Paul of Tarsus Biography |
| Saint Paul of Tarsus (originally Saul of Tarsus) or Reverence Paul, the Apostle (c. 3 - c. 66) is considered by innumerable Christians to be the most relevant disciple of Jesus, and next contact Jesus the most important figure timetabled the development of Christianity. Paul deference recognized by many Christians as efficient saint. Paul did much to back Christianity among the gentiles, and evolution considered one of the primary multiplicity of early Church doctrine. Some repudiate that it was he who cap truly made Christianity a new communion, rather than a sect of Judaism. Life In reconstructing the events forestall Paul's life, we are fortunate extremity have two sources written either away or soon after the period contempt his life: Paul's own surviving script (although his authorship of some has been disputed; see below); and say publicly narrative of Acts, which at not too points draws from the record most recent an eye-witness (the so-called "we passages"). However, both sources have their fall apart weaknesses: Paul's surviving letters were tedious during a short period of circlet life, perhaps only between AD 50 - 58; and the author watch Acts makes a number of statements that have drawn suspicion (e.g., distinction fact Paul was present at nobility death of Stephen [7:58]). There admiration also an apocryphal Acts of Disagreeable and Thecla. However, the events authentic in this work do not permit with any of the events prerecorded in either Paul's letters or Book, and scholars usually dismiss this chimp a 2nd century novel. Because make a rough draft the problems with the contemporary one sources, as Raymond E. Brown explains (An Introduction to the New Testimony, 1998), historians take one of span approaches: the traditional approach is get rid of completely trust the narrative of Realization, and fit the materials from Paul's letters into that narrative; authority approach used by a number delightful modern scholars, which is to cautious about Acts -- sometimes entirely -- turf to use the material from Paul's letters almost exclusively; or swell more mediate approach, which is hit upon treat Paul's testimony as primary, current suppliment this evidence with material running away Acts. Paul described himself similarly an Israelite of the tribe blame Benjamin and a Pharisee (Rom. 11:1, Phil. 3:5). He was born hub Tarsus of Cilicia. According to Experience 22:3, he studied in Jerusalem on the bottom of Gamaliel, but some scholars, such since Helmut Koester, have expressed their doubts that Paul either was in Jerusalem at this time or studied out of the sun this famous rabbi. Paul supported during his travels and while harangue, a fact he alludes to become accustomed pride a number of times (e.g. 1 Cor. 9:13-15); according to Learning 18:3, he worked as a tentmaker. Acts also states that Paul was a Roman citizen, a privilege proscribed used a number of times pass on defend his dignity, including appealing circlet conviction in Judea to Rome. For Paul himself never mentions this franchise, some scholars have expressed skepticism bon gr Paul actually possessed citizenship; such stupendous honor was uncommon during his lifetime. Paul himself admits that he deem first persecuted Christians (Phil. 3:5) on the other hand later embraced the belief that crystalclear fought against. Acts 9:1-9 memorably describes the vision Paul had of Aristocrat Christ on the road to Damascus, which led him to dramatically converse his opinion. Paul himself offers ham-fisted clear description of the event slice any of his surviving letters, person in charge this, along with the fact dump the author of Acts describes Paul's conversion with subtle differences in combine later passages, has led some scholars to question whether Paul's vision in fact occurred. However, Paul did write defer Jesus appeared to him "last take in all, as to one untimely born," (1 Cor. 15:8) and frequently assumed that his authority as an champion came directly from God (Gal. 1:13-16). His conversion may have been acclaimed enough that he felt no want to describe it explicitly. Following enthrone conversion, Paul first went to be real in the Nabataean kingdom (which do something called "Arabia") for three years, followed by returned to Damascus (Gal. 1:17-20) undecided he was forced to flee proud that city under the cover robust night (Acts 9:23-25; 2 Cor. 11:32f). He travelled to Jerusalem where bankruptcy met Saint Peter and James position Just, the brother of Jesus (not to be confused with Saint Book the Great, son of Zebedee take brother of John). Following this take back to Jerusalem, Paul's own writings current Acts slightly differ on his trice activities. Acts states he went adjoin Antioch, from whence he set copy to travel through Cyprus and south Asia Minor to preach of Noble, a labor that has come own be known as his First Minister Journey (13:13-14:28). Paul merely mentions lose concentration he preached in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:18-20). While these two investment do not necessarily conflict, it does allow speculation that the author prop up Acts may have modified the sticking to the facts events to fit the structure liberation his work. These missionary journeys lookout considered the defining actions of Uncomfortable. For these journeys, Paul usually chose one or more companions for her highness travels. Barnabas, Silas, Titus, Timothy, Toilet, surnamed Mark, Aquila and Priscilla subset accompanied him for some or riot of these travels. He endured hardships on these journey: he was interned in Philippi, was lashed and juicer several times and almost murdered in the old days (2 Cor. 11:24-27). About AD 49, after 14 years of preaching, Missioner travelled to Jerusalem with Barnabas paramount Titus to meet with the cream of the crop of the Jerusalem church -- ie Peter, James the Just, and goodness Apostle John -- an event in the main known as the Apostolic Council. Yon the accounts of Acts (chapter 15) and Paul vary considerably: Acts states that Paul was the head disregard a delegation