# Paul, The Apostle Of Christ, Sorely Persecuted, And Finally Beheaded, At Rome, Under The Emperor Nero, A. D. 69. · Page 1 of 5

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BEHEADING OF PAUL.

Saul, afterwards called Paul, was of Jewish descent,
a Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin; but,
as to who his father and mother were, we find in
Holy Writ no record. Phil. 3:5.

As regards the place of his birth, it appears that
his parents, either on account of persecution, or of
the Roman war, or for some other reason, left their
place of residence in the portion of Benjamin, and
went to dwell in a Roman, free city in Cilicia, called
Tarsus, where Paul was born, who, although he
was a Jew, yet, by the privileges of this city, became
a Roman citizen. Acts 22:3.

Respecting his early training, he was diligently
instructed by the wise Gamaliel, in the law of the
fathers; in which he became so proficient, that there
were but few things in the entire Old Testament,
with which he was not acquainted. Gal. 1:14.

He lived blamelessly, according to the law of
Moses and the holy prophets, and that in the
strictest order of Judaism; but, having not yet been
rightly instructed in the doctrine of the holy gospel,
he, although in accordance with the law, manifested
a wrong zeal, and persecuted the church of
Christ; yea, at the death of Stephen he kept the
garments of them that slew him. Acts 7:58.

But afterwards, having obtained letters from the
priests at Jerusalem to the synagogues of Damascus,
to bring as prisoners such men and women who
confessed the name of Christ, the Lord, from heaven,
80
arrested him in his course, calling, “Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art
thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against
the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said,
Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the
Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city,
and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Acts
9:1–6.

The men who journeyed with him stood speechless,
hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Then he
arose from the earth, to which he had been prostrated
by fear; and when he opened his eyes, he
could not see, so that they led him by the hand,
and brought him into Damascus. Verse 7,8.

In the city of Damascus there was a disciple,
named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a
vision, “Arise, and go into the street which is
called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas
for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he
prayeth.

Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard by many
of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy
saints at Jerusalem.”

Then said the Lord to him, “Go thy way: for
he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel: for I will shew him how great things he
must suffer for my name’s sake.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the
house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother
Saul, the Lord hath sent me, that thou mightest
receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had
been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and
arose, and was baptized.” Acts 9:7–16.

Such was the conversion of Saul, who was afterwards
called Paul, and was one of the chief apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ: yea, he labored more
abundantly than they all. 1 Cor. 15:10.

Immediately after his conversion, he preached
Christ in the synagogues, that he was the Son of
God. Acts 9:20.

Some time afterwards, the Holy Ghost said to
the prophets and teachers at Antioch, after they
had ministered to the Lord with fasting and prayer,
“Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them.” And thus they
were sent out by the Holy Ghost. Acts 13:2,3.

In the meantime, Paul, formerly called Saul, was
endowed with special gifts of the Holy Ghost, so
that he had the spirit of discernment, prophecy,
tongues, miracles. Acts 13:9,10; 1 Tim. 4:1;
1 Cor. 14:18; Acts 19:11.

He had also special revelations, so that, at a
certain time, he was caught up to the third heaven,
yea, into the heavenly paradise, where he heard unspeakable
words, which no man can utter. 2 Cor.
12:1.

He was, moreover, adorned with many Christian
virtues, which he practiced with a good conscience;
as well as with faithfulness in his ministry, paternal
care over all the churches, and sincere love for them,
even unto death, so that he said, “Being affectionately
desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted
unto you, not the gospel of God only, but
also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
1 Thess. 2:8.

![Illustration from Martyrs’ Mirror](/sources/martyrs-mirror/images/i0159.jpg)

## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#i0159)

[Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855)

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