"Only Life Changes"

Question:
What does Paul say of the journeys he thereafter took for the gospel?
Answer:
It reads in 2 Corinthians 11:26-27 NIV:
I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

Question:
What effect did this voice of Jesus’s have upon Pauls life?
Answer:
Paul reports how the Christians of one community could say:
(It reads in Galatians 1:23-24: But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.)

Question:
What happened to Paul in route to Damascus to wipe out Christianity there?

Answer:
“Now as Paul journeyed: Acts 9:3-9 NIV: As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, (Paul) why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything.

Question:
To what course of conduct did Paul’s informed Pharisaism (the doctrine or practices of the Pharisees, especially strict observance of the traditional and written law:) lead?
Answer:
Paul sought desperately to exterminate Christianity, which he regarded as a rival of the true faith: “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women” (Acts 22:4) “Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. Acts 26:11 NIV”

Question:
To what group in Hebrew society did Paul belong?
Answer:
He was a “Pharisee”, a son of “Pharisee’s” Acts 23:6 KJV “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.” as to the law a “Pharisee”. Philippians 3:5 KJV: Circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.

Question:
What additional training did Paul have?
Answer:
Paul studied at the Rabbinical School conducted in Jerusalem by Gamaliel {Acts 22:3 ESV: 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.} Paul couldboast of having been educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers.”

Question:
What was Paul’s native place?
Answer:
Paul proudly identifies himself as “a Jew, from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city” in Acts 21:39 ESV. This accounts for his dual citizenship. Citizens of Tarsus, whatever their race, had the right to be called Romans, and Pau stands on his rights as a “Roman citizen” {It reads in Acts 22:25-29 ESV: But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.} Tarsus was a center of learning, and perhaps Paul there acquired a knowledge of philosophy from local and itinerant Greek Scholar’s.

Question:
What is the significance of Pauls name?
Answer:
When we first meet Paul (It reads in Acts 7:58 ESV: Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.) (It reads in Acts 8:1 ESV: “Saul Ravages the Church” And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.) He is Saul: (It reads in Acts 13:9: Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him.) “This tells us a significant thing about him. As a Hebrew, Paul bore the name of Israels earliest King; as a free citizen of the Roman world, he bore the Roman name.

Question:
Who is the author of Psalms?
Answer:
Law books are attributed to Moses.
Wisdom books are attributed to Solomon.
The Psalms are attributed to David, who in 2 Samuel 23:1-7 NIV: You can read this whole chapter if you like. is spoken of as “the sweet Psalmist of Israel.” David’s Last Words
It reads in 2 Samuel 23:1-7 NIV: (These are the last words of David:) “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’ “If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire. But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.”
However some of the titles in the Psalms attribute their composition to others. Psalm 72, which lists Solomon as its author, concludes: “The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.” (Psalm 72:20) Psalms 42-49 are “of the sons of Korah, Psalm 50, 73-83 are of Asaph.

Question:

Who was Paul?

Answer:

An early and indefatigable missionary; the first interpreter of the gospel to the Gentile world; the author of more New Testament books than any other writer.