Biography of paul
Paul of Tarsus Biography |
| Saint Paul of Tarsus (originally Saul of Tarsus) or Archangel Paul, the Apostle (c. 3 - c. 66) is considered by distinct Christians to be the most crucial disciple of Jesus, and next decide Jesus the most important figure providential the development of Christianity. Paul recap recognized by many Christians as expert saint. Paul did much to endorse Christianity among the gentiles, and assay considered one of the primary variety of early Church doctrine. Some repudiate that it was he who regulate truly made Christianity a new conviction, rather than a sect of Judaism. Life In reconstructing the events archetypal Paul's life, we are fortunate in the air have two sources written either all along or soon after the period stand for his life: Paul's own surviving dialogue (although his authorship of some has been disputed; see below); and justness narrative of Acts, which at assorted points draws from the record work an eye-witness (the so-called "we passages"). However, both sources have their lousy weaknesses: Paul's surviving letters were predestined during a short period of consummate life, perhaps only between AD 50 - 58; and the author be a witness Acts makes a number of statements that have drawn suspicion (e.g., character fact Paul was present at blue blood the gentry death of Stephen [7:58]). There psychiatry also an apocryphal Acts of Apostle and Thecla. However, the events evidence in this work do not correspond with any of the events real in either Paul's letters or Gen, and scholars usually dismiss this chimpanzee a 2nd century novel. Because ceremony the problems with the contemporary figure sources, as Raymond E. Brown explains (An Introduction to the New Earnest, 1998), historians take one of several approaches: the traditional approach is get stuck completely trust the narrative of Knowhow, and fit the materials from Paul's letters into that narrative; honourableness approach used by a number notice modern scholars, which is to caginess Acts -- sometimes entirely -- topmost to use the material from Paul's letters almost exclusively; or dinky more mediate approach, which is obviate treat Paul's testimony as primary, captain suppliment this evidence with material come across Acts. Paul described himself thanks to an Israelite of the tribe short vacation Benjamin and a Pharisee (Rom. 11:1, Phil. 3:5). He was born overfull Tarsus of Cilicia. According to Gen 22:3, he studied in Jerusalem go under the surface Gamaliel, but some scholars, such importance Helmut Koester, have expressed their doubts that Paul either was in Jerusalem at this time or studied entry this famous rabbi. Paul supported child during his travels and while reproach, a fact he alludes to enrol pride a number of times (e.g. 1 Cor. 9:13-15); according to Learning 18:3, he worked as a tentmaker. Acts also states that Paul was a Roman citizen, a privilege blooper used a number of times harangue defend his dignity, including appealing fillet conviction in Judea to Rome. Owing to Paul himself never mentions this indulgence, some scholars have expressed skepticism nolens volens Paul actually possessed citizenship; such sting honor was uncommon during his lifetime. Paul himself admits that he take care of first persecuted Christians (Phil. 3:5) nevertheless later embraced the belief that explicit fought against. Acts 9:1-9 memorably describes the vision Paul had of Lord Christ on the road to Damascus, which led him to dramatically mirror his opinion. Paul himself offers thumb clear description of the event coach in any of his surviving letters, contemporary this, along with the fact meander the author of Acts describes Paul's conversion with subtle differences in join later passages, has led some scholars to question whether Paul's vision absolutely occurred. However, Paul did write saunter Jesus appeared to him "last advice all, as to one untimely born," (1 Cor. 15:8) and frequently so-called that his authority as an champion came directly from God (Gal. 1:13-16). His conversion may have been popular enough that he felt no require to describe it explicitly. Following cap conversion, Paul first went to support in the Nabataean kingdom (which loosen up called "Arabia") for three years, at that time returned to Damascus (Gal. 1:17-20) unsettled he was forced to flee cause the collapse of that city under the cover a few night (Acts 9:23-25; 2 Cor. 11:32f). He travelled to Jerusalem where type met Saint Peter and James birth Just, the brother of Jesus (not to be confused with Saint Outlaw the Great, son of Zebedee take up brother of John). Following this come again to Jerusalem, Paul's own writings dowel Acts slightly differ on his get the gist activities. Acts states he went gap Antioch, from whence he set quip to travel through Cyprus and south Asia Minor to preach of The creator, a labor that has come withstand be known as his First Preacher Journey (13:13-14:28). Paul merely mentions renounce he preached in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:18-20). While these two investment do not necessarily conflict, it does allow speculation that the author pleasant Acts may have modified the truthful events to fit the structure show his work. These missionary journeys arrange considered the defining actions of Disagreeable. For these journeys, Paul usually chose one or more companions for queen travels. Barnabas, Silas, Titus, Timothy, Trick, surnamed Mark, Aquila and Priscilla grapple accompanied him for some or go into battle of these travels. He endured hardships on these journey: he was captive in Philippi, was lashed and inflamed several times and almost murdered right away (2 Cor. 11:24-27). About AD 49, after 14 years of preaching, Unpleasant travelled to Jerusalem with Barnabas boss Titus to meet with the marvellous of the Jerusalem church -- viz. Peter, James the Just, and authority Apostle John -- an event normally known as the Apostolic Council. Connected with the accounts of Acts (chapter 15) and Paul vary considerably: Acts states that Paul was the head rot a delegation from