DOCSLIB.ORG

Paul B. I Was Blind but Now I See There Is Much We Can Learn from the Life of the Apostle Paul

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Paul B. I Was Blind but Now I See There Is Much We Can Learn from the Life of the Apostle Paul II. Curious Tales From the New Testament ~ Paul B. I Was Blind But Now I See There is much we can learn from the life of the apostle Paul. His story is one of redemption in Christ and a lesson that no one is beyond the saving grace of the Lord. To better understand how this life changed, let's look at Saul...before becoming “the Apostle of Grace.” Paul’s early life was one of religious zeal, violence, and relentless persecution of the early church. In contrast, his later years show a marked difference as he lived his life for Christ and for the advancement of His kingdom. His abrupt turnaround was a major factor in the shaping of the history of the early Christian church. So...who was Saul of Tarsus before he became the apostle Paul? PRE-CONVERSION PAUL Saul was born around 1-5 AD in Tarsus in Cilicia to Jewish parents, with Roman citizenship. This was a coveted privilege that Saul also possessed (Acts 22:22-29). About AD 10, Saul’s family moved to Jerusalem. Acts 22:3 His nephew was in Jerusalem after Paul’s conversion (Acts 23:16), so Paul’s family probably also moved there. He was of Benjamite lineage & Hebrew ancestry (Philippians 3:5–6), the son of a Pharisee, who adhered strictly to the Law and protected their children from “contamination” from the Gentiles.Yet he could speak Greek and passable Latin. His household would have spoken Aramaic, the official language of Judea. Between AD 15-20 (at age 13) Saul began his studies of the Hebrew Scriptures and the Law in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel. Gamaliel was a first-century Jewish rabbi and a leader in the Sanhedrin. He's mentioned in Scripture as a well-known and respected teacher. Indirectly, He had a profound effect on the early church. The first reference to him is in Acts 5:27-42. Peter delivered his defense of the gospel and Jesus before the Sanhedrin where John and Peter are standing trial. They warned the apostles to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, becoming enraged when Simon Peter defiantly replies in Acts 5:29. Peter had no intention of not proclaiming the gospel, regardless of the consequences. The council began to seek their deaths. In steps Gamaliel, “who was honored by all the people” (Acts 5:34). He orders the apostles to be removed from the room, then encourages the council to be cautious in dealing with Jesus’ followers: Acts 5:38–39 The Sanhedrin is persuaded by his words (V40). Gamaliel has been praised and honored for his knowledge, but may be better known for his most famous pupil, another Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3), who later became the apostle Paul. It was under the teaching of Rabbi Gamaliel that Paul developed his expert knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul preached in the synagogues wherever he traveled (Acts 17:2), and his grasp of OT history and law aided his presentation of Christ as the One Who had fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17). In God’s sovereign plan, this Jewish rabbi, Gamaliel, preserved the lives of the apostles in the early church and helped equip Paul, arguably the greatest Christian missionary. His education continued for 5-6 years as Saul learned how to dissect Scripture (Acts 22:3). He developed a question-and-answer style of teaching known as “diatribe”, which helped debate the finer points of Jewish law to defend or prosecute those who broke the law. (Think Acts 17-Mars Hill) Saul become a lawyer, and may have been a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court of 71 men who ruled over Jewish life and religion. Zealous for his faith, not allowing compromise, lead him down the path of religious extremism. Saul was present at the trial of Stephen - the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54–60). Stephen’s executioners laid their garments at the feet of Saul (Acts 7:58), who approved their actions. After Stephen’s death, "a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem" (Acts 8:1). Determined to eradicate Christians, he sought permission from the High Priest Caiaphas. He was ruthless... believing he was acting in the name and service of God. It's been said there are few things more frightening or vicious than a religious terrorist, when he believes he is doing the will of the Lord. This is exactly what Saul of Tarsus was. An angry, violent man convinced of his own righteousness. Acts 8:3 But Saul was actually fighting God Himself. PAUL'S CONVERSION: READ Acts 9:1-22 These passages recount Paul’s meeting with Jesus Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, about 150 miles. Saul was filled with murderous rage against Christians. He received letters from the High Priest to the synagogues in Damascus, with permission to bring any followers of “the Way,” back to Jerusalem to imprison. The Way? This seems the earliest name for the Christian movement, used in Acts (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22) in connection with early followers of Christ. The early followers of Christ may have referred to themselves as followers of the Way because of Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 that He is “the way and the truth and the life.” Luke says that Aquila and Priscilla explained to Apollos “the way of God” more fully (Acts 18:26). Peter refers to Christianity as “the way of truth” (2 Peter 2:2). Hebrews 10:19–20 says that Jesus’ body is the “new and living way” for us to enter the Most Holy Place. The name means that Christianity is more than a belief or a set of doctrines, but is a way of living as well as believing. It is significant that there was a Christian community large enough in Damascus for Saul to be concerned about. Christianity was spreading everywhere. Here was a man who truly hated Christ and all who were associated with Him. While on his way to Damascus, Saul was confronted by the very One Whom he was persecuting (Acts 9:3–9; 22:6–11; 26:12–18). What followed was one of the most dramatic conversions in church history. Saul of Tarsus became the apostle Paul, an ardent missionary to an unbelieving world and an example of faithful service in the face of fierce persecution (Acts 14:19; 16:22–24; 2 Corinthians 11:25–26). Saul’s education, skills, talents and zeal contributed to his success as a missionary, once they had been put under submission to the lordship of Christ. On the road Saul was caught in a bright light from heaven that caused him to fall face down on the ground. We all know the phrase, “falling off his high horse”, usually spoken regarding someone who thinks they have the moral high ground, is proud, arrogant, self- righteous...but in actuality is none of those things. So where is the horse? It is not mentioned...not to say he wasn't riding a horse. We don't know. But interesting how that phrase has been around this long, presumably as a result (at least in part) to this humbling event in the life of Saul. The idea has taken root, not in small part, due to the paintings of Saul's conversion. None of which can count as doctrine. He heard the words in verses 4–5. Against the goads: While accurate, doesn't appear to have been in the original text. It was likely added by scribes, who thought they were doing God a favor by inserting it. Goads: kentron “to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance”. A goad was a long, sharp stick used to get an ox going the way you wanted to, when plowing. One jabbed the hind legs of the ox with the goad until the ox cooperated. Saul was the ox; Jesus was the farmer. Saul was stubborn - yet valuable and potentially useful to the Master’s service. Jesus goaded Saul into the right direction, which caused Saul pain...because instead of submitting to Jesus, Saul kicked against the goad – which only increased his pain. Sound like anyone you know? Though Jesus was a fairly common name in that day, the ascended Jesus of Nazareth needed no further identification. When He said, “I am Jesus,” Saul seemed to know exactly which Jesus spoke. This may not have been his first encounter with Jesus. He might have known of Jesus, heard Him teach and witnessed His death. If in the Sanhedrin, Saul may have sat in judgment in the trial before His crucifixion. From that moment on, Saul’s life was turned upside down. V8 He would spend a few days as physically blind as he was spiritually. One way to get his attention...and give him something to think about. V9 Saul was so shaken that he could not eat or drink for 3 days. This was a humbling time, that challenged all his previous ideas about Who God was & what pleased Him...having to think about his own failure. In those three days, Saul was dying to himself. It would only be after the three days of dying that he would receive resurrection life from Jesus. As instructed, Saul continued to Damascus to make contact with Ananias. We don’t know anything about Ananias from either before or after this meeting...just that he was a disciple of Christ. Yet God used him...an ordinary disciple, for all we know.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lamb of God" Title in John's Gospel: Background, Exegesis, and Major Themes Christiane Shaker [email protected]
    Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs) Fall 12-2016 The "Lamb of God" Title in John's Gospel: Background, Exegesis, and Major Themes Christiane Shaker [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Shaker, Christiane, "The "Lamb of God" Title in John's Gospel: Background, Exegesis, and Major Themes" (2016). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 2220. https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2220 Seton Hall University THE “LAMB OF GOD” TITLE IN JOHN’S GOSPEL: BACKGROUND, EXEGESIS, AND MAJOR THEMES A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY CONCENTRATION IN BIBLICAL THEOLOGY BY CHRISTIANE SHAKER South Orange, New Jersey October 2016 ©2016 Christiane Shaker Abstract This study focuses on the testimony of John the Baptist—“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” [ἴδε ὁ ἀµνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁµαρτίαν τοῦ κόσµου] (John 1:29, 36)—and its impact on the narrative of the Fourth Gospel. The goal is to provide a deeper understanding of this rich image and its influence on the Gospel. In an attempt to do so, three areas of concentration are explored. First, the most common and accepted views of the background of the “Lamb of God” title in first century Judaism and Christianity are reviewed.
