The Christian Life

The Christian Life

Introduction

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was the early Christian leader who is often considered to be the person responsible for making Christianity a world religion rather than a small sect of Judaism. Paul was born between 2 and 10 CE in Tarsus, a city located near the Mediterranean coast in what is today the country of Turkey. His Hebrew name was Saul, but on his conversion to Christianity, he took on the Roman name Paul. During his day, Tarsus served as the capital of Asia Minor, and its territory was considered free; thus, Saul was born a free man. Paul had a Pharisaic family origin. The Pharisees' school of thought was characterized by rigid obedience to Mosaic Law (the law given to Moses by God and, more generally, the laws of the Old Testament). Saul took rabbinical studies in Jerusalem with the renowned teacher, Gamaliel, who personally tutored him. Saul witnessed the stoning of Stephen, who was later identified as the first Christian martyr. In 32 CE, Saul was given permission by the high priest to inspect the synagogues of Damascus for the emerging followers of Jesus and to bring those he found to Jerusalem for judicial investigation. According to the biblical account, on the road to Damascus, Saul had an encounter with a bright light appearing in front of him. The voice of Jesus asked him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” and Saul was struck blind. After 3 days of blindness while he was in Damascus, Saul was healed by Ananias, a disciple sent by Jesus to heal him. After his sight was restored, Saul was baptized and received the Holy Spirit of God.

Discussion

Paul as he presents himself in his own epistles (ca. 49-62 CE) is a very different person from the Paul presented by Luke in the later Book of Acts (ca. 95 CE). In the past biblical scholars tried to reconcile the two portraits, but today they keep the two separate. In any case, Paul has often subsequently been reinterpreted or filtered through the "introspective conscience of the West," as, for example, in Augustine of Hippo and Martin Luther (1483-1546). Paul the missionary has been buried beneath layers of interpretation.

Baptism

Saul witnessed the stoning of Stephen, who was later identified as the first Christian martyr. In 32 CE, Saul was given permission by the high priest to inspect the synagogues of Damascus for the emerging followers of Jesus and to bring those he found to Jerusalem for judicial investigation. According to the biblical account, on the road to Damascus, Saul had an encounter with a bright light appearing in front of him. The voice of Jesus asked him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” and Saul was struck blind. After 3 days of blindness while he was in Damascus, Saul was healed by Ananias, a disciple sent by Jesus to heal him. After his sight was restored, Saul was baptized and received the Holy Spirit of God.

Between 33 and 36 CE, Saul (now Paul) ...