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I realize Paul is a key historical figure in Christianity, but I have been wondering just how Paul impacted the growth and development of the early Church...and how that in turn helped to shape the Church we have today. How did his travels, letters, and theology impact this? Any help in my studies would be very much appreciated. Thanks!!

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"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Is this a class assignment of some sort???

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Blessings,
Randy
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Not for a class assignment, no. I am working on other class projects though and a good understanding of Paul's impact on the Church would be very beneficial. Even from a personal standpoint, I would love to learn more.

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"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Besides direct influence, he also indirectly influenced the church through the other apostles. If it were not for Paul, James might not have clarified the gentile believers' relationship to the law in Acts 15.

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Andrew Bernhardt
"Salvation costs me nothing. Discipleship costs me everything."
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You may want to refer to Acts 11 where Paul and Barnabas stayed for a whole year in Antioch teaching believers. You may also want to refer to his missionary travels from Acts 13. You may want to take a long look at the church in Antioch of Syria also called Antioch on the Orantes River. Antioch was a very prominent church during apostolic times especially after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Some sources you may want to consider: F.F. Bruce, "New Testament History," Kenneth Latourette, "History of Christianity," and Philip Schaff's church history.

Most of my reading time to this point has been:
1-Eusebius, The History of the Church highly recommended
2-Powell Davies, The First Christian fascinating but disturbing
3-Igino Giordani, St Paul, Apostle and Martyr good
4-William Barclay, The Letter to the Romans good
5-Oswald Sanders, Paul the Leader not recommended
From Acts and Paul's Letters it seems clear that Paul played a major role in reducing the Christian sense of direct, literal obligation to adhere to much of the Jewish Law. It is tragic that so much of our history was destroyed in the dreadful persecution of the church, but fascinating that almost every day new discoveries are being made. I think its most important to consider that there was almost no way for the Apostles to effectively communicate among themselves during their ministries, which is why the few letters that we have are so incredibly important.
After reading some of the lives of Saints (I think Delaney is one of the best), and visiting some of the Roman catacombs, I think Paul's views about eating the meat of pagan sacrifices are fascinating--I wonder if he would have forgiven apostates--it is difficult to imagine the dreadful conditions of the early church.
I have on the shelf to read , but not yet started:
Krister Stendahl, Paul Among the Jews and Gentiles
Leonard Foley, Sincerely Yours, Paul