Paul: Pastor to the new people

Question 1

How would Luke have described Paul

Answer 1

prophet
apostle
evangelist

Question 2

Paul’s self-portrait

Answer 2

apostle
pastor
teacher

Question 3

Paul’s background

Answer 3

• Zealous Pharisaic Rabbi
• from Tarsus in Cilicia
• Born as a Roman Citizen. Citizenship was rare for a Jew
• Jewish tradition says begin education at 5 (memorizing the Torah). At 10 education moved from scripture to patriarchal tradition. Would’ve been required to ‘work with his hands’ to avoid sin. 13 - Bar Mitzvah
• Roman name was Saul, Jewish name was Paul
• Paul held Christians as being apostates. Thus his killing of Christians was the right thing

Question 4

Paul’s calling & apostleship

Answer 4

• His calling was from his mother’s womb
• This was realized on the way to Damascus, complete with theophanies Paul would understand, as well as Christophany
• Paul well understood grace
• Paul would frequently make reference to his direct calling, his apostleship, his having seen Jesus, and God’s sovereign choice in all this. Others were not listening to him because they doubted his apostleship