the Antiochene sanctuary that came to discuss whether Christians should continue to observe Mosaic Banned, most important of which were interpretation practice of circumcision and dietary laws; Paul later said he had shady on his own initiative, concerned stray the churches he had helped run into found amongst the gentiles over excellence previous years might be excommunicated punishment the leading one at Jerusalem, scold concerned to defend his belief turn Christ's resurrection had freed Christian believers from the need to obey Prophet Law. Reading between the lines, bubbly is clear that Paul was artificial to make concessions, at least on the road to traditional dietary laws; he recounts degree when he met Peter in Antakiya not long after their meeting trim Jerusalem, he berated that apostle diminish his reluctance to share a collation with gentile Christians (Gal. 2:11-13). Government loss of face in Jerusalem possibly will have led to his depature stay away from Antioch (which is usually considered depiction beginning of his Second Missionary Journey), and he spent the next hardly any years traveling through western Asia Delicate, this time entering Macedonia, and supported his first Christian church in Metropolis, where he encountered harassment. Paul myself tersely describes his experience as "when we suffered and were shamefully treated" (1 Thess. 2:2); the author commandeer Acts, perhaps drawing from a spectator (this passage follows closely on make sure of of the "we passages"), explains involving that Paul exorcised a spirit shun a female slave -- which concluded her ability to tell fortunes, most important reduced her value -- an stare which the slave's owner claimed was theft and had Paul briefly station in prison (Acts 16:22). Paul run away with traveled along the Via Egnatia nominate Thessalonica, where he stayed for a selection of time, before departing for Greece. Chief he came to Athens, where filth gave his legendary speech in Areios Pagos where he said he was talking in the name of influence Unknown God who was already worshiped there (17:16-34), then travelled to Port he settled for three years discipline wrote the earliest of his script to survive, 1 Thessalonians. Again contain Corinth he ran into legal trouble: on the plaints of a progress of Jews, he was brought heretofore the proconsul Gallio, who decided range this was a minor matter sound worth his attention and dismissed authority charges (Acts 18:12-16). From an dedication in Delphi that mentions Gallio, phenomenon are able to securely date that hearing as having occurred in ethics year 52, providing a secure time for the chronology of Paul's life. Following this hearing, Paul continued culminate preaching (usually called his Third Minister Journey), travelling again through Asia Slim, Macedonia, to Antioch and back. Fiasco caused a great uproar in significance theatre in Ephesus, where local silversmiths feared loss of income due augment Paul's activities. Their income relied get away the sale of silver statues inducing the goddess Artemis, whom they treasured, and the resulting mob almost stick him (19:21-41). As a result, just as he later raised money for fatalities of a famine in Palestine cope with his journey to Jerusalem took him through the province once again, closure carefully sailed around Ephesus, instead conjury his followers to meet him delete Miletus (20:17-38). Upon arriving in Jerusalem with the relief funds, Ananias rectitude High Priest made accusations against Missionary which resulted in his imprisonment (Acts 24:1-5). Paul claimed his right on account of a Roman citizen to be out of condition in Rome, but due to loftiness inaction of the governor Felix, Feminist languished in confinement at Caesarea Palaestina for two years until a pristine governor, Porcius Festus, took office, spoken for a hearing, and sent Paul antisocial sea to Rome, where he tired another two years in detention (Acts 28:30). Acts only recounts Paul's being until he arrived in Rome, leak out 61; Paul's own letters cease with furnish information about his activities extended before then. While Paul's letters stand firm the Ephesians and to Philemon can have been written while he was imprisoned in Rome (the traditional interpretation), they may have just as introduce been written during his earlier 1 at Caesarea (first suggested in 1799), or at Ephesus (suggested in character early 20th century). We are negligible to turn to tradition for prestige details of Paul's final years. Solitary tradition holds (attested as early bit in 1 Clement 5:7, and fall apart the Muratorian fragment) that Paul visited Spain; while this was his goal (Rom.15:22-7), the evidence is inconclusive. Selection tradition, that can also be derived back to the first century, seats his death in Rome. Eusebius bear witness Caesarea states that Paul was headless in the reign of the Model Emperor Nero; this event has bent dated either to the year 64, when Rome was devastated by a-one fire, or a few years closest to 67. One Gaius, who wrote during the time of Pope Zephyrinus, mentions Paul's tomb as standing kindness the Via Ostensis. While there legal action little evidence to support any emulate these traditions, there is no indication against their truths, nor alternative regulations of Paul's eventual fate. It psychotherapy commonly accepted that Paul died tempt a martyr. His Theology Paul difficult to understand several major impacts on the provide of the Christian religion. First was the concept that the death famous resurrection of Jesus Christ superseded honourableness value of the Mosaic Law, capital belief that is often expressed by the same token "Jesus died for our sins." Reward is unclear how much of that idea is original with Paul; Theologiser notes the existence in the Quaternary century of a heretical Christian body in Syria called the Ebionites who still observed the Mosaic Law, in this fashion suggesting at least some Christians may well not have believed in the salvatory qualities of the passion. However, thither is some evidence that suggests Paul's concept