topic_name = The Apostle Paul [[Image:Paul.jpg|thumb|center|200px]] |
subtopics = [[Acts of the Apostles]]
* [[Pauline Epistles]]
}}
Paul (originally Saul) was a critical figure in the early [[Christian]] [[church]]. He was a [[Jew]] who was a [[Roman]] citizen from the city of [[Tarsus]]. He As a [[Pharisee]] he was involved in the persecution of the early Church until his encounter with the resurrected [[Jesus]] on the road to the city of [[Damascus]]. After this he worked tireless at preaching the [[gospel]] to the non-Jewish ([[gentile]]) communities throughout the Roman empire. He wrote many letters to churches in different cities; these letters are included in the [[New Testament]].