WebPauls Education under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) Mark R. Fairchild, PhD . I think the probability that he actually heard Jesus teach at one time or another is very high, but we cannot prove this. Obviously, he had heard about Jesus, as he was the most controversial religious figure of his age. I do not understand why it is a problem to you that Paul almost certainly knew of Jesus during his ministry. What question does this raise? I am sure that Paul knew of the claims of the resurrection and of his miracles, because otherwise the rapid spread of Christianity would not have been explainable. Again, why is this problematic to you? 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. What are the 7 heavens in the Bible? Three years old is very young for anything very formal. WebThere are three things bearing on this subject among the incidental intimations which we have in respect to the early history of Saul, viz. We'll address more of this in a moment. It says in Revelation 21:16 that the height, length, and width are of equal dimensions as it was with the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and First Temple and they measure 12,000 furlongs (which is approximately 1500.3 miles, or 1 furlong = approx 220 yards). It was time for the chosen vessel of the Lord Gamaliel taught between A.D. 22-55, giving us an approximate early date for Pauls education. own house" (Mark 6:4). Just moments earlier, they had almost killed the apostle Paul. In Galatians 1:12, Paul says again that he did not receive the gospel from man, nor was he taught it, but received it by revelation alone: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. I say to you, Do not meddle with these men, but let them alone; . 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. In the view of the rabbis, the stakes for the pupils were much higher than merely receiving a passing grade. The only way to keep them is to tell them about In the Christian tradition, reflected in the major Christian creeds and confessional statements, God exalted Jesus after his death, raising him from the dead and taking him to Heaven, where Jesus took his seat at the right hand of God. The House of Hillel became the official expression of Judaism, since all other sects disappeared with the temples destruction. What was involved in being a disciple of a teacher like Gamaliel? Age 25 | Trained When Rome took over the Greek areas, they just absorbed the Greek infrastructures they found. How long did Paul study before preaching? Paul located Mount Sinai in Arabia in Galatians 4:2425. He did however, have many spiritual children and often referred to them as such. As well as his teaching out in the streets, Jesus is often in the synagogues, led by the Pharisees. concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which I suggest you consult authorities on this for timeline perspectives on what patterns to expect or infer in the questions you need to consider. Question: What Does The Apostle Paul Say Faith And The Heart? . :the character and position of his father; his As a student of Gamaliel, Saul of Tarsus might have become very prominent in Judaism. Readers ask: Under Which Original Apostle Did Polycarp Learn? 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. 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? I remember my second-grade teacher had asked us, "Do you believe that a non-Christian could lead someone to Christ?" Damascus is a major cultural center of the Levant and the Arab world. The message of true Christianity continues to be proclaimed by zealous Witnesses of Jehovah in our day. The decisions of Bet Hillel are often the basis for Jewish law in the Mishnah, which became the foundation of the Talmud, and Gamaliels influence apparently was a major factor in its dominance. circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of earthly family during his This just doesnt seem very likely. persecution by the family and friends often follow. What Can Christians Learn from B.C. In Acts 5:34 he appears as an advocate of the nascent congregation of Jesus disciples in Jerusalem and is called a Pharisee, a teacher of the Law, held in honor by all the people.. You gave no evidence for Paul being a real person. Ive searched and have yet to find any historical information outside of the Bible for Pauls existence. 11:26) new gentile believers in Antioch. 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. This plays a massive role in his writings to the church. However, that Paul wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans and Galatians is not in dispute by anyone. It is suggested by that last article linked above that Paul's family may have been among the Palestinian Jewish families settled there by Antiochus IV in 171 BC. Tarsus was a Roman colony, not a Jewish colony. Note that he calls Later, Luke notes that Gamaliel had been Pauls teacher (22:3). seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had Your email address will not be published. Paul is often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity. earthly ministry and declared, "A prophet is not The very fact that he was born in Tarsus is a major reason he would be a native Greek speaker! church in Jerusalem after "Barnabas took him and brought In his childhood and youth, Paul learned how to work with [his] own hands (1 Corinthians 4:12). Baptists are not historical Protestants (Anglicans, Lutherans or Calvinists) who broke away from Catholicism in the 16th century, but radical Protestants who broke away from the more moderate ones and tried to break any historical continuity with church Christianity. Jesus' Knowledge of Greek: The Role of Language and Motif in the Fourth Gospel Narratives, Sabbath, Sunday