How Important Was Paul in the Spread of Early Christianity?
It would be hard to overestimate the importance of Paul in the spread of first century Christianity. His ability to work and suffer for Christ was without parallel (1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). His influence was second only to that of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). His writings that were inspired of the Holy Spirit are more numerous and have more powerfully directed the course of human thought and action than any others. Peter, a great apostle though he was, was confronted by Paul once because he walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:11-14), but who ever confronted Paul because he was to be blamed for anything? In every area of activity, Paul cast a longer shadow than any other disciple or apostle (1 Corinthians 15:10). He who was once the scourge of the church became the surge of the church. He was remarkably changed from a persistent persecutor to the great apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 22:4-5; Romans 11:13). The Gospel was preach
