The story of Paul demonstrates the power of the Cross to change a person and how God can take an imperfect earthen vessel and transform it radically so that the Lord can make it a voice for Him. Paul would start as one of the greatest enemies of the Cross but finish as one of the most powerful champions of Jesus.
Paul was not an eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus, yet He gloriously revealed the Savior not just to his generation, but everyone since. But who was Paul and how did he become the greatest theologian of all time and the man who wrote most of the New Testament?
The First Century World
Paul lived in a time when the Roman Empire was at its peak and covered most of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Mediterranean Sea became the center of the world, and it was the Roman Sea. The world’s population stood around 200 million and throughout the Roman Empire, Pax Romana, (the Roman Peace) provided great stability even through the severe financial crisis of 33 AD and the civil war of 69 AD.
Israel was under occupation by Rome and was mainly an agricultural society. Taxes were very high, often up to 50% of the farmer’s salary. The Jewish Second Temple had been extended and renovated by Herold. The city of Jerusalem had around 50,000 people which was very significant at the time. Rome had over a million people as did Athens, Alexandria was close to a million, Ephesus was one of the wealthiest cities with around 250,000, and Tarsus where Paul was born had a population of over 350,000. The world population at the time was estimated to be around 200 million for comparison’s sake. 14
Roman Caesars and Emperors
Tiberius AD 14-37
During the earthly ministry of Jesus, Tiberius (AD 14-37) reigned. He was very resentful and suspicious of the senate and suspected of many plots against himself. Despite this, he proved an effective and efficient administrator. Overall, he was known to be a dark, reclusive, and somber ruler who never wanted to be emperor.
Claudius AD 41-54
Claudius was from Lyon in France and became the first emperor who was born outside of Italy. Claudius was slightly deaf and walked with a limp, which may have saved him from the purges of Tiberius, who saw Claudius because of his disabilities to be less of a threat. Though his family saw him as a monster and stupid, and it appears he was raised by his grandmother.
During his reign, Rome successfully conquered Britain. He was extremely interested in law, liked to preside over public trials, and was known to issue edicts daily.
Nero AD 54-68
When Nero was just three his father died. He was raised by his mother with whom he had a power struggle, who he had murdered. He was also implicated in the murder of his two wives.
Nero ordered the construction of amphitheaters due to his love of athletic games. He saw himself as an actor, poet, musician, and charioteer. During his reign, the First Roman-Jewish War began, and many believe he was responsible for the Great Fire of Rome on June 9th, 68AD. Many saw him as compulsive and corrupt.
The first great persecution of Christians occurred under Nero, the Neronian Persecution.
The First Roman-Jewish War AD 66-74
This is often called the Great Jewish Revolt, and it would be the first of three revolts. These revolts played a major role in the changing of Jewish opinion towards Christianity. During this first revolt, Jesus had warned Christians and many Christians fled Jerusalem which was destroyed along with the Second Temple.
Tensions between the Jews and the oppressive rule of Rome had continued to grow. Nero tasked the Roman general Vespasian along with four legions and King Agrippa II forces, to crush the rebellion. They invaded Galilee in AD 67 and began moving towards Jerusalem. The besiege of Jerusalem occurred in AD 70.
Paul of Tarsus
In the first century, the Jews were in Diaspora, much like today, in that they were scattered throughout the nations. Picirilli claimed the Jewish population was between 3-8 million.1
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city (Jerusalem), but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.”
Acts 22: 3
Tarsus was a powerful city that was made self-governing. The city of Tarsus also, was famous for cloth woven from the hair of black goats that were found on the mountains surrounding the city. This cloth was used for making tents used by nomads as well as the army.
Pollock wrote of Tarsus:
Tarsus was the principal city of the lush plain of Cilicia in the southwest corner of Asia Minor. The sea lay out of sight a dozen miles south. The Taurus mountains curved in a great arc some twenty-five miles inland, coming nearly to the sea on the west and marked to the north by gorges and cliffs that stood like rock fortresses before the snows; a magnificent background for childhood, especially in winter when the snow showed smooth on cloudless peaks.10
We know that Paul was born in this town and at some point, left and moved to Jerusalem. According to Swindoll, Paul probably was sent when he was fourteen to Jerusalem because his father would not want his son to sit under pagan philosophy. 9 Paul was a citizen of Tarsus (Acts 21: 39), which meant he and his family were privileged and carried great authority. Sir William Ramsey stated that Antiochus Epiphanes brought a colony of Jews to the town. 2 These Jews received great responsibility in the affairs of the city and would carry great influence. Ramsey suggested that Paul came from one of these families.
Paul came from an Orthodox Jewish family, and it is possible that his father was a master tent maker. At some point in his teenage years, Paul was sent to study in Jerusalem. We do know that during the time of Christ’s ministry, Paul was not in Jerusalem and had potentially returned to Tarsus and learned the trade of tentmaking.
At that time based on the writing of people like the Jewish historian Josephus, religious education became when the child was in swaddling clothes. At the age of five, the child would begin learning the Pentateuch. Then at ten, he would move to study the Mishnah, in which they learned about the laws of ritual observance based on the Talmud (oral traditions). At thirteen he would begin studying the meat of the Talmud, and then at eighteen, he was expected to marry. When he turned twenty, it was expected that he would learn a trade to support himself.
Paul was not just a citizen of Tarsus, but he was also a citizen of Rome. This gave him local distinction and certain privileges, which he could claim as he traveled throughout the Roman Empire. For example, a Roman citizen could not be condemned without a fair trial.3 Paul would have been fluent in Greek, at least some Latin, and Aramaic, a derivative of Hebrew spoken at the time.
Picirilli stated that:
Given his use of the Greek language and even more his boyhood background as a member of an influential Jewish family in Tarsus, we cannot doubt that Paul was a Hellenistic Jew.
Paul the Pharisee
Paul explained in the letter to the Philippians:
“If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I morse so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel , of tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the Church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.’
