History of the Apostle Paul - Assignment Example

?New Testament and Number of PART I. KEY TERMS: Choose FIVE of the following terms, and provide A)ONE sentence that defines the term, and B) ONE sentence that explains its significance for studying the New Testament (25 points) Socio-historical method Trade organizations Pliny Paidagogos Manumission “Superapostles” Meat offered to idols Christ Hymn Partition theory 1. TERM: Pliny Definition A: Pliny the Younger was a Roman aristocrat who served as governor of Bithynia-Pontus in the early part of the second century; he was one of the first provincial governors known to have persecuted Christians, during the reign of Emperor Trajan. Meat offered to idols: meat that had been sacrificed to pagan deities and offered in the Greco-Roman world where polytheism was the main religious practice. The gods were appeased through the animal sacrifices and in turn they protected the empire. Definition B: His letter to his nephew, commonly known as Tacitus. The letters made him to make friendship with Emperor Vespasian and his letters contributed to the letters the Romans wrote to Christ’s disciples. 2. TERM: Manumission Definition A: The technical term for freeing a slave, mainly by paying the owner. Christ Hymn (in Phillipians): the passage found in Phil 2:6-11 that may have originally been a hymn sung to (or about) Christ, who gave up his divine rights to become human, lowering himself to die on a cross before God exalted him even higher than he had before. Definition B: The feelings of benevolence help us in learning how Roman slaves paid wages and bought themselves hence liberation. 3. TERM: Paidagogos Definition A: A Greek word sometimes translated as "custodian" which refers to a slave in charge of the children of a household, who was expected to watch over their care and to keep them in line Definition B: This term helps us in learning about how the Roman in the New Testament were charged with supervising the boys belonging to the better class. 4. TERM: Partition Theory Definition A: Theories of literary composition that indicate a book is comprised of several sources or texts that have been spliced together (e.g. 2 Corinthians or Phillipians) Definition B: The partition theory helps us in understanding the chronological events that have happened in the New Testament 5. TERM: Christ Hymn Definition A: A six verse that is a collection from the bible and it is mainly used as a song. Christ Hymn (in Phillipians): the passage found in Phil 2:6-11 that may have originally been a hymn sung to (or about) Christ, who gave up his divine rights to become human, lowering himself to die on a cross before God exalted him even higher than he had before. Definition B: Christ hymns are used in the New Testament as songs, which are not aimed to imitate the Christ but a call to believers to act in the ways that favors the lord. PART II: PAUL’S PARTICULARS. Short essay. Write a 4-paragraph essay that answers the following questions (10 points each; 40 points total): 1. What do we know about Paul before his call to be an apostle of Jesus Christ? 2. From what key New Testament texts do we learn biographical/autobiographical information about Paul (the names of the books will suffice)? 3. What compelled Paul to become an adherent of the Jesus movement? 4. As a “servant of Jesus Christ,” does Paul still think of himself as a Jew? To what texts would you appeal in answering this question? Your essay should be no longer than ONE, double-spaced, page (200-250 words)! Paul was known as Saul before his conversion. He used to persecute anybody that preached and talked about Christ. Not anybody found preaching about Christ like the disciples escaped Paul’s wrath and this compelled Christ to convert Saul into Paul and that is when he began to do God’s work. The book of Galatians gives us a detailed information about Paul. Paul devotes two chapters to an autobiographical account, including his conversion, which is meant to confirm the reliability of his gospel. He underwent rigorous religious training in his youth ad his early years. At a very tender age, Paul was already a member of the Sanhedrin. His early years were dominated by strong religious convictions. This training is what turned Paul to an effective teacher and preacher of the word of God after his conversion. His impression about the first believers was unfavorable. He believed that those who preached about Christ were out of their mind. In fact, he was present and actively participated in stoning of Stephen. Then came the irony of his conversion. On his way to Damascus Saul was struck by lightning, fell into a deep sleep, and was converted to a Christian. His name changed to Paul. After his conversion, Paul was compelled to be a strong advent for Christ. He mainly began preaching to the Gentiles and not the Jews. This is because he had participated so much in persecuting the Jews and therefore the Jews would not accept his message. However, the athor of this book has a different anology about Paul as a Jew. After reinterpreting his expectations of the messiah to conform to the events of Jesus’ death, Paul had to tackle the difficult problem