Saint Paul, the most accomplished Apostolic Father of Christendom
1. The most prolific apostle
Paul ( c. 5 to c. 64/67 A.D.) wrote 30 of the 27 books of the New Testament. He traveled through Europe and Asia, spreading Jesus’ message and establishing churches. He wrote more than any other apostles, disciple, or scribe.
The letters of Paul spread across continents and became one of the most important manuscripts of the New Testament. The book of Romans Paul wrote shaped the protestant revival in Europe during the middle ages.
WHY DID PROTESTANTS SEPARATE FROM CATHOLICS.
2. Fearless, passionate, and result oriented
Paul was fearless and passionate. By today’s standards, he would be a hands-on leader and result-oriented. He was a game-changer and at the top of his mission.
He preached Christ in critical places. Consider his passion when he used to persecute the church. This time, he used it to expand God’s Kingdom.
hands-on-leader and result-oriented
WHY DID PROTESTANTS SEPARATE FROM CATHOLICS
3. Paul preached to anyone and traveled to the farthest
Paul saturated critical cities in Europe. He went on three missionary journeys and founded churches from Jerusalem to Spain. He also traveled more than 10,000 miles and often on foot to preach.
He used a strategy to complete his mission. For example, he preached and reasoned among Athenian intellects and influencers (Acts 17:16–34). There are more than 14 churches, “Saint Paul” founded.
Paul and Peter in Rome
Both Apostle Paul and Peter established the early church in Rome. Paul rented a house for a full two years in Rome and welcomed anyone who wanted to hear God’s message. (Acts 28:30)
4. Paul’s calling unique among the twelve
Paul was not part of the original twelve disciples. The eleven apostles chose to fill Judas’ place (Acts 1:20). For days, they united in prayer (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:12-15) and acted on the leading of the Holy Spirit. They chose Matthias.
Matthias was the 12th apostle, and Paul would be the last apostle. False teachers who claim to be “apostles of Jesus.”
Paul did not meet Jesus in person; he was not part of the original 12 apostles (Mark 3:14-15). His calling as an apostle was unique because Paul received God’s revelation and mystery through “direct revelation.”
Ephesians 3:3
As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.
WHICH CHURCH IS THE TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS?
5. Paul is the most influential theologian of all
Martin Luther, who sparked the protestant reformation, was a professor of moral theology. He received revelation from God while studying the book of Romans. Much of our Christian theology today comes from Apostle Paul.
French theologian John Calvin, a reformer in Geneva, Switzerland, said, “To understand the Book of Romans is to understand the gospel.” Paul’s message in the book of Romans centers on justification by faith alone.
Much of our theology today comes from Apostle Paul.
6. Most important theologian of the early church
Brilliant and knowledgeable, Paul was a student of Gamaliel, an esteemed teacher of Jewish law, and an elder of the Sanhedrin (Acts 22:3). The rest of the apostles did not have formal education except Matthew, Luke, and Joseph of Arimathea.
Paul’s knowledge of spiritual truths were direct revelations from the Holy Spirit. Paul clearly implied that he spent three years being taught by Jesus Himself. (Galatians 1:12)
The letters of Paul were endearing, but they also corrected false doctrines that crept the churches. He was the quintessential apologist.
Galatians 1:11–12
Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
Paul is the quintessential apologist.
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