Philippians 3: 4b- 6
Paul’s family were Pharisees or members of the religious elites and Jewish nationalists who believed in strict observance of the Law of Moses. The Pharisees were a brotherhood to which admittance came by the approval of at least three Pharisees. The Pharisees had to be scrupulous in their obedience to tithing and vows. They were highly admired as they appeared dedicated to the Lord. They would fast at least twice a week and would pray for hours.
The Pharisees not alone did believe in the Laws of Moses, but they added a series of additional laws that people were required to abide by or fulfill. These Pharisees believed they played a critical role in the lives of the Jewish people ensuring they walked right before God.
The Pharisees were trained to have photographic memories and would memorize the whole Old Testament. So, Paul had an incredible knowledge of the Bible which was further added by sitting under Gamaliel.
“Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while…And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing. but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it- lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Acts 5: 34, 38, 39
Gamaliel was a highly respected leader in the Pharisees at the time. He would be Paul’s spiritual father as a Pharisee, though Gamaliel seemed to be more moderate than Paul. Paul was trained to debate in the style of the time, a diatribe. Paul knew how to expound upon the Word and he was part a teacher and part a lawyer and as such would prosecute or defend all those accused of breaking the Law.
Paul explained to the Galatians:
“And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”
Galatians 1: 14
The Hebrew of Hebrews
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul prided himself on being a Hebrew of Hebrews, which meant his parents spoke Hebrew and so did he as well.
In Acts 6: 1 and Acts 9: 29, we see the term Hellenistic Jews. These were Jews who took the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Bible from Biblical Hebrew or Biblical Aramaic to the koine Greek. During the Second Temple period, we see a conflict between traditionalists and the Hellenizers. Paul according to Picirilli, was not Hellenistic. He was a Jew in the fullest sense. We are told in Philippians 3: 5, Paul belonged to the tribe of Benjamin.
Was Paul Married?
At the time most Pharisees were married and to climb the ranks as Paul did it would be assumed Paul was married. However, we find nothing in the Word to state that he was married but a strong suggestion he was not married or that he may have been married at one point and was now a widower.
In First Corinthians, chapter seven, Paul said he had the right to a wife but added:
“But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
1 Corinthians 7: 8, 9
Stephen the Martyr
After Christ’s resurrection, Jerusalem became a spiritual hotspot with the launch of the Christian Church. Many Jews were becoming believers but to many top Jewish leaders Christianity offered a serious attack that had to be stopped.
In Acts chapter six we see where Stephen full of the Holy Spirit did great wonders among the people, catching the attention of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia – Acts 6: 9). Among this crowd was Paul. These zealots we are told:
“Then secretly induced men to say, ‘ we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
Acts 6: 11
They drag Stephen before the council and the high priest. Stephen then preaches a powerful message.
“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Acts 7: 54, 55
Stephen’s message convicted these religious leaders but because of their pride and belief that they were greater than Stephen, they began to stone him. Note that the Lord was standing and not sitting. He was standing to receive Stephen and to judge.
To stone Stephen, they brought forth witnesses who would cast the first stone. Regarding these witnesses, we are told:
‘And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
Acts 7: 58
We are also told:
“Now Saul was consenting to his death.”
Acts 8: 1
The Greek word for “consenting” is “syneudokeo” and it means pleased with, approved, and to consent to. In other words, Paul didn’t just consent, he was pleased to see Stephen stoned to death.
We are told at the time Paul was a “young man” which meant he was somewhere between thirty and forty years old. As an Orthodox Jew and Pharisee, Paul would have had a beard and would have been dressed with his head covered with his prayer shawl. In addition, he would most likely have worn a “Tefillin,” the name given to two black leather boxes that contained portions of the Word, which were held on by a black leather strap, wrapped sevens around the arm and on the forehead.
To Paul, who was very legalistic, Stephen represented blasphemy suggesting that people were saved by faith in Jesus and not by being part of the chosen people and through obedience to the Law. Further, Jesus had died nailed to a tree, which meant He was cursed and therefore could not possibly be the Messiah. You can begin to understand why the religious elites and the devil wanted Jesus crucified because they believed it would disqualify Him from being the Messiah.
From this moment, Paul, known at this time as Saul, became a zealous persecutor of the Church. Unlike Gamaliel, who seemed to be more moderate, Paul was a zealot. It is worth pointing out that Paul’s name may have contained both the names, Paul and Saul, as he was Jewish but he was also a Roman citizen.
Paul, however, had heard Stephen’s masterful message and later would preach something similar. While Saul initially rejected what Stephen said, his words were planted as seeds in his heart awaiting the appointed time.
A Divine Appointment AD33
Jesus had rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for blaspheming the Holy Spirit and committing a sin for which there was no forgiveness. Jesus was stating that they knew fully what they were doing and had no fear of the Holy Spirit. So, what about Paul? Well, Paul explained:
“Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1: 13, 14
In other words, Paul was a zealous persecutor of the Church, but he did it in ignorance. As we look at Acts chapters eight and nine, we see just how vicious and cruel Paul was to the early Church.
“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
Acts 9: 1-2
Paul is fully persuaded that he is serving the Lord even in his complete lack of mercy. His bitterness clouded his eyes from seeing the hardness of his heart towards the Christians.
But Saul as he was called at the time, had a divine appointment on his journey to Damascus. Saul had made it almost to Damascus when the Lord knocked him off his horse.
“As he journeyed he came near Damascus and suddenly a light shone around him from Heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? And he said, ‘Who are You Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I Am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
Acts 9: 3-6
Jesus used the term, ‘I Am Jesus.’ Paul knew what that term meant and Whom he was encountering that day. He was before the Great I Am, the One he claimed to worship and represent. He understood the Lord had not turned up to save but warned him, Saul was smart enough to humble himself and recognize Jesus that day. Consequently, everything changed for Saul that day because it was the day Saul died and Paul was born.
Paul’s Conversion and Commissioning
Paul in recognizing who Jesus was said:
“So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Acts 9: 6
Paul understood worship meant a full surrender of his life. Later Paul would stand before Agrippa and added that the Lord said:
“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”
Acts 26: 16-18
Paul had not personally attacked Jesus but the Church. However, Jesus saw the attack on the Church as a personal attack on Himself. As Paul surrenders to the Lord, the Lord calls and commissions him. We must understand that the Jews were not evangelists seeking to convert people to Judaism. They considered themselves as the Chosen people but the Lord just after Paul’s conversion began to reach Gentiles.
