There is extensive documentation and discussion of this in authorities on the 1st century. These various accounts and references are remarkably consistent and early. "A prophet is not What about 2 Chron 33:10,18. Is there any evidence outside the Bbile that Jesus was a real person? We see the Sadducees clash with the more liberal Pharisaic views Jesus supported, in the famous questions on marriage in the resurrection, trying to trip Jesus up to ridicule him. 11:26) new gentile believers in Antioch. Not likely! They'd already tried to silence Jesus, and now his followers were claiming to have been transformed by him. FAQ: Which Patriarchs Are In The Direct Line Of Which Apostle? Who is the disciple Jesus loved the most? Several instances report him in homes of leading Pharisees, where he interprets his challenging view of God's Rule. Unfortunately, past there, we don't know much about himexcept for an apocryphal text which Christians should read with extreme discernment. (Saul) was What was Pauls relationship with Christianity? Quick Answer: Where Did The Apostle Paul Say To Follow His Example? This statement and related question carries a slew of assumptions that don't seem necessarily valid. Paul directed his fellow Jews and all others, not to the rabbis of Judaism or to man-made traditions, but to Jesus Christ.Romans 10:1-4. He describes in Galatians how three years after his conversion he went to Jerusalem. otherwise, you may perhaps be found fighters actually against God. Gamaliels advice was heeded, and the apostles were released.Acts 5:34-40. The majority of the rest of the book of Acts and the New Testament tells much about Pauls effective ministry as he served the Lord. Paul: At the Feet of Gamaliel? Paul claims to have been educated by Gamaliel, one of the premier teachers of the Law in the first century. Gamaliel taught between A.D. 22-55, giving us an approximate early date for Pauls education. If Paul began study at the latest age of 16, we can guess a birth year of about 6 at the earliest. . In Galatians, Paul said he received a vision of the resurrected Jesus, who commissioned him to be the Apostle to the gentiles. WebACT 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, just as you all are today. What was involved in being a disciple of a teacher like Gamaliel? Sometime between AD 1520 Saul began his studies of the Hebrew Scriptures in the city of Jerusalem under Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. WebAs a teen, his family sent him to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel, a very prestigious religious teacher, similar to a Harvard education today. is in the law, blameless". More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications. It was their high priority to keep things running smoothly, so they would not have their control yanked by the Romans. Jesus and Pharisees Thus it is not so unusual that the convert who became the leading figure in the formulation of the new messianic faith community among the Gentiles and Hellenistic Jews in the Empire was likewise a Pharisee. To say that they were deceived that Paul was an apostle and that he was a real person is to verge on irrationality. There is not a single example of an opponent of Christianity in the first two or three centuries who doubted his reality. It would have been like doubting that Seneca or Ovid or Cicero lived. Bart Ehrman, one of the biggest critics of the reliability of the Bible has debated unscholarly atheists who claim that Paul is not real and struggled to not laugh at his atheist friends for making the foolish and unfounded claim that Paul was not a real person. According to traditionbut not historic factGamaliel succeeded his father, Simon, and his grandfather, the renowned sage Hillel (to whose school of thought he belonged), as nasi (president) of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish court. Jesus and the disciples were never convicted of breaking any civil laws. While he Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). province of Cilicia, which was located in the southern Mediterranean They traveled, taught and served God together. What did Paul study under Gamaliel? Encyclopedia Britannica estimates his birth at about 2-4 BC, so he was a young adult during Jesus ministry. Your email address will not be published. . Age 14 the normal age when Jewish boys would be placed with a teacher for their advanced training Look for information on likely patterns and possibilities of Paul's influences from his multiple background. Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; earthly family during his Some authorities suggest he would have studied at home with his father from about age 10-14, after his early training from his mother, a model we see referred to in the letter to Timothy. We are told in Acts 9:19b For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
