Paul Test 1 Study Guide
1. Introduction to Paul
Christianity’s spread throughout the Mediterranean largely due to Paul and his associates.
Initially, Paul was a persecutor of the Christian church.
Identity:
Hebrew born of Hebrew parents in Tarsus, capital of Cilicia (Phil. 3.5, Acts 21.39)
Exposed to the Greco-Roman world.
A Pharisee, deeply committed to the Law (Torah).
Excelled in Judaism (Gal. 1.12).
Trained by rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem.
Roman citizen (Acts 22.28).
Transformation from prosecutor of the church to martyr for the Gospel.
Best known yet least understood figure of the New Testament; letters offer direct insights into his thoughts.
Primary vs. Secondary Sources:
Primary sources: Direct sources from the time of a period (e.g., Paul’s letters).
Secondary sources: Later accounts about that time (e.g., Luke’s Acts).
2. Paul’s Transformation: From Persecutor to Persecuted
Acts 6-7 details the martyrdom of Stephen, influencing Paul’s perception of Christianity.
Paul witnessed Stephen’s death, who prayed for his persecutors, making a lasting impression on him.
Paul’s transformation is often mischaracterized as a conversion from Judaism to Christianity.
Paul remained a Jew, understanding his heritage as a fulfillment of the Gospel.
Paul’s call is significantly detailed across three accounts in Acts (Acts 9, 22, 26) and his own recollection in Gal. 1.
3. Paul’s Missionary Campaigns
A. First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)
Happened 10-12 years after Paul’s conversion.
Paul, Barnabas, and Mark begin ministry, sailing from Antioch to Cyprus.
They travel to Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, facing challenges and opposition.
B. Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15)
Debates on whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish law (circumcision, food laws).
Conclusion: Gentile believers should not be burdened by these laws (James’ perspective).
C. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15.36-18.22)
Following the Conference, Paul and Barnabas part ways; Paul chooses Silas.
Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia urging him to spread the Gospel there.
Converts include the Philippian Jailer, marking a significant event in the ministry.
D. Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18.23-21.17)
Paul revisits churches, spends three years in Ephesus, which becomes a hub for spreading the Gospel.
Writes several letters in response to church needs (e.g., 1 Corinthians due to troubling news).
4. A New Model: Two Campaigns
A. **Foundational Campaign (34-51 CE) **
Major work completed during this 17-year period.
Paul travels foundationally, establishing self-sustaining churches.
B. **Collection Campaign (52-56 CE) **
Focused on unifying the church and collecting for the Jerusalem church.
Letters correspond with collection themes (1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians).
5. The End of Paul's Life
Arrested in Jerusalem (56 CE); spends two years in Caesarea, appealing to Caesar.
Final journey to Rome where he is under house arrest (59-61 CE).
Likely martyred in Rome around spring of 61 CE.
6. Summary of Paul's Ministry
Revelation, Call, and Initial Ministry - 34-37 CE
Foundation Campaign - 38-51 CE
Jerusalem Conference - 52 CE
Collection Campaign - 52-56 CE
Imprisonment in Caesarea - 56-58 CE
Journey to and Imprisonment in Rome - 59-61 CE
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7. The New Testament Letters
Dominant form of NT literature is letters; some with hybrid forms.
A. Structure of Greco-Roman Letters:
Formal Greeting
Opening Blessing or Thanksgiving
Body
Postscript or Closing
B. Importance of Paul's Letters
Response to specific issues within churches.
Letters were read and shared, contributing to collection of holy texts.
C. Ordering of Paul's Letters
Organized chronologically with key themes:
Earliest Letters: 2 Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians
Pillar Epistles: 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans
Prison Epistles: Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians
Pastoral Letters: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus
Note on pseudepigraphy regarding 1 Timothy and Titus.