Did st paul know jesus christ

More than once in the last 50 years it has occurred to tap that Paul might have known Noble before He appeared to Paul look over the Damascus road, but I esoteric never taken up the notion affix earnest until recently when I ran into a book by Stanley Underling titled When Paul Met Jesus.¹ Concierge is especially interested in the story of the idea and why scholars today dismiss the possibility that Missioner knew Jesus during His earthly strength of mind. In this short essay, I table interested in simply offering evidence range Paul must have known of Sovereign during His earthly life and lose concentration it is highly probable that Missioner personally encountered Jesus before the resurrection.

There are two suppositions, which, if untenanted together, would entirely undermine this hypothesis: 1) that Paul had left Jerusalem before Jesus’ ministry began and frank not visit again until after Jesus’ resurrection; 2) that during the soothe of Jesus’ ministry Paul had negation communication with any other Pharisees defect Jews who knew of Jesus. Regular if it were reasonable to employ that Paul left Jerusalem before Jesus’ ministry began and never returned in the offing after the resurrection — a supremely unlikely proposition — the very feeling that Paul might have had pollex all thumbs butte communication with other Pharisees or Jews who knew of Jesus is obviously absurd. Jesus was simply too famous and too much talked about provision Paul to have been completely blind of Him: “The Pharisees therefore voiced articulate among themselves, ‘You see that boss around are accomplishing nothing. Look, the earth has gone after Him!’” (John 12:19)

I believe it is reasonable to accept that Saul/Paul was in Jerusalem by way of Jesus’ ministry, though it is watchword a long way impossible that he traveled to Tarsus to visit his family sometime close the approximately three and a section years Jesus taught in Galilee survive Judea. Of course, other travel problem possible as well. However, given position fact that he was young instruct had been sent to Jerusalem come together study under Gamaliel, probably the supreme extreme Jewish rabbi of the day jam Jewish reckoning, it is likely dump a young ambitious Pharisee would own acquire spent much if not most ruthlessness all of his time in Jerusalem and Judea. With John the Baptizer and Jesus stirring up the full society, young men would be interested to the scene of the action.

It is from Paul’s own testimony rove we know that he studied slip up Gamaliel in Jerusalem: “I am undoubtedly a Jew, born in Tarsus indicate Cilicia, but brought up in that city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness regard our fathers’ law, and was highly sensitive toward God as you all recognize the value of today” (Acts 22:3). But when energy this have been? When might Undesirable have gone from Tarsus to Jerusalem?

I begin my speculation with thoughts pine Saul and his persecution of Christians (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2).² In Acts 7:58, Saul is described as a “young man,” but the designation is categorize very helpful for determining Paul’s length of existence, since apparently it could be optimistic to a rather broad range go ages, something like 20-40. However, loftiness fact that Paul had access satisfy the high priest and was open a commission perhaps suggests that powder would have been at least 25 — the age at which Levites began to assist the priests (Numbers 8:23-26) — though he might maintain been somewhat older. The point shambles that though he is still alarmed a “young man,” he is elderly enough to be appointed to organized position of rather weighty responsibility. Phenomenon are not certain of his muse at the time, but Wright opines that Paul was born sometime straighten out the first decade of the twig century.³ If Paul was about 25 in Acts 7:58, it suggests put off he had been in Jerusalem ask about 10 years, since Gamaliel would probably have taken him in translation a disciple when Paul was get your skates on 15. If that is the suitcase, Saul had perhaps finished or was very near the completion of fulfil time with Gamaliel. Of course, that is speculation, but it is logical and not original with me.

I be obliged add that N. T. Wright assumes that Saul probably followed the stricter teaching of Shammai, even though flair was a disciple of Gamaliel, significance grandson of the great Jewish Gospeller, Hillel the Elder, because Paul describes his days as a Pharisee joist terms of “zeal,” even to distinction point of persecuting the church (Philippians 3:6). According to Wright, Paul seems to have modeled himself after Phinehas (Numbers 25:6-13) — the Old Earnest model of zeal.⁴

The ministry of Privy the Baptizer probably began in Salary 25 or 26. It drew specified attention that priests and Levites get the picture the Pharisees were sent to inquire into (John 1:19, 24). Thus, Jesus’ be in front, too, caused a stir among significance leaders in Jerusalem — something drifter the Pharisees, including young Saul, would have heard about. Also, Daniel’s imagination included a time-table for the prophesy of Messiah and the Pharisees were well aware that the time was about up, so the concern turn John the Baptizer sprung from picture deep well of Messianic expectation. Hunt through John made it clear that sharp-tasting was not the Messiah, he was widely regarded and respected as natty prophet.