    [Show full text]
  • Living in the Promises of Jesus Acts 16 Lesson 12
    Living in the Promises of Jesus Acts 16 Lesson 12 OBSERVATION: Read Acts 16 1. After reading through these verses, what would you say to someone if they asked you what they are about? 2. Key words help us to better understand the verses. We have listed below a group of key words. Mark each one in a distinctive way Key Words: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, all references to Paul and those with him, baptized, and believe(d)/saved/salvation/gospel TIMOTHY JOINS PAUL AND SILAS: Read Acts 16:1-5 1. Who did Paul and Silas meet when they came to Derbe and Lystra? a. Using Acts 16:1-2, share three things revealed about Timothy. 1) 2) 3) b. Later in his letters, Paul referred to Timothy as his son in the faith. Recalling that Paul's first missionary journey included the city of Lystra, Timothy could have become a believer at that time. Acts 16:3 tells us that Paul wanted to have him go on with him. What did Paul do to Timothy? 1.) What reason for this are we given in this verse? 1 2. The decision of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) was that circumcision was not necessary for salvation. What did Paul write in Galatians 5:6? a. Timothy was half-Jewish. Although circumcision does nothing in regards to salvation, what might have been the benefit of circumcising Timothy? b. Using 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, explain Paul's philosophy as it might relate to having Timothy circumcised. 3. What was the result of Paul's second visit to Derbe and Lystra? verse 5 a.
    [Show full text]
  • Lesson About Dorcas
    Women in the Bible: Dorcas and me “Your word is lamp Gifted, life of for my feet and a service, loved light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 Key Scripture:Acts 9:36-42 Dorcas Her Name Means “Gazelle, Beauty, Grace” Introduction The Bible is full of faith filled stories. Stories of heroes. Sometimes we find among the greats of the Bible some gems, which are only a few verses long, but tell us so much. One of these stories is of Dorcas (Greek) or Tabitha (Aramaic or Hebrew equivalent). Her name means “Gazelle”. Dorcas lived in the seaport of Joppa. But tragedy strikes, and Dorcas gets ill and dies. Peter, who is not far away, is called to Joppa and when he arrives, we see the widows showing him everything Dorcas has made for them. Peter goes to the room she is laid out in and kneels and prays. He says: “Tabitha arise” and she wakes up. And many believed in the Lord after that. Dorcas Her Name Means “Gazelle, Beauty, Grace” Discover • She was a Christian • Her life of service • How through her death many believed Dorcas Her Name Means “Gazelle, Beauty, Grace” Going Deeper • 1. How might we know that Dorcas was a Christian? How did she show that to others? (Acts 9:36) • 2. Her name means Gazelle. When you think of a gazelle what comes to mind? What does your name mean? • 3. In the Bible we find many verses that speak of doing good for others. Look up the verses and write them out.
