Paul's Contribution to Christianity
It seems strange that so little is known biographically about one of the most important figures in Christian history, but this only serves to add to the mystery and grandeur surrounding the Apostle Paul of Tarsus. Much, however, is known of the time after his conversion to Christ and what he did to contribute to Christianity in this period, and it is this that leaves a greater legacy than the simple facts of his life. The contributions that he made towards the cause of Christ and the spreading and formation of Christianity are what he is perennially remembered for.
Paul is remembered as a missionary and church planter. He undertook three extensive missionary journeys, estimated to have taken place in A.D. 44, 49 and 53. He spent much of his time when he was imprisoned or not journeying writing letters to churches he had helped to start in the various locations he had visited. Paul’s practice when visiting a new town was to start by talking at the synagogue and showing that Jesus was the promised Jewish messiah. From here, he took under his nurture any Jewish believers that converted to this new ‘way’ and also any Gentiles (i.e. non-Jews) that chose to accept his message. He stayed in each town as long as he deemed necessary by his own judgment or divine providence and usually devised a church structure with elders to look after young or inexperienced believers so that the church would remain healthy after he had gone to the next town.
And Paul went to many cities and towns throughout the whole Roman Empire, the then known world. He was such a threat to Roman society that Nero had him executed circa A.D. 68. He was an early missionary, and an extensively travelled and successful one, but he was not alone. Many others are known, such as Barnabas, John Mark and Silas. For these believers, mission was simply a way of life. As one of these missionaries, Paul spread the gospel throughout Israel, Greece, Italy, and Turkey, much of the Mediterranean and even, some
Paul is remembered as a missionary and church planter. He undertook three extensive missionary journeys, estimated to have taken place in A.D. 44, 49 and 53. He spent much of his time when he was imprisoned or not journeying writing letters to churches he had helped to start in the various locations he had visited. Paul’s practice when visiting a new town was to start by talking at the synagogue and showing that Jesus was the promised Jewish messiah. From here, he took under his nurture any Jewish believers that converted to this new ‘way’ and also any Gentiles (i.e. non-Jews) that chose to accept his message. He stayed in each town as long as he deemed necessary by his own judgment or divine providence and usually devised a church structure with elders to look after young or inexperienced believers so that the church would remain healthy after he had gone to the next town.
And Paul went to many cities and towns throughout the whole Roman Empire, the then known world. He was such a threat to Roman society that Nero had him executed circa A.D. 68. He was an early missionary, and an extensively travelled and successful one, but he was not alone. Many others are known, such as Barnabas, John Mark and Silas. For these believers, mission was simply a way of life. As one of these missionaries, Paul spread the gospel throughout Israel, Greece, Italy, and Turkey, much of the Mediterranean and even, some
Bibliography: beliefnet, N.D., Paul FAQ 's, viewed 6 June, 2011, http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2004/04/Paul-Faqs.aspx Clark, H 2007, Spotlight Studies of Religion HSC, Science Press, Australia Dunn, J. D. G. 2003, The Cambridge Companion to St Paul, Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom González, J L 1984, The Story of Christianity Volume 1 The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, HarperCollins, New York