The Apostle Paul, a contemporary but slightly younger than Jesus, is undoubtedly the most prominent propagator of Christianity. His influence on Christian theology is clearly the most solid, far-reaching of all other Christian writers and thinkers.
After the "death" of Jesus, Christians were considered dissidents and were therefore severely beaten. At first Paul was involved, but on the way to Damascus in his eyes he seemed to imagine Jesus talking to him and immediately Paul converted to Christianity. This was an important turning point in his personal life. If he used to be a Christian leader and thug, now he has become the most persistent and influential propagator and advocate for the interests of the Christian religion.
Paul spent the rest of his life writing and deepening Christianity. and won many followers flocking to Christianity. During his missionary activities he traveled here and there frequently, both to Asia Minor, Greece, Syria and Palestine. Facing the Jews Paul was not too successful, even more often caused opposition and in many cases his life was often threatened. Preaching against non-Jews, Paul was very prominent and achieved great success so that he was often given the nickname "Apostle of the Gentiles." No one can surpass Paul's greatness in spreading Christianity.
After completing three long journeys to spread religion in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, Paul returned to Darussalam. What a shame, when he arrived he was secured and taken to Rome to face trial. History does not clearly record how the trial ended, and it is not even clear whether he was ever able to leave Rome. Finally, it is estimated that in 64 AD Paul was killed near the city of Rome.
Paul's influence in the development of Christianity can be measured in three ways. First, his great success in spreading the religion. Second, his writings that make up important parts of the New Testament. Third, his role in the development of Christian theology.
Of the 27 books of the New Testament, no less than 14 are attributed to Paul. Although modern scholars believe that 4 or 5 of these books were written by others, there is no doubt that Paul was the most important person to personally write the New Testament.
Paul's influence on Christian theology is truly indescribable. His ideas include the following: Jesus was not only an impressive prophet but also a holy one. Jesus died for our sins and his suffering can set us free. Man cannot free himself from sin by simply trying to keep the commandments of the Gospel, but only by accepting Jesus wholeheartedly. Conversely, if man accepts and believes in Jesus, all his sins will be forgiven. Paul also explains his doctrines on the subject of sin (see Romans 5:12:19).
Since obedience to the law alone is not enough to guarantee freedom, Paul asserted that it was useless to embrace Christianity while still insisting on Jewish restrictions on what could and could not be eaten, and that it was useless to still practice the Mosaic rules or to be circumcised. How strongly the Christian leaders of the time opposed Paul's opinion on this point. And if their attitude had spread widely, it is doubtful that Christianity would have spread so quickly throughout the Roman Empire.
Paul never married, although there is no way to prove it, it is clear that Paul never had sexual relations with women. His views on sex and women were tied to scripture, because it had a great influence on his attitudes later on. His famous argument in this regard is contained in (I Corinthians 7:8-9) which reads: "I appeal to the unmarried and the widows that it is good for them if they obey my advice and follow my example. But if they cannot endure, let them marry; for in any case it is better to marry than to be burned."
Paul also had a firm stance on the proper status of women: “Let the women learn whatever they want in secret, and I do not mind if they teach or for some reason have authority over the men, as long as it is in secret. For Adam brought Eve into existence.” (I Timothy 2:11-13). A firmer stance is also expressed in I Corinthians 11:7-9. Indeed, Paul’s words had already become the opinions of many of his contemporaries. What is important to note is that Jesus himself never made similar statements.
Paul, more than any other person, was responsible for the transformation of Christianity from a Jewish sect to a major world religion. His central ideas about the sanctity of Jesus and confession by faith alone remained the foundation of Christian thought throughout the centuries that followed.
Later all Christian theologians, including Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin, were all influenced by Paul's writings. Paul's influence was so profound that many scholars believe that Paul was the founder of Christianity, and not Jesus. Of course, this assumption is too much. Whatever the case, let's say Paul's influence cannot be compared with Jesus, who is certainly far greater than any other Christian thinker.
Source
The One Hundred Most Influential Figures in History Michael H. Hart, 1978 Translated by H. Mahbub Djunaidi, 1982 PT. Dunia Pustaka Jaya Jln. Kramat II, No. 31A Central Jakarta.