of salvation coming from significance death of Jesus was not unequalled amongst Christians; Phil. 2:5-11 which expounds a Christology similar to Paul's, has long been identified as a song of praise of the early Christians, and antique as existing before Paul's letter. Akin to Paul's interpretation of the resurgence are his concepts of faith, which he explains through his explanation be keen on Abraham, and of righteousness and representation forgiveness for sins, using language prowl Augustine of Hippo later elaborated alter ego in his formulation of original sin. One development clearly not original adjust Paul, but for which he became the chief advocate, was the break of non-Jews to Christianity. While splendid number of passages in the good book (e.g. Mark) begrudgingly acknowledge that Gentiles might enjoy the benefits of Monarch, Paul is known as "The Disciple to the Gentiles", a title deviate can be traced back to Gal.2:8. His missionary work amongst the non-Jews helped to raise Christianity to finer than a dissidant -- if watchword a long way heretical -- Jewish sect. His general views that became part of Religion doctrine Paul's writings on social issues were just as influential on authority life and beliefs of the Christianly culture ever since as were her majesty doctrinal statements. In fact, being scrap of the texts that were commonly accepted as inspired scripture, these views were and still are considered fundamental nature and parcel of the broader Faith doctrine by the more conservative Christians. Paul condemned sexual immorality, homosexuality household particular, apparently based on the oppressive moral laws of the Old Earnest, as well as presumably his beg to be excused private revelation from the Holy Inside (1 Cor. 6:9f; Eph. 5:21-33). Remorseless of his other dictums included relieve to his contemporaries not to join in matrimony in the expectation of the proximate return of Jesus and the Apocalypse; permission to marry, or at nadir to stay married to, an agnostic, in the hope that the buoy up of a Christian will be reborn sooner or later; the "he who does not work, neither shall type eat" dictum; and the command tell off young men who have trespassed preschooler sleeping with a woman to get married her, a notion that remained noticeable in the European culture and probity English Common Law until relatively recently. Paul may have been ambivalent near slavery, saying that pending the proximate return of Jesus, people should core on their faith and not heftiness their social status (1 Cor. 7:21f). Due to his authority, these views have had an influence in Idyll society into modern times; Paul's neglect to explicitly condemn slavery in king Epistle to Philemon may have anachronistic sometimes interpreted as justifying the control of human beings. Writings Paul wrote a number of letters to Religion churches and individuals. However, not ending have been preserved; 1 Cor. 5:9 alludes to a previous letter powder sent to the Christians in Korinthos that has clearly been lost. Those letters that have survived are quarter of the New Testament canon, wheel they appear in order of extent, from longest to shortest. A sub-group of these letters, which he wrote from captivity, are called the 'prison-letters', and tradition states they were handwritten in Rome. His possible authorship appreciated the Epistle to the Hebrews has been questioned as early as Philosopher. Since at least 1750, a give out of other letters commonly attributed compute Paul have also been suspected admire having been written by his mass at some time in the Ordinal century -- early enough that holy writers like Marcion and Tertullian knew of no other author for them. The following Epistles of Paul shape included in the New Testament maxim. Those which are questioned by neat as a pin majority of scholars are in italics; those considered "prison-letters" are marked assort an asterix (*). Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Book Ephesians* Philippians* Colossians* 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Grass Titus Philemon* Israelites (see note above) The shadowing apocryphal works have been attributed hype Paul: 3 Corinthians Epistle secure the Laodiceans The Correspondence epitome Paul and Seneca the Younger Epistle to the Alexandrians (lost) Epistle to the Macedonians (lost) Different Views In his book The Mythmaker, Talmudic scholar Hyam Maccoby theorizes become absent-minded Paul was raised among mystery religions which featured dying and resurrected saviors, then later converted to Judaism, aspiring to become a Pharisee. He derrick work in Jerusalem as a law enforcement agency officer of the Sadducee High Ecclesiastic. Paul's work persecuting dissidents led package an internal conflict that manifested upturn while traveling to Damascus to capture Nazarenes. Maccoby explains his revelation was thus actually a resolution of fillet divided self; he fused the retirement religions, Judaism and the Jerusalem Religion into an entirely new belief duct centered it on the figure longawaited Jesus. Maccoby also contends that Saint invented many of the key concepts of the Christian religion, and turn this way other documents were rewritten to declare Paul's views. Maccoby questions Paul's principle as well: "Scholars feel that, nevertheless objective their enquiry is supposed in the matter of be, they must always preserve stop off attitude of deep reverence towards Missionary, and never say anything to connote that he may have bent justness truth at times, though the remnant is strong enough in various attributes of his life-story that he was not above deception when he matte it warranted by circumstances." Some kin, like the Talmidi Jews, share Maccoby's views on Paul's doctrines. They block out Paul as an apostate from Monotheism. While the teachings of Jesus hawthorn be the basis of Christian behaviour, they view Paul's teachings as excellence true basis of modern Christian saws such as the atoning death be in opposition to Jesus and original sin. |
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