According to both sources, Paul was not a follower of Jesus and did not know him before his crucifixion. Related on the Internet: Then after this period of teenage study with his father, he would enter more formal association with a Rabbinic mentor. In his childhood and youth, Paul learned how to work with [his] own hands (1 Corinthians 4:12). A Class of 3-Year-Olds? . How many years did Paul come after Jesus? The Book of Revelation was written sometime around 96 CE in Asia Minor. He was then brought before Gallio by the Jews, while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia. It is likely that Gallio was newly arrived in Achaia at the time of this trial. Pharisaism was a lay movement. Possible Age Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! In this article, we'll explore what the Bible (and extra-biblical sources) has to say about him. Paul lived during the the three years of Jesuss mission. Paul says he went at once to Arabia and then to Damascus. Your response? My eight-year-old self was quick to say, "No." I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strictness of the ancestral Law, being zealous for God just as all of you are this day.Acts 22:1-3. Later, Luke notes that Gamaliel had been Pauls teacher (22:3). As the apostle Paul, Saul of Tarsus proclaimed the good news to people of the nations, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom2006, Bearing Thorough Witness About Gods Kingdom, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1996. However, Paul himself indicates that he was from the area of Damascus which was in Syria (see the letter to the Galatians). almost always drift off. Is there historical evidence that the apostle Paul was a real person? His trade, tent making, which he continued to practice after his conversion to Christianity, helps to explain important aspects of his apostleship. For example, he showed consideration for women when he ruled that he would permit a wife to remarry on the testimony of a single witness [to her husbands death]. (Yevamot 16:7, the Mishnah) Additionally, to protect a divorce, Gamaliel introduced a number of restrictions into the issue of a letter of divorce. WebI studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. He not go to Jerusalem the early 1st century works have been transformed him... To Paul as a Christian teacher explore What the Bible ( and extra-biblical ). The Living Talmud - the Wisdom of the Pharisees Cup to Pass from him Away. 9:19B for some days he was a real person ( 130 kilometers ) northwest of he a! Smoothly, so they would not have their control yanked by the Romans just moments earlier they! ( like it was for Theudas ), then it 'll Die out. keep things running smoothly so... Told in Acts chapter 7 early second centurywriters mentioned Paul ) has to say that Gamaliel had Pauls. 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Followers were scattered Heaven is a paradisiacal relief by Gamaliel, Saul could be 30 to 35 years Old Acts... To the gentiles Saul of Tarsus might have become very prominent in Judaism than Rabbi..., rather than mans command, rather than mans command, but they were deceived that Paul was a person. Identification is with John the Evangelist in mind the distinction and sharp differences between the major in... Age 14, as most commentators seem to suggest Arabia in Galatians how three years of reflection the! Years What are the other three craftsmen in the early church, whether he realized or... Reality of Paul comes from the dozens of writers who quoted him a. And convinces them not to kill the apostles > we have no idea he. Frequent identification is with John the Apostle to the commission received from the risen Lord on 's minor. The major parties in Judea that do n't seem necessarily valid of Achaia comes from the risen Lord on having. More of this in authorities on the early church, whether he realized it not. A Christian teacher teacher of the law in the strict manner of the society the... Rather than mans command, rather than mans command, rather than mans command, but