of the Jewish Law in light of the new age. Although many scholars wonder if Paul ever reached a consistent conclusion about the Law, we can be relatively sure that after his conversion, he did not believe that a person could become righteous by following the Law; one could become righteous only by faith in Christ (or through the “faithfulness of Christ”; the Greek can mean either). The Law was given by God, and was good, but it was given as a guide for right behavior, not a means of becoming righteous. Once Paul came to believe that it was not the Law that made a person righteous, he apparently came to the conclusion that Gentiles did not need to convert to Judaism to obtain salvation. Moreover, God’s initial covenant with Abraham in the Jewish Scriptures now included people from all nations. PART III: SHORT ANSWER. (2 points each; 40 points) 1. What are THREE ways Paul attempted to stay in contact with the churches he had established? 1. Through the letters he sent to the churches he had established 2. Paul also visited most of the churches he had established and this made him maintain contact 3. Through preaching and converting people whenever he toured as well as writing to them epistles 2. Name two of Paul’s co-workers whom he lists as co-authors of some of his letters. 1. Barnabas 2. Mark 3. What are the five principal parts of a typical Pauline letter? A. Identification of the writer B. Indication of the person being addressed C. Body of the letter D. Words of encouragement or consolation...etc. E. Final prayer or well wishing 4. Identify THREE factors that motivated ancient authors to produce pseudonymous documents. 1. Economic profit . 2. An act of humility. . 3. To impugn an enemy . 5. Describe THREE techniques ancient forgers used to convince their readers of the authenticity of their work. 1. Imitation of style: A good forger tried to imitate the writing style of the author he was claiming to be, to convince the readers, although it was a hard task some managed while others did not try at all. 2. Verisimilitudes: these writers would incorporate verisimilitudes in their work so as to enhance the authenticity of their forgery, by convincing the reader that they were truly who they say they are. 3. Warnings Against Forged Writings: forgeries warn their readers against reading forgeries, the ancient forgers used to write texts within the books warning people of forgery claiming their’s to be the original work. 6. Name THREE letters that have been described as “Deutero-Pauline.” 1. Colossians 2. Ephesians 3. II Thessalonians 7. What is a “composite” letter? Give an example. A composite letter in the bible refers to the Paul’s letters that he wrote and it comprised of several letters for example, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians PART IV. IDENTIFY the New Testament book (1 THESS, 1 COR, 2 COR GAL, PHIL, PHMN, COL, EPH, HEB, AP&T [= Acts of Paul and Thecla]) from which each of the excerpts below is taken. Then, in the space beneath the excerpt, explain briefly (provide the rationale) how you were able to identify the passage. What tipped you off? What clues led you to your conclusion (40 points) _____1. I am astonished you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel… RATIONALE: This excerpt is from the book of Romans chapter 9 and it is during this time that Saul was converted and the Lord asked him why he was persecuting his people. That is what tipped me off and made me refer to this section. _____2. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough. I think that I am not the least inferior to these super-apostles. RATIONALE: This excerpt is from the book of II Corinthians where Paul was warning the Corinthians about worshiping any other god. Paul was warning the Corinthians against worshiping idols. Paul was instilling to the Gentiles that he was indeed doing the work of Jesus Christ. The words do you think I am a fool and am not the least inferior prophet remaining made me remember that Paul was once a harsh persecutor hence was not inferior _____3. If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete…Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself… RATIONALE: These words are from the book of Philippians 2. Paul was encouraging the Gentiles to serve and be like Christ by being compassionate and sympathetic. Paul encouraged them to be happy and reminded that Jesus was indeed the son of God _____4. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. RATIONALE: This was letter written to the Corinthian. The latter comprised of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and Paul was encouraging the Corinthians by reminding them that the greatest commandment left is love. The fruits of the Holy Spirit made me remember these words _____5. