Unpacking the Book #11 Life of Paul

Transcription

1 Written by Sherry Worel Unpacking the Book #11 Life of Paul I. An historical perspective on the growth of the Early Church using an outline of Acts (from Talk through the Bible) A. The power of the church (1:1-2:47) B. The progress of the church (3:1-8:4) C. The witness in Judea and Samaria (8:5-12:25) 1. Philip (8:5-40) 2. Saul (9:1-31) 3. Peter (9:32-11:18) 4. Early church witness (11:19-12:25) D. The witness to the end of the earth 1. First missionary journey Jerusalem council (13:1-28:31) (13:1-14:28) (15:1-35) 2. Second missionary journey (15:36-18:32) 3. Third missionary journey (18:23-21:16) 4. Trip to Rome (21:17-28:31) II. The apostle Paul A. A brief biography of Paul Origin: Training: Early Religion: Salvation: Called to Missions: Roles: Achievements: End of Life: (Nelson s Complete Book of Maps and Charts) Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts 22:3) Tribe of Benjamin (Phil. 3:5) Learned tentmaking (Acts 18:3) Studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) Hebrew and Pharisee (Phil 3:5) Persecuted Christians (Acts 8:1-3; Phil. 3:6) Met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-8) Received the infilling of the Holy Spirit on the street called Straight (Acts 9:11,17) Church to Antioch was instructed by the Holy Spirit to send out Paul to the work (Acts 13:1-3) Carried the gospel primarily to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7-10) [Peter primarily focused on Jews] Spoke up for the church at Antioch at the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35) Opposed Peter (Gal. 2:11-21) Disputed with Barnabas about John Mark (Acts 15:36-41) Three extended missionary journeys (Acts 13-20) Founded numerous churches in Asia Minor and Greece Wrote letters to numerous churches and various individuals which now make up one-fourth of our New Testament Following arrest in Jerusalem, was sent to Rome (Acts 21:27; 28:16-31) According to Christian tradition, released from prison allowing further missionary work in Macedonia; rearrested, imprisoned again in Rome, and beheaded outside of the city Edited and taught by Cathy Ulrich

2 2 B. Paul s place in flow of New Testament history (blueletterbible.org/study/paul/timeline.html) 6 B.C. 28 A.D. ~ Early 57 May Birth of Jesus Ascension of Jesus/Pentecost Conversion on the Damascus Road 1st Missionary Journey to Cyprus and Galatia (Acts 13-14) Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) Is circumcision necessary for salvation? 2nd Missionary Journey to Asia Minor, Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 16-18) In Corinth (Acts 18) In Jerusalem 3rd Missionary Journey to Macedonia, Dalmatia and Achaia (Acts 19-20) In Ephesus (Acts 19) To Jerusalem; arrested (Acts 21:1-23:22) Imprisoned in Caesarea; before Felix, Festus, Agrippa (Acts 23:23-26:32) Sent to Rome (Acts 27:1-28:28) Preaches under house arrest in Rome (Act 28:30-31) Imprisoned and executed in Rome under Nero Destruction of Temple under Titus C. Note the impact of his work geographically

3 3 D. A Time Line Of Paul s Epistles III. Paul s Journeys ( A. First Missionary Journey and Jerusalem Council (Acts 13-15) (~46-48 AD)

4 4 Galatia - A large Roman province in Asia Minor, extending almost from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean through the mountains and plains of modern central Turkey. Settled by Gauls from central Asia in the 3rd century BC, Galatia included the Phrygian town of Pisidian Antioch; not to be confused with Syrian Antioch When were people first called Christians? The term Christian to designate someone who believes Jesus is the Messiah is first used in Antioch (Syria). The Bible doesn't state whether the term originated from those in or outside the church. The word Christian occurs only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1Peter 4:16). B. Paul's Second Missionary Journey, with Silas returning to Asia Minor and on into Europe (Acts 15:40-18:23) c AD49-52 Philippi - The ruins of Philippi are near modern Kavalla in northern Greece founded by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great. A Roman colony and military centre, governed directly from Rome, Philippi was situated on the Via Egnatian, the highway running east and west linking Rome to Byzantium (Istanbul): Thessalonica - Modern Salonika or Thessalonika. A free city, capital of the Roman province of Macedonia in northern Greece. Thessalonica was a major port, and like Philippi, located on the eastwest Egnatian highway, and thus an important centre of trade by land and by sea: Corinth - The original Corinth is near modern Corinth in southern Greece. An ancient Greek city, and chief town of the Roman province of Achaia. Located near the narrow strip of land separating the Adriatic from the Aegean Seas, Corinth was a vital centre of commerce. A cosmopolitan city with the temple of Aphrodite - goddess of love and fertility - and with two nearby ports including Cenchrea, Corinth was well known for its sexual immorality. Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months and writes his two letters to the Thessalonians

5 5 C. Paul's Third Missionary Journey, Asia Minor and Greece (Acts 18:40-21) c AD53-58 Ephesus - South of modern Izmir or Smyrna in Western Turkey, and at that time capital of the Roman province of Asia. One of the three greatest cities of the eastern Mediterranean with a population of perhaps 250,000 - the other two being Alexandria in Egypt and Syrian Antioch. Ephesus was an important port with good access to the interior of Asia Minor. As a centre for the worship of Artemis or Diana - the Asian goddess of fertility, her temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The great theatre could hold 25,000 people. Paul's longest recorded stay (3 years) in any one location during his three missionary journeys After speaking in the synagogue for 3 months, Paul turned to holding daily discussions in the lecture-hall of Tyrannus for the next 2 years. Towards the end of his 3 year stay in Ephesus, Paul probably wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth. At Troas [9], Paul's lengthy teaching almost leads to the death of a young man Eutychus who goes to asleep and falls out of window!) When they come to Jerusalem, Paul is arrested (Acts 21:27-36) Paul speaks to the crowds (sharing his testimony and the gospel). They want to kill him, but he pulls out the trump card Roman citizen! (Acts 22:22-29). In fear for his safety, he is sent to Caesarea where he remains for 2 years. There he appears before Felix, Festus and Agrippa

6 6 D. Paul's Journey under Arrest from Caesarea to Rome (Acts 27:12-28:31) c AD58-61 While under house arrest in Rome he writes Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians. IV. The spread of churches (through 100 AD) (Nelson s Complete book of Bible Maps and Charts) V. So what? Remember our focus on facts has a purpose: Ps. 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.