Saint Paul

Dear mother, 

    Over this period of time I went on series of journeys. On my first journey I was accompanied by Barnabas and John. We sailed to Cyprus and proclaimed the word of God in the synagogue there. I preformed a miracle and convinced a magician how these were truly the teachings of the Lord. We went to Perga and sadly John returned to Jerusalem. There I explained that those who fear God should not doubt for He has given so much. Many Jews followed me but some were very jealous and contradicted what I was saying. The Gentiles heard and were proud and spread the word through the region. But then the Jews got angry and drove Baranbas and I out of the region. We stayed in Iconium for a long time spreading the word and got some to side with us. Then the Jews tried to stone us so we fled. We then went to Lystra where we performed some miracles and resisted my message to fight the good fight. Later the Jews stoned me and dragged me out thinking I was dead and the disciples surrounded me until I got back up. After that I left with Barnabas and head to Derbe to proclaim the word and encouraged them to continue the faith.

     On my second journey I traveled with Silas and Timothy. We went town to town spreading the word and interpreting my message to steer away from false teachings and know the one and only truth. I had a couple visions from God telling me to spread the news so I followed what he told me and went to Macedonia. Then I met a slave girl and freed her from her owner who seized Silas and I and dragged us to be stripped naked and beaten by rods. Then we got sent to prison but a earthquake struck and made the prison guard believe it was his fault that all the prisoners escaped. So I cleaned him up, cooked for him and spoke the word. After that him and his household became believers in God. I visited many synagogues after that and persuaded devout Greeks and Athenians and got them to join me and become believers. When the Jews heard about this they got jealous and caused an uproar in the marketplaces. Once the uproar finally seized I left and then baptized Crispus and his household along with the Corinthians who heard of the word.

     During my third journey I came to Ephesus and found the disciples. i asked if they were aware of the Holy Spirit within them and baptized them all. I ended up speaking in the synagogue there for three months, but left with the disciples after the people refused to believe. I then traveled to Tyrannus and performed some miracles. While doing all this I tried to keep encouraging the people to fight the good fight. After a period of time, we traveled to Asia. There, I stayed alone while the disciples went of to other lands. During my time here, there was a huge uproar and I sent for the disciples and left for Macedonia. Here I preached and gave the believers encouragement and soon enough I was on my way to Greece. Sadly, a plot was made against me, and I made my way back to Macedonia where i continued to spread my message.

    On this journey, I sailed to Italy where I was transferred along with some prisoners to a centurion named Julius. The next day, we put in at Sidon where I was thankfully treated kindly. As we sailed through Myra in Lycia, we found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and were transferred on it. The ship came to a place called Fair Havens, where I advised them to stop, but no one would listen! As the wind changed, the ship got caught and began to give way. Thankfully, we ran under the lee of a small island and gained control. The next day came and we were unfortunately pounded by the storm and were forced to throw our cargo over board. We had lost all hope when the sky was dark for many days. Everyone was starving, but i reminded them to be patient and not worry because God would not let us starve. Finally, on the fourteenth night we saw land. We set the anchors down, but no one could get off the boat for then they would not be saved. Throughout all of these journeys, I tried to Keep reminding Gods people to remember and practice the rules of our faith and to continue to fight for it. It was a long journey, but in the end I know it was worth it.

Missing you everyday,

Dear Holy Cross Community, 

    You must ensure that certain people do not any different doctrines. We must also ensure that they do not occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations instead of our faith.  Those who do this, do it out of love and good conscience but some turn towards meaningless talk and desire to be teachers of law without an understanding of what they are teaching. We know that the law is good but only if used right. We must understand that law is meant for the disobedient and not for the innocent.

    We must be grateful for Jesus' strengthening and mercy even though we have done wrong. Follow these instructions to fight the good fight and to have faith and a good conscience because rejecting your good conscience can result in a shipwreck. For example, Hymenaus and Alexander who I turned over to Satan to learn not to blaspheme.

   Prayer is meant for everyone so that they can be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. I wrote these instructions because if I am somehow delayed you may know how one should behave in the household of God and the mystery of our religion is great. Some may change the faith through deceitful spirits and the devil. Although, everything created by God is good and will not be rejected if you receive it with thanks. 

    Put these instructions before all and you will be a good servant to the Lord. Have nothing to do with myths and old wise tales and let no one despise your mouth. Put all this into practice and devote yourself to them for all to see your progress. Honor widows who are over the age of 60 and respect all elders. Honor all elders who rule well especially those who labor in teaching. Never accuse an elder unless there are two or more witnesses. Do not be afraid to indulge in a small amount of wine for it helps your stomach and frequent ailments.

     Teach and urge these duties and if someone teaches otherwise, they are just searching for controversy. Think about our true riches, how we brought nothing into the world so we could bring nothing out of it. Those of us who want to be rich often fall into temptation and get trapped. The love of money is a route to all kinds of evil and those who are eager to be rich often wonder away from our faith.

     We must fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life. Those of us who are currently rich must be commanded not to be haughty. Instead, they should set their hopes on God who will richly provide us with everything. We are encouraged to store up the treasure of a good foundation for the future so we can really live life. Guard what has been entrusted to you and avoid chatter and contradictions. By professing this some have missed the mark in regards to our faith.   

Go forth and spread the word of the Lord

Sincerely,

On the fourteenth night we thought we were near land but we were scared that we might run on the rocks, so we let down our anchors. The sailors tried to escape but I would not let them " Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved". I urged them to take food since it was the fourteenth day and we were starving. We took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread and ate. We then lightened the ship by throwing the left over wheat into the sea.

Next we went to Caesarea and went to the house of Philip the evangelist. Then a prophet named Agabus came to us, took my belt and bound his hands and feet then spoke. When we heard this they all argued me to not go to Jerusalem but I replied saying that not only I will be bound but I will die in Jerusalem in the name of the Lord. 

I do not want to waste any more time because I want to visit Jerusalem as soon as possible so here is a letter to the elders in Ephesus.