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Born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Ac.21:39
Trading center; known for manufacture of goats’ hair cloth (cf. Ac.18:3)
Jewish law: boy began study of Scripture at age five. But . . .
“Excellent is Torah study together w. worldly business, for all Torah w/o work must fail at length, and occasion iniquity.”
Education: Gamaliel
Most illustrious rabbi of the day, Ac.22:3
Indicates Paul’s ability, and emphasis of his parents
Appearance (Ac.14) Barnabas: Zeus, chief of gods Paul: Hermes, messenger of gods
2 Co.10:10
1. Sickness can harm appearance, Ga.4:13-15; 2 Co.12:7-10
2. Physical abuse can damage body, Ga.63. Paul’s emphasis (2 Co.4:16-18)
Persecutor No one hated Jesus more than Saul… Church threatened everything he held
sacred
Introduction: Ac.7:58Goal: rid world of Christians, Ac.8-9
Success: Ga.1:13-14
“How to explain difference in Gamaliel (Ac.5:34-39) and Saul?”
By time Saul begins his persecution, Stephen enters the scene, Ac.6-7
Nu.25, Phinehas
His message threatens the foundations of Judaism
Single
Ac.26:10 Prove Paul had been married?
Earliest information comes from Akiba, late 1st – early 2nd centuries AD Implies it was not binding before this
time 1 Co.7:8
2. Determined to undo past damage
Ac.9:20-22 (Ga.1:15-16) Ga.1:17, Arabia (Ac.9:22-23) Three yrs. later: Jerusalem (Ga.1:18;
Ac.22:17-21; 9:30)
3. Humbled by his past
Least of apostles, 1 Co.15:9Least of all saints, Ep.3:7-8Greatest of all sinners, 1 Tim.1:15
4. Apostle to Gentiles
Ro.11:13; Ga.2:9
Ac.15:7-9, Gentiles: saved by faithTherefore: circumcision unnecessary
*Ac.15, Luke: historical*Ga.2, Paul: personal (5:6)
5. Preaching journeys
About 7000 miles, not counting . . . Trip to Rome Later travels (1 Tim., Tit.)
1st journey: Ac.13-14