Paul, also famous for calling Saul, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia (now Turkey), a couple of years before the arrival of the Christian era. Although a Roman citizen, he was born a Jew, pendalam Hebrew in youth and in-depth education about all Yahudian, he also learned a trade and make camp. As a teenage boy, he went to work under the guidance Darussalam pastor Gamaliel, a famous Jewish teacher. Although Paul and Isa unison in Darussalam at the time, but it is very doubtful the two never met.
After the "passing away" of Jesus, Christians are regarded as dissidents and hence thrashing it out. At first Paul participated hit, but the Damascus road in his eyes as if he imagined Jesus spoke to him and soon Paul entered the Nazarenes. This is an important turning point in his personal life. If once so] clouds and artisan gebuk Christians, he now turned into a spreader and most persistent advocate and the most influential in the interests of Christianity.
Paul spent the rest of his life to writing and deepen Christianity. and won many adherents flocked entered Christianity. During his preaching activities he travels to and fro as often, either to Asia Minor, Greece, Syria and Palestine. Faced with the Jews Paul is not exceedingly successful, even more often create conflict and in many peritiwa soul often threatened. Sermon facing non-Jews, Paul teramatlah prominence and gained great success so often he was given the nickname "Apostle of the Gentiles." Nobody could surpass the greatness of Paul in the spread of Christianity.
After completing three times the long journey to spread religion in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, Paul returned to Darussalam. What is immoral, so to so secured, and carried off to Rome to justice. History is not so clear how the ends of the court noted that, even not also clear whether he has since been able to leave Rome. Finally, an estimated 64 AD Paul was killed near the city of Rome.
The influence of Paul in the development of Christianity can be measured by three things. First, his great success in spreading the religion. Second, the writings that make up the important parts of the New Testament. Third, its role in the development of Christian theology.
Of the 27 books of the New Testament, no less than 14 are connected with services Paul. Although modern scientists believe 4 or 5 books of 14 was written by someone else, but no doubt that the most important person in private Paullah wrote the New Testament.
The influence of Paul in the field of Christian theology really unimaginable magnitude. His ideas included the following matters: Jesus was not just a prophet impressive but also sacred. Jesus died for our sins and suffering can set us free. Man can not escape from sin just by trying to execute the commands contained in the Gospels, but only by way of receiving Jesus fully. Conversely, if people accept and believe in Jesus, all his sins will be forgiven. Paul also explains the doctrines concerning about sin (see Romans 5: 12:19).
Because of legal compliance alone is not enough to ensure freedom, Paul asserted that there was no point embraced Christianity while still insisting on the matter of boundaries Jews what can be eaten and what is not, and it's useless if they practice the rules of Moses or still circumcised. How Christian leaders at that time strongly opposed Paul's opinion in this respect. And if their attitude is widespread, it is doubtful Christianity could develop so quickly throughout the Roman Empire.
Paul never married, although there is no way to prove it, obviously Paul never held intercourse with a woman. Views on sex and women are bound by scripture, because it brings a major influence on his attitudes behind today. The proof for that is famous in this regard contained in (I Corinthians 7: 8-9) which reads: "proclaim to men who are not married and widows is good for them if they abide petuahku and menyontoh particulars myself. But if they can not survive , let them marry because after all it is still better to marry than burn. "
Paul also had a firm stance on the status of women eligible: "Let the women learn anything in secret, and I do not feel worried when they teach or because of one thing and another master men, if only to privately silent. because for Adamlah which led to Eve. " (I Timothy 2: 11-13). More assertive stance also argued in I Corinthians 11: 7-9. Indeed, the words Paul had been a lot of his contemporary opinion. What needs to be noted is Jesus himself never performed with such statements.
Paul, more than anyone else, is responsible for the transition of Christianity from a Jewish sect into a major world religion. The central idea of the sanctity of Jesus and recognition based on trust alone remains is the foundation of Christian thought throughout the centuries that followed.
Later all Christian theologians, including Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin, are all influenced by the writings of Paul. Paul was so profound influence to the extent that many scholars believe Paul was the one who became the founder of Christianity, and instead Isa. Of course, this assumption is exceedingly exaggerated. After all, Paul put the effect can not be equated with Jesus, who is certain he is far more powerful than any that Christian thinkers as well.
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Hundred Most Influential People in History
Michael H. Hart, 1978
Translation H. Mahbub Djunaidi, 1982
PT. World Pustaka Jaya
Jln. Kramat II, No. 31A
Central Jakarta