Bible Question:
Who was Paul and what is the letter to the Thessalonians about? |
Bible Answer: Greetings RoseS! Here is a post written by Prayon on Thu 04/26/01, 10:09pm for a biography on the apostle Paul... "Paul is one of my favorites. He was born in Tarsus as a Jew. It was Paul, who was called Saul at that time, who passionately hated Christians and persecuted them unmercifully. He went to the high priest and asked permission to bring them bound to Jerusalem. It was because of Saul that the Christians scattered and the gospel began to spread world wide. While on his was to Damascus a bright light from heaven shined around him and he fell to the ground and was blinded. Jesus then asked him why he persecuted him so. Jesus sent him to on tho Damascus to a disciple named Ananias. Ananias after a word from the Lord healed Saul. He got up and was baptised at that time. He stayed several days with the disciples, dedicated his life to Christ, and boldly started preaching the gospel, however it did take some time for people to trust him again. The Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him so the other disciples let him down over the wall in a basket. He traveled all over as a missionary and taught the gospel to thousands upon thousands. Until Paul was converted little was done about carrying the gospel to the non-Jews. He preached in Rome 3 times. He was a tentmaker by trade and very strong willed but always obedient to Christ. He wrote most of the NT epistles. Paul was believed to of been, according to tradition, beheaded after a imprisonment in Rome about 62 AD." Yes, Paul wrote both 1 and 2 Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians was written to encourage the new converts in their trials (3:3-5), to give instruction concerning Godly living (4:1-8), to urge some not to neglect daily work (4:11-12) and to give assurance concerning the future of believers who die before Christ returns (4:13,15). 2 Thessalonians was written to encourage persecuted believers (1:4-10), to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living (2:13-3:15) and to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord's return (2:1-12). I hope this helps! Nolan |