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Early Life of Paul

“I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city.” Acts 21:39

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Early Life of Paul

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  1. “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city.” Acts 21:39 “a man of small stature, with a bald head and bow legs, who carried himself well. His eyebrows met in the middle, and his nose was rather large and he was full of grace, for at times he seemed a man and at times he had the face of an angel.” “he had a thick grey beard, light bluish eyes, and a fair and florid complexion; and that he was a man who often smiled.” Reymond, Dr. Robert L., Paul: Missionary Theologian. p. 45 Early Life of Paul

  2. Cilicia • A. Southeast Asia Minor • B. 67 B.C. – a Roman province with Tarsus as the capital Cilicia

  3. Tarsus • A. 41 B.C. – Antony met Cleopatra • B. University city – liberal arts and philosophy • C. Addicted – luxury, levity, and insolence • D. Linen industry – flax grown nearby • Roman citizen (Acts 22:27) • Father – Roman citizen • Made tents for Roman generals ? • Generals granted citizenship • Roman citizen rights • a. Fair public trial – crime • b. Exemption from certain punishments – flogging • c. Exemption from certain forms of execution

  4. Name • A. Officially – Paullus • B. Hebrew name – Saul • 1. After King Saul, king of Israel • Jewish Heritage • Tribe of Benjamin (Rom. 11:1) • “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Phil. 3:5) • 1. Parents Hebrew • 2. Spoke Aramaic home and synagogue • Parents wanted an orthodox upbringing • 1. Formative years in Jerusalem • 2. Father – Pharisee of “means” • 3. Teen years – student of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3, Gal. 1:14) • a. Gamaliel leading Pharisee of the day (Acts 26:5)

  5. 2nd Century B.C. • A. Three schools • 1. Essenes – predestinarians, departed to Qumran • 2. Sadducees – things happened by man’s free will • 3. Pharisees – middle position • Pharisees • A. Meaning – “separate” • 1. From anything that might convey moral or ceremonial impurity • B. Observed strictly • 1. Sabbath laws • 2. Food restrictions Pharisaism

  6. C. Applied written law and oral law (Mishnah) D. Believed in bodily resurrection E. Believed in angels and demons F. Seen as modernizers and innovators G. Minority in the Sanhedrin (Sadducees majority) 1. Scribes (expositors of the law) predominantly Pharisees Scribe Pharisee

  7. H. Particular laws of purity and tithing • I. Aloof • 1. Common people unable of true piety • Pharisees of Paul’s Day • A. Two schools • 1. Shammai – stricter interpretation • 2. Hillel – more liberal attitude • B. School of Gamaliel (two theories) • 1. successor of Hillel • 2. started his own school • C. Gamaliel • 1. last of the “true” Pharisees • 2. member of Sanhedrin • 3. soft on disciples – Acts 5:33-39

  8. D. Paul • 1. law was to be kept in totality • a. superabundance of zeal (zealot) zh/loß • 2. a rabbi or about to become one • 3. plagued by sin problem (Rom. 7:9-11) • Paul and Christian Persecution • A. This new faith (the Way) must be stamped out • B. Christians • 1. imposters • 2. proclaiming God raised a man, both Lord and Messiah from the tomb • 3. crucified Messiah was a contradiction of terms • a. blasphemy • b. crucified man could not be the elect one of God • Deut. 21:22,23

  9. c. Gal. 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse . . . by becoming a curse for us”

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