When Paul encounters the Lord, he is blinded and given instructions to “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do’ (Acts 9: 6). Paul is led by the hand to Damascus. Paul is humbled and broken and spends three days in a complete fast. He is filled with holy desperation that he never lost.
The Lord sent Ananias to pray over Paul not one of the apostles. The name Ananias means God is gracious, a message Paul now fully understood. Sometimes we think the strength of our call is based on who ordains us. Paul had a well-established name as a persecutor of the Church, so Ananias was a little reluctant to go and pray with Paul. Many for a while were nervous about Paul, fearing he was seeking to trap them to take them captive. The Lord told Ananias:
“Go for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer My Name’s sake.”
Acts 9: 15, 16
Before Paul’s conversion, he had taken the lead among those who saw early Christians as a threat to Judaism that had to be destroyed. Now, he was being sent by Jesus to reveal that He truly was the Messiah. Up until now, he walked in a knowledge about God and hate, but now he knew Him and was broken by love. It was only when Paul’s eyes were opened that he finally saw this fact.
Paul later wrote:
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood.”
Galatians 1: 15-16
Paul’s life would become a living epistle of one changed by the Messiah. Paul could point to a place where the old man died. He understood he was a totally new creation and completely unlike his old self. That is, Paul was not the new and improved version but rather all of the old man was dead, and he was a completely new person in Christ. All that knowledge he had gained failed him when he faced the Master and Paul learned:
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”
1 Corinthians 8: 1
Paul knew that his calling was to the Gentiles, though he always preached to the Jews first. So, while Peter was to the Jews or circumcision, Paul would go to the uncircumcised, Gentiles.
The Secret Place in the Wilderness AD 34-36
Paul was extremely knowledgeable of the Word and the Law, but he didn’t know Jesus. Instead of going up to Jerusalem to be mentored by the apostles, Paul went off to the real Mount Sinai to be alone with the Lord.
“I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and. Returned again to Damascus.”
Galatians 1: 16b, 17
Here Paul had his eyes opened to the mysteries, or those wonderful truths hidden in the Old Testament but in Christ made manifest. Paul became the great theologian of the early Church Paul explained:
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Galatians 4: 6
It is here that Paul discovered the Secret Place in Christ and would later write:
“But what things were gain to me, these things I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”
Philippians 3: 7-9
The Mysteries of Christ
As explained, Paul saw precious truths in the Old Testament that God had kept secret until Christ and the Church were revealed.
“Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
Matthew 13: 13
The Lord had repeatedly painted pictures, given types, and shadows all pointing them to Jesus. When Paul’s eyes were finally opened, he saw precious truths and he revealed seven mysteries in his letters.
- Mystery of the Incarnation (1 Timothy 3: 16)
- The Mystery of the Headship of Jesus (Ephesians 5: 22-32)
- The Mystery of Gentile Believers and the Blindness of Israel (Romans 11: 25; 16: 25, and Ephesians 3: 3-10)
- The Mystery of the Church (Ephesians 5: 31-32)
- Mystery of Lawlessness (1 Thessalonians 2: 7)
- Mystery of the Translation of the Church (1 Corinthians 15: 51)
- Mystery of Christ in Us (Colossians 1: 25-28)
Paul would open up the Word and show the depth of revelation hidden in the Old Testament. Paul built upon the Old Testament, showing how Jesus was the fulfillment and that everything was pointing to Jesus. Paul’s deep knowledge and love of the Word enabled him to build the doctrines and foundational truths of Christianity accurately and powerfully.
Paul Returns to Jerusalem AD 36
As we saw, Paul didn’t immediately go to the apostles to learn Christ but went to Arabia. He then explained:
“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and remained with him fifteen days . But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”
Galatians 1: 18, 19
As we look at the Gospels, we see how each writer had a different revelation of Jesus, and Paul was no exception. Paul would develop the core doctrine of the Church. It is important to note that the New Testament was built on the Old. Paul never quotes the New Testament but builds line upon line, precept upon precept from the Old Testament.
The next time we see Paul is when Barnabas sought him out:
“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the Church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
Acts 11: 25, 26
Paul very quickly made an impact on the Church. It was around this time that several prophets that had come from Jerusalem to Antioch, prophesized of a coming famine. They decide to make a collection for the relief of the saints which they sent by the “hands of Barnabas and Paul.”
Paul and Barnabas Are Sent Out (AD 45-46)
It appears that up until this time, Paul was a teacher in the Church at Antioch (AD 42-43). He was not operating as an apostle just yet. However, the Lord had called him, and Paul knew it.
In Acts chapter, we see that Paul and Barnabas had returned from Jerusalem (AD 44) back to Antioch. In the first century, Antioch had a population of around 300,000 to 500,000 people and it was an extremely important city during the Hellenistic period which ended around 138 AD (though different dates are given), when the Greeks were fully integrated into the Roman Empire. Antioch was located on the Silk Road and Royal Road, which were connected to the spice trade.
It was here that the prophets and teachers gathered, fasted, and prayed. It is interesting to note that it didn’t say apostles.
“And they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit, said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
Acts 13: 2, 3
According to Ramsey, they set sail in early March when the sailing season began. 5
Paul and Barnabas were called and sent out by the Holy Spirit. The elders of the Church simply confirmed what Heaven declared. Paul and Barnabas, along with John Mark, as an assistant, set off on Paul’s first missionary journey. They went from Antioch down to the harbor town of Seleucia, where they set sail to Cyprus. In Cyprus, they went to Salamis and began preaching in the synagogues.
Saul Becomes Paul
As Paul launches out in His first missionary journey, he faces a major giant in the form of a man called Elymas.
When they arrived at the island of Paphos, they met a false prophet called Sergius Paulus who was on the proconsul and invited them to share the Word. But a local sorcerer, Elymas, resisted them and sought to prevent others from receiving their message. However, Paul, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit stood up to him and told him the Lord was striking him blind. Immediately, he became blind which caused many of the proconsul (governor of Cyprus) to believe. This was an important giant that Paul had to slay because he would face men like this many times who would seek to stop and hinder him.
