PAUL

Almost ½ of NT attributed to Paul or Pauline followers

Earliest documents of early church & in NT

Saul of Tarsus, Hellenistic Jew & Roman Citizen, taught by leading rabbi in Jerusalem

Persecution of Jewish Christians

Conversion experienceàDamascusàRisen Christ

Missionary Journeys in Mediterranean area to Major cities

+Opens Doors to Gentiles

+Est. Christian Churches

The Letters of Paul:

1)Written to address pastoral concerns, practical issues, theology, & defend his authority

(1 Thessalonians (1^st); 1 & 2 Corinthians (Corinth); Galatians; Romans; Philemon; Phillipians (Phillipi); Disputed: Colossians, 2 Thess., Ephesians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

Arrested in Jerusalem; Taking non-Jews into temple

Prison in Caesarea; House arrest in Rome; Dies c. 63

THEMES:

1)Unity in Jesus (1 Cor. 1:12; Gal. 3:28;)

+Faithful as body of Christ

+“Neither Jew nor Gentile…”

2)Justification by faith, not law/works (Rom. 3:1-4; 4:1-25; 5:1-11; 9:30-33)

+Argues against necessity of Circumcision & other Torah regulations

+Baptism instead

3)Ethical & Moral behavior (Rom. 12:1-15)

+ “the more exellent way” of Love (1 Cor 13)

+Sexuality & Marriage (1 Cor. 5-10)

+Christians no threat to Romans; Obey the law (Rom 13:1-7)

(Comp. Rev 12-19)

4)Day of the Lord (1 Thess 4:13-; 5:5-11; 2 Thess. 2:11-12; 1 Cor 7:29)

+Parousia: 2^nd Coming Immanent

+Discourages predicting date

5)Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 12-14:18-19)

6)Bodily Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12; 9:1; Gal 1:16)