Letters: Paul’s, Catholic

Letters Instructions to communities of Christian converts; First, read at church gatherings; Church leaders collected them, scribes copied them, couriers circulated them among other Christian communities.

Letters Paul or his followers wrote 13 letters. 3 attributed to John; 2 attributed to Peter, 1 attributed to James; 1 attributed to Jude; Hebrews is unique, although once was thought to be written by Paul.

Paul (Acts 22:3, 23:6, 9:3) 1) Paul was born in: a. Antioch b. Jerusalem c. Tarsus d. Damascus e. Caesarea 2) Paul was a: a. Pharisee b. Saducee c. Essene d. Zealot 3) Paul was converted on the road to: a. Antioch b. Damascus c. Jerusalem d. Capernaum

Paul (Acts 18:3, 22:3, 9:17-19) 4) Paul made his living as a a. weaver b. tent maker c. carpenter d. camel driver 5) Paul’s famous teacher was a. Hillel b. Shammai c. Jonathan ben Zacchai d. Gamaliel 6) Paul was baptized by a. Stephen b. Ananias c. Peter d. James e. Barnabas

Paul (Acts 25:12) 7) As Roman citizen, Paul was taken to Rome because he applauded to: a. the roman governor b. the Christians there c. Caesar d. the Senate

Women’s Role in the Letters Paul stressed the importance and the participation of women in the early Church: Phoebe: benefactor involved in different ministries; Priscilla: a preacher and missionary from Corinth; Chloe: a woman in the Church of Corinth; Nympha: house Church in her home; Lydia: established her home as the first house church; Damaris: Athenian woman who believed Paul’s message

Themes in Paul’s letters: The Trinity: communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – symbolizing that God can be found in the depth of our relationships; The Paradox of the Cross: sign of defeat and death and sign of victory and life – strength coming from weakness and new life from apparent death.

Themes in Paul’s letters: The Church: the body of Christ: expressing the relationship of Christ with his Church and its members; Jesus unites us into one body - we are different members according to our gifts and different ways to serve.

Themes in Paul’s letters: Sacraments: or “sacred mystery” – recognizing the presence of God in the community of believers and unity and worship in the Body of Christ. Grace: transforming power that changes and sustains us;