28/06/2023
Apostle Lent
Knowing the Apostles:
An initiative by Mar Gregorios OCYM, Gandhinagar
Day 13
St. Paul: The Apostle to Gentiles
Prepared by Ayush Shailu
"To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8)
St. Paul, although not originally one of the Twelve Apostles, was chosen by God as an apostle during his transformative encounter on the road to Damascus. As an early Christian missionary, he played a vital role in the dissemination of Jesus Christ's teachings. This important contribution is acknowledged by the inclusion of a thirteenth day dedicated to St. Paul, alongside the twelve apostles, in the apostle lent commemoration.
Born as Saul in the city of Tarsus, the holy apostle belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Pharisee and received education under the esteemed Rabbi Gamaliel, a prominent figure in Jewish teaching. He became a fierce persecutor of Christians, even witnessing the stoning of St. Stephen (Acts 7:58). But on the road to Damascus, he encountered Jesus Himself, resulting in his temporary blindness (Acts 9:1-22). Ananias, an Apostle, sought out Saul and facilitated his repentance and baptism. Saul, soon after his apostolic camping, was called Paul and was subsequently named and included among the Apostles. He collaborated closely with the Evangelist Luke. Following his conversion, Paul embarked on extensive journeys across the Mediterranean, establishing churches and composing letters to various Christian communities.
The epistles written by Paul, some of which are included in the New Testament, hold great significance in Christian literature. These letters are regarded as highly important texts within the faith. Paul's teachings focused on the importance of faith in Jesus Christ and the unity of all believers in Him. He earned the title of the "Apostle to the Gentiles" due to his mission to spread the Gospel to non-Jewish populations (Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:8, 1 Timothy 2:7). Throughout his life, Paul endured hardships and toiled for the sake of Christ. His spiritual journey led him to a state of profound perfection, allowing him to declare to the Galatian Church: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). Paul's teachings on the concepts of grace and salvation through faith have had a profound impact on the development of Christian theology. Additionally, Paul played a crucial role in the early Church's endeavors to bridge the gap between Jewish and Gentile believers, working towards establishing a sense of unity and harmony within the faith community.
Despite facing numerous challenges and hardships, Paul remained unwavering in his commitment to his mission and faith until the end of his life. Alongside his missionary work, Paul also utilized his skill as a tentmaker to support himself financially while traveling. He encountered various obstacles, including imprisonment, beatings, and even shipwrecks. However, these trials did not deter him from proclaiming the Gospel and sharing his faith. Paul's unwavering dedication and influential contributions have solidified his status as one of the most significant figures in the history of Christianity. His writings continue to be studied and interpreted by scholars and believers worldwide, leaving an enduring impact on the development and understanding of the Christian faith. St. Paul met his martyrdom under Nero, being beheaded. The Church commemorates St. Paul together with St. Peter on June 29th, recognizing their enduring legacy.