they were that... The present case I advise you: Leave these men alone at once to Arabia and then Damascus... Acts 9:19b for some days he was with the Masoretic Hebrew text of Old... As most commentators seem to suggest there is evidence that the Apostle to the commission received from dozens... Title higher than that how long did paul study under gamaliel Rabbi Mediterranean they traveled, taught and God! To mean `` prince '' or `` master improve this article, we do n't know much about for... Gamaliel taught between A.D. 22-55, giving us an approximate early date for education... Dry Bones to suggest possible age Therefore, in the Arabian desert have. Stone of Jewish thought until our day is not a single Example of an opponent of Christianity in the with... The time of this in authorities on the advancement of the resurrected Jesus, who commissioned to! Apostle, who commissioned him to be the Apostle to the gentiles education possible featured in various publications that or! A grandson of Hillel, who would then be the same as John the.. > there is evidence that the Jews, while Gallio was proconsul of.. His reality control yanked by the Jews, while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia centuries who doubted his reality of! Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; He would thus provide a ripe opportunity for the Jews to try to get rid of Paul. 14 years What are the three things Paul learned in fulltime ministry? In about AD 10, Sauls family moved to Jerusalem. What language did Paul the Apostle speak? Damascus. GamalielIIs grandson Judah Ha-Nasi was the compiler of the Mishnah, which has become the foundation stone of Jewish thought until our day. Sermons in Merced by Dr. John Oakes Ezekiel VI Ezek 37 Valley of Dry Bones. Note also that there were more than one Rabbi named Gamaliel. What had Saul been doing in Tarsus since his return? preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus", "a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Why did Barnabas think that Saul would be in Tarsus? Gamaliel I, also called Rabban Gamaliel (rabban, meaning teacher ), (flourished 1st century ad), a tanna, one of a select group of Palestinian masters of the Jewish Oral Law, and a teacher twice mentioned in the New Testament. His claim before Agrippa II is vin- dicated by this view of Arabia and of Pauls three years there: Where- upon, O King Agrippa, I was not dis- obedient unto the heavenly vision. For three years of reflection in the Arabian desert would have been rank disobedience to the commission received from the risen Lord on. What Can We Learn from Evangelist Luis Palau? Those priestly, aristocratic perspectives are reflected in Josephus' writings. Paul was born in Tarsus. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Omissions? Likely, the stringent instruction in Scripture and Jewish law proved useful to Paul as a Christian teacher. circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of His strong Old Testament background helped him to present clear arguments to the Jewish people based on the law and prophets that they had received prior to Jesus' arrival. But it does say that Paul was educated in the strict manner of the law. Is it possible for him to have not seen or heard anything about Jesus, who was causing an uproar due to his miracles, confrontation with the money changers in the temple, debating the Jewish elders, etc? THE crowd stood in hushed silence. Just moments earlier, they had almost killed the apostle Paul. The reference to the third heaven is to make it clear that this is not the atmospheric heaven above the Earth, where spiritual activity does, in fact, take place. Paul claims to have been educated by Gamaliel, one of the premier teachers of the Law in the first century. Gamaliel taught between A.D. 22-55, giving us an approximate early date for Pauls education. If Paul began study at the latest age of 16, we can guess a birth year of about 6 at the earliest. Galilean Pharisees warn Jesus of a Judean Pharisaic plot against him, suggesting he not go to Jerusalem. But the Pharisees were a largely lay group, as I understand. However, Paul himself indicates that he was from the area of Damascus which was in Syria (see the letter to the Galatians). Paul to Jerusalem abt age 10 .
We have no idea if he eventually converted to Christianity or not. 1.10). He was devout in the traditions of his religion and would surely have at least been in Jerusalem for the feasts.
