Paul and the Pauline Epistles

Flashcards about Paul and the Pauline Epistles

Paul's Background and Apostolic Calling

Born in Tarsus, Roman citizen, Pharisee trained under Gamaliel, zealous persecutor of the Church, conversion on the Damascus Road, apostolic authority derived from direct revelation of Christ

Basic Source - Primary Source

Paul's own writings

Secondary Source

Luke gives more explanation of Paul’s life than Paul himself.

Importance of Paul

Greatest apostle or missionary of Jesus Christ, mainly responsible for liberating Christianity from narrow confines of Judaism and making it a universal religion suitable for all cultures and social context, provides the best missionary models for the church in all times, a Christian writer as well as a theologian

Background that influenced Paul’s life

Hellenistic, Gnosticism, Jewish, Roman Citizenship

Hellenistic Background Palestine

Alexander the Great who was a Greek ruled from beginning, 63BC Rome established power over Palestine. But still the Greek culture prevailed (Particularly Greek language and culture NT written in Greek which was the linqua franka(common language) of Greco Roman world

Latin

Official language

Aramic and Hebrew

Religious language

Greek

Cultural language

Gnosticism

They believed that only knowledge could save.

Jewish Background

Man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God

Tarsus

The capital of Cylicia Member of a well to do family who possessed Roman citizenship

Roman Citizenship

It was confined to only free born natives of Rome, It was gradually spread within the empire to include others,

Privileges of Roman citizen

Fair public trial if accused of any crime, Exemption from certain forms of punishment and Protection from summary execution

Seven qualifications of Paul as a blue blooded Jew

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Circumcised on the eighth day

Every Jewish male must undergo circumcision on eighth day in order to become true Israelite

Belonged to people of Israel

People of Israel were truly covenant community of Yahweh

Belonged to the tribe of Benjamin

Saul Jewish name: he was named Saul after the first King of Israel who was from tribe of Benjamin. Paul Greek name

A Hebrew of Hebrews

Term Hebrew was narrower than Israelite or Jew

As to the law a Pharisee

Term Pharisees comes from Hebrew word Paras which means separated. Strict separation from everything that might cause ceremonial or moral impurity, Sabbath law and food restrictions were followed, Giving tithe and offerings, They followed traditions as it is.

Shammai

One law broken is equal to breaking the whole law, Divorce was permitted for trivial reasons

Hillel

Moderate in approach. Divorce permitted only in the case of immoral life. Paul was the student of Gamaliel (from Hillel Group)

As to the zeal a persecutor of the church

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

As to righteousness under the law blameless

Blameless is a standard description of old covenant saints who were exemplary in keeping the Mosaic law

Old covenant saints

They were those who kept the festivals and Sabbaths, tried to put the commandments into practice daily, and offered the proper sacrifices to atone for transgression.

Christian Background

Revelation Experience

Meaning of his revelation

Crucified Jesus, now risen is alone the Lord and Messiah, Eschatological Age has already come

Human history divided into three periods

From Adam to Moses, From Moses to Messiah’, The Messianic Age

Messianic Period

After revelation he understood that Messianic Period has already to come. Justification is a gracious act of God received through faith not by the observance of the law

Salvation

The gospel is opened to both Jews and Gentiles since salvation is through faith and not by the works of the law, Church is the body of Christ which includes both Jews and the Gentiles

CHRISTIAN BACKGROUND

Passionnate Jew against the new faith, would have received information about Jesus and his teachings and that would have led him to persecute the Christian faith

After conversion experience

Paul remained with disciples for some days during that time he gained knowledge of Christian Faith

Acts

Speaks that he was with Aquilla and Priscilla from whom Paul gained more knowledge of Christianity

Paul came to know that

Jesus was born under law, He instituted the Eucharist, He was betrayed, He was crucified, He died and was buried and he raised from the dead, He ascended to heaven,

Paul was a multifaceted person

Jew by Greek, Roman by citizenship, Christian by faith, Apostle, Writer, Theologian

He was also

Preacher Missionary, Church planter

Paul's background on persecuting the church

Least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Paul saw that

The old and the new orders were incompatible

Ancient traditions divided salvation history

Period of chaos, Period of law, Period of Messiah

Paul understanding

Messiah will surpass law but it was impossible for Jesus of Nazereth to be true Messiah

Paul's continued initiative against the church

Yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord

Paul’s Encounter with Christ

Condition of Paul’s heart, Sovereign Plan in Paul’s Conversion

Conversion features

Sudden and unexpected, planned and with a purpose

It was sudden and unexpected

Light from heaven, unexpected

Plan

Chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name

Purpose

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Paul became

Foe of Christ to a friend of Christ, He saw the crucified Christ as the risen Christ, Revelation from God himself

Paul claims towards his ancestors

I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors

Jeremiah

Before I formed you in the womb I consecrated you, I appointed you as a Prophet, I can’t speak for you as I am too young (6)

Paul

But when he had set me apart before I was born to be a minister of Christ

Paul felt that he was the

Least of the apostles

The universal dimension of call

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Pauline Corpus

A collection of letters ascribed to the name of St. Paul

Letters of Paul

Traditionally 13 letters are believed to written by Apostle Paul

How individual letters come to be grouped into a corpus

Individual letters considering of great value for the church were treasured for practical purpose: to read and reflect in a worship service

Genuine Letters

13 letters written by Paul – Muratorian Canon, 10 letters written by Paul excluding Pastoral letters- Marcion Canon

Collection of letters

Paul’s collected letters were published originally in the form of two Papyrus rolls

Two Papyrus rolls

First consisted of 3 letters such as Ephesians, 1&2 Corinthians, Second consisted of 7 letters – Romans, 1&2Thessalonians, Galatians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon

Deutero Pauline Letters

19th Century questions were raised about Pauline authenticity of 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians and Pastoral letters considering them as Deutero Pauline Letters

Deutero Pauline Letters implication

Someone else must have written for Paul

Key Themes in the Pauline Epistles

Justification by Faith, Union with Christ, Sanctification and Christian Living, The Church as the Body of Christ, Eschatology (End Times and Christ's Return)

Key Themes in the Pauline Epistles Cont.

