Apostle Paul
Basic Bible Study

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What was the Hebrew Name of Apostle Paul?

"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. . . . He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'" (Acts 9:1, 4, NIV)

What tribe of Israel was he from?

"I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." (Romans 11:1, NKJV)

Where was Paul born?

"Paul answered, 'I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. . . .' " (Acts 21:39, NIV)

In his youth, what kind of education did he receive and who taught him?

"'My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.' " (Acts 26:4-5, NKJV)

"'I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.' " (Acts 22:3, NKJV)

Was Paul (Saul) initially favorable toward believers in Christ?

"Saul was one of the official witnesses at the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria. . . Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into jail." (Acts 8:1,3 NLT)

How zealous was Paul for Judaism?

"Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord's followers, so he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them - both men and women - back to Jerusalem in chains." (Acts 9:1-2, NLT)

How did God get his attention and have him repent?

"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

"Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank." (Acts 9:3-6, 8-9, NKJV)

What did God want to accomplish through the life of the apostle Paul?

"But the Lord said, 'Go and do what I say. For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for me.'" (Acts 9:15-16, NLT)

After his conversion, did it take Paul a long time to become an effective speaker?

"Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, 'Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?' But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ." (Acts 9:19-22, NKJV)

How did Paul escape Damascus when he received his first DEATH THREAT?

"Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket." (Acts 9:23-25, NKJV)

Did he learn about Jesus and what He taught from the twelve apostles or from books?

"Dear brothers and sisters, I solemnly assure you that the Good News of salvation which I preach is not based on mere human reasoning or logic. For my message came by a direct revelation from Jesus Christ himself. No one else taught me.

"Then he revealed his Son to me so that I could proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When all this happened to me, I did not rush out to consult with anyone else; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. No, I went away into Arabia and later returned to the city of Damascus." (Galatians 1:11-12, 16-17, NLT)

Once converted, was Paul readily accepted by believers and apostles in Jerusalem?

"When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple." (Acts 9:26, NRSV)

Where were the first believers in Jesus called Christians?

"Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:25-26, NKJV)

How were Paul and Silas freed from a Philippian jail cell?

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened." (Acts 16:25-26, NRSV)

See Picture of the Philippian Jail Cell

Did Paul ever benefit from his Roman citizenship?

"As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, 'Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?' " (Acts 22:25, NIV)

Did he have a safe sailing journey from Caesarea to Rome?

"Just then a light wind began blowing from the south, and it looked like a perfect day for the trip; so they pulled up anchor and sailed along close to shore. But shortly afterwards the weather changed abruptly, and a heavy wind of typhoon strength (a "northeaster," they called it) caught the ship and blew it out to sea. . . . The terrible storm raged unabated many days, until at last all hope was gone. . . .

"But the ship hit a sandbar and ran aground. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was exposed to the violence of the waves and began to break apart. . . . But Julius wanted to spare Paul, so he told them no. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard and make for land, and the rest to try for it on planks and debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely ashore!" (Acts 27:13-15, 20, 41, 43-44, NIV)

"Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; . . . " (2Corinthians 11:25, NKJV)

Did Paul always receive financial support from the churches he served?

"Did I do wrong and cheapen myself and make you look down on me because I preached God's Good News to you without charging you anything? Instead I 'robbed' other churches by taking what they sent me and using it up while I was with you so that I could serve you without cost. And when that was gone and I was getting hungry, I still didn't ask you for anything . . . " (2Corinthians 11:7-9, TLB)

Was he ever intimidated by any of the twelve apostles?

"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. . . .Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. . . .But from those who seemed to be something - whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man - for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.

"Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. . . . But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, 'If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews. . . .' " (Galatians 1:10, 2:1-2, 6, 11-12, 14, NKJV)

Who were some of Paul's traveling companions?

"Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:29-30, NKJV)

"And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. " (Acts 12:25, NKJV)

"Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren." (Acts 15:22, NKJV)

"Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him." (Acts 18:18, NKJV)

"And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia - also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia." (Acts 20:4, NKJV)

"Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry." (2Timothy 4:11, NKJV)

What were some of the places visited during Paul's missionary journeys?

Amphipolis - Acts 17:1	Mitylene - Acts 20:14
Antipatris - Acts 23:31	Myra - Acts 27:5
Antioch in Syria - Acts 11:26	Neapolis - Acts 16:11
Apollonia - Acts 17:1	Nicopolis - Titus 3:12, 15
Appii Forum - Acts 28:15	Paphos on Cyprus - Acts 13:6
Assos - Acts 20:13	Patara - Acts 21:1
Athens - Acts 17:16	Perga - Acts 13:13
Attalia - Acts 14:25	Philippi - Acts 16:12
Berea - Acts 17:10	Pisidian Antioch - Acts 13:14
Caesarea - Acts 9:30	Ptolemais - Acts 21:7
Cenchrea - Acts 18:18	Puteoli - Acts 28:13
Corinth - Acts 18:1	Rhegium - Acts 28:13
Damascus - Acts 9:19	Rome - Acts 28:16
Derbe - Acts 14:6	Salamis on Cyprus - Acts 13:5
Ephesus - Acts 18:19	Seleucia - Acts 13:4
Fair Havens on Crete - Acts 27:8	Sidon - Acts 27:3
Iconium - Acts 14:1	Syracuse on Sicily - Acts 28:12
Island of Cyprus - Acts 13:4	Tarsus - Acts 9:30
Island of Malta - Acts 28:1	Thessalonica - Acts 17:1
Jerusalem - Acts 9:26	Three Taverns - Acts 28:15
Lystra - Acts 14:6	Troas - Acts 16:8
Miletus - Acts 20:15	Trogyllium - Acts 20:15
	Tyre - Acts 21:3

Were there any New Testament writers that referred to the Apostle Paul?

"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you . . . " (2Peter 3:14-15, NKJV)