He was originally called Saul; born in the city of Tarsus. He is considered the most important figure in Christianity, after Jesus. He was a Jew from an important and rich family. He began to receive rabbinical training by the age of 14. He was raised in a rigid way, in accordance with the standards of the Pharisees, the dominant religion at that time. He was taught to develop racial pride, which was peculiar to the Jews of those days.
         When he moved to Jerusalem to become one of the chief priests of the Temple of Solomon, he was faced with a newcomer sect within Judaism that was contrary to the principal Pharisaic teachings. He was extreme loyal to his faith and felt deeply offended by this sect, whose name was Christianity. He began to chase this religion, culminating in the death of Stephen, Greek Deacon and Christian preacher, who was the first martyr of Christianity.
         In the year 32 AD, two years after Jesus’ crucifixion, Saul travelled to Damascus to persecute Christian followers, especially one called Barnabas. Jesus appeared to him in Spirit at the entrance of the city and asked: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul was struck blind. He was then taken to the city; after a few days his sight was restored by Ananias of Damascus, who was asked to cure him. Once he was able to see again, he converted to Christianity and changed his name to Paul. Paul, thereafter, became the "Apostle of the Gentiles", i.e., one sent to spread the Gospel to the non-Jewish people.
         In 34 AD, he was led by Barnabas to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and James, the main Christian community leaders at the time. He preached in the Jordan Valley, Syria and Cilicia for 16 years after his conversion. He was especially persecuted by the Jews, who considered him a great betrayer. He underwent four major missionary journeys: in 46-48 DC, 49-52 DC, 53-57 DC and 59-62 DC. In the last one he went to Rome as a prisoner to be trialled, and never returned to Judea.
         He certainly wrote numerous letters, but only 14 of them survived. They are called the Pauline Epistles. Paul transmitted to the Christian community and to his disciples, through his letters, a fervent faith in Jesus Christ, in His death and resurrection. There’s a fundamental factor that add to his faith: his temperament; he was passionate, energetic, active, courageous and also capable of expressing elevated and poetic ideas. In the year 64 AD, he was killed by the Roman legions after the great fire of Rome, during Nero’s persecution of the Christians.