Lecture 16.
Paul and the First Christians
I. The Evidence
A.
Acts of the Apostles (70-80 AD)
Written
by Luke: Jerusalem Church; Missions of
Paul
B.
Epistles of Saint Paul (50-67 AD)
C.
Hints at More
Damascus;
Alexandria
Apostolic
Missions: Peter in Rome; Thomas in
Persia?
II. The Jerusalem Church
A.
Resurrection: flee to Galilee;
ascension into heaven
B.
Pentecost: descent of Holy Spirits
(tongues of fire); convert 3,000
C.
Conversion and Community: Mass
converts; communal property; led by James the Brother of Jesus (family
operation); Jewish / temple oriented church; Stephen's Martyrdom
III. Paul's Mission
A.
Saul of Tarsus (born c. 10): Pharisee;
persecution of Stephen
B.
Conversion in Damascus (c. 34): change
name to Paul
C.
First Mission (47-48): Asia Minor;
Apostolic Council of Jerusalem
D.
Second Mission (49-52): return to Asia;
Macedonia and Greece (esp. Corinth)
E.
Third Mission (56-57): Ephesus; revisit
Greece
F.
Arrest in Jerusalem (58-59); Trial in Rome (60-61); Execution (67)
F.
Why was Paul Unacceptable to the Jews?
Deliberate
opposition: not accept law and temple;
crucified messiah
Mysticism: vision; reason; man/god
IV. What it meant to be an early Christian
A.
What's in a name? Christ-ianos
(belonging to Christ); Nazarene; Brothers
B.
Who Converted? Jews; Gentiles;
Godfearers; all races and ethnicities;
all social classes
C.
What was the Church (Ecclesia = Assembly):
community of believers (not
building); hierarchy (deacons; bishops / priests);
liturgy (baptism / eucharist); obedience and conformity
to govt. / social structures
D.
Persecution: Christians as criminals;
Nero and the Fire of Rome (64)