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. RATIONALE: Paul was reminding the Thessalonians about unity and he suggested that brothers and sisters should mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. Actually this part of grieving and rejoicing with each other is what tipped me off about this section. _____6. …”Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God; blessed are those who have kept the flesh chaste, for they shall become a temple of God; …blessed are those who have kept aloof from this world, for they shall be pleasing to God; blessed are those who have wives as not having them, for they shall experience God;…blessed are those who through love of God no longer conform to the world, for they shall judge angels, and shall be blessed at the right hand of the Father; …blessed are the bodies of the virgins, for they shall be well-pleasing to God and shall not lose the reward of their chastity. RATIONALE: Paul wrote the above verses in a letter directed to Timothy. Paul was reminding the Gentiles about the importance of pleasing God. Those who please God will be rewarded and shall seat on the right hand side of the Lord. Conforming to God made me arrive at the conclusion _____7. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. RATIONALE: Paul was reminding the Ephesians to put on the full armor of God. Paul was encouraging the Ephesians as a way of keeping contact with the churches that he had started. Paul was telling the Ephesians to be prepared in all way against evil that can attack any part of our spiritual life. As Christians we don’t fight physical battles but spiritual battles hence the arrival at the conclusion. _____8. For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith… RATIONALE: After Paul had been converted, he had to affirm to the Gentile that he was indeed transformed and was doing the work of Jesus Christ. For this reason, Paul in the book of Romans told the Gentiles that he was not ashamed of the Gospel. Paul’s guilt after persecutions is what reminded me about this verse. _____9. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. RATIONALE: Paul after his persecution was still guilty and concentrated most of his work to the Gentiles. For this reason, he decided to remind Christians especially the Galatians that he was not a Jew or a Greek but a Christian and therefore advised Christians not to be partisan and remain united. This guilt is what drew me to the conclusion. _____10. ..for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church… RATIONALE: The first chapter of Colossians reminds us of the power of the Lord. According to Paul God created all things and there is no greater power than that of God. The creation story drew me to the conclusion. PART V: THINKING LIKE THE CORINTHIANS. Short essays. 1) Knowing what you do about Paul's correspondence with the Corinthian church, about letter-writing in the ancient world and Paul's own techniques, about the goings-on in Corinth, etc., reconstruct the body and the salutation of the CORINTHIAN'S LETTER TO PAUL that preceded 1 Corinthians, the one presupposed by 1 Corinthians 7.1. Take care to include the things that Paul says they included ("now concerning the matters about which you wrote"), and also take care not to put into the Corinthians' mouths things that Paul does not attribute to them ("for it has been reported to me by Chloe's people"). You do not need to also reconstruct the Thanksgiving, Moral Exhortation, and Closing. You should take about 2 paragraphs to accomplish this (letters in the ancient world usually were a page or less!). 10 points. Greetings Apostle Paul, we believe that you are fine in the lord and that your apostolic work is continuing well and you have brought many people to the Lord, the church in Corinth and Christ’s followers are well, we would like to go straight to the point on the reason for us writing this letter, first of all is it best for people not to marry? We are asking this question because of the matter to do with sex, the unmarried and the widows and widowers seem to better serve the Lord than the married who constantly have misgivings about sex and if it should be practiced frequently and whether it may make them depart from God’s ways. Many people get married to the people of their choice but some are arranged for partners, if a wife leaves her husband should she find another husband or go back to her former husband? If a wife is in the church and a follower of Christ, should she divorce the husband? And if the husband is a follower of Christ and the wife is not, should he divorce the wife? If the husband or wife decides to divorce then should the other partner hold on to them or just let them go? 2) 2) Choose an instance from 1 Corinthians where Paul is commenting upon an issue that relates to bodies. In ONE, 4-6 sentence paragraph, a) explain how your choice relates to bodies, b) explain what people in Corinth might have believed that would make them act in the way they did, c) explain Paul's take on the issue, and d) explain how the differences of opinion might have arisen from differing conceptions of the body/spirit relationship. 10 points. Paul is telling the Corinth’s that not everything they do with their bodies is right, this is because their bodies are part of Christ, Paul talks about prostitution and states that it is immoral to join your body to that of a prostitute since you become as one, instead they should aim at being joined with the Lord, to be in one spirit with him. Paul also states that the bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and it is a gift from God, and the3 body should be used to honor God.