Final answer:
Paul viewed himself as a preacher of Christianity, spreading the teachings of Christ with the aim of guiding people toward salvation and holiness. His contributions significantly shaped the early Christian Church and its teachings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paul considered himself as a preacher and messenger of Christianity, tasked with spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. He identified his mission as one of reclamation, guiding people away from sin towards salvation, faith, and knowledge of holiness, as reflected in his speeches and the trials he faced, such as being sent to prison for his teachings by the proconsul. Paul's own conversion experience on the road to Damascus was a pivotal moment in his life, leading him to become one of the most influential figures in the establishment and spread of Christianity to the Greco-Roman world through cities like Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, and Rome. His epistles to these cities form a significant part of the New Testament and illustrate his view of himself as an apostle and evangelist and his critical role in the early church.