Paul of Tarsus-notes George

Habibeh
1. He advanced the core argument that Christianity was a world religion. It
was not a Jewish sect but open to everyone, including Jews and Gentiles.
2. Born in Tarsus (Turkey), known as Saul, Roman citizen, tentmaker (funded
his trips), well educated, knew many languages
3. Saul was a Pharisee and often persecuted Christians, until his conversion.
In Acts 9, Saul experiences his conversion on the road to Damascus. In the
acts it says that Paul and the other men experienced a piecing light that
made Paul fall off is horse. Then then Jesus spoke Saul, Saul why do you
persecute Me?. It is there that Paul realises that Jesus is the authentic
way to salvation.
4. Never met Jesus, this indicated he was a role model of faith, following
Jesus and doing good works.
5. Salvation: means to be saved or rescued from sin and its consequence
(death). "The wages of sin is death" (Romans:6:23).
6. Justification: means being made straight or lined up with God. When our
sins are forgiven.
7. After the conversion Paul travelled and spread the word of Christ. He set
up houses with church leaders in towns such as Corinth, Ephesus, Antioch,
and Philippi.
8. He wrote epistles to support each of these houses.
9. These letters later formed the New Testament, becoming the foundation of
Christian doctrine and ethical teachings and Christian theology.
10.Act 15 recounts the Council of Jerusalem where Paul enabled for Gentiles
as well as Jews to be followers of Jesus and call themselves Christian. This
brings forth that the Christian faith is not identified by external source
such as Circumcision. Instead it is an inner process and belief.

Questions
1. Outline the contribution of Paul to the development and
expression of Christianity: Paul of Tarsus is known as the second
founder of Christianity. His work, teaching and fight for accuracy allowed
him to transform Judaism and create Christianity. His main contribution is
his writings which make up over a quarter of the New Testament. His
epistles where the main influence for the gospel writers but were also the
main source of guidance for early Christian communities. Within these
letters he shows people the true way to Christ and guides them in acting
like Jesus of Nazareth. Nonetheless through these writings he was able to
develop the main basis for Christianity and help people express their
belief, through faith and good works.

2. Summarise the impact of Paul: Pauls impact to Christianity was the

most profound in comparison to all those who preached in Jesus name.
This is because Paul did not only teach; he showed people how to fight for
their religion. He showed them the way of God. This is clear when he made
Christianity relevant to a range of situations culturally and religiously
different from that of Jews. Example he advanced the core argument that
Christianity was a world religion. It was not a Jewish sect but open to
everyone, including Jews and Gentiles. Also, not having met Jesus he
showed the people how to follow Jesus, trust in Jesus and be like Jesus,
without having to meet him. This presented Paul as a role model and
founded Christianity on the basis of faith, not fact (having seen Jesus).
Nonetheless Paul transformed Christianity into a dynamic religion which
could be expressed and followed by anyone.
3. Christianity has always sought to reconnect the faith to its
founding roots. To what extent does the statement apply to the
impact of Paul of Tarsus? In Christianity, history is a major component
to how we pray and believe today. Through the work of St Paul, it is clear
that he shaped the way Christianity is today. In Christianity we welcome
those of all nations, genders, nations and religions. If it wasnt for Paul
fighting for change at the Council of Jerusalem, Christianity would be as
welcoming as it is. In 50 C.E, Paul advanced the new law that Gentile and
Jews were allowed to be followers of Jesus. Nonetheless we connect to our
founding roots of welcoming due to St Pauls actions. Today Christians still
follow the belief that our bodies are the temple of God. Christians
believe that their bodies are for God and God only; therefore they are to
respect their bodies. This belief can be traced back to Pauls letter to the
Ephesians 2; we are Gods work art. Today, Christianity is still changing.
This is due to our ever changing world. Without St Paul Christianity

wouldnt be as developed and foreword as it is today. Without St Paul we

would have rejected homosexuals, abusers, victims, ect. But through is
letters, teaching and in the Council of Jerusalem, it is clear that he ensured
everyone is welcomed and that Christianity is able to serve and be
applicable to mostly everyone on earth. St Paul is the reason for
Christianitys dynamic nature. Lastly Paul was the most profound martyr
and teacher of his time. In order to understand how to spread the word of
Christ and be like Jesus Christians refer back to Paul and his missions.
Nonetheless Paul is a role model for all Christians. In conclusion
Christianity has always sought to reconnect the faith to its founding roots,
this is clear through Paul and his impacts to Christianity.
Set B
Men, women and schools of thought have reformed and/or
revitalised the
Christian tradition. How well does this statement reflect the
impact on Christianity of Paul or Tarsus?
Each of the below is 1 paragraph to discuss about:
1. Paul changed the way we think and treat our bodies
a. Temple of god : Ephesians 2: we are Gods work of Art.
2. Paul changed the dynamics of Christianity
a. Church Hierarchy
b. Faith and good works
3. Paul is a role model
a.
4. Paul introduced the law of welcoming all into the Christian faith.
a. Acts 15: council of Jerusalem, where Paul enabled for Gentiles as
well as Jews to be followers of Jesus and call themselves Christian.
This brings forth that the Christian faith is not identified by external
source such as Circumcision. Instead it is an inner process and
belief. BAPTISM
b.