It is interesting in reading this account that we see Paul’s name changed. Saul means desirable and we must overcome the opinions of people and politics. Paul means small, and Paul had to learn that the key to his victory was being small. As Paul would explain the Lord revealed to him, “My strength is perfected in your weakness.”
From here Paul and Barnabas went to Parga in Pamphylia, where upon arriving John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. Later, Barnabas seeks to bring Mark along with them again but whatever happened to cause Mark to desert them here, caused Paul to stand up and refuse to allow Mark to rejoin them. However, towards the end of Paul’s life, he wrote of Mark:
‘with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”
Colossians 3: 10b-11
Paul Moves Forward to Galatia
Paul then moved forward to Antioch. The Antioch here was in Pisidia and now their home church is in Antioch in Syria. Once again on the Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogue where they were invited to share. Paul begins expounding upon a series of verses in the Old Testament pointing to Jesus.
“therefore let is be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses.”
Acts 13: 38, 39
Paul who was highly educated and knew the Word was more than able to stand up against any leader of these synagogues. However, many didn’t accept what Paul preached. Here the Jews left, but the Gentiles who were listening asked them to come preach again to them on the next Sabbath. Some of the Jews did receive the Gospel, but many opposed Paul and Barnabas and began persecuting them.
‘And the Word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”
Acts 13: 49
As Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel and saw souls won for Jesus, the enemy soon came with his counterattack. The Jews stirred up many prominent people in the town to rise against them, so they shook the dirt off their feet and moved on.
“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 13: 52
Iconium
From there they went to Iconium, the capital of Lycaonia, in Asia Minor. It had around 30,000 inhabitants and was a large and rich city. Here once again as was their custom, they came to the synagogue and spoke to a large crowd of Jews and Greeks. Many believed in the message but once again the Jews launched an attack by “poisoning the minds” of the Gentiles.
Paul and Barnabas, stayed here for a “long time” and their preaching was accompanied by great signs and wonders.
“But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.”
Acts 14: 4
A violent attack was planned against them so when they became aware of it, they fled to Lystra and Derbe, which were also cities of Lycaonia.
A Physical Trial
Sometime during his visit to Galatia, Paul experiences a physical attack that appears to impact his eyes.
“You know that because of physical infirmity, I preached to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
Galatians 4: 13-15
It was clear it was a physical trial that caused Paul to stop and preach for awhile in Galatia until he recovered.
Lystra and Derbe
It is believed that Paul visited Lystra for the first time around 48 AD. He returned in 51 AD. He would visit four times in all. This area becomes very important to Paul. As he arrived in Lystra, Paul is met with a man crippled from birth. As Paul is preaching, he can see that man has faith in healing.
Paul “said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on your feet!’ And he leaped and walked.”
Acts 14: 10
The man was immediately healed. The people think the “gods” have come down and begin to worship Paul and Barnabas, but…
“But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the Heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them…”
Acts 14: 14-15
Instead, of taking the glory, Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes which was a declaration of blasphemy. Paul begins preaching to them. However, Jews from Antioch came to turn the crowd against Paul and Barnabas. The multitude began to stone Paul.
“They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”
Acts 14: 19, 20
They stone Paul until they are persuaded, that he is dead. The Greek here suggests that he was dead. His body is dragged out of the town and here the disciples gathered around him and began praying. The Greek for “he rose up” can be translated as, rise from the dead.
Derbe
In Derbe, they established a church and began strengthening the believers there. It is important to note that while they preached the Gospel and saw many converts, they made them disciples. We are not called to make converts, but disciples.
Paul and Barnabas then returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. Paul didn’t allow opposition and persecution to dictate to him. Here Paul explained:
“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’ So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Acts 14: 22-23
Paul and Barnabas, then returned to Antioch (AD 46) to report back all that the Lord had done. We are told that they stayed a long time here (Acts 14: 28).
The Council of Jerusalem (AD47/ 48).
Around this time people began preaching the need for circumcision, which was challenging the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. So, they set off for Jerusalem to address the issue.
Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia:
“And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that Gospel which I preached among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.”
Galatians 2: 2
Many believe that Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians around this time. Others place it later around 55 AD. The letter to the Galatians according to Picirilli is perhaps the most difficult to date.
As we read Acts fifteen, we see that the elders all gathered to consider the issue of Gentile believers and whether they had to be circumcised and obey the Law. Peter said:
“So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us…”
Acts 15: 8
In other words, the Holy Spirit filled the Gentile believers not based upon circumcision but faith in Jesus Christ. Paul put his whole ministry on the line. Paul trusted that the Lord was more than able to defend Him.
Regarding this council, we are told:
- There was much dispute (v 7a)
- Peter’s testimony (v 7b-11)
- James’s opinion (v 13-21)
- The Decision (v. 22)
- Letter to the Gentile brethren (v 23-29)
We see at the end of the decision letter we are told:
‘For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, if you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.”
Acts 15: 28, 29
Interestingly, the list overlaps the Laws of Noah.
- Not to worship idols
- Not to curse God
- Not to commit murder
- Not to commit adultery or sexual immorality
- Not to steal
- Not to eat flesh torn from a living animal
- To establish courts of justice
They then departed from there and returned with the letter to Antioch. Upon a arriving, they rejoiced and enjoyed a great exhortation from two prophets, Silas and Judas.
Second Missionary Journey AD 48, 49
We are told that Paul and Barnabas were teaching and preaching at Antioch for some time when Paul determined it was time to launch a Second Missionary Journey. However, a dispute arose between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark who had quit the last missionary journey. Barnabas decided to take Mark and set sail to Cyprus, while Paul joined up with Silas-
“But Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.”
Acts 15: 40
Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilia, strengthening the Churches. The team then went back to Derbe and Lystra, where they met a young man called Timothy. This man would become Paul’s spiritual son. Paul wanted Timothy to join them, so Paul circumcises him. Paul took with him the letter they had received.
