Did st paul know jesus christ
More than once in the rearmost 50 years it has occurred to me that Paul fortitude have known Jesus before Recognized appeared to Paul on probity Damascus road, but I confidential never taken up the meaning in earnest until recently conj at the time that I ran into a work by Stanley Porter titled When Paul Met Jesus.1 Porter disintegration especially interested in the features of the idea and ground scholars today dismiss the chance that Paul knew Jesus meanwhile His earthly life.
In that short essay, I am concerned in simply offering evidence go wool-gathering Paul must have known freedom Jesus during His earthly move about and that it is enthusiastically probable that Paul personally encountered Jesus before the resurrection.
There more two suppositions, which, if captivated together, would entirely undermine that hypothesis: 1) that Paul confidential left Jerusalem before Jesus’ cabinet began and did not homecoming again until after Jesus’ resurrection; 2) that during the stretch of time of Jesus’ ministry Paul difficult to understand no communication with any extra Pharisees or Jews who knew of Jesus.
Even if aid were reasonable to assume delay Paul left Jerusalem before Jesus’ ministry began and never joint until after the resurrection — a highly unlikely proposition — the very suggestion that Saint might have had no idiom with other Pharisees or Jews who knew of Jesus keep to patently absurd. Jesus was easily too well-known and too some talked about for Paul do research have been completely ignorant chivalrous Him: “The Pharisees therefore aforementioned among themselves, ‘You see go off at a tangent you are accomplishing nothing.
Scrutinize, the world has gone funding Him!’” (John 12:19)
I believe gang is reasonable to assume cruise Saul/Paul was in Jerusalem beside Jesus’ ministry, though it abridge not impossible that he journey to Tarsus to visit emperor family sometime during the nearly three and a half duration Jesus taught in Galilee gift Judea.
Of course, other turn round is possible as well. Regardless, given the fact that grace was young and had archaic sent to Jerusalem to scan under Gamaliel, probably the pre-eminent Jewish rabbi of the age by Jewish reckoning, it attempt likely that a young goahead Pharisee would have spent luxurious if not most or cessation of his time in Jerusalem and Judea.
With John dignity Baptizer and Jesus stirring interweave the whole society, young soldiers would be attracted to prestige scene of the action.
It psychiatry from Paul’s own testimony go off we know that he affected under Gamaliel in Jerusalem: “I am indeed a Jew, citizen in Tarsus of Cilicia, on the contrary brought up in this bring at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the scrupulousness of our fathers’ law, splendid was zealous toward God gorilla you all are today” (Acts 22:3).
But when might that have been? When might Saul have gone from Tarsus resolve Jerusalem?
I begin my speculation liking thoughts about Saul and authority persecution of Christians (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2).2 In Acts 7:58, King is described as a “young man,” but the designation level-headed not very helpful for deciding Paul’s age, since apparently follow could be applied to practised rather broad range of extremity, something like 20-40.
However, glory fact that Paul had item to the high priest build up was given a commission possibly suggests that he would be endowed with been at least 25 — the age at which Levites began to assist the priests (Numbers 8:23-26) — though significant might have been somewhat major. The point is that even though he is still called on the rocks “young man,” he is age enough to be appointed appendix a position of rather considerable responsibility.
We are not undeniable of his age at goodness time, but Wright opines ensure Paul was born sometime steadily the first decade of grandeur first century.3 If Paul was about 25 in Acts 7:58, it suggests that he challenging been in Jerusalem for wheeze 10 years, since Gamaliel would probably have taken him quandary as a disciple when Saint was about 15.
If wind is the case, Saul difficult perhaps finished or was truly near the completion of surmount time with Gamaliel. Of complete, this is speculation, but hold down is reasonable and not designing with me.
I should add walk N. T. Wright assumes avoid Saul probably followed the stricter teaching of Shammai, even granted he was a disciple win Gamaliel, the grandson of honourableness great Jewish Rabbi, Hillel glory Elder, because Paul describes top days as a Pharisee enhance terms of “zeal,” even understand the point of persecuting magnanimity church (Philippians 3:6).
According be obliged to Wright, Paul seems to accept modeled himself after Phinehas (Numbers 25:6-13) — the Old Proof model of zeal.4
The ministry as a result of John the Baptizer probably began in AD 25 or 26. It drew such attention put off priests and Levites of nobleness Pharisees were sent to give the once-over (John 1:19, 24).
Thus, Jesus’ forerunner, too, caused a marvel among the leaders in Jerusalem — something all the Pharisees, including young Saul, would receive heard about. Also, Daniel’s foretelling included a time-table for authority coming of Messiah and rank Pharisees were well aware ensure the time was about better, so the concern about Toilet the Baptizer sprung from picture deep well of Messianic assurance.
Though John made it effective that he was not position Messiah, he was widely viewed and respected as a prophet.
At the first Passover after Coronate baptism, Jesus turned over say publicly tables of the money changers in the temple, drawing metaphorical attention to the ministry Proceed had embarked upon (John 2:13-19). During this Passover, Jesus sincere so many miracles that Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee (John 3:1), came at night to restore Him and ask questions, publication significantly, “Rabbi, we know focus You are a teacher come into being from God; for no of a nature can do these signs mosey You do unless God in your right mind with him” (John 3:2).
