Topic 5Paul

1
Topic 5 Pauls Missionary Career

• The Dark Years
• First Missionary Journey
• Jerusalem Conference (Apostolic Council)
• Second Missionary Journey
• Third Missionary Journey
• Arrest, Journey to Rome, and Death

2
A. The Dark Years (c. 34-48?) Gal. 116-24
Acts 920-30

• Arabia (Gal. 116-17)
• After conversion, went not to Jerusalem but to
  Arabia for up to 3 years then returned to
  Damascus.
• Arabia Nabatean Kingdom ruled by King Aretas IV
  at Petra.
• Activity unclear meditating on conversion or
  evangelizing?
• Acts totally omits this trip goes directly from
  Damascus to Jerusalem many days after
  conversion.
• Damascus (Gal. 117 cf. Acts 920-25)
• Returned to Damascus (implies conversion was
  there).
• Acts 920-25 has Paul preaching many days in
  Damascus, then escaping a Jewish plot by going
  over the wall in a basket.
• Cf. 2 Cor. 1132-33 has similar escape from
  Damascus, except that threat is not Jews but
  governor under Aretas.
• This escape from Damascus was a humiliating
  event dated c. 37-39).

3
A. The Dark Years (c. 34-48?) Gal. 116-24
Acts 920-30

• Jerusalem (Gal. 118-20 cf. Acts 926-28)
• After 3 years went to Jerusalem (3 years after
  conversion or after return to Damascus?).
• Paul insists this was a private visit with Cephas
  (Peter) of others saw only James may have
  received gospel traditions.
• Acts places this visit many days after
  conversion describes as very public visit (warns
  us not to take Luke too literally).
• Syria and Cilicia / Tarsus (Gal. 121-24 cf.
  Acts 929-30)
• This is back home (only Acts mentions Tarsus,
  capital of Cilicia).
• Some 11-14 years pass here (unclear whether 14
  years in Gal. 21 includes the previous 3
  years).
• Already proclaiming the gospel details of
  work unrecorded.
• Antioch (Acts 1122-30 1225 cf. Gal. 211)
• After founding of Antioch church, Barnabas
  fetches Paul from Tarsus to work with Gentile
  mission there.
• After brief famine-relief visit to Jerusalem
  (Acts 1127-30 1225), stage is now set for
  Acts three missionary journeys.

4
B. First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14) c.
48-49

• (Note Luke arranges Pauls work into 3
  circular journeys, each beginning in Antioch.
  Doubtful Paul conceived his work that way.)
• Antioch (131-3) Barnabas Saul sent out.
• Cyprus (134-12)
• Accompanied by John Mark, Barnabas cousin.
• Encounter with Jewish magician named Elymas or
  Bar-Jesus.
• Conversion of proconsul Sergius Paulus.
• Switch from Saul to Paul (v. 9).
• Pisidian Antioch (1313-52)
• John Mark abandons at Perga.
• Long synagogue sermon Jesus as fulfillment of
  Scripture.
• Attracts crowds of Jews, God-fearers, and
  proselytes.
• Hostile Jews reject gospel Paul turns to
  Gentiles frequent theme in Acts (v. 45-48 cf.
  185-6 2825-28).

5
B. First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14) c.
48-49

• Iconium (141-7)
• Preaches in synagogue Jewish opposition builds.
• Attempt to stone forces them to flee.
• Lystra (148-19)
• No synagogue mentioned very pagan city.
• Gentiles worship Barnabas and Paul as Zeus and
  Hermes.
• Reflects local myth of Baucis Philemon
  elderly couple who showed hospitality to Zeus
  Hermes received immortality.
• Sermon on living God who is Creator and Provider.
• Jews from Antioch Iconium stone Paul and leave
  him for dead (cf. 2 Cor.1124-27).
• Derbe and return to Antioch (1420-28)
• Revisit previous cities return to Antioch.
• Success among Gentiles stirs controversy over
  whether to impose circumcision.
• Sets stage for Apostolic Council (Jerusalem
  Conference).