“So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
Acts 16: 5
Emperor Worship
In many places of the Roman Empire, it was required to worship the emperor. Now in theory there was tolerance for all religions that were practiced publicly if it didn’t disturb the peace. From the time of Augustus, the Jews were exempted from emperor worship but were required to offer sacrifices twice daily in the Temple in Jerusalem for Caesar and the Roman Nation.
As part of the Roman worship, emperors were taking names or using words like Lord, King, Savior, God, or even Son of God. The refusal of Christians to worship the emperors would lead to an intense persecution of the Church. That persecution would vary in intensity in different areas of the Empire.
The Holy Spirit Directs
After passing back through Phrygia and Galatia, they planned to come to Asia, but the Holy Spirit forbade them. They then went to Mysia, and once again the Holy Spirit refused to let them go there.
“So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Acts 16: 8, 9
Paul and Silas then went to Macedonia, arriving in Philippi. It was a town of around 10-15,000 at the time. It had a large slave population, as well as farmers and service providers.
Paul and Silas on the Sabbath went down to the river where people went to pray. According to Picirilli, there was a small house of prayer that some believe was not an official synagogue however, the Jewish writer, Phileo was a regular synagogue.6 Picirilli, further explained that the fact the synagogue was outside the city suggests the Jewish population was small and there was an intolerance for the Jews. Here they began sharing the Gospel with the women that were there including Lydia. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira and had a heart that loved the Lord. He invited them to come and stay at her house.
At the time many of these towns had slave girls that were oracles. They had a spirit of divination and could give prophetic utterances. In Acts 16, we see a young lady following Jesus who has a spirit of divination and she declares:
“These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” (Acts 16: 17). By doing this she was seeking to suggest, she was operating in the same spirit. But after she repeated this for many days, Paul declared: “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour.”
Acts 16: 18
However, delivering the woman the leaders of the town became outraged. Consequently, Paul and Silas were thrown in jail. Here we see one of the most powerful accounts of God delivering His children and how we believers should act in such dire situations. At the time the emperor Claudius had outlawed Jewish proselytizing. The accusers of Paul and Silas may have used this ruling against them.
Paul and Silas would have been beaten first with rods called lictors. Then they were placed in the innermost chamber. However, Paul and Silas sing the Halal praises, or Psalms 113-118). At midnight despite the pain and the terrible tomorrow that faces them, they are worshipping the Lord and the Lord turned up. The Lord caused a major earthquake-
“Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”
Acts 16: 26
What the enemy meant for evil the Lord turned around for good. The result was the jailer, and his family were saved. After leaving the prison, Paul and Silas returned to Lydia’s house.
Thessalonica
After leaving Philippi Paul an Silas first came to Amphipolis and Apollonia which were located on the Egnation highway or Via Egnatia which ran for almost 1,000 miles. From here they came to Thessalonica, where once again they went to the local synagogue. Thessalonica was a civitas libera (a free city) or a city that was self0governed during the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial eras.
Here after Paul preached the Jews became very unhappy and taking “evil men from the marketplace” they stirred up the city and attacked the house of Jason where they were. When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren to the rulers of the city. This may have been a similar situation to what happened in Philippi and they may have used the same rule of Claudius against the Church.
Calling Jesus king could be used as. A threat against the emperor which is what the Jews were accusing the believers of doing.
Jason and the brethren were forced to put up money or property as a guarantee of keeping the peace. A common threat at the time was the threat of fines or the seizing of property. As a result it was decided that it was best that Paul and Silas leave the city that night.
Berea
The word Berea means well-watered. Here Paul and Silas received a better welcome and the people received the Word. We are told:
“They received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
Acts 17: 11b
However, when Jews in Thessalonica heard what was happening in Berea they sent a group to stir up the people. Paul was sent away, while Silas and Timothy remained. Paul went to Athens, where he called for Silas and Timothy to come and join him.
Athens
Athens was of course the center of Greek culture, architecture, art, literature, and of philosophy. Here Paul reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue and the Gentile worshippers. Paul also reasoned with those in the marketplace. For it here he meet many philosophers. Paul preached his message based on the inscription: “To the Unknown God.” This happened on Mars Hill or the Areopagus.
Despite the scorn he received some actually believed.
Corinth
After leaving Athens, Paul went to Corinth where he meet a Jew called Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Picirilli,7 quoting from Schurer, stated that Aquila and Priscilla had been evicted from Rome by Claudius Caesar.
‘So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.”
Acts 18: 5
While Paul was at Corinth, it is believed that Paul wrote his first letter, the letter to the Thessalonians (AD50). This makes sense if you read:
“But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the Gospel of God in much conflict.”
1 Thessalonians 2: 2
The enemy sought to shut Paul down in Philippi and when he came to Thessalonica it seemed like he was about to face the same battle, but God turned it around. Now looking at Corinth, a town of 90,000 people who according to Picirilli,8 were mainly freed slaves. It was a city made of a mixture of people from Syrians, Egyptians, the Mediterranean, and it included many Jews. While Latin was the official language, the language of the people was Greek.
Corinth was known for magic, the occult and sexual perversion. There was a temple built to Aphrodite, and it was famous for prostitution. In fact, at one time there were 1,000 prostitutes there. Further the name, Corinth was converted to a verb, “Corinthianize” which meant to commit sexual immorality. Corinth was a sin city and party town.
As you understand the perversion of this area and how intrenched the occult was, you can truly understand Paul’s letter to Corinth. We must recognize the danger of allowing the culture of a city or area to influence us, instead of being salt and light and impacting the culture.
In this city, Paul would have a divine appointment and connection with Aquila and Priscilla, who would be launched into the apostolic ministry as well. We don’t know if Aquila and Priscila were already believers or converts of Paul. Either way, they would become lifelong friends and partners.
“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus the Christ.”
Act 18: 5
An Apostle to the Gentiles
Now, Paul already was testifying about Jesus and had won many Jews and Greeks to the Lord but something happened where a fresh boldness came on him when he partners arrived. The Holy Spirit definitely moved on Paul in a new way. What happened next was important:
“But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Acts 18: 5, 6
Paul’s ministry would make a major turn from this point. Paul had focused on the Jews though he would preach to Gentiles. But now he begins to focus more on the Gentiles.
