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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Life and Ministry of Paul #3

Lesson 3

Seven reasons why Christians are indebted to Judaism:

    1.  Religious communities were already in towns. 

a.       In Rome there were seven synagogues.

b.      Several Proselytes in the early part of 1st Century.

Acts 2:10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

Acts 8:27-39 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." 30So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
33In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth."

34So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

c.       During Claudius' reign, he expelled Jews from Rome due to controversy in Rome over the gospel preached by Christians.  He allowed them to come back for his financial interest. 

d.      The Jewish faith, monotheism, was affecting the people.  They were leaving the Greek/Roman pantheon

e.       Proselytism was frowned on towards the Jews since Julius Caesar.  Yet many would convert except for circumcision.  They lived by the law though.  The Jews called the "God Fearers".  The temple that Herod the Great built had three courts:

                        a) Court of the Gentiles or "God Fearers"
                        b) Court of the women
                        c) Court of the Jews (including Proselytes)

The accusation against Paul was that he had brought gentiles out of the court of the gentiles into the court of the Jews.

2. Holy Scriptures and liturgy:  Other sacred writings in the Greek world were considered "scripture” Compared with the Old Testament they all fell terribly short.  The synagogue liturgy, or the way the service was conducted, favored much participation by the people.  Anyone could give an exhortation sing a psalm, etc.  Generally there were three elders in every synagogue and the services were conducted basically the same throughout the world.

3. Habit of regular worship:  They met on the Sabbath routinely.  This made it easy for families to catch up on gossip, etc.

4. Control of private lives:  Morality based religion versus the Greek philosophic morality societies.

5. Pharisaic apologetics:  They refuted the Greek philosophic schools with a defense based on monotheism.

6. Historical theology:  The Jews had a solid theology that taught about God and His affairs.  The Greeks could not anticipate their gods.  The Christians could say that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament and it meant something.

7. Evangelism as a duty:  The methods that the Jews used for evangelism were the same as the Christians.  Arguments, fellowship, living of common life.  It is why Claudius expelled them.  They were doing such a good job converting people to "God Fearers" that the Greek/Roman pantheon priests were complaining about the temples being deserted.



·         Praying in the temple, Paul fell into a trance.  This occurred during Paul's visit with Peter for fifteen days after the time in Arabia and Damascus.

Acts 22:12-21 Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13came to me; and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' 17Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18and saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.' 19So I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' 21Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.' "

·         This temple vision was the second vision of Christ that Paul has.  Jesus tells him to flee and tells where to go.  It was a confirmation of Jesus' word to him on the Damascus road.  Brethren of the Jerusalem church take him to Caesarea and put him on a boat to Tarsus.

Birth of Paul was AD 4 - 8.  Christ was four to eight years older than Paul.  In AD 39, three years after his conversion, Paul goes to Tarsus Paul was brought to Jerusalem to shield him from Hellenistic influence – His knowledge of Greek culture came by living in Tarsus. Probably Hit and Miss.  .

AD 39 - 45 Paul is in Tarsus but not inactive.  Many of Paul's beatings, shipwrecks, etc. mentioned in his suffering list must have happened during 39 - 44.  By 44 Barnabas, from Jerusalem, comes and takes him to Antioch.

Goodwin, p. 28 Acts 9:29, 30; Galatians 1:21-24 Paul saying that he left Caesarea for Tarsus.  He was working from 39 - 44 in Damascus and Antioch (Syria) and Tarsus (Cilicia).

Acts 9:29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.

Acts 9:30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

Galatians 1:21-24 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." 24And they glorified God in me.
                                                                                                                 
Paul talks of the stonings, shipwrecks, and beatings with rods, whippings, dangers and imprisonment.  It is believed these things happened during this four year period while working in Syria and Cilicia.

2 Cor. 11:22-27 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--

These persecutions mentioned occurred because Paul was preaching the gospel forcefully wherever he went during this time period.  It is not historically documented in the bible.  It appears that the beatings were at the hands of the Jews and not the Gentiles.

So while people in Jerusalem were rejoicing that he was not persecuting them -- Paul was preaching in Cilicia and Syria to the Diaspora and getting beaten, etc.

Something else happened to Paul while he was in Tarsus that he does not know how to describe. (2 Cor 12:2-10) This was AD 39 - 44.

2 Cor. 12:2-10 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- 4how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

He was in Macedonia in 57 AD and wrote 2 Corinthians concerning this happening.  He says that fourteen years previous (43 AD) at an age of 34 - 39 years, whether in the body or not, etc.  It was a vision where he was caught up into heaven.  He is the only one who talks of a third heaven.  Nowhere else is it mentioned in scripture.


The things he saw and heard were inexpressible.  It does not say that God told him not to say anything, but that he could not.  God gave him a thorn in the flesh to keep him from exalting himself.  Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for you".  This is the third vision that Paul has.

44 AD News comes to Jerusalem that there is a move of God (explosion) in Antioch.  The Jerusalem church determined that for the sake of the work of God they would send Barnabas (son of consolation or son of encouragement).