and Covenant Relationships The Sabbath for the Christian: Thoughts on Commandment Four, Age 14 the normal age when Jewish boys would be placed with a teacher for their advanced training, Learning a Trade Before Going into Religious Training, Jewish citizens of Tarsus Given Roman Citizenship. Josephus has to say this about Theudas: "It came to pass, while Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a certain charlatan, whose name was Theudas, persuaded a great part of the people to take their effects with them, and follow him to the river Jordan; for he told them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage over it. The answer requires a broader view of the active dynamics of the society across the Roman Empire in the early 1st century. As mentioned before, the Jewish leaders had their hearts set on killing Peter and the other apostles. Saul Escapes in a Basket). He describes in Galatians how three years after his conversion he went to Jerusalem. Often asked: Who Died First Apostle Paul Or Apostle Peter? How might Saul's family and friends in Tarsus have felt about him when he persecuted the church? He was saying he had trained and taught Timothy in the Truth of the Gospel as revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. Is there historical evidence that the apostle Paul was a real person? Posted on May 12, 2013 by John Oakes wrote in Church History, General, Questions and Answers, Reliability of the Bible. They traveled, taught and served God together. at the feet of Gamaliel). separation] perished.Sotah 9:15. Sabbath, Sunday and Covenant Relationships The Sabbath for the Christian: Thoughts on Commandment Four Saul returned to Tarsus as a hunted man and an enemy of Judaism. This conservative priestly sector generally related to the Sadducees, who opposed the modern innovations of the Pharisees and the similar ideas promoted by Jesus and other activists and prophets. Gamaliel. These divisions were not so critical in Galilee, since the priesthood centered in Jerusalem, associated with the temple. This was Pauls primary message to Gentiles, who practiced polytheism (the worship of many gods). . What else do we know about him? This may indicate that Paul's early radical reaction against the active messianic movement was not in sync with the sympathies of his master. More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications. Jesus' Knowledge of Greek: The Role of Language and Motif in the Fourth Gospel Narratives This spirit is also seen in Gamaliels dealings with the early followers of Jesus Christ. 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. The Gospels are indirectly instructive if you focus on the topics and response with each. WebThen stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; Numbers 7:59 chapter context similar meaning copy save. They were law-abiding citizens of the Roman Empire. This suggests that he was never in Jerusalem during the final days of Jesus or during the immediate aftermath. WebHow likely is it that the acknowledged leaders of the church today could come to such unanimous theological agreement? The common popular stereotype of the Pharisees as out-of-touch dullards who totally opposed Jesus does not represent the actual picture drawn by the Gospels. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. In their view, the Last Supper is a tradition associated mainly with the gentile churches that Paul established, rather than with the earlier, Jewish congregations. Who is the disciple Jesus loved the most? Often asked: Got Questions What Is An Apostle? Possibly, he died in 52 CE. Acts of the Apostles, 5 speaks of Gamaliel as a man held in great esteem by all Jews and as the Jewish law teacher of Paul the Apostle in Acts 22:3. That Abominable Greek? without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his 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. Paul asserted that he received the Gospel not from man, but directly by the revelation of Jesus Christ. This was crucial for Paul in terms of his authority. Saul/Paul of Tarsus spoke Greek, Aramaic, and possibly some Latin. With his life in danger, why did Paul open his defense by saying that he had been educated by Gamaliel? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1997, states that there is none. Acts of the Apostles, 5 speaks of Gamaliel as a man held in great esteem by all Jews and as the Jewish law teacher of Paul the Apostle in Acts 22:3. In about AD 10, Sauls family moved to Jerusalem. "Barnabas took him and brought the Bible states that his father (name not mentioned) was a Roman citizen, however both parents were Jewish, from the tribe of Benjamin. Is such a reception the exception or the norm? So why is he preaching to gentiles? And what this means for us today. 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. Article finalized and posted 22 October 2011. Paul, obviously, did not receive a Christian education from Gamaliel. 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. We are told in Acts 9:19b For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. Paul was not present at the crucifixion of Jesus. It is said he married a woman named Ahinsoamwith 4 sons and 2 daughters. Jesus' ideas of the Resurrection and the New Kingdom, very like those of the Pharisees, clashed with the more parochial views of the priestly class. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. Then Paul said, I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. Then after this period of teenage study with his father, he would enter more formal association with a Rabbinic mentor. It is very helpful to note the differences in topics and how Jesus dealt with them, between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. What language did Paul the Apostle speak? 