Saint Paul

         An audio documentary exploring Paul's life (26:34 mins) The Good Book, BBC Radio 2, 2003

Some background on Saul He was born at Tarsus in Cilicia (south east of Turkey), of a father who was a Roman citizen. He was also at home in Greek culture, fluent in Greek, and had at least some understanding of the Greek and Roman cultural traditions. He was a Pharisee, one of a group of Jews who policed the boundary of the law and made sure that they and others were faithful to the law of Moses. As every respectable Jew had to teach his son a trade, young Saul learned how to make tents or rather to make the mohair of which tents were made of. He was still very young when sent to Jerusalem to receive his education at the school of Gamaliel.

Paul the Apostle Paul never met Jesus. He was about 24 when Jesus was crucified . It was in Jerusalem that Paul first heard the disciples preach and he was greatly alarmed by what he heard. He thought that their claims that Jesus was the Messiah were blasphemous (speaking against God) and with authority from the Chief Priests, he was determined to eradicate what he believed to be a dangerous and heretical group/sect.

The Conversion of Saul However, on the road, to Damascus, he saw a vision of the risen Lord and he, himself became a follower of Jesus. Acts 9:1-19

Paul’s Journey For the next 35 years, Paul travelled throughout the Roman Empire setting up Christian communities. At first, he preached only in synagogues but as more people began to listen to his words, the Jewish authorities refused him permission to teach. Paul then turned to the Gentiles (non- Jews) and preached the message of Jesus to them.

Paul’s Journey He set up the Christian communities on the Greek mainland and islands, in Cyprus, Syria, Turkey and Yugoslavia. He kept in touch with them by letters and return visits His teachings concentrated on the message of Jesus’ Resurrection and its meaning for all people.

Paul’s Journey He tried to set up Christian Communities that could survive by helping each other, so allowing him to continue his mission to spread the ‘Good News’. His letters to these communities helped them to build on the doctrines he had taught them and to give them a sense of belonging to a wider community of believers throughout the Empire.

ACTS of the APOSTLES (Part 3 of 6, chapters 13:4-15:39) Paul's First Missionary Journey & the Council at Jerusalem

The Council of Jerusalem As Paul began to convert many Gentiles, problems arose about the relationship between the Christian teachings and the Jewish teachings. Did the Gentile converts have to observe Jewish religious rules like circumcision and dietary restrictions? It was difficult for the Christian communities to come to a satisfactory decision on these questions.

The Council of Jerusalem In 49 CE, Paul went to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and James and other leaders to discuss these questions. As in other Christian communities, the Christians in Antioch had been divided on these matters and Paul went to ask the advice of the Jerusalem Church, which was considered to be the leading Christian Church community.

The Council of Jerusalem The debates that followed were sometimes heated. This showed how people felt very strongly about these issues and there was much disagreement in the debates that followed. The Council did not settle all the problems facing the Christian community, nor was everyone happy with the decision. However, what was clear was that the followers of Jesus were no longer bound to the Jewish law.

REMBRANDT Harmensz van Rijn Two Old Men Disputing (St Peter and St Paul) (1628) Wood

Why did Christianity spread so quickly? By the end of the first century Christians numbered about half a million; by 200CE there were two million; and by 350CE there were about ten million out of a total population of 50 million.

2. The Roman Peace (Pax Romana) of the first and second centuries. Six of the main reasons for this rapid spread are: 1. Material conditions were favourable in the Roman world (e.g. better roads and shipping systems and a common language) 2. The Roman Peace (Pax Romana) of the first and second centuries. 3. It was the religion that cared for the lost and needy.

6. Christians put their beliefs into practice. Six of the main reasons for this rapid spread are: 4. People were impressed by the ability of some Christians to cast out evil spirits. 5. It attracted clever thinkers who used ideas from the Greek thinking to get across the Christian message. 6. Christians put their beliefs into practice.

St Paul's Day (Feast of the Conversion of St Paul) Damascus, Syria Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus is believed to have happened in 36 AD. Anglicans and Roman Catholics celebrate the event on the 25th January each year. St Paul's Day is not a major feast day. The Catholic Encyclopaedia describes it as of comparatively recent origin and notes that it may have been observed originally to mark the transfer of his remains to their resting place in Rome.

Trivia In mediaeval times, people believed the weather on St Paul's Day to be an indicator of their fortune in the months to come. If Saint Paul's day be fair and clear, It doth betide a happy year; If blustering winds do blow aloft, Then wars will trouble our realm full oft, If clouds or mist do dark the sky, Great store of birds and beasts shall die; And if by chance to snow or rain, Then will be dear all sorts of grain.