Paul’s Life and Significance for the Church Today Research Paper

Introduction

Apostle Paul is one of the most influential followers of Jesus Christ. His contribution to the evolution of Christianity and the development of its theoretical foundation cannot be overestimated. His 14 letters included in the New Testament provide the idea of the first beliefs, struggles, and controversies peculiar to the first stages of the religion’s evolution and its formation. These documents also explained the necessity of rituals now considered the basic ones for Christianity and contributed to the rise of the Church to the institution playing the fundamental role in the modern world. From this perspective, the significance of Paul cannot be denied.

Moreover, I still view his recognition of Christ as an important fact. At first, he viewed Christian teachings as blasphemy and did not recognize them. He came from the party of Pharisees, meaning that his traditions and values contradicted things taught by Jesus. However, the vision of resurrection and the light blinding him altered Paul’s mind. It demonstrates the power of faith and proves that everyone can come to God and accept his ideas. From one of the opponents of Christianity, Jesus transformed into the figure playing a fundamental role in its evolution. I mentioned this change in my previous work, and I am sure that this transformation is essential when talking about Paul, his life, and his actions. In general, my vision of Paul was correct; however, now I realize that some aspects should be improved.

First of all, the changes I mentioned come from the alteration in my thinking on Paul. At the moment, I realize that more attention should be devoted to 14 letters written by him. These documents are the central evidence of the early doings and ideas peculiar to followers of Jesus. Their inclusion in the New Testament proves the critical importance of these writings and the information provided by them. For this reason, now I think that Paul should be viewed through the prism of these letters as they help to understand his nature, personality, and values he tried to explain to other followers. He saw it as his central task, meaning that he remained devoted to Jesus and his teachings. These beliefs also helped the Church to unify and accept some rituals critical for its further transformation and evolution.

At the same time, I think more attention should be given to the incident at Antioch and the deal which emerged after it. The dispute between two fundamental figures for the Christian world, Paul and Peter, caused by Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, demanded a specific solution¹. For this reason, the deal between the two Apostles was introduced. Following its terms, Paul became the Apostle for Gentiles. It should be viewed as one of the central events in the life of the given person as it influenced his future and created the basis for disputes in the future. Another thing I would like discuss in detail is the current attitude to Paul. In general, I think my first thoughts were relevant; however, now I see new facts that can be added to create a complete image.

Paul’s Life

During the term, we had the opportunity to acquire extensive knowledge about Paul and various aspects of his life. This information is vital for a better understanding of his doings, ideas, and values. First of all, it should be said most information about Paul’s life comes from his epistles and the Acts of the Apostles². There are no clear and relevant biographies devoted to his figure, meaning that many aspects demand an additional investigation. Additionally, his letters contain scant information about the past of the apostle, meaning we still know a little about Paul’s biography before the conversion. For this reason, another source, the Acts of the Apostles, is viewed as a more valuable text describing the acts and life of Paul. However, there are some gaps in his biography, such as Paul’s execution in Rome, which are not proven by documents³. Nevertheless, using these two primary sources, it is possible to acquire the vision of Paul’s life.

Because of the lack of documented information, the exact Paul’s date of birth is unknown. The official version states that he was born between 5BC and 5 AD and was named Saul⁴. He was a Roman citizen belonging to a religious Jewish family, living in Tarsus⁵. Describing his origin, Paul said, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees”⁶. At a young age, he was sent to Jerusalem to acquire education, meaning that he possessed outstanding knowledge helping him throughout his life⁷. However, one of the critical parts of his biography was the persecution of the early Christians because of faith issues. Being a Pharisee, he had different views and beliefs, which resulted in this hostile attitude to this community.

However, Paul experienced the act of conversion, which is viewed as one of the most important events in his life. It altered the Apostle’s attitude to Christianity and showed him the power of faith. From his letters, it is known that God “was pleased to reveal his Son to me”⁸. He saw the image of Jesus after the resurrection and was blinded by the light⁹. After three days, Paul’s sight was restored, and he was baptized, which ended his pre-conversion story and transformed him into one of the most important persons for the Christian world¹⁰. This event is critical for understanding Paul’s life and his road to Christianity. Being a person struggling against this religion, he was provided with evidence of God’s power and his holy nature. It impacted Paul and made him one of the most outstanding theologists who formed the basis of the Church and faith.

Paul’s life after conversion is full of numerous events showing his devotion to God and readiness to serve him. Creation of the 14 letters is one of the most known acts performed by Paul to explain the basics of faith and persuade people. At the same time, he made at least three missionary journeys to speak with people about Christianity. The incident at Antioch and his opposition with Peter were caused by the letter to Galatians explaining how Gentiles can convert to Christianity¹¹. This event resulted in the growing role of Paul for the Christian world and cultivated the development of Christian theology¹². In general, although there are not many sources describing the life of the Apostle, the existing documents prove the critical importance of his figure for religion and help to understand his life better.

