Sunday: Saul of Tarsus
Saul was born in Tarsus, an important town on the trade route between Syria and western Asia (Acts 22:3). Tarsus was a multicultural center of industry and learning and home for a short time to Rome’s most famous orator and senator, Cicero.
Saul’s parents were Diaspora Jews (Jews who were not living in the land of Israel) from the tribe of Benjamin. His birth name was Saul (Hebrew sha’ul, asked for (of God)
)—though, after he began his mission to the Gentiles (Acts 13:9), he took the name Paul (LatinPaulus, name of a prominent Roman family).
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
Also, since he was a Pharisee, Paul probably had a wife, though we know nothing about her. In fact, we don’t know much about his family at all, though a sister and a nephew are mentioned (Acts 23:16). Paul was also a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-28).
Saul was probably educated in synagogue school in Tarsus until 12 years of age, followed by rabbinic study in Jerusalem with the famous Rabban (this honorary title meant our rabbi
) Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Like most Jewish males, he learned a trade—in his case, tent making (Acts 18:3).
As already stated, Paul was a Pharisee (Phil. 3:5). The Pharisees (meaning separated ones
) were known for insisting that all the laws of God, both those written in the books of Moses, as well as those handed down verbally by generations of scribes, were binding on all Jews. Their strict patriotism and detailed obedience to Jewish laws could make them appear to their fellow Jews as hypocritical and judgmental. Paul, however, did not hide the fact that he and his father were Pharisees (Acts 23:6).
Paul’s pharisaic background was an important element in his successful missionary work for both Jews and Gentiles. It equipped him with detailed knowledge of the Old Testament, the only Scriptures available to early Christians. It also acquainted him with the scribal additions to, and expansions of, the Old Testament laws. He was thus the apostle best qualified to discern between timeless, Scripture-based divine absolutes on the one hand and later Jewish cultural additions, which were not binding, and which therefore could be ignored by Gentile followers of Jesus. As we have seen, this issue would become a very important one in the life of the early church. Today, too, the role of culture in the church creates issues for the church to address.
Which of our Christian beliefs seem to conflict most sharply with the surrounding culture? How do you deal with the conflict without compromising what must never be compromised?
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I am satisfy with the knowledge of how Saul Tarsus becomes Paul by God's grace.
It's true the Bible tells us little if not nothing about Paul's family. I believe this tells us that our personal relationship with God must overshadow our earthly relationships
Saul, a man of distinct advantages, was one of significant learning and extensive religious training (Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:14). Thinking he was offering service to God he used his influence and energies against the cause of Christ (John 16:20). A gloomy way it is to start a story, but thankfully not the way it would end.
There are those today who do not out rightly persecute the brethren, but by a misguided agenda or obsession with side issues may unintentionally lend their influence and energies to go against the movement of Christ, thinking they will be commended for their efforts or leave a legacy worth celebrating.
Others may be drawn by the promise of promotion to a higher and broader sphere or the expectation to shine on a larger stage and be led to compromise by diluting the straight message.
Still another group may simply grow weary of standing by a purpose firm and turn to a soft or sugar-coated message, reasoning that if all just focus on love the gospel work would be complete; never mind the sure word of prophecy and the waymarks to support same.
Contrary to common expectation the ‘fire and brimstone’ preachers are those who by smooth and soft ‘peace and prosperity’ messages (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4) set up or point the way to ‘fire and brimstone’ (Revelation 21:8).
Saul who became Paul, when he changed course and redirected his influence and energies preached a straight message (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). The Lord’s desire is that every individual’s story would end like Paul’s; for having fought a good fight there was a crown waiting for one who was faithful to duty (2 Timothy 4:7, 8).
I understand what you are saying Winston but I think the word "overshadow" probably carried with it the wrong association of ideas. I rather think that our relationship with God should illuminate our earthly relationships. Jesus told us to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our love for God will be communicated to others through our love for them.
Thanx for that one Maurice
May I know the truth about Paul, which verse says that he was married?
There is no Bible reference that states that Paul was married. He was however closely associated with the Sanhedrin as is shown by his role in the death of Steven and in the follow-up persecution of the early Christians. He was well educated in the rabbinical schools and played an active role. It is therefore quite possible that he was a member of the Sanhedrin. There is evidence from Jewish writings and from Josephus that to be a member of the Sanhedrin one had to be married.
So while the Biblical evidence is not categorical, it is quite possible that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin and therefore married.
We do need to be careful, not to make too much of Paul's marital status. His contribution to our understanding of the Gospel does not depend on it.
Which verse says he was associated with the sanhedrin?
