Lifespan

Exact dates are unknown. Tradition holds that Paul was martyred by being beheaded during Nero’s persecution of the Christians in the mid-60s B.C.

Ministry

Paul became one of early Christianities most successful missionaries. Following his conversion, he preached throughout much of what is now the Middle East and southern Europe. He is perhaps best known for a series of lengthy missionary tours.

Preparation and Calling

Known as Saul prior to his conversion, he was a Pharisee and a student of Gamaliel. He vigorously persecuted Christians in his protection of Jewish traditions. However, while traveling to pursue some additional persecution in Damascus, he had a vision in which he saw Jesus Christ. This reversed his direction, he changed to his Latin name Paul, and he became as adamant about Christianity as he had been about his Jewishness.

Interaction with God

Paul was a visionary and very inspired man. He developed a close relationship with God and seemed to receive inspiration in a variety of spiritual ways.

Social Situation

Paul placed himself in an interesting position: prior to his position, he was a militant persecutor of Christianity, even taking part in the stoning of Stephen. He was apparently well known for his position. However, after his conversion, he began teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ among the very people he had so actively protected from its message earlier. He was a fearless proselyter and was often persecuted himself for his actions. He was arrested more than once and taken to Rome for sentencing. Tradition holds that he probably suffered martyrdom in the spring of A.D. 65.

Key Teachings

Although Paul is well known for his proselyting efforts, his numerous letters that make up what is now called the Pauline epistles in the New Testament are written to converts and congregations who had a fair understanding of the gospel already. In those letters, he covers a wide variety of topics, based on the needs of that particular congregation, but he was not shy about calling them to repentance for whatever was keeping them from proper gospel living.

Testimony of Christ

Paul bore fervent testimony of Jesus Christ. Here is just a sampling:

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:10-11).

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“For Christ sent me . . . to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17).

Living with the Prophet

Paul’s dramatic reversal of his life’s direction is a witness that even the most committed persecutors of Christ’s followers can change their lives and become believers. Resolve in your heart today to never give up in teaching those around you about your beliefs. Don’t be obnoxious about it, but neither should you back down from your beliefs. Paul wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:16). Join him today in that commitment.

Sources:

LDS Bible Dictionary

Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan