John Sommers

Mr. Campbell

Religion II

12/15/17

Saint Paul

Saint Paul was born in Tarsus, in 10 AD by the name of Saul. Saint Paul grew up in a

family that was Jewish. During his early years of life Saint Paul began to show the type of

lifestyle path he was going on. As a child Saint Paul took part in the stoning of St. Stephen, who

was the first Christian martyr. Saint Paul’s parents had a large impact on why he did a lot of the

things he did. Their family was part of a strict party of Pharisees. This allowed for them to have

high placement in Roman citizenship. Later his parents would be part of planning to persecute

Jesus and put him to death. During the stoning of St. Stephen, he asked God to forgive the people

who were involved. This allowed for St. Paul’s future, if St. Stephen did not do this it is said that

St. Paul would not have been able to conquer many of the things he did in his life.

St. Paul’s conversion began the moment St. Stephen asked God to forgive him. St. Paul’s

true conversion occurred when he was on his trip to Damascus. The trip to Damascus was

intended to be St. Paul trying to get an allowance by the high priest and the Sanhedrin to be

allowed to go capture Christians and put them on trial. While on the journey into Damascus a

great event occurred. St. Paul and his men were surrounded by light, St. Paul arose and became

blinded. Later St. Paul regained his sight, immediately after he was baptized. Following his

baptism St. Paul began to evangelize and his Jewish brothers turned on him. After spending time

with the disciples, God called Paul to the desert of Arabia and he stayed there for two years or

more. While in the desert St. Paul had multiple visions, and encounters with God that was
preparing him to teach the Gospel. The rest of St. Paul’s life was spent traveling and teaching the

Gospel. His writings and actions have allowed a lot of growth and development of the Church.

St. Paul died at the age of 62 in Rome. He is now the patron saint of missionaries,

evangelists, writers, journalists, authors, public workers, rope and saddle makers, and tent

makers. St. Paul has multiple feast days which are on June 29, January 25, February 16, and

November 18

The conversion of St. Paul was something out of the ordinary. It’s so inspiring to know

that a man that killed Christians converted to Christianity and then became a saint. After

converting Saint Paul had many missions, he never gave up and accomplished all of them no

matter what it took. Saint Paul was the most intelligent and influential of the apostles.

I fell that the conversion of St. Paul is important for people to understand. This

conversion shows that God is always present, it’s just the man’s option to believe in him or not.

St. Paul was a terrible man in his early years, that doesn’t mean God wasn’t there because he was

there. God showed himself to St. Paul and allowed him to realize he would have a better life if he

followed him. Any man can change if he finds his relationship with God.

Saint Paul has one of the greatest conversion stories and I believe by learning about him

could help many others believe that no matter what they have done their relationship with God

will always be there.

Dear St. Paul, thank you for the works and impact you have had on

the church. You have allowed many to grow in their faith due to your

conversion. We pray that you help others that are lost convert like you did and

find their love in God. We pray that you help bring guidance to people that

don’t know what their meaning is and save them. In your name. Amen.
 Works Cited

Online, Catholic. “St. Paul - Saints & Angels.” Catholic Online, Catholic Online,

www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=91.

Sanders, E.P. “Saint Paul, the Apostle.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 23

July 2016, www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paul-the-

“St. Paul.” EWTN's Saints and Other Holy People Home, www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/P/stpaul.asp.

“Saint Paul.” Saint Paul, www.catholic-saints.info/patron-saints/saint-paul.htm.

“St Paul Biography.” Biography Online, www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/st-paul.html.

“St. Paul Facts.” Biography, biography.yourdictionary.com/st-paul.

“The Conversion of St. Paul.” Catholic Exchange, 1 Jan. 2017, catholicexchange.com/the-

conversion-of-st-paul.

“Who Is St Paul? Everything You Need to Know.” Saint Paul Profile, St Paul Childhood, Life &

Timeline, www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/st-paul-91.php.