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Paul Of Tarsus

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With reference to the quote and other New Testament texts, as well as other sources, evaluate the contribution of Paul of Tarsus to the development and expression of Christianity.
Paul of Tarsus is one of the most influential and notable people to ever help develop and express Christianity in the world. It is clear that without the work of Paul and his teachings on Jesus as well as mankind’s relationship with God, the Christian faith would have spread extremely slowly while also failing to impact others from around the world. Pauls work was the true push for Christianity to stand alone as a religion and no longer be seen as another sect of Judaism, with this Pauls work incorporated people of all faiths or backgrounds as long as they accepted …show more content…
While on the road to Demascus Saul suffered from a great conversion experience, he experienced a great white light around him blinding him as Jesus spoke to him. “’Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” (Acts 9:1-6) After this Saul converted to Christianity and changed his name to Paul. Yet when Paul eventually arrived in Demascus many were suspicious of Paul because of his reputation from all the persecutions he participated in when he was a Gentile. Paul challenged them for questioning him; this is evident in 1 Corinthians 9:1 “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?” Paul was not healed of his blindness until Ananias baptized Paul healing him and affirming Paul into the faith. Acts 9:17-18 “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.” After this it was Barnabus who introduced Paul to the apostles …show more content…
This journey started in Antioch in 47 AD, until they arrived in Cyprus to preach the word of God to the Jews in the synagogues. “The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.” (Acts 13:4-5) After this Paul made his way across the west of Cyprus when the arrived in Paphos where they met Sergious (who was a Roman Proconsul) Paulos who soon became a follower and Paul then left for the city of perge in Pamphilia. After this John left Paul and Barnabus as they continued on to Pisidian in Antioch this is where Paul utters the words “Now, we turn to Gentiles”. This becomes highly significant when talking about the impact of Paul as it becomes clear that the impact of Paul on Christianity quickly changes as his missionary journeys quickly demonstrate the new heights that Paul could raise the religion to through the conversion of Gentiles who were previously rejected from the

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