History 107 Lecture 24

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History 107Lecture 24

• Paul and Early Christianity in the Roman Empire

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The Apostle Paul

• The earliest New Testament books were written by
  Paul, a Jewish convert to Christianity who went
  of several missionary voyages from about 30 A.D.
  to 64 A.D.
• Paul at first persecuted early Christians, and
  participated in the stoning of Stephen
• Pauls conversion on the road to Damascus
  becomes the model for Christians who leave their
  past life behind and become new creations in
  Christ
• Paul participates in a major apostolic conference
  in Jerusalem in the 40s that is recorded in Acts.
  Differences about the significance and ministry
  of Jesus are discussed
• Begins missionary trips. NT Book First
  Thessalonians probably a letter related to the
  second voyage, c. 49 A.D. and is therefore the
  Bibles oldest book
• No one knows where or when Paul died, but it may
  have been in Rome around 64 A.D.

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The Apostle Peter

• Peter was an important disciple of Jesus who
  (with eleven other men) were the helpers and
  first followers of Jesus
• Peter is identified by Jesus as an important
  leader of the Jesus Movement
• And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock
  I will build my church, and the gates of Hades
  will not prevail against it.
• -- Matthew 1618-19
• Peter speaks to Jews gathered from around the
  Roman Empire in Jerusalem after Jesus death and
  resurrectionthe Pentecost story.
• Peter and Paul have differences about the
  missionary strategy of the young Christian Church
• Peter writes letters to Christian groups that can
  be found in the New Testament
• Roman Catholics see Peter as the first pope
• Peter dies in Rome as a martyr

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Early representations of Peter and Paul
A tomb inscription from the hidden catacombs
beneath Rome. This Christian tomb shows Peter
(Petrus) and Paul (Paulus) on the left and a
Latin inscription which reads Asellus who had
lived 5 years, 8 months and 23 days.
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The Roman Empire at its height
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The missionary journeys of Paul
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Ancient building site in Corinth
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The Spread of Christianity

• Important questions for early Christian leaders
• Who was Jesus? Human, divine, or some
  combination?
• Must all new Christians come from a Jewish
  background?
• Must all Christians follow Jewish Law (the
  Torah)? Dietary laws, circumcision, etc.
• To what extent can non-Jews become Christians?

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Text StudyPaul as missionary

• Consider the missionary strategies of Paul using
  the following texts
• Acts 1716-34 Paul preaching to Epicureans and
  Stoics
• Acts 181-11 Paul preaching to Jews and
  Gentiles
• Galatians 327-29 Pauls radical idea that all
  Christians are one in Christ through baptism