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

1. Revelation, Call, and Initial Ministry - 34-37 CE

2. Foundation Campaign - 38-51 CE

3. Jerusalem Conference - 52 CE

4. Collection Campaign - 52-56 CE

5. Imprisonment in Caesarea - 56-58 CE

6. 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:

1. Formal Greeting

2. Opening Blessing or Thanksgiving

3. Body

4. 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.