# Paul, Saul

## Facts:

Paul was a leader of the early church who was sent by Jesus to take the good news to many other people groups.

* Paul was a Jew who was born in the Roman city of Tarsus, and was therefore also a Roman citizen.
* Paul was originally called by his Jewish name, Saul.
* Saul became a Jewish religious leader and arrested Jews who became Christians because he thought they were dishonoring God by believing in Jesus.
* Jesus revealed himself to Saul in a blinding light and told him to stop hurting Christians.
* Saul believed in Jesus and began teaching his fellow Jews about him.
* Later, God sent Saul to teach non-Jewish people about Jesus and started churches in different cities and provinces of the Roman empire. At this time he started being called by the Roman name “Paul.”
* Paul also wrote letters to encourage and teach Christians in the churches in these cities. Several of these letters are in the New Testament.

(Translation suggestions: [How to Translate Names](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names))

(See also: [christian](../kt/christian.md), [jewish leaders](../other/jewishleaders.md), [rome](../names/rome.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Corinthians 1:3](rc://en/tn/help/1co/01/03)
* [Acts 8:3](rc://en/tn/help/act/08/03)
* [Acts 9:26](rc://en/tn/help/act/09/26)
* [Acts 13:10](rc://en/tn/help/act/13/10)
* [Galatians 1:1](rc://en/tn/help/gal/01/01)
* [Philemon 1:8](rc://en/tn/help/phm/01/08)

## Examples from the Bible stories:

* __[45:6](rc://en/tn/help/obs/45/06)__ A young man named __Saul__ agreed with the people who killed Stephen and guarded their robes while they threw stones at him.
* __[46:1](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/01)__ __Saul__ was the young man who guarded the robes of the men who killed Stephen. He did not believe in Jesus, so he persecuted the believers.
* __[46:2](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/02)__ While __Saul__ was on his way to Damascus, a bright light from heaven shone all around him, and he fell to the ground. __Saul__ heard someone say, “__Saul__! __Saul__! Why do you persecute me?”
* __[46:5](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/05)__ So Ananias went to __Saul__, placed his hands on him, and said, “Jesus who appeared to you on your way here, sent me to you so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” __Saul__ immediately was able to see again, and Ananias baptized him.
* __[46:6](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/06)__ Right away, __Saul__ began preaching to the Jews in Damascus, saying, “Jesus is the Son of God!”
* __[46:9](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/09)__ Barnabas and __Saul__ went there (Antioch) to teach these new believers more about Jesus and to strengthen the church.
* __[47:1](rc://en/tn/help/obs/47/01)__ As __Saul__ traveled throughout the Roman Empire, he began to use his Roman name, “__Paul__.”
* __[47:14](rc://en/tn/help/obs/47/14)__ __Paul__ and other Christian leaders traveled to many cities, preaching and teaching people the good news about Jesus.

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: G39720, G45690