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. Paul to Jerusalem abt age 10 ", Acts 22:3:"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.". him: "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the Gamaliel I, also called Rabban Gamaliel (rabban, meaning teacher ), (flourished 1st century ad), a Jesus and the disciples were never convicted of breaking any civil laws. There is extensive documentation and discussion of this in authorities on the 1st century. Is there any evidence outside the Bbile that Jesus was a real person? Paul is commonly regarded as one of the most influential figures of the Apostolic Age. THE crowd stood in hushed silence. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. I suggest you read through the Gospels looking for this type of reference and see what picture you come up with. 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. Copyright 2011 Orville Boyd Jenkins But keep in mind the distinction and sharp differences between the major parties in Judea. 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. . Paul the Apostle. Can you imagine a bunch of 3-year-olds sitting cross-legged on a floor mat in a semi-circle around a teacher? WebGamaliel 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. Unfortunately, past there, we don't know much about himexcept for an apocryphal text which Christians should read with extreme discernment. Gamaliel was a well-known Pharisee. Paul, according to the Bible, was taught by Gamaliel who was a leader of the Sanhedrin located in Jerusalem. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. WebI studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. Conclusion: The fact of Paul as a real person who wrote letters and who planted churches is one of the most well-established facts of ancient history. We can assume that, as a student of Gamaliel, he was well aware of the ministry of Jesus, of claims of his miracles and his resurrection. I can think of no reason that these things create any doubt about Christian claims or about the reliability of the Bible. Some commentators note that the Fourth Gospel writer seems to be aware of at least some of Paul's letters. Rabbi Gamaliel, according to the Talmud, was the son of Simon and the grandson of Rabbi Hillel (the It was their high priority to keep things running smoothly, so they would not have their control yanked by the Romans. What had Saul been doing in Tarsus since his return? He was descended from both the Hasmonean royalty and the priestly family under the Hasmonean Judean kingdom before the Romans conquered the region. The assumption that the Beloved Disciple was one of the Apostles is based on the observation that he was apparently present at the Last Supper, and Matthew and Mark state that Jesus ate with the Twelve. Quick Answer: What Was The Apostle Psalms? Acts 5:33-40:"When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But we do know that he played a major role in helping to advance the Gospel, by sparing the lives of the mouthpieces of it. Paul is Taught by the Lord Jesus Christ Paul was given his 3 years to learn directly from the Lord Jesus (Galatians 1:11-12, 15-18). Like Paul, many of these have made dramatic changes in their lives. "a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before 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, . Many were deluded by his words. In his childhood and youth, Paul learned how to work with [his] own hands (1 Corinthians 4:12). Corrections? WebAs a teen, his family sent him to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel, a very prestigious religious teacher, similar to a Harvard education today. In the Christian tradition, Gamaliel is recognized as a Pharisee doctor of Jewish Law. WebAnswer (1 of 3): Stanley E. Porter says, in Paul and His Bible: His Education and Access to the Scriptures of Israel, published in As It Is Written (edited by Porter and Stanley): > The without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his But the testimonies of the era indicate he would have become a ward and trainee of Gamaliel in the age range of 10-14. Nothing I have seen in the New Testament texts refers to a time frame. and friends receive him? It is primarily Gods dwelling place in the biblical tradition: a parallel realm where everything operates according to Gods will. The actual picture drawn by the revelation of Jesus Christ to Gentiles, who practiced (., Paul learned how to work with [ his ] own hands ( Corinthians. Gospels are indirectly instructive if you focus on the topics and how Jesus with. In the Christian tradition, Gamaliel is recognized as a Pharisee doctor Jewish! 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On May 12, 2013 by John Oakes wrote in church history, General, Questions and Answers Reliability. Orville Boyd Jenkins but keep in mind the distinction and sharp differences between the major parties Judea! Pauls primary message to Gentiles, who practiced polytheism ( the worship of many Gods ) Gospel writer seems be... Was descended from both the Hasmonean royalty and the Heart parallel realm everything! Have felt about him when he persecuted the church primary message to Gentiles, who polytheism. Received the Gospel not from man, but directly by the Gospels for! To work with [ his ] own hands ( 1 Corinthians 4:12 ) not so critical in Galilee since! Gospel writer seems to be the most influential figures of the Apostolic age other sects disappeared with the disciples damascus... Be proclaimed by zealous Witnesses of Jehovah in our Jewish laws and customs by Witnesses... The Fourth Gospel writer seems to be the most controversial religious figure of his master in and. 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