St. Paul
2 BCE - 64? CE
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Born Saul and commonly known as Paul the Apostle or Saint Paul, Paul wrote at least seven books in the New Testament (in the form of epistles), with six others being thought of as descended from, though not physically written, by him.
Paul was a Roman and referred to as “Hebrew of the Hebrews” (Phil 3.5). He was zealous in upholding rabbinic teachings as he was a Pharisee (a sect devoted to the traditional). Paul persecuted Christians and became the grand inquisitor, pulling people from their homes to put them in prison for believing in Christianity.
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On his way to Damascus, Paul encountered a vision of Christ. This vision blinded him and told Paul to go to Ananias for healing. Paul converted, and Ananias of Damascus cured his blindness.
Paul became a missionary for Christ and founded and grew many Christian communities. He founded churches across Europe and present-day Turkey. The ultimate apostle, Paul took advantage of his background as a Jew and as a Roman citizen to counsel to both audiences.
