1. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles
Significance of Paul
Quantity of material in NT – about 1/3
Scope of his missionary work
Depth and influence of his theology
Sources
Acts – secondary source
Letters – primary source
Occasional in nature – written in response to particular problems in particular churches.
Typical Hellenistic letter form – Five regular parts:
Salutation – “Sender to Recipient: Greeting” (grace and peace)
Thanksgiving
Body
Parenesis (general ethical admonitions)
Closing (peace wish; final greetings; grace benediction)

2. Sources – cont. 2. Letters – cont. Undisputed Debatable Authenticity
13 letters attributed to Paul.
Some may be “pseudonymous” – written later in Paul’s name (“Deutero-Pauline”).
Undisputed
Debatable
Prob. inauthentic
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
Galatians
Colossians
Titus
1 & 2 Corinthians
Ephesians
(“the Pastorals”)
Philippians
Philemon
Romans

3. Paul’s background Diaspora Jew from Tarsus – dual culture
Hellenistic culture – Greek language, culture, customs
Jewish culture – Scripture, Torah, Pharisee
Double name – Saul (Jewish) and Paul (Roman)
Persecuted the Christian church.
Stephen (Acts 7:58; 8:3; 9:1-2).
Motivated by “zeal” for Jewish law (Gal. 1:13-14; Phil. 3:6).
Conversion/call (c. 32/35 AD)
Appearance of Christ on road to Damascus (Ac. 9).
Call to be “apostle to Gentiles” (Gal. 1:13-17; Phil. 3:4-9; Rom. 11:13).

4. D. Paul’s Missionary Journeys
First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)
Barnabas and Saul sent out by Antioch church.
Cyprus and central Asia Minor.
Rejection by Jews – acceptance among Gentiles.
Antioch: controversy over circumcision of Gentiles.
Council of Jerusalem ( 50 CE, Acts 15; Gal. 2)
Summit to resolve gentile adherence to Jewish Law issue.
Must Gentiles be circumcised (i.e., convert to Judaism, observe Jewish Law and be circumcised)?
Agreement not to require circumcision.
Significance
Preserved unity between Paul and Jerusalem leaders.
Opened door to wider Gentile mission.
Paved way for eventual separation of Judaism and Christianity.

6. Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.
Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
Split with Barnabas – accompanied by
Silas and Timothy.
Antioch through Asia Minor to Macedonia and Greece.
Corinth – 18 months; wrote 1 Thess. (c. 50).

8. Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.
Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:16)
Antioch to Ephesus – 2-3 years; longest stay on any journey.
Through Macedonia and Greece to Jerusalem.
Paul’s collection for Jerusalem.
Relief for poor in Jerusalem.
Symbolic of unity of church – Jewish and Gentile Christians in one church.

10. Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.
Arrest and journey to Rome (Acts 21:17-28:31)
a. Jerusalem – arrested over disturbance in Temple.
b. Caesarea – held 2 years; appealed to Caesar.
c. Rome – house arrest; awaiting trial; preaching gospel.
d. Likely executed by Nero (60-65).