Topical Encyclopedia The Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is one of the most prominent figures in the New Testament, renowned for his missionary journeys and theological contributions to early Christianity. His life, however, was marked by significant persecution, which he endured with steadfast faith and resilience. These persecutions are documented throughout the Acts of the Apostles and in his epistles, providing insight into the trials faced by early Christians and the strength of Paul's commitment to the Gospel.Stoning at Lystra One of the earliest recorded persecutions Paul faced occurred in Lystra. After healing a man crippled from birth, Paul and Barnabas were initially mistaken for gods. However, the mood quickly turned when Jews from Antioch and Iconium incited the crowd against them. Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city, presumed dead. Yet, he miraculously survived and continued his mission (Acts 14:19-20). Imprisonment in Philippi In Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned after casting out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, which angered her owners. They were beaten with rods and thrown into prison, their feet fastened in stocks. Despite their suffering, they prayed and sang hymns, leading to a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors. This event ultimately led to the conversion of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:22-34). Riots and Accusations in Thessalonica and Berea Paul's preaching in Thessalonica stirred opposition from some Jews, resulting in a riot. The mob accused Paul and his companions of defying Caesar's decrees, claiming there was another king, Jesus. Paul was forced to leave the city under cover of night. In Berea, although initially received with eagerness, the Jews from Thessalonica followed and agitated the crowds, prompting Paul to depart once more (Acts 17:5-14). Confrontations in Corinth and Ephesus In Corinth, Paul faced opposition from the Jewish community, leading to a trial before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia. Gallio dismissed the case, seeing it as a matter of Jewish law rather than a civil offense (Acts 18:12-17). In Ephesus, Paul's success in spreading the Gospel threatened the local economy, particularly the trade of silver shrines of Artemis. This led to a significant uproar, with the city in chaos, though Paul was ultimately protected by his companions and local officials (Acts 19:23-41). Arrest and Trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea Paul's return to Jerusalem marked the beginning of a series of legal challenges. Accused by the Jews of defiling the temple, he was seized and nearly killed by a mob. Rescued by Roman soldiers, Paul was taken into custody, where he faced multiple trials. Before the Sanhedrin, he declared his Pharisaic heritage and belief in the resurrection, causing division among his accusers (Acts 23:6-10). Later, he was transferred to Caesarea, where he defended himself before governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa, asserting his Roman citizenship and right to appeal to Caesar (Acts 24-26). Shipwreck and Imprisonment in Rome En route to Rome, Paul endured a perilous sea voyage, culminating in a shipwreck on the island of Malta. Despite the danger, Paul remained a source of encouragement and leadership, ultimately reaching Rome under guard (Acts 27-28). In Rome, Paul lived under house arrest for two years, continuing to preach the Gospel and write letters to the churches (Acts 28:30-31). Paul's Reflections on Suffering In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul provides a poignant summary of his sufferings: "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea" (2 Corinthians 11:24-25). Despite these hardships, Paul viewed his sufferings as a participation in the sufferings of Christ, a testament to his unwavering faith and dedication to his apostolic mission. Nave's Topical Index Acts 9:16,23-25,29For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Nave's Topical Index Acts 16:19-25 Acts 20:22-24 Acts 21:13,27-33 Acts 22:22-24 Acts 23:10,12-15 Romans 8:35-37 1 Corinthians 4:9,11-13 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 2 Corinthians 6:4,5,8-10 2 Corinthians 11:23-27,32,33 2 Corinthians 12:10 Galatians 5:11 Galatians 6:17 Philippians 1:30 Philippians 2:17,18 Colossians 1:24 1 Thessalonians 2:2,14,15 1 Thessalonians 3:4 2 Timothy 1:12 2 Timothy 2:9,10 2 Timothy 3:11,12 2 Timothy 4:16,17 Library Petilianus Said: "Paul Also, the Apostle, Whilst He was Suffering ... The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ... The Life of St. Paul the Apostle Galatians Chapter iii. 2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan Philippians iii. 10-Jul Persecution Every Christian's Lot Same Subject Continued. Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. Whence it is not Right Either that those of the Clergy who have ... Resources Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical? | GotQuestions.orgDid Paul ever meet Jesus in person? | GotQuestions.org Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Paul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea Paul is Confined in the Fortress Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned Paul is Persecuted by the Jews Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen Paul is Returned to the Fortress Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology" Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin, Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh" Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Paul: His Independence of Character Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus Paul: His Vision and Conversion Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria) Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill Related Terms |
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