Paul
The bauble figurine represents Saint Paul and it is a part of a collection of educational Christmas balls named “New Testament”. It is designed to be hung on a Christmas Tree or exposed on a display stand.
Saint Paul is presented with a sword and a scroll. There is also a wolf at his feet.
Attributes
A sword
The sword relates to the martyr’s death by decapitation.
A scroll
The scroll indicates that Saint Paul was an author of Epistles.
A wolf
The wolf reminds us of a message left by Paul to Ephesians. He warned that predatory wolves would appear among them and they would try to undermine the foundations of the new faith.
What do we remember from the life of Saint Paul:
- Saul was a Jew and also a citizen of Rome and he was brought up in a wealthy family
- he was one of Pharisees and he was a fierce enemy of Christians
- he did nothing but looking at the stoning of Saint Stephen- the first martyr of Christianity
- he heard a voice of Jesus Christ on his road to Damascus, after that he was blinded for three days and this is when he converted
- since then he was an eager preacher of the Gospel, he was preaching in the synagogues and at the markets
- he cured the sick and revived the dead ones
- he went on a few long-standing missionary journeys in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor
- Lucas the Evangelist was his disciple
- Paul was a supporter of baptising the pagans (non-Jews)
- because of his missionary activity, he had some problems with the law that ended up in a prison or under house arrest. Once he was stoned but he survived
- He died a martyr’s death by decapitation in Rome
- it is said that the head of the saint bounced off the pavement three times and in all those places where the head touched the ground a spring emerged.. Now the place is called “St Paul at the Three Fountains“
- he is an author of thirteen epistles, including the famous First Corinthians with the Hymn of Charity.
Saint Paul is described as The Apostle of the Nations, although he was not one of the Twelve Apostles or even a Jesus’ disciple. The name Paul, meaning ‘small’, he took after his conversion and baptising to emphasise that he is unworthy- before his name was Saul.
Saint Paul was born in a Jewish family of Roman citizenship and his name then was Saul.
He was a few years younger than Jesus. His high social status let him study Tor and join the Pharisees who used to obey the law very strictly. At that time Saul was a staunch enemy of nascent Christianity.
As a young man he watched the stoning of Saint Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity, and did nothing about it. Instead, he guarded the clothes of the tormentors who took them off in order not to make them dirty with dust and blood.
It is assumed that he is an author of thirteen epistles that are included in New Testament.
What does the Bible tell us about Saint Paul:
As a young man he watched idly the stoning of Saint Stephen: “..dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” [Acts 7, 58]
He actively persecuted Christians: “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” [Acts 8, 3]
After the revelation on the way to Damascus, Paul was blinded and then at Jesus command healed and baptised by Ananias: “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.” [Acts 9, 15-18]
He worked miracles on his journeys- he healed and revived: “Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.” [Acts 20, 9-12]
He is an author of the Hymn of Charity: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” [1 Corinthians 13, 1]
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