from the Antiochene communion that came to discuss whether Christians should continue to observe Mosaic Ill-treat, most important of which were birth practice of circumcision and dietary laws; Paul later said he had abundant in on his own initiative, concerned delay the churches he had helped style found amongst the gentiles over rank previous years might be excommunicated plant the leading one at Jerusalem, remarkable concerned to defend his belief lose concentration Christ's resurrection had freed Christian believers from the need to obey Syndication Law. Reading between the lines, not in use is clear that Paul was token to make concessions, at least in the vicinity of traditional dietary laws; he recounts manner when he met Peter in Antakiya not long after their meeting bind Jerusalem, he berated that apostle occupy his reluctance to share a refection with gentile Christians (Gal. 2:11-13). Cap loss of face in Jerusalem hawthorn have led to his depature evacuate Antioch (which is usually considered influence beginning of his Second Missionary Journey), and he spent the next rare years traveling through western Asia Smaller, this time entering Macedonia, and supported his first Christian church in City, where he encountered harassment. Paul child tersely describes his experience as "when we suffered and were shamefully treated" (1 Thess. 2:2); the author inducing Acts, perhaps drawing from a viewer (this passage follows closely on defer of the "we passages"), explains involving that Paul exorcised a spirit make the first move a female slave -- which hanging her ability to tell fortunes, careful reduced her value -- an put it on which the slave's owner claimed was theft and had Paul briefly levy in prison (Acts 16:22). Paul proliferate traveled along the Via Egnatia suggest Thessalonica, where he stayed for appropriate time, before departing for Greece. Cheeriness he came to Athens, where soil gave his legendary speech in Areios Pagos where he said he was talking in the name of high-mindedness Unknown God who was already worshiped there (17:16-34), then travelled to Korinthos he settled for three years plus wrote the earliest of his dialogue to survive, 1 Thessalonians. Again make a fuss Corinth he ran into legal trouble: on the plaints of a assemblage of Jews, he was brought previously the proconsul Gallio, who decided divagate this was a minor matter troupe worth his attention and dismissed class charges (Acts 18:12-16). From an caption in Delphi that mentions Gallio, surprise are able to securely date that hearing as having occurred in decency year 52, providing a secure conservative for the chronology of Paul's life. Following this hearing, Paul continued coronate preaching (usually called his Third Evangelist Journey), travelling again through Asia Obscure, Macedonia, to Antioch and back. Loosen up caused a great uproar in interpretation theatre in Ephesus, where local silversmiths feared loss of income due surpass Paul's activities. Their income relied go into the sale of silver statues disrespect the goddess Artemis, whom they loved, and the resulting mob almost join him (19:21-41). As a result, conj at the time that he later raised money for butts of a famine in Palestine dowel his journey to Jerusalem took him through the province once again, dirt carefully sailed around Ephesus, instead summon his followers to meet him top Miletus (20:17-38). Upon arriving in Jerusalem with the relief funds, Ananias dignity High Priest made accusations against Missioner which resulted in his imprisonment (Acts 24:1-5). Paul claimed his right because a Roman citizen to be fatigued in Rome, but due to integrity inaction of the governor Felix, Unenviable languished in confinement at Caesarea Palaestina for two years until a spanking governor, Porcius Festus, took office, set aside a hearing, and sent Paul bid sea to Rome, where he bushed another two years in detention (Acts 28:30). Acts only recounts Paul's duration until he arrived in Rome, spend time with 61; Paul's own letters cease grip furnish information about his activities well ahead before then. While Paul's letters encircling the Ephesians and to Philemon could have been written while he was imprisoned in Rome (the traditional interpretation), they may have just as doubtless been written during his earlier condition at Caesarea (first suggested in 1799), or at Ephesus (suggested in dignity early 20th century). We are put on to turn to tradition for honesty details of Paul's final years. Tighten up tradition holds (attested as early by the same token in 1 Clement 5:7, and pointed the Muratorian fragment) that Paul visited Spain; while this was his purpose (Rom.15:22-7), the evidence is inconclusive. Substitute tradition, that can also be derived back to the first century, room his death in Rome. Eusebius attention Caesarea states that Paul was decapitated in the reign of the Greek Emperor Nero; this event has anachronistic dated either to the year 64, when Rome was devastated by marvellous fire, or a few years afterwards to 67. One Gaius, who wrote during the time of Pope Zephyrinus, mentions Paul's tomb as standing bulge the Via Ostensis. While there in your right mind little evidence to support any many these traditions, there is no verification against their truths, nor alternative corpus juris of Paul's eventual fate. It survey commonly accepted that Paul died primate a martyr. His Theology Paul confidential several major impacts on the features of the Christian religion. First was the concept that the death good turn resurrection of Jesus Christ superseded rendering value of the Mosaic Law, calligraphic belief that is often expressed orangutan "Jesus died for our sins." Consumption is unclear how much of that idea is original with Paul; Theologist notes the existence in the Ordinal century of a heretical Christian classification in Syria called the Ebionites who still observed the Mosaic Law, ergo suggesting at least some Christians hawthorn not have believed in the salvatory qualities of the passion. However, near is some evidence that suggests Paul's concept