Two names

Hebrew Saul until Ac.13:9 . . .

Latin Paul afterwards

I. Saul

Born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Ac.21:39

Trading center; known for manufacture of goats’ hair cloth (cf. Ac.18:3)

Jewish law: boy began study of Scripture at age five. But . . .

“Excellent is Torah study together w. worldly business, for all Torah w/o work must fail at length, and occasion iniquity.”

Education: Gamaliel

Most illustrious rabbi of the day, Ac.22:3

Indicates Paul’s ability, and emphasis of his parents

Appearance (Ac.14) Barnabas: Zeus, chief of gods Paul: Hermes, messenger of gods

2 Co.10:10

1. Sickness can harm appearance, Ga.4:13-15; 2 Co.12:7-10

2. Physical abuse can damage body, Ga.63. Paul’s emphasis (2 Co.4:16-18)

Roman citizen Ac.22:28. Yet, Ph.3:5

Pharisee Ac.23:6. Ph.3:3, 5

Persecutor No one hated Jesus more than Saul… Church threatened everything he held

sacred

Introduction: Ac.7:58Goal: rid world of Christians, Ac.8-9

Success: Ga.1:13-14

“How to explain difference in Gamaliel (Ac.5:34-39) and Saul?”

By time Saul begins his persecution, Stephen enters the scene, Ac.6-7

Nu.25, Phinehas

His message threatens the foundations of Judaism

Sincere

Ac.26:9-11 Always did what he thought was right Changed when he learned better

Single

Ac.26:10 Prove Paul had been married?

Earliest information comes from Akiba, late 1st – early 2nd centuries AD Implies it was not binding before this

time 1 Co.7:8

I. Saul

II. Paul

1. Conversion, Ac.9, 22, 26

Luke: Ac.9(historical)

Paul: Ac.22, 26(explanatory)

2. Determined to undo past damage

Ac.9:20-22 (Ga.1:15-16) Ga.1:17, Arabia (Ac.9:22-23) Three yrs. later: Jerusalem (Ga.1:18;

Ac.22:17-21; 9:30)

Ac.9:26-29

In Jerusalem, Paul now held up the banner that Stephen so faithfully defended. Cf. 22:20

Ac.9:1-18

Ga.1:17; Ac.9:22-23

Ac.22:17-21

Ac.9:30

3. Humbled by his past

Least of apostles, 1 Co.15:9Least of all saints, Ep.3:7-8Greatest of all sinners, 1 Tim.1:15

4. Apostle to Gentiles

Ro.11:13; Ga.2:9

Ac.15:7-9, Gentiles: saved by faithTherefore: circumcision unnecessary

*Ac.15, Luke: historical*Ga.2, Paul: personal (5:6)

5. Preaching journeys

About 7000 miles, not counting . . . Trip to Rome Later travels (1 Tim., Tit.)

1st journey: Ac.13-14

First preaching journey: Ac.13-14

Paul’s first recorded convert of this trip: Ac.13:6-12 Sergius Paulus: Roman proconsul Parallels Cornelius (also 11:19-20)