    [Show full text]
  • Detailed Outlines for Protecting from Satan Series
    Protecting from Satan Detailed Outline Part 1 of 5 Introduction Have you ever watched an animal protect its territory? I once saw a picture of a deer on my parents’ property running off several Canadian geese. Apparently he didn’t want them eating his grass, or messing up the place. What was clear was that he was defending what he considered to be his territory. From the safety of my television screen I have watched a grizzly bear attempt to attack hikers who, in his estimation, had invaded his territory. This helps me understand why Satan is so aggressive in his attacks on Christians. I. Why is Satan So Angry? A. Satan is angry because he is losing his turf. 1. Listen to the words of our Lord in Acts 26 which describe the result of evangelism: 16 “But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:16–18 NASB) a) Paul was called to invade Satan’s territory. He came to various places around the world, with the gospel, proclaiming to those who were in Satan’s bondage the way in which they might have freedom from sin, forgiveness and eternal life.
    [Show full text]
  • Paul the Emissary Companion Guide
    COMPANION GUIDE TO THE VIDEO Paul, the Emissary Prepared by Dr. Diana Severance P.O. Box 540 Worcester, PA 19490 610-584-3500 1-800-523-0226 Fax: 610-584-6643 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.visionvideo.com 2 Discussion Guide for The Emissary The Emissary portrays the story of the apostle Paul, closely following the Scriptural account in the book of Acts. Historians recognize that Paul was one of the most important men in all of world history. It was largely through his ministry that the message of Christianity was brought to much of the urban society of the Roman Empire within one generation. To better appreciate Paul’s ministry and impact, read the Scriptures, consider and discuss the following questions: 1. We first meet Paul in Scripture when Stephen was being stoned (Acts 7:54-60). At that time he was then called Saul. What role did Saul have in Stephen’s stoning? What impression might the dying Stephen’s words and behavior have on Saul? 2. Though born in Tarsus in Asia Minor, Paul was raised in Jerusalem, where he was a student of the beloved Gamaliel. What was Gamaliel’s attitude to the new sect of Christians? Why might Saul’s attitude differ so markedly from his teacher (Acts 22:3; 5:34-39; cf. 8:3; 9:1-2)? 3. Saul was not seeking the Lord Jesus, but the Lord was seeking him and spoke to Saul as he was on his way to Damascus to further persecute the Christians (Acts 9:1-7).
    [Show full text]
  • Feast of St. Peter
    Feast of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles The blessed Peter was from Bethsaida of Galilee; He was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called. He was a fisherman by trade, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon; later he was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who looked at him and said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42). On being raised by the Lord to the dignity of an Apostle and becoming inseparable from Him as His zealous Disciple, he followed Him from the beginning of His Preaching of salvation up until the very Passion, when, in the Court of Caiaphas the High Priest, he denied Him three times because of his fear of the Jews and of the danger at hand. But again, after many bitter tears, he received complete forgiveness of his transgression. After the Resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached in Judea, Antioch, and certain parts of Asia, and finally came to the ancient City of Rome, where he was crucified upside down by the pagan Emperor Nero, and thus he ascended to the eternal habitations about the year 66 or 68 A.D., leaving two catholic (General) Epistles to the Orthodox Church of Christ. Paul, the chosen vessel of Christ, the glory of the Church, the Apostle of the Nations and teacher of the whole world, was a Jew by race, of the tribe of Benjamin, having Tarsus as his home.
