Vollenweider Paul of Tarsus EBR 23 2025 TS

Paul remains a great figure of monumental significance in the Christian history and theology. It is obvious that he wrote almost half of New Testament canonical books at least thirteen out of the twenty-seven NT books was attributed to him as well as half of Acts of the Apostles is devoted to recounting of his exploit. Paul was responsible not only for expanding the Christian movement numerically and geographically but also for extending it along ethnic lines. Examining the impact of Paul's writings, a famous German Church historian Adolf V. Harnak states that Paul is the most influential figure of Christian faith and thinking after Jesus Christ (SCRBD). In line of this thought, Raymond Brown says: "Next to Jesus Paul has been the most influential figure in the history of Christianity. Although all the NT writers are working out the

The rapid expansion of early Christianity under the dynamic leadership of the apostle Paul was the result, not only of divinely inspired epistles to the early Christian churches, but of carefully planned but vigorous schedules of travel throughout the Mediterranean. In addition, the fact that so many first churches took root and persisted can be ascribed to a strong organizational structure with a headquarters and branch offices—an organization that shares some characteristics with a modern multinational corporation. I use the word ‘organization’ loosely, in this case referring to an association of Christians who subscribe to the authority of a specific itinerant apostolic missionary, namely Paul.

E-Theologos. Theological revue of Greek Catholic Theological Faculty, 2011

Early Christian Tradition in Theology of Apostle Paul One of the most important questions in disciple Paul's theology is knowledge of source without is not possible to comprehend the Paul's theology. Among the sources belong not just his letters and The Acts of disciples but ideas, literature and philosophic-religious lines that time period, the early Christian tradition, cultural backround - judaizm and helenizm. Paul is confronted with existing elements in Christian churches which is knotting, interpretating and showing them in his letters. The aim of this contribution is to show spesifics of the first Christian tradition which Paul met. And how deep he is taken what he met in form of the first disciple's kerygma.

AposteDid Paul Found Christianity? Yigal Bin-Nun Contrary to a widely held belief, Paul did not create Christianity, even though he played a decisive role in its expansion. Jesus himself, as a historical figure, has no direct connection to this religion and would likely have rejected the form it took after his death. Christianity developed gradually over the centuries through a succession of complex stages. The mystery surrounding the figure of Jesus is also present in that of Paul. We do not know his exact date of birth, his full name, the names of his parents, or the circumstances, date, and precise location of his death. In his epistles, Paul provides very little information about himself, and the few details he does mention often contradict those found in the Acts of the Apostles. https://trinityaudio.ai/?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.timesofisrael.com&utm_medium=player%2520lin Reading his epistles, Paul emerges as an intellectual, a skilled preacher, and a tireless traveler. However, he remains a controversial figure, often misunderstood by his contemporaries. His letters reveal a complex personality, oscillating between opportunism, intransigence, and fervor. His relationship with the Judeans is ambiguous: while he expresses respect for them, he also harshly criticizes them. The Book of Acts of the Apostles, which my analysis situates before Paul's presumed death between 61 and 64 CE, allows us to trace the circumstances of his integration into the community of Jesus' disciples in Jerusalem. According to this text, Paul was a Roman citizen from Cilicia, in Asia Minor, a status that granted him a certain notoriety among the Judeans. However, this detail is never mentioned in his epistles. The Book of Acts portrays Paul as a Hellenized Judean, initially a zealous persecutor of Jesus' disciples. It even claims that he personally sought authorization from the high priest in Jerusalem to obtain arrest warrants against the adherents of this new sect in Syria, intending to bring them back in chains to Jerusalem for trial.

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Paul's writings provide a unique perspective on Jesus that complements the teachings found in the Gospels. While the Gospels give us a glimpse of Jesus in his earthly ministry, his death, resurrection, and promises of his glorious return, it is through Paul's writings that we encounter the exalted Christ. Through God's revelation to Paul, we can see Jesus as more than just a historical figure, A good teacher, or a prophet! Paul's writings emphasize Jesus' preexistence and his eternal nature as the Son of God. We come to understand that Jesus has been with the Father from before the beginning and is highly exalted. By delving into Paul's writings, we gain a deeper understanding of Christ's divine nature and his role in salvation. It is through Paul's teachings that we can fully appreciate the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and grasp the magnitude of God's love for humanity. In the New Covenant, Apostle Paul played a significant role in addressing the challenges faced by the growing church. His writings, accounting for approximately 25% of the word count, have been widely quoted and discussed. However, it is unfortunate that his teachings are often met with rejection and even hatred from some individuals within religious circles. Paul's teachings may not align with society's evolving standards of scriptural compromise, rebellion, and sin acceptance, which always leads to a repulsive reaction of scriptural truths. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize the value and importance of his contributions to Christian literature and the valid truths taught to him by Jesus Himself and delving into Paul's writings gives us insights into the mind and heart of God himself, teaching us the unique perspectives on authentic Christian faith and how to navigate the complexities of our modern world.