Topic 4Topic 4

Paul’s Persecution of the Church Paul’s Persecution of the Church

and His Conversion/Calland His Conversion/Call

A.A. Pre-Pauline Christianity Pre-Pauline Christianity 1.1. Two factions in early church (Acts 6:1)Two factions in early church (Acts 6:1)

a.a. Hebrews = Palestinian Jewish Christians (Acts 1-5)Hebrews = Palestinian Jewish Christians (Acts 1-5)1)1) Aramaic-speaking.Aramaic-speaking.2)2) Led by the Twelve plus James, brother of Jesus.Led by the Twelve plus James, brother of Jesus.3)3) Conservative on Jewish law and rituals.Conservative on Jewish law and rituals.

b.b. Hellenists = Diaspora Jewish Christians (Acts 6-11)Hellenists = Diaspora Jewish Christians (Acts 6-11)1)1) Greek-speaking.Greek-speaking.2)2) Led by the Seven, including Stephen.Led by the Seven, including Stephen.3)3) Liberal on Jewish law and rituals.Liberal on Jewish law and rituals.

2.2. Provoked tensions within and persecution from without.Provoked tensions within and persecution from without.a.a. Dispute over charity for widows (Acts 6:1-6).Dispute over charity for widows (Acts 6:1-6).b.b. Selection of “the Seven” (first “deacons”?).Selection of “the Seven” (first “deacons”?).c.c. Martyrdom of Martyrdom of Stephen Stephen – for opposing temple, Torah, rituals (6:7-8:1).– for opposing temple, Torah, rituals (6:7-8:1).d.d. Great persecution of Jerusalem church – targeted Hellenists (8:1-3).Great persecution of Jerusalem church – targeted Hellenists (8:1-3).e.e. Scattering of Hellenists, taking gospel to Scattering of Hellenists, taking gospel to Diaspora Diaspora (8:4-11:26).(8:4-11:26).f.f. Founding of Antioch church and mission to Gentiles (11:19-26).Founding of Antioch church and mission to Gentiles (11:19-26).g.g. Meanwhile, Peter evangelizes the gentile Cornelius (10:1-11:18).Meanwhile, Peter evangelizes the gentile Cornelius (10:1-11:18).h.h. Before/alongside Paul, there was a law-free mission to Gentiles.Before/alongside Paul, there was a law-free mission to Gentiles.

B.B. Paul’s Persecution of the ChurchPaul’s Persecution of the Church1.1. The story in ActsThe story in Acts

a.a. Martyrdom of Stephen (6:7-8:1)Martyrdom of Stephen (6:7-8:1)1)1) Charged with opposition to temple, Torah, rituals Charged with opposition to temple, Torah, rituals (6:13-14).(6:13-14).

2)2) Stephen makes lengthy defense (ch. 7).Stephen makes lengthy defense (ch. 7).3)3) Paul (Saul) first appears at Stephen’s stoning as a “young Paul (Saul) first appears at Stephen’s stoning as a “young

man” watching coats of stoners; consents to their action.man” watching coats of stoners; consents to their action.

b.b. Great persecution Great persecution of Jerusalem church (8:1-3)of Jerusalem church (8:1-3)1)1) Paul plays more active role; may be instigator.Paul plays more active role; may be instigator.2)2) Door-to-door arrests; imprisonment; flogging (cf. 22:19).Door-to-door arrests; imprisonment; flogging (cf. 22:19).3)3) Seems to oppose Hellenists’ questioning of law and rituals.Seems to oppose Hellenists’ questioning of law and rituals.

4)4) Persecution in Jerus. questioned on basis of Gal. 1:22-23.Persecution in Jerus. questioned on basis of Gal. 1:22-23.

c.c. Journey to Damascus in pursuit of Christians (9:1-2)Journey to Damascus in pursuit of Christians (9:1-2)1)1) Has “letters of extradition” from High Priest.Has “letters of extradition” from High Priest.2)2) Questionable whether High Priest’s authority extended Questionable whether High Priest’s authority extended

beyond Judea.beyond Judea.3)3) Some scholars question Paul’s presence in Jerusalem Some scholars question Paul’s presence in Jerusalem

altogether and place his persecution in Damascus/ altogether and place his persecution in Damascus/ Diaspora (Bornkamm).Diaspora (Bornkamm).