6
Jerusalem Conference (Apostolic Council) c. 49

• Sources and problems of reconstruction
• Do Gal. 21-10 and Acts 151-29 report same
  event?
• Similarities Both report meeting of Antioch and
  Jerusalem leaders, who agree not to impose
  circumcision on Gentiles.
• Differences raise question whether they report
  same event.
• Acts reports a compromise agreement on 3 ritual
  restrictions on Gentiles (Apostolic Decree).
• Gal. leaves no room for such compromise.
• In spite of differences, 2 such meetings seem
  unlikely.
• How do we match visits to Jerusalem in Acts with
  those in letters? (See Horrell, pp. 34-35.)
• Gal. 2 is Pauls 2nd visit to Jerusalem after
  conversion.
• Acts 15 is his 3rd visit.
• Conclusion
• Minority Gal. 2 and Acts 15 report 2 different
  meetings on circumcision (Bruce).
• Majority most take as differing accounts of same
  meeting.
• No consensus where to place meeting
  chronologically.

7
C. Jerusalem Conference (Apostolic Council) c.
49

• Central issue circumcision of Gentiles
• Issue Must Gentile Christians be circumcised?
• Circumcision key ritual marking Jews as Jews.
• Some in Jerusalem were demanding circumcision of
  Gentile converts.
• Case for Biblical (Gen. 17) sign of covenant
  sign of submission to Gods commandments Jesus
  and earliest Christians were circumcised Jews.
• Against sign of legalism and exclusivism makes
  law rather than faith the way of salvation
  excludes Gentiles, on whom Spirit had been
  conferred by faith hinders the mission of
  bringing Gentiles into worship of Israels God.
• Key players and positions
• Antioch
• Paul, Barnabas, Titus.
• Had not been requiring circumcision.
• Jerusalem
• Peter, John, James (Jesus brother).
• No real Gentile mission some wanted Antioch to
  require circumcision.

8
C. Jerusalem Conference (Apostolic Council) c.
49

• 2. Central issue circumcision of Gentiles
  cont.
• c. Decision Circumcision not to be imposed on
  Gentiles.
• Gal. 2 emphasizes full recognition of Pauls
  law-free gospel.
• They added nothing to me (v. 6).
• They gave Barnabas and me the right hand of
  fellowship (v. 9).
• Titus was not compelled to be circumcised (v.
  3).
• Acts 15 places this decision on lips of Peter and
  James (v. 10-11, 19).
• d. Significance most important event in history
  of early church
• Allowed Gentile mission to go forward free from
  Jewish law.
• Preserved essential unity of the church.
• Paved way for eventual separation of Judaism
  Christianity.
• BUT did not finally settle the Gentile issue
  conservative faction continues to demand
  circumcision,

9
C. Jerusalem Conference (Apostolic Council) c.
49

• 3. Two side issues (only in Gal.)
• Division of labor (Gal. 29)
• Agreed that Paul and Barnabas would go to
  Gentiles while Jerusalem apostles would go to
  Jews.
• Not a strict delimitation of territory but
  agreement to mutually respect the thrust of each
  others mission.
• Request to remember the poor (Gal. 210)
• Jerusalem apostles requested and Paul agreed to
  remember the poor apparently in Jerus.
  church.
• Origin of Pauls collection for Jerusalem church
  (cf. 1 Cor. 161-4 2 Cor. 8-9 Rom. 1525-27).
• Symbolized unity of church Jews and Gentiles
  acknowledge mutual inclusion in one church of
  Christ.
• Ultimately symbolized the eschatological coming
  of the Gentiles to Jerusalem to acknowledge
  Israels God (cf. Isa. 2).
• Paul hoped this would make Jews jealous and
  provoke their conversion (Rom. 11).
• Not mentioned in Acts 15, though collection may
  be vaguely alluded to in Acts 2417.

10
C. Jerusalem Conference (Apostolic Council) c.
49

• 4. The Apostolic Decree (only in Acts 1519-20,
  28-29 2125)
• Refers to three minimum restrictions on Gentiles
  in lieu of circumcision and keeping whole law,
  Gentiles must abstain from
• Pollutions of idols food sacrificed to idols.
• Unchastity sexual immorality.
• Things strangled and blood meat not ritually
  slaughtered.
• Seems to be based on rabbinic doctrine of
  Noachian Covenant.
• From Lev. 18-19, rabbis deduced certain minimal
  purity laws binding on Gentiles who had contact
  with Jews.
• Luke represents these minimal restrictions as
  adopted by early church to give uncircumcised
  Gentile Christians a way of having fellowship
  with Jewish Christians still keeping Torah.
• Apostolic Decree is historically problematic at
  Jerusalem Conf.
• Acts 15 says it was proposed by James agreed to
  by all parties communicated in letter carried by
  Paul and Barnabas to Antioch.
• But Acts 2125 mentions the Decree and letter as
  if for first time.
• In the letters, Paul shows no awareness of the
  Decree
• Gal. 2 does not mention it and even rules it out
  (v. 6).
• Paul elsewhere treats idol meat as matter of
  indifference (1 Cor. 8-10).
• Conclusion
• Probably misplaced in Acts 15 as part of
  Jerusalem Conference.
• Probably formulated later by James as policy of
  Jerusalem Church adopted by Antioch as
  compromise.

