus was seen by Cephas (Peter), then the twelve, then by more than 500, most of whom were still alive, then by James and all the apostles, and finally by himself. Reference to the "twelve" means that, for Paul, Judas had not defected from the group. Reference to "all the apostles" indicates that for Paul, the apostles constituted a much larger group than the "twelve". To Paul, all these appearances seem to have been purely spiritual, like the spiritual appearance to himself. There seems to be no way to harmonise Paul's reference to the 500 with the gospel accounts.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What was the date of birth of The Apostle Paul?

There is no apostle named John Paul. There is an apostle named John and another apostle named Paul.


Was Saint Paul an apostle to?

He called himself the Apostle to the Gentiles.


What was St. John Paul the Apostle's date of birth?

There is no apostle named John Paul. There is an apostle named John and another apostle named Paul.


Was the apostle Paul the second apostle to be stoned?

Paul wasn't stoned - he was beheaded.


Which apostle never married?

The apostle who never married was the Apostle Paul.


Was Paul from the New Testament considered to be an Apostle?

Yes, although he was not a disciple of the living Jesus, he was an apostle and traditionally referred to as "the Apostle Paul" or "Saint Paul".


Was the Apostle Paul married"?

Yes, there is no definitive evidence in the Bible that suggests the Apostle Paul was married.


Was the apostle Paul ever married?

There is no clear evidence in the Bible that the apostle Paul was ever married.


What is the correct grammar - Apostle Paul or apostle Paul?

OpinionI would say Apostle Paul wherever I use 'Apostle' as a title, in the same way as I would say Mr Smith, with 'Mr' capitalised. Less frequently, I would write 'apostle' uncapitalised if I did not intend it as a title, for example where 'apostle' is the subject of the sentence, and Paul is addressed. Use capitals to be on the safe side.


When did Luke become an apostle?

Luke was a companion of Paul, and not a apostle.


Was Paul the Apostle ever married?

There is no clear evidence in historical records that Paul the Apostle was ever married.


Was the Apostle Paul a Sadducee?

No; Paul was a Pharisee. See Philippians 3:5.