B.B. Paul’s Persecution of the Church – cont.Paul’s Persecution of the Church – cont.2.2. Insight from the lettersInsight from the letters

(Gal. 1:13-14, 22-23; Phil. 3:6; 1 Cor. 15:9-10; Rom. 10:2)(Gal. 1:13-14, 22-23; Phil. 3:6; 1 Cor. 15:9-10; Rom. 10:2)

a.a. Question of place of persecution (Gal. 1:22-23).Question of place of persecution (Gal. 1:22-23).1)1) Years later, Paul still unknown “by sight” in Judea (Gal. 1:22-23).Years later, Paul still unknown “by sight” in Judea (Gal. 1:22-23).2)2) Suggests that persecution may have been not in Jerusalem but Suggests that persecution may have been not in Jerusalem but

in Diaspora/Damascus (so Bornkamm, in Diaspora/Damascus (so Bornkamm, et al.et al.; Hengel disagrees).; Hengel disagrees).

b.b. Paul’s motive: “zeal” for the law Paul’s motive: “zeal” for the law (Phil 3:6; Gal 1:13-14)(Phil 3:6; Gal 1:13-14)..1)1) Twice cites persecution as evidence of his “zeal” for the Twice cites persecution as evidence of his “zeal” for the

law (Phil. 3:6; Gal. 1:13-14).law (Phil. 3:6; Gal. 1:13-14).2)2) Tradition of “zeal” was associated with readiness to use Tradition of “zeal” was associated with readiness to use

violence when law was compromised or threatened.violence when law was compromised or threatened.3)3) What was the perceived Christian threat to law?What was the perceived Christian threat to law?

a)a) Preaching a crucified blasphemer as Messiah (Gal. 3:13; Preaching a crucified blasphemer as Messiah (Gal. 3:13; Dt. 21:22-23).Dt. 21:22-23).

b)b) Hellenists’ freedom toward ritual aspects of lawHellenists’ freedom toward ritual aspects of law (Hengel) (Hengel)..c)c) Hellenists’ law-free mission to Gentiles (Bornkamm).Hellenists’ law-free mission to Gentiles (Bornkamm).

c.c. Two theological lessons from Paul’s persecution:Two theological lessons from Paul’s persecution:1)1) ““Zeal” for God does not make one right (Rom. 10:2).Zeal” for God does not make one right (Rom. 10:2).2)2) Former persecution proves God’s grace (1 Cor. 15:9-10).Former persecution proves God’s grace (1 Cor. 15:9-10).

C.C. Paul’s Conversion Paul’s Conversion (c. 33-35 (c. 33-35 A. DA. D.).)

1.1. The story in Acts (9:1-22; 22:3-21; 26:9-18)The story in Acts (9:1-22; 22:3-21; 26:9-18)a.a. Three accounts of “Damascus Road” experience.Three accounts of “Damascus Road” experience.

1)1) Blinding light and voice of Jesus.Blinding light and voice of Jesus.

2)2) A skeptical Ananias introduces Paul to the skeptical A skeptical Ananias introduces Paul to the skeptical Damascus church.Damascus church.

3)3) Baptized; recovers sight; preaches Jesus.Baptized; recovers sight; preaches Jesus.

4)4) None of these details is specifically mentioned in letters.None of these details is specifically mentioned in letters.

b.b. Minor differences among the Acts accounts:Minor differences among the Acts accounts:1)1) Who saw light and heard voice (cf. 9:7; 22:9)?Who saw light and heard voice (cf. 9:7; 22:9)?

2)2) Mission to Gentiles revealed separately to Ananias (9:15), Mission to Gentiles revealed separately to Ananias (9:15), later in a temple vision (22:20), or directly to Paul on the later in a temple vision (22:20), or directly to Paul on the road (26:15-18)?road (26:15-18)?

3)3) Differences suggest Luke is not making up stories but Differences suggest Luke is not making up stories but working with sources/traditions.working with sources/traditions.

4)4) Also that Luke’s purpose is not exact historical information Also that Luke’s purpose is not exact historical information but a dramatic picture and theological message.but a dramatic picture and theological message.

C.C. Paul’s Conversion – cont.Paul’s Conversion – cont.2.2. Perspectives from letters Perspectives from letters – fewer details, more insight– fewer details, more insight

a.a. Appearance of risen Christ (1 Cor. 15:3-10).Appearance of risen Christ (1 Cor. 15:3-10).1)1) Easter experience like that of Jesus’ disciples.Easter experience like that of Jesus’ disciples.2)2) Made Paul a believer and apostle; changed his view of Made Paul a believer and apostle; changed his view of

law; sent him to Gentiles.law; sent him to Gentiles.

b.b. Not a reaction to guilt over persecution or frustration Not a reaction to guilt over persecution or frustration with inability to keep law (Phil. 3:4-6; Gal. 1:13-16).with inability to keep law (Phil. 3:4-6; Gal. 1:13-16).1)1) Had been proud of his accomplishments under law, Had been proud of his accomplishments under law,

including persecution.including persecution.2)2) Change was wrought not by inner struggle but by Change was wrought not by inner struggle but by

dramatic apocalyptic act of God: “God revealed his Son to dramatic apocalyptic act of God: “God revealed his Son to me.”me.”

c.c. Basis of his Apostleship Basis of his Apostleship (1 Cor. 9:1-2; 15:8-10; Gal. 1:1, 11-17).(1 Cor. 9:1-2; 15:8-10; Gal. 1:1, 11-17).