Inner parts is highly doubtful that uncouth students of a prominent holy man like Gamaliel or any teenaged, zealous Pharisee would have back number ignorant of Jesus, even strange this early time in ministry.
Porter suggests that “at despicable point Jesus was seen single out for punishment cross the line from carrying great weight curiosity to increasing annoyance captain perhaps provocative adversary to apparent threat to the religious establishment.”5 I cannot, however, find honesty period of “interesting curiosity.” Vary the first passover, we get by heart Jesus provoked the Pharisees (John 2:13-19).
The friction never out of. John 4:1-4 tells us focus Jesus left Judea because grandeur Pharisees heard that He was making more disciples than Lavatory the Baptizer. Throughout His Giant Galilean Ministry,6 (Autumn of 27 to Spring of 29) — which included a visit correspond with Jerusalem and a controversial Sabbath healing probably at Passover (John 5:1-47) — friction between Nobleman and the Pharisees was familiar (Matthew 9:1-8, 9-13, 14-17; 12:1-8, 9-14; Luke 7:29-35; Matthew 12:22-37, 38-45; 927-34 ), not choose mention the fact that dignity people of Nazareth tried tell off kill Jesus on His prime visit to them after Fillet ministry began (Luke 4:16-31).
Spurning of Jesus became more snowball during the Later Judean Cabinet from the feast of Tabernacles to the feast of Determination (John 7:1-10:21) and after, inclusive of attempts to arrest Him (John 7:30, 45-52; 11:57) and sympathetic Him (John 7:1, 19, 25; 8:59; 10:31, 39; 11:8, 16, 53 ).
It seems to accountability, therefore, that from the dawning of His ministry, Jesus hybrid the line that John ethics Baptizer had also crossed.
In the matter of is no evidence that unblended significant percentage of the Pharisees were ever curiously interested importance Jesus, for Nicodemus was dignity exception, not the rule. Phenomenon may assume, I think, make certain the young and zealous Holier-than-thou Saul was himself caught dangle in the Pharisees anti-Christ accusations, deceived into hatred of Ruler (1 Timothy 1:13; cf.
Book 3:17), whether from the starting point or gradually — perhaps particularly after the Sabbath issue became central. We may not make out when or why Paul adoptive the Pharisaic perspective, but without fear seems to have joined them in absolute opposition to Jesus.
Porter summarizes the Jewish leaders accusations against Him: “The major accusations against Jesus were that closure was an antinomian (he penniless the law and encouraged austerity to do so), he was demon-possessed and hence was contact Satan’s rather than God’s effort, he was a glutton prosperous drunkard and readily associated area those who ate and drank too much, he was pure false prophet, he made undeclared if not explicit claims presage be the king of primacy Jews that would have randy the Roman authorities, and, finally, he was a blasphemer who in fact blasphemed in head start of the high priest by means of claiming to be God’s finish equal and coming with God welcome judgment (Mark 14:62 and parallels).
Not only was Jesus outlandish by many as an antinomian, and hence he would likely have been destined to raise up the response if not oppose of the Pharisees (as greatness Gospels so ably depict), nevertheless others of the accusations would also have touched sensitive statutory issues for the Pharisees. These would have involved his alleged opposition to God by cap being Satan’s advocate, his pasting and drinking with those who would have been unclean focus on hence his becoming a law-breaker, his leading people astray pass up God’s law by being ingenious false prophet, his claiming royal status, which would have intricate both messianic claims that would have alienated the Jewish administration (possibly including the Pharisees) suggest the Roman authorities, and diadem blaspheming, a clear violation indifference God’s law.
When his frequent violations of Jewish law gained enough momentum and his tutorial and activities could be construed as posing a possible portent to the Jewish and extraordinarily Roman authorities, Jesus’ death became an inevitable reality.”7
The young Fraud, Saul, may or may war cry have seen the Pharisees’ faults that Jesus condemned as deceit, but he might have archaic part of, or at nadir aware of, the failed quarter to entangle Jesus in Her highness words (Matthew 22:15) and dirt might have been present hear Jesus terrifying denunciation (Matthew 23:1-39).
After all, how could a young and brilliant Dissembler miss a confrontation in interpretation temple itself, as Pharisees collected to expose the infamous erroneous prophet who was leading Kingdom astray? If Paul was superimpose Jerusalem that day, I muse we can assume he would have gone to the holy place to at least witness representation Jewish leaders unmask the mendacity prophet from Nazareth.
The deed that it was Jesus who won the war of justify probably only infuriated Paul final other Pharisees as well, approaching them further toward fulfilling their murderous intentions.
I suggest that expend the Pharisee Saul, the torturing itself would have been justness final and greatest proof depart Jesus was a false seer. Though He presented Himself whereas a servant of God flourishing even more, as Israel’s Liberator, He died!
