|
Formerly a Jewish Pharisee who persecuted Christians, Paul had a transformation after seeing the risen Christ on a road to Damascus and losing his sight for three days. Paul was still a Jew, but had converted to become a Christian.
He was commissioned by Jesus Christ to bring to gospel to the Gentiles, and spent most of his remaining life traveling through Asia Minor preaching, baptizing, starting churches, and enduring persecution, stonings, imprisonment, and constant challenges. His letters were directed to the churches in the specific areas (ex.Thessalonians, Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Phillippians) and addressed certain issues in those particular churches. The letter to the Ephesians was more of a universal letter to all churches and believers, rather than just Ephesus. Scholars have shown that the reference to Ephesus was a later addition to the original letter. Paul's theology is complex and interweaves numerous themes. However, one thing is clear; that Paul lived his message. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and his words have a divine imprint on them that acknowledges God's revelation in Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the gospels and the prophecies of the Old Testament. |
