  1. His Birth

    Acts 22:3   I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet
    brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect
    manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

   a. Of the tribe of Benjamin

      Philippians 3:5   Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
      Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews;

  2. A Roman Citizen

    Acts 22:25-28   And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that
    stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
    26. When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take
    heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
    27. Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He
    said, Yea.
    28. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And
    Paul said, But I was free born.
    29. Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and
    the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he
    had bound him.

3. His Family

    a. Father

      Acts 23:6   But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other       Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a
      Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

    b. Sister

      Acts 23:16   And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and
      entered into the castle, and told Paul.

    c. Relatives

      Romans 16:7   Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners,
      who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

      Vs. 11   Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of
      Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

  4. His Education

    Acts 22:3    I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet
    brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect
    manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

  5. His Trade

    Acts 18:1-3   After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
    2. And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy,
    with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from
    Rome:) and came unto them.
    3. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by
    their occupation they were tentmakers.

6. His Religion

    a. A strict Pharisee

      Acts 23:6   But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other
      Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a
      Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

      Galatians 1:14   And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine
      own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

      Philippians 3:5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
      Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

    b. His religious zeal

       Philippians 3:6   Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;

    c. A former persecutor of the Church

      Acts 7: 58.   And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid
      down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

* Paul’s circumcision name was Saul

      Acts 8:1   And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a
      great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all
      scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

      Acts 9:1-2    And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the
      disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
      2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any
      of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto
      Jerusalem.

      Acts 22: 4   And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into
      prisons both men and women.

      Galatians 1:13   For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews'
      religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

        1. God shows mercy to Paul

         1 Timothy 1:13   Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:
         but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

         1 Timothy 1:15-16   This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
         Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
         16. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
         shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe
         on him to life everlasting.

        * Some people think that God won’t forgive their sins; Paul is a wonderful example
           of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

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