Saint Paul’s letters to various churches in the middle east are still read in the liturgy and his teachings have long been a part of catholic philosophy. Even up until the 1950’s women and girls wore hats and veils as head coverings to mass as advocated by him. Likewise, the question of the celibacy of focal figures which was an argument at the time. He felt celibacy was preferable but only just. He followed Peter as a focal leader, Silas was another contemporary.
Paul seemingly wanted to wipe the slate clean of the current religion, which was Judaism. Probably not popular, and a bone of contention between himself and James, thought to be brother of Jesus, who wanted to add certain principles to Judais; believed to be to take care of the poor and needy, as James was stoned to death for his socialist values. Believed to be instigated by the pharisees, local priests. Israel’s way of dealing with insurgence.
According to historical reports, Paul’s father was a pharisee. Pharisees are believed to have intermarried with the Greeks during the Greek empire, as Greek policy, and seemingly had befriended the romans so as to continue as priests. Paul was a roman citizen which had certain benefits. He was anti-Christian, known to believers as The Way, until he had a spiritual experience. He became a christian, though suzeraine. He became a leader, being high born, but remained anti-Jewish, which meant christianity didn’t really take off in Israel, or Palestine as it was known at the time.
According to reports the new movement was illegal and Paul was imprisoned by roman authorities. On being released he is said to have travelled to Rome. In Rome, followers of the movement were imprisoned in underground caves. History records that Paul was beheaded in Rome as per roman law for roman citizens. Jesus was crucified as per roman law for non-roman citizens.