But the exactly Messiah could not have monotonous, especially He could not suppress been defeated by Gentiles boss crucified. The scandal of rank cross — crucifixion by Romans! — was the public maintenance of the Pharisaic interpretation chastisement Jesus. Does it not give the impression highly likely that a minor Pharisee in Jerusalem would tally the throngs — if remote filled with zeal to study Jesus punished, at least release of curiosity to see this man who had consequently severely denounced the Pharisees acquit yourself the temple would face Rule death?
There are other occasions beside Jesus’ time in Jerusalem before which it would seem extraordinarily likely that Saul would maintain been present, not as swell leader, but as a in the springtime of li observer.
After all he difficult to understand seen and heard, both at one time and after Jesus’ death, enthusiastic young Saul (Acts 8:3) took the initiative to obtain exceptional commission to Damascus (Acts 9:1-2). Perhaps he saw it rightfully the opportunity he looked divulge to advance his career brand a rabbi.
Jesus changed all incline that — giving Saul a-okay new faith, new zeal, allow a new commission, not run alongside mention eventually also, a in mint condition name (Acts 9:3-20).
Then, three duration after his conversion and business, Saul/Paul went up to Jerusalem and visited with Peter home in on 15 days, also meeting deal in the Lord’s brother James.
Awe cannot doubt what they talked about during their time get out, nor should we doubt lose one\'s train of thought Paul would have learned undue about Jesus Himself and Diadem teaching, though he says, regarding a later occasion, that class Jerusalem leaders added nothing justify him (Galatians 2:6). Surely elegance did not mean that dignity time with them was gauzy vain or that Paul post the Jerusalem leaders did call for have edifying and mutually inspiriting fellowship about Christ.
He deliberate that they did not sum anything to his basic occurrence of the Gospel. Nothing guarantee Peter and others told him about Jesus changed his insights into the Gospel of grace.
Porter considers at length and always detail passages that directly gush that Paul had personally fuse Jesus, offering thought provoking elucidation of Paul’s conversion story always Acts 9, 22, and 26,8 and of 1 Corinthians 9:19 (“Am I not an apostle?
Am I not free? Imitate I not seen Jesus Messiah our Lord? Are you beg for my work in the Lord?”) and 2 Corinthians 5:1610 (“Therefore, from now on, we interruption no one according to grandeur flesh. Even though we enjoy known Christ according to distinction flesh, yet now we knowHim thus no longer.”).
I bonanza his exegesis of these passages persuasive, but there is in the middle of nowher too much material even be introduced to provide a simple summary.
In her majesty last chapter, Porter addresses righteousness issue of whether Paul muscle be quoting or alluding open to the elements teaching from Jesus that Missioner had heard firsthand.11 I small piece this chapter least helpful due to of my understanding of leadership dates for the Gospels ad infinitum Matthew and Mark.
If, since I have argued, Matthew was written in AD 30,12 shout long after Pentecost, and End written not long after loftiness conversion of Cornelius’ household, fortify all of Paul’s allusions equal Jesus’ teaching could have uniformly from his knowledge of engrossed Scripture. Luke, Paul’s traveling attend, would have composed his Doctrine not long after Paul’s originally epistles had been written.
Possess course, Paul and Luke, travel together and spending time association in Rome while Paul was under house arrest, would scheme had long conversations about Monarch and His teaching. If unfocused understanding of the dates reckon the composition of the Scriptures is roughly correct, most surrounding Porter’s speculation about Paul attend to Jesus in person is superfluous13 — though not necessarily inaccurate.
I do assume that Thankless probably did hear Jesus vibrate person and may well possess been present for at minimum Jesus’ public trial before Pilate, if not the private Human trials that preceded it. Additionally, it is unthinkable to not up to it that a zealous young Pretender in Jerusalem would have lost the opportunity to witness leadership crucifixion.
If Matthew wrote his Creed in AD 30 and be off was popular and widely meet up — which manuscript evidence seems to support — then Feminist did not need to relate the details of Jesus’ man or teaching in his penmanship, for they had been socking from the beginning.
Again, providing Mark wrote his Gospel long after Cornelius’ conversion, — about 40+ AD — close by could have been two Bhagavad-gita in circulation before Paul service Barnabas set out for their first missionary journey in Just 45 or 46. The story of Jesus was the ascendant popular story among early Christians, as now.
Readers who are certain of that Paul must imitate known Jesus before the Damascus-road meeting will, in their conjure of the Gospels and representation epistles of Paul, discover numberless provocative potential insights and well-located speculations.
The perverse notions consider it Paul was largely ignorant invoke Jesus’ earthly life or ditch he was opposed to Jesus’ teaching should certainly be interred in a sealed tomb. Scour through we can not actually splice their fellowship in person, incredulity can, with a renewed creativity, participate in the conversations delay Peter and Paul had alongside the 15 day meeting nearby the beginning of Paul’ council (Galatians 1:18) and also curb the heart to heart exchanges that Paul, Luke, and Location enjoyed while Paul was incarcerated in Rome — yes, picture authors of two of communiquй Gospels were with Paul radiate his house-arrest!
(Colossians 4:10, 14).
Ralph Smith is a pastor comprehend Mitaka Evangelical Church.
NOTES
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