NSW Board of Studies subject - Studies of Religion. St Paul of Tarsus revision notes. Greg Elliott.

2. St Paul of Tarsus
Revision – or “What you should know
already!”

3. What you should know already
• Paul was originally Saul born in Tarsus
• Paul was Jewish, with a Roman education
• Paul (Saul) witnessed the stoning of Stephen
• Paul (Saul) persecuted the Christians – was
zealous in his attacks
• Paul had an experience on the road to
Damascus (Acts 9:1-19)

4. What you should know already
• Because of the experience, Paul received faith
in Jesus
• Paul was baptised
• Began preaching to the Jews causing great
controversy
• Early Christian friend Barnabus looked after
him and made a base in Antioch

5. What you should know already
• In the early years, Paul made enemies of
everyone: Jews, Greeks, Romans
• 3 missionary journeys
– All started in Antioch
– All ended in Jerusalem
• Major cities tour
– Began in synagogues and later established
Churches in home

6. What you should know already
• The letters (Epistles)
• Good summary at http://catholic-
resources.org/Bible/NT_Overviews.htm
• Written to
– explain, encourage, praise, admonish, plan, teach

7. What you should already know
• Major themes
– Without Christ, humans fall into evil
– Truth of the Life, Death and Resurrection
– Faith in Christ = Salvation
– Universal church
– Repentance and preparation for the judgement
– Christ – human and divine
– Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:13)

8. What you should already know
• Major themes
– Pre-existence, historical existence and glorified
existence as three facets of Christ
– Christ’s crucifixion as a universal sacrifice for sin
– Sexual purity
– The last things (which he believed were imminent)
– Trinity – Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier
– agape – selfless love demonstrated by Jesus

9. What you should already know
• Historical Significance
– Spread the news of Jesus
– Established strong communities and leaders
– Explained the Messianic role of Christ to Jews
– Explained the salvific role of Christ to Gentiles
– Bridged the gap between Jews and Gentiles
– Gave direction and motivation to the early church

10. What you should know already
• Contribution to Christianity
– Turned an experience into a theology
– Created a roadmap for a universal church
– Articulated the New Law (post-Mosaic)
– Removed barriers to faith
– Emphasised faith over ritual
– Created an ethical framework for Christianity –
because Jesus dies for us, we must….