St paul

Question 1

What are areas of context relation to St Paul’s life? (4)

Answer 1

Jewish background
Roman citizen
Diaspora and Hellenistic Jew
tent maker

Question 2

How did his Jewish background affect Paul’s life? (3)

Answer 2

• he was a member of a tribe of Benjamin where his jewish community were minorities.
• family of zealous jews therefore followed laws of Pharisees, meaning he persecuted Christians
• understood Jewish law very well, as a teenager he went to Jerusalem to rediscover his Jewish roots at the school of Garnaliel and was well educated in Greek and the Torah by Rabbi Gamiliel

Question 3

How did his Diaspora Jew life affect Paul’s life? (1)

Answer 3

He was a descendant of diaspora Jews (Jews born to Roman citizen parents in Tarsus

Question 4

How did his Hellenistic Jew life affect Paul’s life? (2)

Answer 4

• knew greek philiosophy and culture such as the religion
• He was Hellenistic Jew (Hellenistic culture: Greek culture, beliefs in Greek God), Greece was known as the centre for education and philosophy- well spoken bold leader

Question 5

How did tent making affect Paul’s life? (3)

Answer 5

• Tentmaker by trade
• He could travel anywhere with leather working tools and set up a shop
• He earned his own living as he was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) Luke says, and how Paul often combined preaching of the gospel with working with his hands (1 Corinthians 9)

Question 6

How did the life of St Paul; his context affect religion?

Answer 6

Paul’s Jewish, Roman and Greek background allowed him to an ideal ‘apostle’ to the gentiles.

Question 7

How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion?(Diaspora Jew) (4)

Answer 7

• Used roman roads and modes of communication (by sea) Roman technology meant that his message spread further afield (missionary journeys)

Entry to Roman houses
He used the social gatherings in the Roman lifestyle with the rich
- The gathering of Christians around the table in private homes due to persecution and for the breaking of the bread (space for preaching)

Understood the culture allow him to connect more easily with Gentiles

privileges/protection of Roman Law—when arrested/trail/type of death sentence

• he was tried legally as he was trialled as a Roman Citizen and so got off many times
• Considering his roman citizenship he was given trial in Rome in front of Caesar before being beheaded

Question 8

How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion?(Interplay) (Hellenistic Jew) 43)

Answer 8

• Growing up with a distinction between Gentiles and Jews
• he used his greek philosophy and thought in order to connect with Gentiles
• as he was influenced by varied perspectives such as the mystery of gods and goddess, and so he knew of the prevailing views
• enabled him to contextualize the teachings of Christianity to the Gentiles who would have had quite varying beliefs including Polytheism
  as this was custom to their Hellenistic Culture.

Question 9

How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion?(Interplay) (Pharisee) (5)

Answer 9

• Access into synagogues and spoke as a stranger in new places—read the Torah and then announced the Risen Christ
• Knowledge of law allowed him clearly explain balance between beliefs/values and the Law
• Apostle to the Gentiles, spoke up at the Council of Jerusalem, clarifying the understanding of the New Law which supersedes the Law of Moses- Circumcision Acts 15:1-11
• Paul was able to use his knowledge of the Old Law later in his life to clarify the new Law. Due to the fact he was educated by the famous Gamliel which was the leading authority amongst the Pharisees of the day, Paul was extremely well known. He was a charismatic speaker and strong leader who was well equipped in addressing large groups of people.
• Furthermore, his knowledge of the Torah would have allowed him to transcend how Jesus fulfilled the Torah, as well as translate which important laws
  would remain with those who would follow The New Christian Movement.

Question 10

Acts 16:37

Answer 10

“They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens.” Acts 16:37

Question 11

How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion? (Christian missionary) (4)

Answer 11

Spent up to 7 years at a particular place to teach and preach — set up a Christian community

Revisited, sent messengers and wrote letters to encourage and assist these community,

allowed Gentiles into churches but got arrested

Developed a theology of preaching—preached Christ as the crucified Messiah—The mystery of the cross (salvation)
became a christian missionary

Question 12

How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion? (Symbolism of being blinded) (3)

Answer 12

Symbolism of being blinded and restored to sight by baptism

an initiative by the divine—at a point in his life of God’s choosing, a direct mission given from Jesus who allows himself to be seen by Paul

Born again, a new way of seeing the world as revealed and achieved by Jesus.

