the Apostle Paul Flashcards
To defend the legitimacy of his ministry, examine his core theology and the way the disciples and church fathers viewed him.
Who was St. Paul before his conversion?
Paul (originally Saul) was a Pharisee from Tarsus who persecuted early Christians. He was zealous for the Jewish law and sought to suppress the followers of Jesus (Acts 8:3; Philippians 3:5-6). He was responsible for the death of the first Christian martyr, Stephen.
. Describe St. Paul’s conversion experience.
While traveling to Damascus to arrest Christians, Paul encountered the risen Christ in a blinding vision. Jesus asked, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:3-6). This experience led to his conversion and his commissioning as an apostle to the Gentiles.
What was Paul’s primary mission?
Paul was called to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). He spread the gospel across the Roman Empire, establishing churches and teaching that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not by works of the law (Galatians 2:16)
What were some key cities Paul visited during his missionary journeys?
Paul traveled extensively, visiting cities like Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Rome (Acts 13-28).
How did Paul suffer for the gospel?
Paul faced severe hardships, including:
Imprisonments (2 Corinthians 11:23)
Beatings and stonings (Acts 14:19)
Shipwrecks (2 Corinthians 11:25)
Hunger and danger (2 Corinthians 11:27)
How did Paul defend his authority as an apostle?
Paul asserted that his apostleship came directly from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:1). He emphasized that his message was revealed by God and not received from human sources (Galatians 1:11-12).
What was Paul’s teaching on justification?
Paul taught that people are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16).
How did Paul view the unity of Jews and Gentiles?
Paul taught that in Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. All believers are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14-16)
What role did Paul play in the Council of Jerusalem?
At the Council (Acts 15), Paul argued that Gentile converts should not be required to follow the Mosaic Law. The council agreed, affirming that salvation comes through grace.
How did Paul encourage Christian living?
Paul emphasized virtues like love, humility, and service (Romans 12:9-21; Philippians 2:1-11) and instructed believers to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).
How did Paul view suffering?
Paul saw suffering as a way to participate in Christ’s sufferings and a path to spiritual growth (Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 3:10).
How did Peter view Paul’s writings?
Peter acknowledged Paul’s wisdom and described his letters as Scripture, though some were difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:15-16).
What did St. Ignatius of Antioch say about Paul?
Ignatius praised Paul as a model of faithfulness and a “sanctified” man who taught truth and endured suffering for Christ.
How did St. Clement of Rome describe Paul?
Clement admired Paul’s endurance, calling him a “man of holiness,” who “taught righteousness throughout the world and reached the farthest limits of the West.”
How did St. John Chrysostom view Paul?
Chrysostom called Paul the “tongue of Christ” and admired his tireless preaching and willingness to suffer for the gospel.
How did Paul describe his calling?
Paul called himself “a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1).
What was Paul’s final fate?
According to tradition, Paul was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero, likely by beheading due to his Roman citizenship.
Why is Paul important to Christian theology?
Paul shaped core Christian doctrines, including justification by faith, the role of grace, and the unity of believers in Christ.
What evidence supports Pauline authorship of his letters?
Scholars generally agree that seven epistles (Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon) are authentically Pauline due to their theological consistency, style, and early church attribution. Even disputed letters (e.g., Ephesians, Colossians) show Pauline themes, and early Church Fathers like Clement and Polycarp recognized Paul as their author.
Did the Church Fathers believe Paul’s gospel aligned with the other apostles?
The Church Fathers, including Irenaeus and Augustine, affirmed that Paul’s teachings were consistent with the other apostles. Irenaeus wrote in Against Heresies (Book 3) that Paul did not preach a different gospel but proclaimed the same faith handed down from the apostles.