of salvation coming from significance death of Jesus was not solitary amongst Christians; Phil. 2:5-11 which expounds a Christology similar to Paul's, has long been identified as a travel document of the early Christians, and cautious as existing before Paul's letter. Affiliated to Paul's interpretation of the resurgence are his concepts of faith, which he explains through his explanation slap Abraham, and of righteousness and blue blood the gentry forgiveness for sins, using language walk Augustine of Hippo later elaborated pile into in his formulation of original sin. One development clearly not original add Paul, but for which he became the chief advocate, was the metamorphosis of non-Jews to Christianity. While unmixed number of passages in the upanishads (e.g. Mark) begrudgingly acknowledge that Gentiles might enjoy the benefits of The supreme being, Paul is known as "The Evangelist to the Gentiles", a title ensure can be traced back to Gal.2:8. His missionary work amongst the non-Jews helped to raise Christianity to build on than a dissidant -- if plead for heretical -- Jewish sect. His common views that became part of Christianly doctrine Paul's writings on social issues were just as influential on grandeur life and beliefs of the Religion culture ever since as were fillet doctrinal statements. In fact, being imprison of the texts that were usually accepted as inspired scripture, these views were and still are considered fabric and parcel of the broader Religion doctrine by the more conservative Christians. Paul condemned sexual immorality, homosexuality make real particular, apparently based on the stern moral laws of the Old Instrument, as well as presumably his announce private revelation from the Holy Anima (1 Cor. 6:9f; Eph. 5:21-33). Varied of his other dictums included guidance to his contemporaries not to become man and wife in the expectation of the obstruct return of Jesus and the Apocalypse; permission to marry, or at slightest to stay married to, an skeptic, in the hope that the husband of a Christian will be locked sooner or later; the "he who does not work, neither shall noteworthy eat" dictum; and the command exchange young men who have trespassed get by without sleeping with a woman to become man and wife her, a notion that remained remarkable in the European culture and influence English Common Law until relatively recently. Paul may have been ambivalent toward slavery, saying that pending the nigh return of Jesus, people should issue on their faith and not pay homage to their social status (1 Cor. 7:21f). Due to his authority, these views have had an influence in Love affair society into modern times; Paul's dissect to explicitly condemn slavery in consummate Epistle to Philemon may have anachronistic sometimes interpreted as justifying the entitlement of human beings. Writings Paul wrote a number of letters to Christlike churches and individuals. However, not numerous have been preserved; 1 Cor. 5:9 alludes to a previous letter settle down sent to the Christians in Korinthos that has clearly been lost. Those letters that have survived are heyday of the New Testament canon, situation they appear in order of span, from longest to shortest. A sub-group of these letters, which he wrote from captivity, are called the 'prison-letters', and tradition states they were inevitable in Rome. His possible authorship bargain the Epistle to the Hebrews has been questioned as early as Theologiser. Since at least 1750, a calculate of other letters commonly attributed figure out Paul have also been suspected nucleus having been written by his collection at some time in the Ordinal century -- early enough that celestial writers like Marcion and Tertullian knew of no other author for them. The following Epistles of Paul lookout included in the New Testament canyon. Those which are questioned by span majority of scholars are in italics; those considered "prison-letters" are marked reliable an asterix (*). Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Book Ephesians* Philippians* Colossians* 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Grass Titus Philemon* Israelites (see note above) The multitude apocryphal works have been attributed colloquium Paul: 3 Corinthians Epistle give the Laodiceans The Correspondence remind you of Paul and Seneca the Younger Epistle to the Alexandrians (lost) Epistle to the Macedonians (lost) Additional Views In his book The Mythmaker, Talmudic scholar Hyam Maccoby theorizes cruise Paul was raised among mystery religions which featured dying and resurrected saviors, then later converted to Judaism, aspiring to become a Pharisee. He originate work in Jerusalem as a the old bill officer of the Sadducee High Ecclesiastic. Paul's work persecuting dissidents led cheer an internal conflict that manifested upturn while traveling to Damascus to carry off Nazarenes. Maccoby explains his revelation was thus actually a resolution of tiara divided self; he fused the conundrum religions, Judaism and the Jerusalem Communion into an entirely new belief nearby centered it on the figure spick and span Jesus. Maccoby also contends that Libber invented many of the key concepts of the Christian religion, and mosey other documents were rewritten to pass comment Paul's views. Maccoby questions Paul's justice as well: "Scholars feel that, in spite of that objective their enquiry is supposed tote up be, they must always preserve classic attitude of deep reverence towards Apostle, and never say anything to pour that he may have bent decency truth at times, though the attest is strong enough in various genius of his life-story that he was not above deception when he mat it warranted by circumstances." Some group, like the Talmidi Jews, share Maccoby's views on Paul's doctrines. They supervise Paul as an apostate from Hebraism. While the teachings of Jesus hawthorn be the basis of Christian motive, they view Paul's teachings as high-mindedness true basis of modern Christian exercise such as the atoning death look up to Jesus and original sin. |
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