Question 13

Acts 9:15

Answer 13

“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” Acts 9:15

Question 14

What was Paul’s mission? (2)

Answer 14

Mission was to proclaim the gospel of Christ to Gentiles
- prolongate Christ’s missions

his sense of being close to Christ and being loved by him

Question 15

What were his journeys for?

Answer 15

His journeys: Paul was inspired to spread the Gospel and travelled extensively to spread the message of Jesus and expand the church opening it to gentiles

Question 16

What happened in his first journey? (2)

Answer 16

he was accompanied by Barnabas and it ended when Paul returned to Jerusalem for the Council
He was already working with the Gentiles and wanted them and Jews to hear about Jesus. Arguing for this position at the Council of Jerusalem

Question 17

How did he contribute to religion? (2)

Answer 17

made an impact as apostle, as theologian and as letter-writer
- he was a theologian he worked on many intriguing questions on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

he expanded the church opening it to Gentiles, fighting for his conviction that the gospel was for everyone

Question 18

What happened on his second journey? (3)

Answer 18

he travelled with Silas, they spent time in Athens and Corinth where they preached to everyone

They went to synagogues to preach to Jews and spoke in the market places

His message was centred on how Jesus had come for all and there was a place in the Christian community for everyone who put their faith in the risen Lord.

Question 19

What happened on his third journey? (3)

Answer 19

he revisited many Christian communities he had founded or written to such as a group at Ephesus.

preached against the worship of false gods, enraging many local traders especially local silversmiths who made images of local goddess Artemis. Putting them out of business

may have led to his imprisonment

Question 20

How did religion allow him to contribute to religion? (5)

Answer 20

• Great themes in the life of St Paul was his passion to live like Jesus Christ, getting to know him better and help others realise that Jesus loved them too and that they could also have a personal relationship with him
• He came up with the doctrine that would turn Christianity from a small sect of Judaism into a worldwide faith that was open to all.
• established some building blocks of faith
• Paul’s writings are foundational underpinning rites such as Baptism (initiation) and Eucharist (memorial of Jesus’ breaking of bread)
• sees his mission as a continuation of the mission given to the prophets—as God’s servant/slave (analogy)
  his mission is the prolongation of the mission of Christ

Question 21

How did St Paul develop Key Ethical Teachings of Membership of the body of Christ?

Answer 21

Membership of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
“For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

All are equal, Baptism is a visible sign of the membership and Paul makes reference to the community as ‘one body’. This defines the importance of community and baptism as a sign of membership of the community.

Question 22

How did his letters develop religion? (2)

Answer 22

The Pauline Epistles or Letters
letters were written to help new Christian communities overcome theological concerns and realise how to live a Christian life in varied cultures of Mediterranean—as Jew or Gentile.

helped supported encouraged and inspired the communities and interpreted the teachings of Jesus

Question 23

What is St Paul’s contribution to expressions of Christianity?

Answer 23

Reform: Letters formed part of Christianity used in ceremonies of initiation and Sunday worship. Interpretation of Paul’s teachings led to Reformation (Luther)
Reinterpretation: From a Jewish sect where Jewish followers of Jesus followed the Law of Moses, Christianity inclusion of Gentiles changed what it meant to be a Christian
Expansion: As Christianity expanded Paul clarified how Hellenic community might interpret the teachings of Jesus

Question 24

What is St Paul’s contribution to expressions of Christianity? (reform)

Answer 24

Reform: Letters formed part of Christianity used in ceremonies of initiation and Sunday worship. Interpretation of Paul’s teachings led to Reformation (Luther)
Wrote in 13 of 27 books in the bible, including the acts of teh apostles.

Question 25

What is St Paul’s contribution to expressions of Christianity? (reinterpretation)

Answer 25

Reinterpretation: From a Jewish sect where Jewish followers of Jesus followed the Law of Moses, Christianity inclusion of Gentiles changed what it meant to be a Christian

Question 26

What is St Paul’s contribution to expressions of Christianity? (expansion)

Answer 26

Expansion: As Christianity expanded Paul clarified how Hellenic community might interpret the teachings of Jesus

Question 27

What is St Paul’s contribution to development of Christianity?

