2023
BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY
PAUL
IN THE BIBLE
, BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY
Following In The Footsteps Of The Apostle Paul
1
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Introduction 2
Paul's Early Years 3
Witnessing The Death Of A Martyr 6
Persecuting The Church 7
Paul's Conversion 9
Healing, Filling, And Baptism 11
Post-Conversion Experiences 12
The Commissioning For Missions 16
The First Missionary Journey 17
Between The First And Second Missionary Journeys 20
The Second Missionary Journey 22
The Third Missionary Journey 26
Captive In Jerusalem 28
The Years In Caesarea 32
Paul's Journey To Rome 34
The Prison Years In Rome 36
After Release From Rome 38
Paul's Final Imprisonment And Death 40
Supplemental Studies:
One: Sequential Events In The Life Of Paul 42
Two: The Pharisees 46
Three: Recorded Miracles In Paul's Ministry 47
Four: Paul's Thorn In The Flesh 49
Five: Paul's Prayers 51
Six: Paul's Relationships 52
Seven: Books Written By Paul 59
Eight: Biblical References To Paul 61
2
, INTRODUCTION
This biographical summary of life of the Apostle Paul should be studied in conjunction with the
Legacy Bible Outline of the book of Acts. Paul's conversion is recorded in Acts 9, and the
record of his ministry begins in Acts 13, with most of the remainder of the book focusing on his
story.
Understanding the Apostle Paul is important because he is one of the greatest New Testament
examples of how the Gospel spread to the nations. He was instrumental in the transition of
Christianity from the Jews to the Gentiles, defending the freedom of Gentile Believers from
traditions of the law. Paul made three major missionary journeys, a voyage to Rome, and other
outreaches which are not recorded in scripture but for which there is historical evidence.
He also wrote the books of Romans, Philippians, 1 and 2 Timothy, 1 and 2 Corinthians,
Colossians, Titus, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Galatians, and Ephesians, and possibly the
book of Hebrews. His writing dominate the New Testament and remain the dominant voice in
Christian theology. See the Legacy Bible Outline series to study these epistles.
Paul was not without controversy, as some of his writings are difficult to understand (2 Peter
3:15-16). Some critics claim he was prejudiced because of some of the comments regarding
women in the church and the blindness of Jews to the Gospel. Others express concern over his
spiritual condition as he confesses “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I
would not, that I do” (Romans 7:19). But all criticism is silenced when we understand that all
Scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit of God (1 Timothy 3:16).
3
BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY
PAUL
IN THE BIBLE
, BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY
Following In The Footsteps Of The Apostle Paul
1
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
Introduction 2
Paul's Early Years 3
Witnessing The Death Of A Martyr 6
Persecuting The Church 7
Paul's Conversion 9
Healing, Filling, And Baptism 11
Post-Conversion Experiences 12
The Commissioning For Missions 16
The First Missionary Journey 17
Between The First And Second Missionary Journeys 20
The Second Missionary Journey 22
The Third Missionary Journey 26
Captive In Jerusalem 28
The Years In Caesarea 32
Paul's Journey To Rome 34
The Prison Years In Rome 36
After Release From Rome 38
Paul's Final Imprisonment And Death 40
Supplemental Studies:
One: Sequential Events In The Life Of Paul 42
Two: The Pharisees 46
Three: Recorded Miracles In Paul's Ministry 47
Four: Paul's Thorn In The Flesh 49
Five: Paul's Prayers 51
Six: Paul's Relationships 52
Seven: Books Written By Paul 59
Eight: Biblical References To Paul 61
2
, INTRODUCTION
This biographical summary of life of the Apostle Paul should be studied in conjunction with the
Legacy Bible Outline of the book of Acts. Paul's conversion is recorded in Acts 9, and the
record of his ministry begins in Acts 13, with most of the remainder of the book focusing on his
story.
Understanding the Apostle Paul is important because he is one of the greatest New Testament
examples of how the Gospel spread to the nations. He was instrumental in the transition of
Christianity from the Jews to the Gentiles, defending the freedom of Gentile Believers from
traditions of the law. Paul made three major missionary journeys, a voyage to Rome, and other
outreaches which are not recorded in scripture but for which there is historical evidence.
He also wrote the books of Romans, Philippians, 1 and 2 Timothy, 1 and 2 Corinthians,
Colossians, Titus, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Galatians, and Ephesians, and possibly the
book of Hebrews. His writing dominate the New Testament and remain the dominant voice in
Christian theology. See the Legacy Bible Outline series to study these epistles.
Paul was not without controversy, as some of his writings are difficult to understand (2 Peter
3:15-16). Some critics claim he was prejudiced because of some of the comments regarding
women in the church and the blindness of Jews to the Gospel. Others express concern over his
spiritual condition as he confesses “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I
would not, that I do” (Romans 7:19). But all criticism is silenced when we understand that all
Scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit of God (1 Timothy 3:16).
3