11
C. Jerusalem Conference (Apostolic Council) c.
49

• The Incident in Antioch (only Gal. 211-14)
• Visit of Cephas (Peter) to Antioch after Jerus.
  Conf.
• At first, had table fellowship with Gentile
  Christians.
• Under pressure from emissaries of James,
  separated from Gentiles.
• Other Jewish Christians (even Barnabas) followed
  suit, splitting church between Jews and Gentiles.
• Outcome is unclear.
• Paul says he publicly opposed Peter, but does not
  say the church took his side.
• Possibly Paul lost this round found himself
  isolated and went independent.
• From this point on, has little contact with
  Antioch and strained relations with Barnabas.

12
D. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 1536-1822)
c. 49-52

• Departure from Antioch (Acts 1536-41)
• Break with Barnabas over John Mark (cf. incident
  in Antioch).
• Paul takes Silas (Silvanus) heads back through
  Asia Minor.
• Derbe and Lystra (161-5)
• Joined by Timothy (cf. Phil. 219-22), whom Paul
  circumcises.
• Historically questionable (cf. Gal. 51-12 1
  Cor. 718 Col. 11 411).
• Troas (166-10)
• Guided by Spirit through N or S Galatia to Troas.
• Macedonian call Vision of Macedonian man
  calling him over.
• V. 10 introduces first we-passage in Acts
  (1610-17 205-2118 271-2816)
• Personal participation of author (eyewitness
  Luke?).
• Use of a source (travelogue or diary of
  journeys).
• Vivid style.

13
D. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 1536-1822)
c. 49-52

• Philippi (1611-40)
• Was leading city of Macedonia and Roman colony.
• Three episodes
• Conversion of Lydia God-fearer seller of
  purple.
• Exorcism of slave-girl angry owners incite
  crowd Paul and Silas arrested.
• Conversion of jailer praying/singing at
  midnight earthquake conversion.
• Released by magistrates leaves via Egnatian Way
  a major route to Rome.
• Thessalonica (171-10) capital of Macedonia
• Preaches 3 weeks in synagogue converts mainly
  God-fearers.
• Jewish opposition forces Paul to sneak out by
  night.
• Soon receives Pauls earliest letter.
• Beroea (1710-15)
• Jewish hostility again forces Paul out, leaving
  Silas Timothy behind (but cf. 1 Thess. 31,
  where Timothy accompanies to Athens).
• Abandons Egnatian Way and heads to Athens.

14
D. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 1536-1822)
c. 49-52

• Athens (1716-33)
• Center of classical Greek culture full of gods,
  temples, statues, philosophers.
• Paul preaches in synagogue and marketplace
  (agora).
• Philosophers misunderstood him as preaching a new
  pair of deities (Jesus and Resurrection).
• Seized, taken to Areopagus (Mars Hill)
  ambiguities
• Did they take him to the hill or to the council?
• To hear him out or to put him on trial?
• Echoes of ancient trial of Socrates there.
• Pauls famous Areopagus Sermon.
• Text from idol inscription, To an Unknown God.
• Blends themes from Stoic philosophy with themes
  from Biblical theology.
• Quotes 2 Greek poets, but no argument from
  Scripture.
• Starts where they are and builds towards the
  uncomfortable Resurrection, Parousia, and
  Judgment.
• Not a smashing success but was understood this
  time.
• Few converts soon left.

Athens
Areopagus
15
D. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 1536-1822)
c. 49-52

• 8. Corinth (181-17)
• Teaming cosmopolitan, commercial city
  transportation center temples to many gods
  famous for immorality and prostitution.
• Works as tentmaker with Aquila Priscilla,
  Jewish Christians recently expelled from Rome by
  Claudius (c. 49).
• Preaches in synagogue until forced out.
• Rejoined by Silas and Timothy writes 1 Thess. in
  response to Timothys report.
• Works 18 months longest stay on Second Journey
  building a mainly Gentile church.
• Jews bring Paul before proconsul Gallio on
  charges of treason.
• Gallio dismisses charges as internal Jewish
  dispute.
• Important for Pauline chronology inscription at
  Delphi fixes Gallios term at c. 51-52 dates
  Pauls arrival in Corinth c. 50.
• 9. Return to Antioch (1818-22) via Ephesus,
  Caesarea, Jerus.