Answer 27

Reform: Inclusion of Gentiles
Reinterpretation: Clarified and codified teachings on what was needed for membership of the Christian community
Expansion: Spread to the Hellenic community the message and teachings of Jesus Christ

Question 28

What is St Paul’s contribution to development of Christianity? Reform (2)

Answer 28

Reform: Inclusion of Gentiles
- He challenged leadership of Jesus movement, Peter and James at the council of Jerusalem to allow Gentiles to be Christians without following food laws or be circumcised. (Acts 15)

• By spreading the story of Jesus Christ, Paul gave Jews and Gentiles a way forward. His teachings love of God and neighbour challenged the followers of Jesus to follow the command of love over the law

Question 29

What is St Paul’s contribution to development of Christianity? Reinterpretation (1)

Answer 29

Clarified and codified teachings on what was needed for membership of the Christian community

His writings formulated key teachings about nature of the Church. He taught about how Christ lived in them and by baptism and Holy Spirit they were able to contribute to the Christian community

Question 30

What is St Paul’s contribution to development of Christianity? Expansion

Answer 30

Expansion: Spread to the Hellenic community the message and teachings of Jesus Christ
- by spreading the word of jesus through missionaries, Christian communities in key cities such as Rome, Ephesus and Corinth

Question 31

How does St Paul influence Christians today? (3)

Answer 31

St Paul’s letter laid foundations for much of belief and practices evident in the Christian Church today

Paul’s writings are foundational underpinning rites such as Baptism (initiation) and Eucharist (memorial of Jesus’ breaking of bread)

Paul’s experience of conversion continues to give hope that Christians can amend their life and change for the better with the grace of God

Question 32

What is St Paul’s significance for Christianity? (7)

Answer 32

St Paul’s was the Church’s first theologian
Outlined ethical demands for Christianity
Missionary to Gentiles
Challenged Early Christians to accept Gentiles into the Church as full members
Taught about salvation through gracee and the death and resurrection of Jesus Chrsit
Martyr for his faith.

Question 33

How has St Paul changed Christianity though history? (2)

Answer 33

influenced theology and later theologians such as St Augustine of Hippo and Martin Luther

St Augustine (300CE) was changed from an immoral life to one of faith after reading Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Augustine’s foundational work on the gospel as a gift (grace), on morality as life in the Spirit, on predestination, and on original sin all derive from Paul, especially Roman.

Question 34

1 Corinthians 12:13

Answer 34

“For we were all baptised by one spirit so as to form one body- whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free.”

Question 35

Discuss the interplay between the life of one significant person and their context.

Answer 35

Paul was able to use his knowledge of the Old Law later in his life to clarify the new Law.
Due to the fact he was educated by the famous Gamliel which was the leading authority
amongst the Pharisees of the day, Paul was extremely well known. He was a charismatic
speaker and strong leader who was well equipped in addressing large groups of people.
Being Jewish and well versed in the Torah, he was able to gain access to the synagogues to
announce the message on the risen Christ. Due to the fact he was a Greek speaking
Pharisee, educated in Jewish and Hellenistic Culture, he was able to adapt his speech to
appeal to mass audiences. Furthermore, his knowledge of the Torah would have allowed
him to transcend how Jesus fulfilled the Torah, as well as translate which important laws
would remain with those who would follow The New Christian Movement. In addition, his
knowledge of Hellenistic Culture would have enabled him to contextualize the teachings of
Christianity to the Gentiles who would have had quite varying beliefs including Polytheism
as this was custom to their Hellenistic Culture. Furthermore, Paul’s context as a Roman
Citizen meant he was able to travel roman roads to make him missionary journeys. In
addition, his Roman Citizenship was vital for the success of his Mission, such as the time
when he was arrested in Jerusalem.

Question 36

Discussion of the Interplay in relation to the person and their religion/ the
religion (example paragraph)

Answer 36

Whilst Christianity impacted Paul, Paul also impacted Christianity. He established Churches and communities in the political and cultural centers of the world including Corinth, Ephesis and Rome. He sent letters to respond to events and to establish and inform people of the
particular beliefs. He also baptized mass numbers of people, evangelizing large
communities. He entered synagogues and read from the Torah to announce the risen Christ
teaching salvation, sacrifice and what it means to be Christian. Furthermore, he taught key
concepts such as brotherhood and equality, this would have been crucial in helping people
of the time contextualise the message of Christ in a period by which there was great
imbalance of power.

Question 37

What was occurring during the time St Paul was born?

Answer 37

• harsh roman role, and so there was a need for a message of salvation.

Question 38

How did the the need of salvation influence Paul’s work in religion? (3)
U
S
(Colossians 1:4)

Answer 38

Allowing for Paul’s teaching on Universal salvation.
Taught that everyone will be saved through preaching
“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, for you know that all have a master in heaven (Colossians 1:4)