St Paul
St Paul, original name Saul (d. c. 67 AD). New Testament figure. Brought up as a strict Jew and educated under the rabbi Gamaliel, he later directed the persecution of Christians. His encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus converted him to Christianity. Paul carried out much of his teaching ministry, which was undertaken alongside his trade as a. tentmaker, on his missionary journeys through Asia and into Europe. His letters form part of the New Testament and express in lasting form the implications of the Christian gospel.