Barnabas takes an evaluation in Antioch and decides that they need help now.  He can't wait till help arrives from Jerusalem.  The church needs foundation and things sorted out.  He goes to Tarsus and gets Paul.

Remember, Paul has not been inactive.  He might have created the problem in Antioch.  Barnabas might have said, you created this problem, come sort it out.

Cornelius, the centurion, was saved while Paul was in Arabia.  Peter was doing some traveling then.  From the day of Pentecost the church in Jerusalem was being added to daily.  Jerusalem was a town of 60,000.  The church probably had 10,000 members, 120 people saw Jesus ascend.  If half of them were men, then 60 men were taking care of 10,000 people.  It took several years to settle the church.  This was the reason why it is several years before you see a Gentile, Cornelius, being saved.

When Stephen was martyred there was no indication that the church had started to obey Jesus' evangelism order.  This changed when the persecution started after Stephen's death.

Antioch was the Roman capital of its eastern empire.  It was the third largest city in the Roman world.  Rome had 1 million, Alexandria had 3/4 million and Antioch had 1/2 million.  The Roman counsel was in Antioch.  He was the third man in the empire and trusted by the emperor.

Antioch was really an administrative center.  The Roman armies were in Damascus.

The trademark of the Antioch church was that the Gentile Christian population was twice as large as the Jewish Christians.  Because of this, Antioch was the first place where the followers of Christ were called Christians.  The Gentile Christians coined the term.

Paul spends a year in Antioch and the church explodes.  Interesting things happen.  Acts 11 Agabus, a prophet, says that a famine is going to hit the world.  The disciples give an offering to Jerusalem by the hand of Barnabus and Paul.

Famine hit Judea hard in 44 - 45 AD.   The Diaspora Christians are out of Jerusalem by this time.  Only Jewish Christians remain.

Many messianic pretenders are proclaiming themselves in Judea.  Rome is getting more involved due to the revolts it causes.  A Jewish sect is assassinating prominent Jews who do not see their point of view.  They were assassins from the Zealot party called the Sicarii.  They hid daggers under their clothes.

During this period James, the brother of John, is killed by Agrippa to throw fear into the church.  Peter is escorted out of prison by an angel.  He goes to Mary's house where they thought he was Peter's angel.  Galatians says that Barnabas was the uncle of John Mark.  Mary, the mother of Mark, was Barnabas' sister.

A. Collection was taken in Antioch to send to Jerusalem to buy food.  Josephus says that the famine was worse in Judea.  He said that Rome bought food for the people.  It evidently wasn't enough because the Antioch church gave a large sum of money to the elders of the Jerusalem church.

The Antioch church was a profound church.  It sent missionary teams to convert Jews and Gentiles.  In the future Luke originates out of Antioch.  Jerusalem worked at converting Hebraic Jews in synagogues.  James was written in the time of the famine (44 AD) and was sent to the twelve tribes, only to Jews who were converted Christians, not to Gentile Christians.

Paul's sphere of apostolic work was in Antioch.

1. There were more missionaries in Syria than Paul.  Many of the Hellenistic Jews had shaken the dust from their feet in Jerusalem after the persecution and death of Stephen.

Antioch – founded 300 b.c. by Seleucus Nicator the 1st ruler of the Seleucid dynasty and named after his father Antiochus. 

The third largest of city in Roman world it was planned on a grid system; Rome (One million) Alexandria (3/4 Million) Antioch (1/2 Million).

The city was a center of commerce and the political capital of Syria.

2. To the city came a number of Hellenistic refugees from the Jerusalem persecution.

3. First called Christian at Antioch:  Acts 11:26

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

4. The Jerusalem seems to be the overseer as other churches began to emerge.  Phillip in Samaria and now he sent a delegation to check on the church in Antioch.

5. Barnabas, when he saw the grace of God said he was glad. Acts 11:23

Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

6. The new church would soon be more Greek than Jewish and Barnabas needed a colleague to share responsibility ---Paul

Chapter 14


7. Between his return to Tarsus and his call to Antioch (14 years a.d. 42 – 56) Paul was busy.

2 Cor. 12:2-10 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- 4how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

8. His encounter didn’t leave him unscathed. (See vs. 7-10)

9. Paul Speaks of Mysteries:  “Being in Christ.”

Romans 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

11. Paul Speaks of death, baptism & resurrection:

Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

12. Paul like Christ counts his suffering for the sake of the people


Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Philip. 3:11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Col. 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

2 Cor. 1:6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

13. Life in the Spirit

2 Cor. 3:17,18 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

14. Paul insists on a common life in the Body – interrelated & interdependent.  Each making a contribution for the good of other and of the whole

15. Yet when needed He can maintain his existence apart from external aid.

Philip. 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

1 Thes. 3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

2 Cor. 7:3 I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

1 Thes. 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

16.  Paul’s Visions:

Acts 22:17 Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance

Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;

Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

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