“For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles…”
Romans 11: 13
And
“But on the contrary, when they saw that the Gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the Gospel for the circumcision was to Peter.”
Galatians 2: 7
As Paul moves into his call, the Lord blesses him mightily and he has a vision:
“Do not be afraid but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.’ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.”
Acts 18: 9- 11
Paul has a powerful night vision and a further confirmation that Paul has been anointed with a fresh boldness. Right here in sin city with all of filth, God had many hungry souls. The Lord gave Paul a long season here to establish the churches that made up the Church at Corinth. At the end of that period Paul is attacked again by the Jews who bring charges against him to the proconsul, Gallio. The charges being brought against Paul was he was preaching a religion not allowed by Roman law (a religio illicita). However, Gallio wanted no part of it. Gallio used the statement , “words and names” suggesting the Jews were making similar claims as they did at Philippi that Paul’s claim that Jesus was Lord and King was an attack on the emperor. The Jews are extremely upset at failing but Paul remains unhurt and was able to continue a “good while.” This would be the longest period Paul spent in a city on his missionary trips.
It is believed that not alone did he write First Thessalonians (AD 50) but also Second Thessalonians (AD51) during this time. These were Paul’s earliest writings. Though some believe Galatians may have been written first.
The Return to Antioch
In returning to Antioch, Paul took with him, Aquila and Priscilla. Paul took a Nazarite vow as explained in Numbers 6: 1-21. He starts by cutting his hair, because during the vow Paul would not be allowed cut his hear. The meaning of Nazirite is consecrated. So, Paul recognizing a new day has opened, consecrates himself to the Lord.
At this time, Paul is around 50 years old in a time where the life expectancy was typically less than 35 years. It is easy to think that it is too late, or we are too old, but that is never the case for the Lord.
The first city they came to was Ephesus, where once again he entered the synagogues and reasoned with the people. The people ask Paul to stay longer but Paul explained:
“I must by all means keep this coming Feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.’ And he sailed from Ephesus.”
Acts 18: 21
He went from there to Caesarea, greeted the Church there and then went to Antioch. Paul spent some time here before go to Galatia and Phrygia.
The Third Missionary Journey AD 53/54 through AD 57/ 58
Luke only tells us that Paul spent some time at Antioch before he starts his third missionary journey. Paul revisits some of the Churches he had been to before though we are not given much in the way of details on what happened there. It appears that Ephesus was on his heart.
The Return to Ephesus
Ephesus was one of the most important cities in western Asia Minor. It had a population of between 200,000 and 250,000 people. It was known for its wealth and importance in part due to it key location that made it the largest trading center in the region. The city was also famous for its Temple to the Greek goddess Artemis (Diana), which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
In Acts chapter nineteen, Paul makes a return visit to Ephesus and spends most of his third missionary journey in this city. Upon arriving, he find disciples of John the Baptist. We are told in the closing verses of Acts 18, regarding a man called Apollos. He is like these other disciples, they are disciples of John. Apollos is instructed by Aquila and Priscilla in the truth. But Paul finds other disciples of John. They have been baptized into a baptism of expectation but not fulfilment. They were looking forward to but in Jesus we find fulfilment. So, Paul instructs them and then he baptizes them first in water and then the Holy Spirit.
‘And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”
Acts 19: 6
Paul continued his custom of first going to the synagogues and preaching, and he demonstrates great patience, enduring persecution at the synagogue the longest in all his trips. The men Paul baptized join Paul in preaching the Gospel, but soon the Jews harden their hearts and Paul ends up going daily to the School of Tyrannus and reasoning with the people. Paul spends two years here and we are told:
“So that all who dwelt in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
Acts 19: 10
The Church now has their own meeting places and was not found simply in the synagogues. The ministry and reach of his ministry had clearly grown and Paul was being stretched thin. God is working mighty miracles though his ministry and we see:
‘So that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them.”
Acts 19: 12
These handkerchiefs were sweat clothes and along with the aprons were most likely from his work in tent making. During this time Paul writes his letters to the Corinthians (AD 56) and in First Corinthians 5: 9 suggested there was a letter before First Corinthians that seems to be lost. Paul states a delegation had come from Corinth to Ephesus to visit Paul (1 Cor. 16: 17)
We see a real fear and holiness come upon the people as the Church grows and we are told:
“Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
Acts 19: 19
Purposed in the Spirit
We are told:
“So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonian and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Acts 19: 20, 21
As Paul purposes in his spirit, we see a counterattack of the enemy that caused an uprising of the silversmiths. These men made silver shrines of the goddess Diana and clearly the growth of the Church was impacting them. Ephesus was another free city but they knew that disorder could cause Rome to act.
We are told in Acts 20: 19, that the Jews had plotted against Paul. Paul suggests in his letters to the Corinthians that there were more troubles than Luke mentions (1 Cor. 15: 30-32; 2 Cor. 1: 8-10). Some suggest that Paul was temporarily imprisoned during this time.
The uprising the men caused stirs the whole city into a rage and they seize some of Paul’s travel companions. Paul wanted to go and defend himself but the disciples would not let him.
“Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, pleading that he would not venture into the theater.”
Acts 19:31
Paul has clearly made a major impact not just in Ephesus but Asia, even winning over officials.
Off to Greece
After the uproar settled, Paul and his team departed for Macedonia and once again he meets with local churches and encourages them. He then came to Greece where he stayed three months.
Paul comes to Troas just after Passover and he is about to leave, so he comes to a house church and begins sharing. We are told he came to break bread because he was leaving in the morning. We sense that Paul knew he would not see them again, so he preaches until midnight. Unfortunately, a young man sitting by a window fell asleep and ended up falling from the third floor and dying.
Paul went down and much like the prophet of old falls on the young man, embraced him and said, ‘Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him” (Acts 20: 10). Paul then kept right on preaching and we are told they brought up the young man alive.
