After the apostle Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:11), was saved, he immediately began preaching about Jesus (Acts 9:20–21). His conversion story is miraculous and recorded in several places in the New Testament (Acts 9:1–19; 22:3–16; 26:12–18; and 1 Corinthians 15:8–9). Paul began a traveling ministry, planting numerous churches in the name of Christ. When he was not present with the churches, he still cared for them by writing letters of encouragement and teaching. He was like a father to those churches, correcting them and showing them the right way to follow Christ and love one another (1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12). Paul wrote thirteen letters to churches that are included in the New Testament. Some scholars believe it is actually fourteen letters because there is some debate regarding the true author of Hebrews.
This is a chronological list of the letters that Paul wrote in the New Testament:
Galatians (AD 47)
1 and 2 Thessalonians (AD 59—51)
1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans (AD 52—56)
Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians (AD 60—62, Paul wrote these during his first Roman imprisonment)
1 Timothy and Titus (AD 62)
2 Timothy (AD 63—64, during Paul's second Roman imprisonment)
Paul always gave credit to the Holy Spirit for the inspiration behind his writing. The early church, and the apostles, all accepted his letters as words from God, and Jesus Himself also told Paul that he was to be an avenue for God's teachings to reach His people (2 Peter 1:20–21; 3:15–16; Acts 26:16–18). Paul's words are still relevant today because they were given by the Holy Spirit. Paul's words had a huge impact on the early churches, and continue to have an impact on readers to this day.
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