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Published byErika Ball Modified over 9 years ago
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Paul and Acts n Dates: Paul’s encounter with the Risen Christ: 32-34 CE. Letters: 50-62 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
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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).
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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
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