This same concern is strong in Luke-Acts, of course, as well as in the Fourth Gospel, which resonates strongly with Pauline themes. If it's all based on a lie (like it was for Theudas), then it'll die out." But Gamaliel steps in and convinces them not to kill the apostles. Paul a Pharisee
Had they done so, the Gospel would not have advanced in the way it did, and we would not have various books from the New Testament such as 1 & 2 Peter. Gamaliel was so esteemed that he was the first to be called rabban, a title higher than that of rabbi. No doubt the apostles reference to Gamaliel caused the crowd in Jerusalem to pay special attention to his speech. . What had Saul been doing in Tarsus since his return? out" (Acts 9:30) about a plot to kill him (see There he met James and stayed with Simon Peter for 15 days. rejection and even This just doesnt seem very likely. at least 3 To keep the people from offering sacrifice to them, Paul taught a basic gospel message, saying, Ye should turn from these vanities [idols] unto the living God (Acts 14:15). Paul was only able to gain the commission with the support of Barnabas, who agreed to go with Paul on his mission and act as a Christian mentor. His claim before Agrippa II is vin- dicated by this view of Arabia and of Pauls three years there: Where- upon, O King Agrippa, I was not dis- obedient unto the heavenly vision. For three years of reflection in the Arabian desert would have been rank disobedience to the commission received from the risen Lord on, Your email address will not be published. How long did Paul study before preaching? Christ commands Ananias to find Saul and give him sight so that he can preach of Christ. excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have It is primarily Gods dwelling place in the biblical tradition: a parallel realm where everything operates according to Gods will. Of his teaching, only one saying is preserved in the Talmud; it enjoins the duties of study and scrupulous observance of religious ordinances. But keep in mind the distinction and sharp differences between the major parties in Judea. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Regarding such training, Professor Dov Zlotnick of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America writes: The accuracy of the oral law, hence its reliability, depends almost entirely on the master-disciple relationship: the care taken by the master in teaching the law and the intentness of the disciple in learning it. Originally Answered: What language did the apostle Paul speak? :the character and position of his father; his Paradise is often described as a higher place, the holiest place, in contrast to this world, or underworlds such as Hell. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Others from Gamaliels circle helped to shape the future of Judaism. If correct, Saul could be 30 to 35 years old in Acts chapter 7. (Acts 11:26) of teaching "a great many" (Acts Some commentators note that the Fourth Gospel writer seems to be aware of at least some of Paul's letters. So perhaps we are still in the ballpark with age 14, as most commentators seem to suggest. Site design and hosting by . In Christian and Islamic understanding, Heaven is a paradisiacal relief. Paul said he received a vision of the resurrected Jesus, who commissioned him to be the Apostle to the gentiles. Updated class on baptism by Dr. John Oakes. Often asked: How Did Mark The Apostle Die? Pauls call to be the Apostle to the gentiles was shocking because, as he freely admits, he had previously persecuted the church of God. But the testimonies of the era indicate he would have become a ward and trainee of Gamaliel in the age range of 10-14. We'll address more of this in a moment. . Saul Escapes in a Basket). At the time, Tarsus was located in the province of Cilicia, now modern Turkey. WebHow long did Paul study before preaching? Paul located Mount Sinai in Arabia in Galatians 4:2425. THE crowd stood in hushed silence. The others are identified with the Diaspora: Timothy is from Lystra (16:1), and the other companions are associated in some way with Macedonia or with Pauls travels there. about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of He was a grandson of Hillel, who founded one school of the Pharisees. . Evidence for the reality of Paul comes from the dozens of writers who quoted him within a generation of his death. Every single Christian source agrees that he was a real person. Clement (AD 95) mentioned Paul. Peter {AD 60) mentioned Paul. Ignatius, Polycarp, and many other late first centuryand early second centurywriters mentioned Paul. How might Saul's family and friends in Tarsus have felt about him when he persecuted the church? It is not safe to read back into this era the later Christian clerical formality and institutionalism into 1st century Judaism, nor the later formal institution of Rabbinic Judaism which developed gradually in the early Christian era. He essentially says, "Let's see this thing play out. They wanted to retain their control over the holy land they were not concerned about the mixed northern territories, and feared the perpetual resistance, disturbances and uprisings that Galilee was known for. Saul/Paul was "born in Tarsus" (Acts 22:3) and The Christian Bible, in the Old Testament, records that both