16
E. Third Missionary Journey (Acts 1823-2116)
c. 52-56

• Through Galatia and Phrygia to Ephesus (1823)
  another vague route thru N or S Galatia.
• Apollos in Ephesus (1824-28)
• Apollos precedes Paul in Ephesus.
• Eloquent, well-educated Jewish Christian from
  Alexandria.
• Preaches Jesus but knows only baptism of John.
• Priscilla and Aquila(her name first 4 out of 6
  times!) teach him more accurately Apollos goes
  to Corinth.
• Paul in Ephesus (191-41)
• Baptizes disciples who knew only Johns baptism,
  not Holy Spirit.
• Preaches in synagogue 3 months, until forced out.
• Moves to rented Hall of Tyrannus for 2 yrs.
• Performs miracles, which Jewish exorcists fail to
  imitate.
• Long important ministry (2-3 years) dominates
  Third Journey team of co-workers satellite
  churches several letters (most of 1 2 Cor.
  maybe Gal., Phil., Phlm.).
• Riot fomented by Demetrius, a silversmith making
  shrines of Artemis, puts Paul on trial.
• Ephesian imprisonment theory (cf. 1 Cor. 1532 2
  Cor. 18).

17
E. Third Missionary Journey (Acts 1823-2116)
c. 52-56

• Macedonia and Greece (201-6)
• Spends 3 months in Greece (prob. Corinth).
• Preparing collection for Jerusalem (see Rom. 15).
• Wrote Romans.
• Traveling companions mentioned in Acts are
  representatives of Gentile churches, accompanying
  collection to Jerusalem.
• Troas (207-12)
• Preaches past midnight puts Eutychus to sleep.
• One of earliest references to Christian worship
  on Sunday (v. 7).
• Miletus (2013-38)
• Sends for elders from Ephesus.
• Long, tearful farewell address.
• Return to Jerusalem (211-16)
• Many forebodings about danger in Jerusalem.
• Purpose is to deliver collection (Acts does not
  mention).
• Cf. Rom. 1525-27, 30-32 2 concerns
• Anxiety over hostility of non-Christian Jews.
• Uncertainty whether Jerusalem Church will accept
  collection.

18
F. Arrest, Journey to Rome, Death (Acts
2117-2831)

• Arrest in Jerusalem (2117-2311) c. 56
• Paul demonstrates loyalty to Jewish law by
  participating in purification rituals and
  Nazirite vow (2117-26).
• Accusation of bringing Gentile into restricted
  area of Temple precipitates riot and Pauls
  arrest by Roman tribune (2127-40).
• Pauls defense before the people (221-30)
  calls for his blood.
• Hearing before Sanhedrin divides Sadducees and
  Pharisees over resurrection (231-10).
• Plot to kill Paul transfer to Caesarea, seat of
  procurator (2312-30).
• Caesarea (2312-2632) c. 56-58
• Held two years in judicial limbo.
• Defense before Felix postpones verdict 2 years
  (241-27).
• Defense before Festus (arrived c. 58) asks if
  Paul wants trial in Jerusalem Paul appeals to
  Emperor (251-12).
• Defense before Herod Agrippa II almost
  persuaded Festus and Agrippa declare Paul
  innocent (2513-2632).

Arrest
Caesarea
19
F. Arrest, Journey to Rome, Death (Acts
2117-2831)

• Journey to Rome (Acts 27-28)
• Dramatic account of perilous sea voyage as
  prisoner.
• Paul depicted as hero in storm off Crete and
  shipwreck on Malta.
• In Rome, placed under house arrest waiting
  trial freedom to receive visitors and preach
  gospel openly and unhindered.
• Acts ends without giving results of trial or fate
  of Paul. Why?
• Written before trial, perhaps in defense of Paul.
  Most think not.
• Luke concerned to show political innocence of
  Christianity to end with Pauls martyrdom by
  Romans would spoil this theme.
• Acts is not a biography of Paul but the story of
  the triumph of the gospel from Jerusalem to
  Rome. With gospel in Rome, story is complete
  Pauls fate is more or less irrelevant.
• Pauls death (c. 60-68)
• 2nd-century church tradition held that Paul was
  beheaded by Nero.
• Later traditions released new travels 2nd
  imprisonment killed by Nero.
• 2 Tim. 46-8 depicts Paul at point of martyrdom
  authentic or not, this is a fitting tribute to
  Pauls labors.