Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was a pharisee who was at times a chief scribe for Annus and perhaps Caiphus. He persecuted the people of the New Jewish /Christian movement violently, by his own admission. He reportedly had a miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus, in Syria, where he saw and spoke to Jesus. After this he began to preach the gospel throughout Greece, Turkey and much of the Empire.
Paul was a very learned man in theology and was instrumental in founding many churches across the Roman Empire. His letters to the churches that he founded (and some that he didnt found) are still held up as masterpieces of theology, teaching, encouragement and sometimes chastisement.
There is much controversy around the story and the man.
Paul suffered a great deal for his faith. His conversion on the Damascus Road was a real, life-changing experience that affected Paul so much that he gave up everything - his livelihood, his standing in society, his Jewishness, his friends and colleagues, his freedom and even his life in order that his Lord should be honoured and followed.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_was_Paul_in_the_Bible#ixzz1WaeOK1YN