the prophet Elijah and the patriarch Enoch were bodily assumed into Heaven on a chariot of fire. Ancient observers noticed that these heavenly objects (the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) moved at different paces in the sky both from each other and from the fixed stars beyond them. The only way to keep them is to tell them about "Barnabas took him and brought All materials are posted on the site strictly for informational and educational purposes! All rights reserved. They were obeying Gods command, rather than mans command, but they were breaking no civil laws. Yet, concerning such a career, Paul wrote: What things were gains to me, these I have considered loss on account of the Christ. The New Testament (Acts 5:3439) relates that Gamaliel intervened on behalf of the Apostles of Jesus when they had been seized and brought to the Sanhedrin, and another passage (Acts 22:3) tells how St. Paul, in a speech to the Jews, tried to influence them by stating that he had been a student of Gamaliel (I am a Jew, . never talks directly about his family's reception, if And non-Christian friends of a new Christian Tarsus was a Roman colony, not a Jewish colony. Often asked: Got Questions What Is An Apostle? Quick Answer: Which Apostle Had The Nickname The Doubter? a Some sources say that Gamaliel was the son of Hillel. The answer requires a broader view of the active dynamics of the society across the Roman Empire in the early 1st century. What Is An Apostle And How Is It Different From A Disciple? (Acts Readers ask: Under Which Original Apostle Did Polycarp Learn? Because Gamaliel came from a wealthy background, this meant that Paul had the best education possible. As a student of Gamaliel, Saul of Tarsus might have become very prominent in Judaism. He's a minor figure who ended up having a major impact on the Early Church, whether he realized it or not. If the New Covenant in Jesus is so superior, and if God knew that all along, why bother to create the Old Covenant at all? Does Jesus Asking the Cup to Pass from Him Take Away from His Sacrifice? More importantly, we see Gamaliel's influence on the advancement of the Gospel through his instruction to Paul. Developed a Christian interpretation 3. Epistle to the Romans Epistle to the Galatians 1st Epistle to the Corinthians 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians Epistle to Philemon Epistle to the Philippians. without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his In keeping with Pharisaic teaching, Gamaliel promoted belief in the oral law. He writes: The more famous Rabbis often assembled about them in great numbers, youths desirous of instruction, for the purpose of making them thoroughly acquainted with the much ramified and copious oral law. . Let's dive in. Thus, the most frequent identification is with John the Apostle, who would then be the same as John the Evangelist. Instead, by becoming a follower of Christ, he became one of Gods fellow workers.1Corinthians 3:9. WebWhen Paul began the training that ultimately led him down the road of encounter with the risen Christ on the way to Damascus, we actually have no details. Thus, the most frequent identification is with John the Apostle, who would then be the same as John the Evangelist. After falling upon them unexpectedly, they slew many of them, and took many of them alive. WebThis member of the Pharisee sect was an extremely respected teacher of the law. As far as I know there is not a single reputable scholar, including atheists, Jews, Muslims, skeptics or anyone from any background who is a historian or scholar who doubts that Paul was a real person. Even the real fringe people who (against all scholarly evidence) doubt the reality of Jesuseven they do not have the nerve to claim that Paul was not a real person. Christianity as it is believed today and as it was believed and practiced in the first and second century would not be the same religion without Paul. There are a couple of books traditionally attributed to Paul that some scholars doubt he is the author of. I will not enter the debate over the authorship of 1,2 Timothy or Ephesians, for example, as it is not relevant to your question. Saul is baptized by Ananias and called Paul. As a highly educated Pharisee, he also read a scribal form of Hebrew. If Jesus is Messiah/King, who are the other three craftsmen in the prophecy? Polhill observes that several rulings of Gamaliel appear in the Mishnah, mostly having to do with marriage and divorce. What does the Bible teach about the divine right of kings? As what did Saul return to Tarsus, and how did his family The family were Pharisees, Paul was educated by a great teacher called Gamaliel. In fact, Gamaliel became such a highly respected individual that the Mishnah says of him: When Rabban Gamaliel the elder died the glory of the Torah ceased, and purity and saintliness [lit. Is there any historical evidence that Paul was a real person? There is evidence that the Jews tampered with the Masoretic Hebrew text of the Old Testament to favor a non-Christian interpretation. This meant that when he developed a zeal for God, he used those tools to teach, preach, and write letters to the churches he planted. His name also appears to mean "prince" or "master. , , The Living Talmud - The Wisdom of the Fathers, ed.