(1 Cor 6:12-20). The Corinth people mainly worshipped idols and they believed in making sacrifices to appease these gods so as to get protection, bumper harvests and prosperity in return, worshipping these gods did not come with rules on how to behave, thus the people did all types of immoral acts, for example, prostitution, eating of the sacrificed meat and even corruption, prostitution was rampant as they also saw this as a way to appease their gods, their children grew up knowing that this was right and even slept with their step mothers.(1 Cor 5:1-12). Paul saw prostitution as an immoral act and believed that the people practicing it should be chased out of the city, he stated that the church should stop being proud and separate themselves from all kinds of immoral people, even though they are outsiders they also should be judged since he himself had already judged the people who do these acts, they should be handed over to Satan.(1 Cor 5:1-13). The church did not want to judge outsiders, the people worshipping idols had no morals and saw everything that the church preached against as right and should be practiced openly, Paul stated that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit thus the lord is within us, once we have sinned with our bodies the spirit departs from us, the idol worshippers in Corinth assumed this since they did not believe in God. NOTE: Paste your double-spaced answers here, and create a page- break preceding PART VI. PART VI: PAULINE MODELS OF SALVATION. Paul presents multiple ways of thinking about salvation in Romans. Two of the ways are referred to by Bart Ehrman as the “Judicial” and “Participationist” Models of Salvation. How do those models relate to the body of Paul’s argument in Romans? In order to assist you in answering this question, fill in the following boxes accordingly (20 points) Judicial model of salvation Participationist model of salvation Problem of Sin—what is sin? Going against God’s wish (1 point) sin is a cosmic power to which humans are enslaved. (1 point) God’s initiative All people have broken the law and must appear before God for punishment; the punishment for sin is death. Paul also described the solution to this problem in judicial terms: Jesus agreed to pay the penalty for others. (1 point) Paul believed that at baptism, the Christian was united with Christ in his death and shared in his victory. (1 point) Means for appropriation God’s victory over the cosmic power of sin and death. All people have broken the law and must appear before God for punishment; the punishment for sin is death. (2 points) victory through baptism God showed that he accepted Jesus’ sacrifice by raising him from the dead. To obtain salvation, humans must have faith in Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s acceptance of it. (2 points) List THREE (3) relevant passages from Paul’s letter to the Romans 1. But the righteous shall live by faith.”* 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 1:19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 2. 2:5 But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God; 2:6 who “will pay back to everyone according to their works 3. For there is no partiality with God. 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 2:13 For it isn’t the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified 2 (6 points) 1. But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 3:22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 3:24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 2. 3:25 whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; 3. 3:26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. (6 points) PART VII: HEBREWS. Short essay (20 points) In three short paragraphs, discuss the relationship between Temple sacrifice and Jesus’ death in the Epistle to the Hebrews. How does the author use this theme to promote his view of the superiority of Christianity? Paste your double-spaced answers below. In his epistle to the Hebrews Paul highlights the importance of sacrifices. He traces the geonology of Jesus Chist from Abraham and he highlights how the chosen servants of God have been offering sacrifices to the lord. For example, he reminds the Hebrews that Abraham was instructed by God to make a sacrifice of his only son. 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 7:2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace; 7:3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually. 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils. 7:5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 7:6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 7:7. With reference to the above verses it indicates that Paul was reminding the Hebrews that even though Christ was the son of God, he was also under obligation just like the other high priests to offer a sacrifice to God. Indeed Jesus Christ made a sacrifice when He died and resurrected offering His people salvation and redemption. Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. 7:13 For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. Read More