My Name is Paul
Chapter 1: A Pharisee of Pharisees I’m Saulos, born in Tarsus, a bustling city in Cilicia. Roman citizenship and a connection to Herod’s family set me apart. From a young age, I was steeped in the Jewish traditions, and my intellect and ambition set me on a clear path. I studied under Gamaliel, one of the most respected rabbis, diving deep into the Law of Moses. At first, my studies had personal motivations. I wanted to win the favor of the high priest's daughter, but when that ended in rejection, I refocused. My ambition grew, and I found my calling alongside the Romans, charged with suppressing the growing movement of a man they viewed as a threat to both Roman rule and Jewish customs. Though the man had been executed, his followers persisted. Underground and resolute, they hoped for a Messiah to overthrow Roman rule. I could not let this challenge remain. When one of these followers was stoned for declaring the man a Messiah, I stood by, pleased with the act. My hatred grew, and...