Paul’s Letters

Speaking about Paul, it is critical to mention the 14 letters or Pauline Epistles, which are the books of the New Testament. They can be viewed as one of the earliest documents belonging to the Christianity era. For this reason, their importance for religion cannot be overestimated. The given letters discover the early beliefs and struggles of the first stages of Christianity’s development and are also viewed as foundational and central texts for the theology, ethics, and the functioning of the Church¹³. While the authorship of some documents might be doubted, as some of the letters might be written using Paul’s name, they remain critical for Christianity as they explain the ideas and values that should be accepted by people who want to serve God¹⁴. At the same time, Paul’s writings help to understand that some of the epistles are lost, as he often refers to them, but they are not included in the New Testament. Additionally, there were some attempts to use Paul’s name to create apocryphal texts, which are nowadays considered not relevant.

The longest and the most significant of all Paul’s writings is the Letter to Romans. It was written about 57AD when the Apostle was in Corinth¹⁵. The importance of this letter comes from the fact that Paul, who was a Pharisee, accepts the heritage and heritage of the Jew’s religion. However, at the same time, he states that Mosaic Law is not relevant anymore. Righteousness should come from Christ, and his word should be the leading guide for all who believe. Paul says, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being”¹⁶ and “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”¹⁷. It created the basis for the future development of rituals and religious laws. At the same time, the letter was written to praise Jesus Christ, teach doctrine, and inspire all people who would read the letter. It is the first letter in the New Testament, which reflects its importance for Christianity.

The two letters to Corinthians coming next also touch upon the critical aspects of faith and prove that Paul was on the Gentile territory and acted there. His missionary mission there ended with the establishment of the Christian community, and the letters were addressed to them to explain the basics of religion. The central message stated that Jesus was crucified to save others. It means that people “are being saved”¹⁸; however, until he returns, they have to struggle and live their lives believing in God and observing his rules. It is another vital idea established by Paul through his letters and sent to all followers. In the New Testament, these two letters come immediately after the epistle to Romans, which also explains their importance for understanding other theological ideas and the role God plays in peoples’ lives.

The letter to Galatians is another critical document written by Paul. It continues the dispute about the sources of law and tradition initiated previously. The Apostle states that Christians now are free, and Jewish customs and rules cannot limit their lives. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”¹⁹. However, it is impossible to be sinners, meaning that the word of God or Jesus should become the new guide helping individuals to live in the right way²⁰. In such a way, the message in this letter contributes to the popularization of the central ideas peculiar to Christianity and explains the major values and beliefs of the religion. Paul wants people to alter their attitude to the obsolete practices and enter a new era with more humane and relevant rules.

Other letters are also critical for understanding the rhetoric of the Apostle and his theology. They explain the central concepts of Christianity, the role of Jesus, and his crucifixion. At the same time, Paul speaks about the second advent of Christ as one of the central ideas in Christian theology²¹. Revolving around this phenomenon, Paul also touches upon the ideas of sin, forgiveness, and people’s readiness to devote their lives to serving God.

Altogether, Paul’s letters can be viewed as fundamental documents forming the basis of Christian theology and helping to understand the basics of the faith. As one of Jesus’ followers, the Apostle wanted to communicate with people and explain the basics of a new religion which should replace the old and obsolete ones. For this reason, his explanations serve as the source of knowledge necessary for understanding early Christian values and beliefs. At the same time, letters’ inclusion in the New Testament proves their contribution to the formation and empowerment of Christianity as a new religion with a strong theological base. They helped people to understand the teachers of Christ and accept the new law regulating morals and other aspects of people’s lives. From this perspective, Paul’s contribution and role cannot be overestimated.

Paul’s Theology

Letters composed by Paul and other sources can also help to understand Paul’s theology and his views on God and Christianity. Initially, he followed the ideas of Pharisees, which contradicted the teachings offered by Jesus²². However, after the conversion, Paul acquired a new vision and concept of faith, which later evolved into a specific theology creating the basis for the whole Christian world. Paul had monotheistic representations believing in the only true God²³. At the same time, he thought that the universe had different layers with various spiritual creatures living there. For this reason, he often mentioned paradise, angels, demons, and Satan²⁴. These beliefs became reflected in the New Testament and influenced the formation of Christianity as they became popular concepts there.

At the same time, Paul’s theology was significantly influenced by his past. Having a Jewish background, he believed that God would send the Messiah to end people’s suffering and give them hope. For this reason, Paul became one of the most devoted Jesus’ followers, believing that he was the Messiah who would save people²⁵. At the same time, Paul did not think about Christianity as the religion that should replace Judaism²⁶. From his letters, one can see that he calls to avoid obsolete traditions and beliefs peculiar to this religion, meaning that for him, Christianity was an addition to the existing heritage²⁷. In such a way, Paul’s theology was impacted by several important factors, such as his background, his conversion, and his vision of his own role in promoting Christianity. Having proclaimed himself an Apostle, Paul tried to share his vision with other people as he was accepted by God “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel”²⁸. His theology became one of the pillars of faith, helping to transform Christianity in the future.