Paul's experience as a Roman Citizen, Pharisee by intellect prepared the way for him to become a prominent pharisee that would later be the only way to become a pharisee saved by grace so He would become a champion of the Gospel cause and successfully the champion of its explosion in Asia Minor and Europe. Our bigoted experience from early up bringing and young life education and work and the experience and development of talents and abilities that comes with it God uses as it becomes part of a cluster of gift of the spirit that if used according to the wills and leading of Holy Ghost for the furtherance of the Gospel and Kingdom of God to the glory of God in guiding heathens or believers of the other Christian denomination to come to know the totality Eternal Gospel at its verity so they also will glorify God in becoming a disciple for Jesus and Kingdom of Heaven.
The bible did not mention much about Paul's family,but Paul stated thathe wished others could remain as he was-single.So I do not agree with the 'propably Paul had a wife.'
Whatever preparation we may have or may be thinking to have, God can use it, He can us in any way for the advance of the work needed before He comes, to be a blessing to a child, or a sick, or a college, etc. Satan is placing his agents in strategic places, if we are in God's hands, God could use us also.
The question at the end of the lesson is an interesting one. How do we deal with conflict and not compromise or beliefs. The Supreme Court of the United States has placed legality to same-sex marriage. The person who has to grant the licenses does not believe in same-sex marriage. To her it is against what God ordained. What should she do? Should she comply? Would like some input.
No, she should not comply. Although I heard it said that she should have resigned her position. In college I had a friend who was openly homosexual, when he found out I was a SDA, in shock he said "you must think I'm going to hell", to which I replied. "No, that is not for me to decide. Although I to not agree with your lifestyle, and your struggle and sorrows should be a clue to you why it is not right, I do not judge you. I love you. It is for God to judge, and His word is clear about the homosexual lifestyle."
Saul never had a wife. There is no probable. Ellen White says that he was elected to the Sanhedrin because of the part he played in the stoning of Stephen. Sketches from the Life of Paul chapter 2 pg 20 par 2. Read and become wise unto salvation
Also Paul himself says that he was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, in Jerusalem, where he was giving his defense at that time. We don't need to speculate when we have the plain biblical facts right before our face. Let us take the Bible as it reads without adding or subtracting. Thank you and be Be blessed
I know this point is not THE POINT of the lesson (so why the author mentions it is beyond me) but 1 Corinthians 7:8 says Paul is single. Doesn't that mean unmarried? He dedicated his life, either as Saul and/or Paul, to God. Paul even states in other verses that marriage distracts from God.
1 Cor 7:8 (NKJV) But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
1 Cor 7:8 (LB) So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—better to stay unmarried if you can, just as I am.
I guess Paul could have been widowed. I sincerely doubt, given Saul's propensity for rules, that he would have divorced.
I like acts9:5 when Saul was called by God when he responded it was like he already or had that voice before because there he said "who are you,Lord?so us people sometime we do hear Gods voice bt pretend as if we do not know or hear him,and I also like verse 21:22 we as christian we like to judge people on what they were doing in the past,we do not look at what is he/she doing nw and encourage and support that person instead we remind our brothers and sister of what they were doing which is so wrong.
Paul himself says that the wish everyone could be like him -single .There is no for speculation.When there is the'thus saith the Lord.'
Paul had the background knowledge of Old testament law that motivate him be a successful apostle, and gospel missionary. Thus we have to be equip with what God want us to be.
Interesting point: Paul came from a background where the people had perverted the LORD's covenant of love and mercy into a tradition of earning God's favour by what one does.
So he was the ideal person, once he saw the light, to explain to all that the true meaning of the covenant is that Jesus first loves us and then gives us his divine power to enable us to live in harmony with His character.
We learn throughout this lesson about PAUL how he communicates with people.
per the last question for Sunday, it would have to be all the commandments that sharply contrasts with culture. But the Sabbath observance in particular.
Great comments Mr Ashton. Good seeing you back on the comment board! God bless.
I agree with u Asanda,most of de times we focus on de wrongs a person had done,but we forget that de God we save is a God that sees through our imperfection and make them perfect in his eyes.
Paul, before his conversion was a zealot in persecution, and after conversion into Christ's mission he never was a coward, still he was a zealot in the gospel.
There are some unidentified talents (aspects if you will) in each of us, God granted us to be used in prospering His work, but unfortunately we use them for our selfish motives and purposes. Lets pray that God bring those to our knowledge as He did to our brother Paul...
Saul was well qualified to preach the law, but the knowledge of Christ he needed a heart transplant in order to teach those who God had commission him to preach the word too.
The only way one can deal with a conflict without complomising what has never been complomised is by quoting through the Bible and humbling oneself when dealing with a conflict..
I have learnt that Paul was a professional, like most of us and had to balance his profession with the work of the gospel, and supported himself mostly from the rewards of his labor as a tent-maker,in order that he would not be as a burden to the family of believers. Does this spirit still exist in our age?
Jill,
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