    [Show full text]
  • FROM PENTECOST to PRISON Or the Acts of the Apostles
    FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles Charles H. Welch 2 FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles by Charles H. Welch Author of Dispensational Truth The Apostle of the Reconciliation The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner Parable, Miracle, and Sign The Form of Sound Words Just and the Justifier In Heavenly Places etc. THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 52A WILSON STREET LONDON EC2A 2ER First published as a series of 59 articles in The Berean Expositor Vols. 24 to 33 (1934 to 1945) Published as a book 1956 Reset and reprinted 1996 ISBN 0 85156 173 X Ó THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 3 Received Text (Textus Receptus) This is the Greek New Testament from which the Authorized Version of the Bible was prepared. Comments in this work on The Acts of the Apostles are made with this version in mind. CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 THE BOOK AS A WHOLE............................................................... 6 2 THE FORMER TREATISE The Gentile in the Gospel of Luke ........................................ 8 3 LUKE 24 AND ACTS 1:1-14........................................................ 12 4 RESTORATION The Lord’s own teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 16 The question of Acts 1:6. Was it right?............................... 19 The O.T. teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 19 5 THE HOPE OF THE ACTS AND EPISTLES OF THE PERIOD................ 20 Further teaching concerning the hope of Israel in Acts 1:6-14............................................................... 22 6 THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE ACTS AND ITS WITNESS Jerusalem - Antioch - Rome................................................ 26 7 RESTORATION, RECONCILIATION, REJECTION The three R’s.....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • From Christian Persecutor to Ambassador in Chains: Paul of Tarsus, Apostle to the Gentiles
    FROM CHRISTIAN PERSECUTOR TO AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS: PAUL OF TARSUS, APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES WHO WAS PAUL? The great Evangelizer Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, is considered by many Christians to have au- thored a majority of the 27 New Testament (1) books which form the Holy Bible (2). His epic jour- ney is the standard bearer of conversion accounts, as he was transformed from being the most wicked persecutor of first century followers of "The Way" to the unswerving "Ambassador in Chains" (Ephesians 6:19-20) who preached and taught the Good News of Jesus Christ (3) while helping nurture infant churches along the path. EARLY LIFE The Scriptures don't tell us much about Paul's heritage or early life. Acts 22:3 shares that Paul was born in Tarsus of Cicilia (ed note: circa 5 AD), then a large trade center on the Mediterranean coast in what is now south central Turkey, and that he "studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors." Born into a devout Jewish family (4), Paul referred to his lineage in Philippians 3:5 as being "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Ben- jamin (5), a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee." He later became a leader of the Christian Church in the first century world. The "son of Paul's sister" is mentioned in Acts 23:16 and Paul shares in Acts 23:6 that he "descended from Pharisees." In 2 Timothy 1:3, Paul gives thanks to God, "whom I serve, as my ancestors did." PRESENT AT THE STONING OF STEPHEN The first mention of Paul in the Bible is in Acts 7:54-60, when he is referred to by his Jewish name of Saul.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 20 Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece on the Way Back to Jerusalem
    Acts of the Apostles 19:21–22 and Acts 20 Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece on the way back to Jerusalem The one where Eutychus falls out of a window and Paul says goodbye to the Ephesians. Last week u In Ephesus, twelve men who had only known the Baptism of John were baptized and when Paul laid hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit. u Paul preached in the synagogue for 3 months then left to preach daily in the hall of Tyrannus. u Paul remained in Ephesus for 3 years. All of Asia heard the WORD! u Paul performed miracles in Ephesus. Even his washcloths or aprons would heal people if these items of Paul touched their skin. u 7 sons of the High Priest try to exorcize a demon by using the name of Jesus. They are beat up and driven out of the house naked by the demon! Last week u Seeing this, many who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in sight of all who were there. u Paul wrote the First Letter to the Corinthians at this time. u Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia and then sends Titus to Corinth. u Silversmiths who made idols of Artemis begin a riot in Ephesus. They fear Paul’s teaching will hurt their livelihood and keep tourists away from the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus. u A town clerk was the voice of reason who calmed the crowd. Acts 19:21-22 u 21 When this was concluded, Paul made up his mind to travel through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must visit Rome also.” 22 Then he sent to Macedonia two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, while he himself stayed for a while in the province of Asia.
