Biography of Apostle Paul 

Paul, who would become known as the Apostle Paul, was born to a Jewish father, who was a citizen of the Roman Empire. Apostle Paul was born somewhere between one and ten years after the birth of Christ, in Tarsus - a town in Cilicia, which is now part of Turkey. Tarsus was an active and diverse city. It was located on the main trade route between East and West and was the home of many of the famous Stoic philosophers, whose theories originated in ancient Greece. At that time many Jews had inherited Roman citizenship from their ancestors, who were granted it in exchange for fighting in Rome's wars during the previous century.

This double identity explains Apostle Paul 's two names. Paul the Apostle used his Hebrew name, Saul, within the Jewish community, and he used his Roman surname, Paul, when speaking Greek. Paul the Apostle grew up exposed to both his family's Jewish heritage and to the non-Jewish culture around him, and learned to speak Greek fluently.

All of this set the stage for the future work of the Apostle Paul in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles or non-Jews.

Education and life of the Apostle Paul

Apostle Paul was educated in Jerusalem, where he studied for the priesthood under the famous rabbi Gamaleil. Like most rabbis, Apostle Paul also supported himself with a menial trade - in this case tentmaking, which he probably learned from his father.

Paul the Apostle had became:

• a zealous Jewish nationalist while in Jerusalem, and
• a Pharisee - a Jewish scholar who strictly observes the religious laws of Moses.

Apostle Paul in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus Christ

It's not known if Paul the Apostle was in Jerusalem before the crucifixion, while Jesus was still alive - but it is known that Apostle Paul never met him. Apostle Paul learned just enough about Jesus Christ however, to become convinced that Christians were a threat to Judaism.

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