St Paul, also known as Paul the Apostle, was a Christian apostle considered one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians. He spread the teachings of Jesus in the first century and is counted amongst the most important figures of the Apostolic Age. Despite being a major figure in the Christian movement, he also had many detractors and enemies and didn’t receive as much respect as apostles Peter and James did. According to the New Testament book, Acts of the Apostles, he was a Pharisee. Before his conversion, he is believed to have participated in the persecution of early Christians and was even present at the martyrdom of St. Stephen. However, following a miraculous experience and a powerful vision, he was forced to renounce his anti-Christianity stance and became a disciple of Jesus Christ. Following this, he was duly baptized and spent several years traveling the world, preaching that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God. In the ensuing years, he founded many Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe. Fourteen books in the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to him. His epistles continue to influence the Protestant and Catholic traditions in many parts of the world.