1)1) ““Apostle” = “one sent as authorized messenger.”Apostle” = “one sent as authorized messenger.”2)2) Insisted on full authority based on having seen risen Insisted on full authority based on having seen risen

Jesus (1 Cor. 9:1-2; 15:8-10).Jesus (1 Cor. 9:1-2; 15:8-10).3)3) Gal. 1 is fullest account of conversion; defends full status Gal. 1 is fullest account of conversion; defends full status

as apostle; based on seeing risen Lord; implies near as apostle; based on seeing risen Lord; implies near Damascus (v. 1, 11-17).Damascus (v. 1, 11-17).

C.C. Paul’s Conversion – cont.Paul’s Conversion – cont.2.2. Perspectives from letters Perspectives from letters – cont.– cont.

d.d. As much “Call” as “Conversion.”As much “Call” as “Conversion.”1)1) K. Stendhal (1976): not a conversion but a prophetic call.K. Stendhal (1976): not a conversion but a prophetic call.

a)a) Not leaving one religion (Judaism) for another Not leaving one religion (Judaism) for another (Christianity).(Christianity).

b)b) Not a penitent sinner rescued by Christ from guilty Not a penitent sinner rescued by Christ from guilty conscience (cf. Phil. 3:4-6).conscience (cf. Phil. 3:4-6).

c)c) Paul describes his experience in language similar to Paul describes his experience in language similar to OT prophetic call accounts (cf. Gal. 1:15-16 with Jer. OT prophetic call accounts (cf. Gal. 1:15-16 with Jer. 1:4-5 and Isa. 49:1, 6).1:4-5 and Isa. 49:1, 6).

2)2) Stendhal is partly right (highly influential).Stendhal is partly right (highly influential).

a)a) Don’t read Paul’s conversion through lens of Luther’s.Don’t read Paul’s conversion through lens of Luther’s.

b)b) Don’t think of Paul as rejecting “Judaism.”Don’t think of Paul as rejecting “Judaism.”

c)c) His experience did involve calling to special mission.His experience did involve calling to special mission.

d)d) ““Conversion” is not inaccurate: converted from one Conversion” is not inaccurate: converted from one form of Judaism to another – from zealous Pharisee form of Judaism to another – from zealous Pharisee opposing “Jesus movement” to zealous advocate of opposing “Jesus movement” to zealous advocate of it.it.

C.C. Paul’s Conversion – cont.Paul’s Conversion – cont.2.2. Perspectives from letters Perspectives from letters – cont.– cont.

e.e. Commissioned to preach to Gentiles (Gal. 1:16).Commissioned to preach to Gentiles (Gal. 1:16).1)1) ““Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13).Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13).

2)2) Paul’s mission is to bring God of Israel to pagan Gentiles.Paul’s mission is to bring God of Israel to pagan Gentiles.

f.f. Marked a shift in his theology – new attitude Marked a shift in his theology – new attitude towards law (Phil. 3:4-9).towards law (Phil. 3:4-9).1)1) New Age has dawned; God is saving whole world through New Age has dawned; God is saving whole world through

death/resurrection of Christ.death/resurrection of Christ.

2)2) Law is irrelevant; accomplishments under law are Law is irrelevant; accomplishments under law are “rubbish” (“rubbish” (skubalaskubala = excrement) by comparison. = excrement) by comparison.

3)3) What counts is “righteousness through faith in Christ.”What counts is “righteousness through faith in Christ.”

g.g. Not a mandatory model of conversion/call for all.Not a mandatory model of conversion/call for all.1)1) Don’t expect everyone’s experience to measure up to Don’t expect everyone’s experience to measure up to

Paul’s dramatic “Damascus-road” experience.Paul’s dramatic “Damascus-road” experience.

2)2) Even in NT, Paul’s experience is singular.Even in NT, Paul’s experience is singular.

Paul’s Conversion as “Prophetic Call”Paul’s Conversion as “Prophetic Call”

Gal. 1:15-16 Jer. 1:4-5 Isa. 49:1, 6

God “set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace...so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me..."I will give you as a light to the nations."