Paul and Acts n Dates: Paul’s encounter with the Risen Christ: CE. Letters: CE. Acts: 90 CE? Author: Traditionally Luke, the beloved physician, companion of Paul (Col 4:14; Philem. 24; 2 Tim 4:11), the same person who wrote the Gospel of Luke. n Acts is very important source for biography

Major Differences and Similarities n Both Acts and Paul’s letters view Paul’s life as divided into two phases: persecutor and evangelist. Transformation occurs via REVELATION (see Galatians 1:12). Acts narrates events three times (See Acts 9:1-9; 22:3-11; 26:12-19).

Differences and Similarities n Acts makes no reference to Paul writing letters; no reference to Faith in Christ vs. Works of the Law n Pattern in Acts: Paul goes to Jews first (e.g. Acts 17:1-15), then to the Gentiles n Acts - very important source for life of the early church and for reconstructing Paul’s missionary journeys.

Biography of Paul in Acts n Born and reared as a Jew in Tarsus, important city of Cilicia (Acts 21:39; 22:3) n Claimed Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28; cf. 21:39) n Educated in Jerusalem by Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) - an important rabbi known for tollerance (cf. Acts 5:34-39)

Biography of Paul in Acts n Identity as a Hellenistic Jew of the Dispersion, at home in the Greco- Roman World n Trade in tentmaking and leatherwork (Acts 18:3) - a means to support missionary work (1 Thess 2:9; 1 Cor 9:6) n Prior to conversion, a persecutor (Acts 8:3)

Paul’s writings as Ancient Letters n Many typical features of Hellenistic letter: prescript, greeting, blessing of a god. Paul varies formula with “grace” and “peace”, sometimes elaborate prayer and thanksgiving. As in Hellenistic letters, includes greetings from others. Paul frequently sends greetings to fellow believers.

Paul’s Writings as Letters n Dictation and the role of the Secretary (e.g. Philem 19; 2 Thess 3:17). n Study Paul’s Letter to Philemon as an example of Form n The Pauline Corpus: Authentic? Disputed? Pseudonymous? n Discussion: Gal 1:13-2:21; 1 Cor 15:1- 18