The Role of the Law, Suffering and Glory, Christian Freedom and Responsibility, Spiritual Gifts and Ministry, Ethics and Moral Conduct, Leadership and Church Order (Pastoral Epistles)

Justification by Faith Core Idea

Humans are made right with God not by works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ

Union with Christ Core Idea

Believers are united with Christ in His death, resurrection, and exaltation.

Sanctification and Christian Living Core Idea

Salvation includes ongoing moral transformation by the Holy Spirit.

The Church as the Body of Christ Core Idea

The Church is a living organism, united under Christ and made up of diverse members.

Eschatology (End Times and Christ's Return) Core Idea

Hope in the return of Christ shapes the believer’s present conduct and endurance.

The Role of the Law Core Idea

The Law revealed sin but cannot save; it leads us to Christ.

Suffering and Glory Core Idea

Suffering is part of the Christian life but leads to glory.

Christian Freedom and Responsibility Core Idea

Believers are free from the Law but not free to sin; freedom is to serve in love.

Spiritual Gifts and Ministry Core Idea

The Spirit gives different gifts for the edification of the Church.

Ethics and Moral Conduct Core Idea

Christian conduct must reflect the gospel and a life led by the Spirit.

Leadership and Church Order (Pastoral Epistles) Core Idea

Sound doctrine and qualified leadership are essential for healthy churches.

Major Themes Across the Epistles

Grace and justification, Union with Christ, The role of the Law, Eschatological expectation, Ethical exhortation and church unity

Application

Understanding apostolic ministry and authority, The relevance of Pauline theology in contemporary ministry

Key Doctrines: Justification by Faith

Righteousness apart from the Law, Justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the Law, Faith as a relational trust and loyalty

The Law and the Gospel

The Law as tutor (Gal. 3:24), Abraham as the model of faith (Rom. 4; Gal. 3), Freedom from the curse of the Law through Christ (Gal. 3:13)

Christ’s Redemptive Work

Substitutionary atonement (Rom. 5:6-11), Reconciliation and peace with God (Rom. 5:1)

Application

Preaching the message of grace in a performance-based world, Helping congregants understand faith vs works in discipleship

Life in the Spirit

Romans 8: Life governed by the Spirit, Walking in the Spirit vs flesh (Gal. 5:16-25), The Spirit as the mark of the new covenant

The Body of Christ

Spiritual gifts and unity (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4), Mutual edification and church order (1 Cor. 14), Leadership roles: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers (Eph. 4:11)

Ecclesial Ethics

Bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-2), Church discipline and reconciliation (2 Cor. 2:5-11)

Application

Empowering Spirit-led leadership and ministry, Building unity and diversity in the church context

Christian Ethical Living

Romans 12–13: Living sacrifices, submission to authorities, Philippians 2: Christlike humility and obedience, Colossians 3: Rules for holy living

Suffering and Perseverance

Sharing in Christ’s sufferings (Phil. 3:10), Strength in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10), Hope in tribulation (Rom. 5:3-5)

Eschatological Vision

The Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 4–5), Resurrection hope (1 Cor. 15), Living in light of eternity (Titus 2:11-13)

Application

Encouraging hope and perseverance in ministry, Forming ethical leaders rooted in eschatological vision

Letters- Churches

Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Letter- Individuals

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

13 Epistles

Themes: Justification, Sanctification, Grace, Church Order, Christology, Eschatology, Practical Ethics

Romans

Date: c. AD 57 Audience: Churches in Rome Theme: Righteousness through faith; the gospel as God's power to save

Doctrine- What to believe (1:1-11:36

sinfulness of humanity, Forgiveness of sin through Christ, Freedom from sin’s group, Israel’s past present and future, personal responsibility, personal notes

Important Texts: Romans:

Romans 1:16–17, 3:23–24, 5:1–11, 8:1–39, 12:1–2

1 Corinthians

Date: c. AD 55, Audience: Church in Corinth, Theme: Holiness and unity in the church, Key Topics: Divisions, immorality, marriage, spiritual gifts, resurrection

Main Division

Paul addresses Church Problems (1:1-6:20): Divisions in the church, Disorder in the church, Paul answer’s church questions (7:1-16:24), Instruction on Christian marriage, Instruction on Christian freedom Instruction on public worship, Instruction on resurrection

Important Texts: 1 Cor.

1 Cor. 1:10, 6:19–20, 13:1–13, 15:3–8

2 Corinthians

Date: c. AD 56, Audience: Church in Corinth, Theme: Authentic Christian ministry and comfort in suffering, Key Topics: Paul’s apostleship, giving, weakness and grace

Main Division

Paul defends his actions (1:1-2:11), Paul defends his ministry(2:12-7:16), Paul defends the collection (8:1-9:15), Paul defends his authority (10:1-13:14)

Important Texts 2. Cor.

2 Cor. 4:7–18, 5:17, 12:7–10

Galatians

Date: c. AD 49–55, Audience: Churches in Galatia, Theme: Freedom from the Law through faith in Christ