Paul’s Significance for the Church Today

The information mentioned above shows that Paul was an outstanding person whose actions during the early stages of Christianity’s development influenced its further evolution. Today, Paul is often treated as one of the fundamental figures in the history of religion. Being a common person, he had a critical effect on theology and outlined the patterns helping people to understand the nature of their relations with good. Being chosen by God as a vessel to the Gentiles, the Apostle created teachings showing and encouraging people how to live a god-centered life and eliminate pagan or sinful practices²⁹. From this perspective, he became one of the founders of the ancient Church and established the theoretical basis for its further evolution. Moreover, during his missionary journeys, Paul spread Christianity across the world and converted numerous people by emphasizing the ideas introduced by Jesus Christ³⁰. Considering these facts, it is possible to assume that the current state of the Church is, to a greater degree, the result of Paul’s actions.

Today, the ideas introduced by Paul in the New Testament remain relevant and are used by Christians. The modern church acknowledges this writing, its critical importance for religion, and the better understanding of faith³¹. Paul also discussed the idea of justification, or transformation from sin to right relations with God, which remains an important idea for modern Christianity. From this perspective, faith is the belief that God will save people and keep his promise, giving individuals hope for a better life and salvation³². Paul’s doings helped early Christians to remain loyal to Jesus and his teachings, and this example still inspires people and makes them believe in miracles. Paul’s contribution to the development of the Church is eternalized in numerous buildings and monuments called after him. The whole Christian world celebrates the Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul, acknowledging their role in the transformation and empowerment of religion. It means that for the Church today, Paul remains the fundamental figure who established the major theological principles and helped the institution to evolve.

Conclusion

Altogether, it is possible to state that Apostle Paul is an outstanding person who played a critical role in the emergence and development of Christianity. His conversion and acceptance of God became critical events influencing this future life. Paul’s contribution cannot be overestimated as his letters are included in the New Testament, while his theology remains relevant and is accepted by the modern Church. At the same time, the significance of his contribution introduces much space for additional investigation of his personality and documents created by him and used to teach people. In conclusion, Paul is one of the main founders of the Christian church and remains one of the outstanding figures in its history. Most of the ideas offered by him are still used by people and form the basis of faith.

Bibliography

Eyl, Jennifer. “‘I Myself Am an Israelite’: Paul, Authenticity and Authority.”Journal for the Study of the New Testament 40, no. 2 (2017): 148–68.

Jung, Deok Hee. “A Study of Paul’s Identity in Acts.”The Expository Times 130, no. 3 (2018): 110–21.

Longenecker, Bruce, and Todd Still. Thinking through Paul: A Survey of His Life, Letters, and Theology. New York: Zondervan Academic, 2014.

Matous, Bresser. Paul’s Letters to The Early Church. Carolina: Lighthouse Publishing, 2014.

Moo, Douglas. A Theology of Paul and His Letters: The Gift of the New Realm in Christ. New York: Zondervan Academic, 2021.

Roetzel, Calvin. The Letters of Paul. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015.

Footnotes

1. Bruce Longenecker and Todd Still, Thinking through Paul: A Survey of His Life, Letters, and Theology (New York: Zondervan Academic, 2014), 19.
2. Longenecker and Still, Thinking through Paul, 23.
3. Longenecker and Still, 25.
4. Deok Hee Jung, “A Study of Paul’s Identity in Acts,” The Expository Times 130, no. 3 (2018): 111. Web.
5. Acts 23:6.
6. Longenecker and Still, Thinking through Paul, 34.
7. Longenecker and Still, 35.
8. Galatians 1:16.
9. Longenecker and Still, 55.
10. Longenecker and Still, 75.
11. Longenecker and Still, 45.
12. Longenecker and Still, 81.
13. Bresser Matous, Paul’s Letters to The Early Church (Carolina: Lighthouse Publishing, 2014), 76.
14. Matous, Paul’s Letters, 76.
15. Calvin Roetzel, The Letters of Paul (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015), 79.
16. Romans 7:22.
17. Romans 10:17.
18. Corinthians 15:2.
19. Matous, Paul’s Letters, 101.
20. Roetzel, The Letters of Paul, 99.
21. Matous, 111.
22. Douglas Moo, A Theology of Paul and His Letters: The Gift of the New Realm in Christ (New York: Zondervan Academic, 2021), 111.
23. Moo, A Theology, 121.
24. Moo, 122.
25. Jennifer Eyl, “‘I Myself Am an Israelite’: Paul, Authenticity and Authority.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 40, no. 2 (2017): 168. Web.
26. Moo, 123.
27. Moo, 125.
28. Acts 9:15.
29. Matous, Paul’s Letters, 143.
30. Longenecker and Still, Thinking through Paul, 98.
31. Longenecker and Still, 101.
32. Longenecker and Still, 102.