Back to Ephesus
Paul and his team depart from Troas. They make several stops including the two of Miletus was a small town around thirty miles from Ephesus. Paul was hoping to make it to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost, so he sets sail for Ephesus. Here Paul calls for a meeting of the elders. Paul pours into these leaders and says:
“how I kept nothing back that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house., testifying to Jews, and also to Greek, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.”
Acts 20: 20-24
Paul clearly knew he was coming close to the end of his race and that he would not see these leaders again. Once again we see Paul state he goes bound in the spirit to Jerusalem. Many criticize Paul for going to Jerusalem especially as many will bring him warnings not to go. But Paul, explains that the Holy Spirit keeps explaining to him what lays ahead, just as Jesus promised.
Paul, then reveals his pastors’ heart and warns these leaders:
‘For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and days with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.”
Acts 20: 27-34
Paul is speaking to the Church that he explained the five-fold ministry gifts to and among these leaders were different members of those gifts
The Letters of Paul
So, when did Paul write his different letters?
- First and Second Thessalonians were written in Corinth around AD50 and AD 51/52
- First and Second Corinthians were written in Ephesus around AD 56
- Philippians potentially in AD 56 while imprisoned in Ephesus or during his captivity in Rome in AD 61 and AD63.
- Galatians AD 56 or AD57 Again perhaps while he was at Ephesus
- Romans AD 57 or AD 58
- Ephesians AD 60/61
- Colossians AD 61
- Philemon AD 61
- Titus AD 62-67
- First Timothy AD 63-66
- Second Timothy AD 67
While many think Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews, unlike all the other letters, Paul doesn’t claim to write. Secondly, while it is Paulish, it doesn’t sound exactly Paul. Most believe it may have been Clement, though some say Timothy.
The Voyage to Jerusalem
Paul’s journey to Jerusalem involved several stops along the way. They arrived Syria, they landed at Tyre, Here they unloaded and Paul visited the disciples there and stayed seven days.
Paul had stated that he went bound in the spirit to Jerusalem. However, the disciples we are told:
“They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.”
Acts 21:4b-5
Here we see this major controversy. Paul is persuaded that the Lord is directing him to go to Jerusalem. Yet, there are so many who come warning Paul not to go.
In Tyre there are disciples who come and tell Paul through the Spirit not to go. When he came to Caesarea, Paul went to the house to Philip. Here we see the four virgin daughters prophesy to Paul and then a prophet named Agabus from Judea, and:
“When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For Ia m ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus. So when he would be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done.”
Acts 21: 11-14
Paul is unmoved and stands fully persuaded. Paul then went to Jerusalem and was received by the brethren. Paul arrived around AD 57 just before Pentecost.
“On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.”
Acts 21: 19
At the time when Paul visited Jerusalem, Judea was under the Roman procurator, Felix, and then Festus. The official government seat was at Caesarea. During the time period from AD 6- 41, the high priest appointment was controlled by the procurators. But from AD 44-66, this was then done by the Herods.
Paul In Jerusalem AD 55
Paul then reported to them all that the lord had done among the Gentiles. However, Paul went to the Temple and many Jews from Asia who were in Jerusalem because of Pentecost and recognizing Paul they stirred up the local Jews. The angry mob then seized Paul accusing him of defiling the Temple by bringing a Gentile into the area prohibited to Gentiles. The Sanhedrin, it is believed at the time were required to get approval from the Roman official to put to death.
“And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the Temple, and immediately the doors were shut. Now they were seeking to kill him…”
Acts 21: 29, 30
Paul requests permission to talk to the crowd and in Chapter 22 of Acts, Paul speaks to the crowd in Hebrew. Paul then shares his testimony and he explains that Ananias, said to him at his conversion:
“The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.”
Acts 22:14, 15
Paul’s radical change by the Lord God made him a powerful witness. Paul also shared that the Lord told him:
“Depart, for I will send you far from there to the Gentiles.”
Act 22: 21
When Paul is finished speaking the commander of the barracks demanded Paul be bound and scourged, but Paul explained that he was a Roman citizen. The next day, Paul was released from his bonds and brought before the Council.
Paul explains to the Sanhedrin:
“Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
Acts 32: 1
The high priest believing Paul had blasphemed, has his face slapped. Paul responds: “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you shit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” Paul went on to explain that also was Pharisee.
The crowd becomes split and a riot breaks out and the commander sent troops to get Paul and bring him back to the barracks. However, the crowd continue to plot on how to get Paul and kill him. However, while in prison the following night:
“Be pf good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Acts 23: 11
The Jews planned an ambush, but Paul’s sister son heard of the plan and told Paul, who informed the commander. The commander then called for two hundred soldiers, two hundred spearmen, and seventy horsemen. They were to bring Paul to Felix governor. The governor then placed Paul into Herod’s prison.
The high priest then came and accused Paul of sedition. Paul defends himself saying:
“And they neither found me in the Temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogue or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me”
Acts 24: 11, 12
Felix however, delayed in making a decision though gives Paul liberty and allows his friends to visit him while holding him in prison in Caesarea. Felix was then replaced by Festus who came to Caesarea. However, the high priest petitioned Festus seeking to allow them to ambush and kill Paul.
Paul then appealed to Caesar, so Festus determined, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go” (Acts 25: 12
King Agrippa
Sometime later, King Agrippa came to Caesar and Paul is brought before him. Paul then shares his witness with King Agrippa. But King Agrippa responded to him saying:
“Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad. But he said, ‘I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.”
Acts 26: 24, 25
Festus then responded:
“You almost persuade me to become a Christian. And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
Acts 26: 28, 29
Agrippa explained that he had planned to let Paul go, but Paul had appealed to Caesar.
The Journey to Rome.
Paul is taken with other prisons via sea to Rome. The trip would make several stops. Paul was given great liberty including being able to visit friends when they stopped. When they left Myra, the ship struggled with the wind and they were forced to stop in Crete. Here they remain stuck for a season awaiting the weather to improve.
When they do set off again Paul warns them:
“Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss not only of the cargo, ship, but also our lives.”
