Final answer:
The greatest missionary of the New Testament is often regarded as St. Paul, also known as Saul prior to his conversion. After his transformation, Paul became a key evangelist for Christianity, extending its reach beyond the Jewish population and shaping its early doctrine through his extensive missionary work and epistles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Greatest Missionary of the New Testament
The student asked who was considered the greatest missionary of the New Testament. According to Christian texts and religious scholars, that title is often given to St. Paul, who was originally named Saul. Paul was a Jewish leader who experienced a profound conversion on the road to Damascus, which is recounted in Acts 9:1-2; 9:5-6. After his conversion, Paul became the foremost Christian evangelist, spreading the message of Jesus Christ far beyond the Holy Land and reaching out to Gentiles, inviting them to join the new faith. His work greatly influenced the early spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, and he is revered for his missionary journeys, epistles, and devotion to the Christian teachings.
Paul's efforts as an apostle, a term derived from the Greek 'apostolos' meaning 'one sent' or 'messenger', were crucial in establishing early Christian communities, such as the one at Ephesus, where he is known to have spread the Christian faith. Paul is also credited with shaping much of the Christian doctrine through his letters, which form a significant portion of the New Testament. While he was not one of the original twelve apostles, nor did he ever meet Jesus during his lifetime, Paul's role in expanding Christianity and his influence on its theology have earned him the recognition as the greatest missionary of the New Testament era.