    [Show full text]
  • Gospel of Nicodemus, Évangile De Gamaliel, Évangile De Nicodème, Second Or “Long” Version) in French, Decorated Manuscript on Parchment France, C
    Passion selon Gamaliel (Gospel of Nicodemus, Évangile de Gamaliel, Évangile de Nicodème, second or “long” version) In French, decorated manuscript on parchment France, c. 1450-1500 ii (paper, f. i, marbled) + 70 + ii (paper, f. ii verso, marbled) folios on parchment, original foliation in red roman numerals [cited in this description], center top margin, *ii-vii, *ix-xxx, *xxx bis-lxxii, missing the first and last leaf in the first quire, and an undetermined number of quires at the end (collation, i8 [-1 and -8, f. i and f. viii, with loss of text] ii-ix8), horizontal catchwords copied in the lower margin centered below the second column of text, no leaf or quire signatures, ruled very lightly in lead with the top and bottom horizontal rules full across on some folios and with single full-length vertical bounding lines (justification, 160 x 123-113 mm.), written below the top line in a bold batârde script in two columns of twenty-two lines, a few elaborate cadel initials in the top line of text, majuscules within text carefully touched with pale yellow wash, red folio numbers, alternately red and blue paragraph marks, one- to two-line red initials, slightly cockled, some yellowing and occasional stains, ink slightly smudged on f. xliv, but still legible, overall in excellent condition. Quarter bound in modern leather and marbled paper, separated at front hinge, but otherwise in good condition. Dimensions 257 x 180 mm. This is one of only sixteen manuscripts (all others in public collections) of a French prose version of the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, an account of Christ’s Passion, including his trial, death, Descent into Hell, and Resurrection.
    [Show full text]
  • Pentecost Sunday – Cycle B
    Pentecost Sunday – Cycle B Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage. Introduction Pentecost is an Israelite-Jewish festival. In Exodus 23:14-17 it is called simply the harvest festival, the feast of first-fruits of the grain harvest. In Exodus 34:22 it is called the feast of weeks, the first-fruits of the grain harvest. In Leviticus 23:15-21 the feast is reckoned by counting seven weeks from the beginning of the grain harvest; it is a day of Sabbatical observance. In Numbers 28:26-31 it is called the feast of weeks, the day of first-fruits. In Deuteronomy 16:9-12 it is the feast of weeks, which occurs seven weeks after the beginning of the grain harvest. It is one of the three major festivals in all the older lists of feasts. It is probable that it was later in origin than Passover and did not take form until the Israelites had become a primarily agricultural community in Canaan. The time of the festival in its original celebration must have been indefinite, since the beginning of the grain harvest can’t be put at a certain day in the calendar. The beginning of the grain harvest corresponds with the feast of Matzoth (unleavened bread). When Passover and Matzoth were combined and set on the 14 th of Nisan, the festival of weeks received a regular date in the calendar seven weeks (fifty days) after Passover. As a major feast, all Jewish males over the age of twelve were expected to try to celebrate it in Jerusalem.
    [Show full text]
  • Download PDF Version
    Chapter 5 What’s God’s Mission for Your Life? Acts 9:1–19 UNDERSTANDING Pages 64 - 69 DISCUSSION Pages 70 - 74 Understanding / What’s God’s Mission for Your Life? UNDERSTANDING WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PASSAGE? Read Acts 9:1–19 The Big Picture God has a plan for our life. How are we called to serve? What is God’s plan for your life? In this chapter, we will look at the conversion of St. Paul to examine how God gave him a mission for his life. Then, your group will begin to outline their own personal mission statements to explore God’s plan for their lives. Saul the Pharisee, Saul the Persecutor As we saw earlier, Saul (known later as St. Paul) consented to the death of the first martyr, St. Stephen (Acts 8:1). He also scattered the Christians to Judea and Samaria through his persecutions. Now he takes center stage as he goes to Damascus to persecute the Christians there. We know a little bit about St. Paul’s background from his own account in the New Testament. He tells us that he was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). He was a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and studied under the greatest Pharisee of his day, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He was zealous for the law, meaning that he was willing to use violence even against his fellow Jews to protect the correct teaching of the law (see 1 Maccabees 3:23-26). ‘Saul, Saul, Why Are You Persecuting Me?’ (Acts 9:1-9) Saul’s zealousness for the law helps explain why he violently persecuted the Christians and why he is intent on traveling to Damascus.
    [Show full text]