Acts 27: 10
However, the centurion continues anyway. Not long after heading out a Euroclydon arose. These storms typically occur in Autumn/ Fall or Winter. It is a hurricane of the Mediterranean. The boat is forced to take shelter along the island of Claudia. However, they were fearful they would run aground on the Syrtis Sands. They decide to lighten the boat and throw some of the cargo overboard. The storm continued for several days and Paul speaks up that they should have listened to him.
Paul then explained that an angel had appeared to him saying:
Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you. Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
Acts 27: 24-25
Things seem to get worse and the men want to abandon ship, but Paul warns against it He then encourages them to eat as the dawn breaks. Paul then had communion and explaining that a hair would fall from their heads. After eating, they lighten ship before running it aground. Now the soldiers fearing the prisoners would escape had planned to kill the, But the centurion wanted to save Paul and so commanded all who could swim to jump overboard.
Well, they found out that they were grounded on Malta. Because of the cold they decide to light a fire, and Paul goes to find firewood. He returns with a snake hanging from his hand, and the natives recognizing the snake, believe Paul is a goner. But Paul has no reaction and doesn’t die, convincing the natives that Paul was a god.
While they wait for around three months on the island, Paul prayed over the father of Publius and he is healed. As a result many who are sick come and Paul prays for them.
Rome
Finally, they set sail and stop at Puteoli where Paul stays with some believers for seven days, before making the final stretch to Rome. Upon arriving all the prisoners except Paul are put in prison, while Paul is permitted to dwell by himself along with the soldier who guarded him.
Three days after arriving Paul calls the leader of the Jews together and gives them his side of what happened. Paul remains under house arrest but continues to preach the Gospel and many believe.
Paul’s Last Days (AD 60-65)
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4: 6-8
Not a lot is known about Paul’s time in Rome. It is possible that the Letter to the Philippians was written during this time as Paul explains:
“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.”
1 Timothy 2: 19
We know that many of the Church leaders came and visited Paul, and it was during this time that Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, First and Second Timothy among others.
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gosep, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are I Christ, and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.”
Philippians 1: 12-14
Luke said that Paul stayed at least two more years in Rome before the Book of Acts abruptly ends. In reading Paul’s letters it is clear that things deteriorated for Paul and most people abandoned him.
“For which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains: but the Word of God is not chained.”
2 Timothy 2: 9
And
“At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”
2 Timothy 4: 16-17
It is believed that somewhere around around AD 65-67, that Paul was beheaded. The Great Fire of Rome occurred in July AD 64. Nero blamed the fire on Christians and used it to begin a severe persecution of them.
The Boat that Paul Travelled in to Rome. The grain ships travelled in a fleet because of their importance and they followed a path based on winds, which the Book of Acts agrees with.
As we read the words of Luke on Paul’s trip that took him from Caesarea to Italy, we actually can gain information on the type of boat that he travelled in. It would have been a cargo boat that carried mainly grain, but it also carried around 278 passengers and crew.
In fact, it would have been an Alexandrian grain ship. These boats would carry grain from the fertile Nile to Italy. Paul boarder at Caesarea Maritima. These grain ships were comparable to the dimensions of the USS Constitution and Nelson’s Victory.11 There are historical documents that indicate the Romans had very impressive ships at the time.
The Early Church
The early Church grew at an incredible rate as thousands came to believe in Christ. We are told in the Book of Acts that people were being added daily to the Church. On the Day of Pentecost 3,000 were added in Jerusalem in a city of 50,000 people. Within a short time this had grown to over 5,000 (Acts 4: 4).
Christianity spread rapidly and was known to be even in Britain in the first century.
Jewish Persecution and the Early Church
In AD19, the Roman Empire Tiberius expelled Jews from Rome. Then in 38 AD thousands of Jews are killed in Flaccus, known as the Alexandrian pogrom. Synagogues are defiled and Jews are restricted to a quarter of the city.
In AD 50, Claudius, ordered that Jews were not allowed to hold meetings and once again they are expelled from Rome. Then in 66 AD, the emperor Tiberius, 50,000 Jews are killed in the Alexandria Riot.
Between, 66-73 AD, the First Jewish- Roman War began which was crushed under the orders of Nero by his general Vespasian and Titus, with the forces of King Agrippa II. Titus refused to accept a wreath of victory, because he said tgere is “no merit in vanquishing people forsaken by their own God.’ They invade Galilee in 67 AD and ultimately take Jerusalem and destroy the Second Temple in AD 70 on the 9th of Av. Many Jews feel betrayed by Christians.
In 70 AD, over 1,000,000 Jews perish and almost 100,000 are taken as slaves. Hatred of the Jews grows especially in the Roman Empire where the monothestic Judaism is so extremely different from the polytheism common throughout the empire.
The 132-135 AD uprising resulted in almost 600,000 Jews being killed and their expulsion from Judea. It would begin the Jewish disporia, and as the Jews felt betrayed by Christians who refused to embrace the false messiah, they became anthemia. Jerusalem was renamed, Aelia Capitolina, a pagan temple is placed on the Temple Mount, and the land is named Syria Palestina.
References
- Picirilli, Robert E.. Paul The Apostle (p. 13). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
- Ramsay, William M.. The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on His Life and Thought, The Cities of Eastern Asia Minor . Titus Books. Kindle Edition.
- Ramsay, William M.. The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on His Life and Thought, The Cities of Eastern Asia Minor . Titus Books. Kindle Edition.
- Picirilli, Robert E.. Paul The Apostle (p. 26). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
- Ramsey page 70
- Picirilli, page 115
- Picirilli page 124
- Picirilli page 125
- Swindoll, Charles R.. Great Lives: Paul (Great Lives Series) (p. 6). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
- Pollock, John. The Apostle: The Life of Paul (John Pollock Series) (p. 16). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.
- https://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=/context/class_faculty/article/1041/&path_info=NHirschfeld_ShipSaintPaulHistoricalBackground_1990_article.pdf
- https://www.imb.org/2018/11/28/4-things-church-wildfire/#:~:text=On%20their%20opening%20Sunday%2C%20three,in%20the%20city%20of%20Jerusalem.
- https://www.a2schools.org/cms/lib/MI01907933/Centricity/domain/2403/hum-pdf/Growth-of-Chr.pdf
- https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/world-population-by-year/