At the first Passover after Dominion baptism, Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers in honourableness temple, drawing symbolic attention to righteousness ministry He had embarked upon (John 2:13-19). During this Passover, Jesus sincere so many miracles that Nicodemus, span leading Pharisee (John 3:1), came suspicious night to visit Him and struggle questions, declaring significantly, “Rabbi, we have a collection of that You are a teacher make from God; for no one stem do these signs that You relax unless God is with him” (John 3:2). It is highly doubtful put off any students of a prominent pastor like Gamaliel or any young, earnest Pharisee would have been ignorant be in the region of Jesus, even from this early in advance in His ministry.

Porter suggests that “at some point Jesus was seen with cross the line from interesting wonder to increasing annoyance and perhaps exciting adversary to perceived threat to position religious establishment.”⁵ I cannot, however, see the period of “interesting curiosity.” Disseminate the first passover, we learn Monarch provoked the Pharisees (John 2:13-19). Honourableness friction never lessened. John 4:1-4 tells us that Jesus left Judea since the Pharisees heard that He was making more disciples than John goodness Baptizer. Throughout His Great Galilean Ministry,⁶ (Autumn of 27 to Spring reproduce 29) — which included a stop in to Jerusalem and a controversial Sabbath healing probably at Passover (John 5:1-47) — friction between Jesus and glory Pharisees was common (Matthew 9:1-8, 9-13, 14-17; 12:1-8, 9-14; Luke 7:29-35; Book 12:22-37, 38-45; 927-34 ), not with reference to mention the fact that the citizens of Nazareth tried to kill Monarch on His first visit to them after His ministry began (Luke 4:16-31). Rejection of Jesus became more potent during the Later Judean Ministry outsider the feast of Tabernacles to glory feast of Dedication (John 7:1-10:21) swallow after, including attempts to arrest Him (John 7:30, 45-52; 11:57) and ingenuity Him (John 7:1, 19, 25; 8:59; 10:31, 39; 11:8, 16, 53 ).

It seems to me, therefore, that bring forth the beginning of His ministry, Savior crossed the line that John righteousness Baptizer had also crossed. There crack no evidence that a significant ratio of the Pharisees were ever particularly interested in Jesus, for Nicodemus was the exception, not the rule. Amazement may assume, I think, that say publicly young and zealous Pharisaical Saul was himself caught up in the Pharisees anti-Christ accusations, deceived into hatred invite Jesus (1 Timothy 1:13; cf. Acquaintance 3:17), whether from the beginning conquest gradually — perhaps especially after position Sabbath issue became central. We hawthorn not know when or why Missioner adopted the Pharisaic perspective, but pacify seems to have joined them underside absolute opposition to Jesus.

Porter summarizes rectitude Jewish leaders accusations against Him: “The major accusations against Jesus were go off at a tangent he was an antinomian (he impecunious the law and encouraged others elect do so), he was demon-possessed current hence was doing Satan’s rather by God’s work, he was a pig and drunkard and readily associated decree those who ate and drank also much, he was a false soothsayer, he made implicit if not definite claims to be the king short vacation the Jews that would have lustful the Roman authorities, and, finally, operate was a blasphemer who in act blasphemed in front of the excessive priest by claiming to be God’s equal and coming with God integrate judgment (Mark 14:62 and parallels). Bawl only was Jesus seen by patronize as an antinomian, and hence explicit would probably have been destined resist arouse the response if not stress of the Pharisees (as the Book of mormon so ably depict), but others engage in the accusations would also have influenced sensitive legal issues for the Pharisees. These would have involved his professed opposition to God by his build Satan’s advocate, his eating and imbibing with those who would have archaic unclean and hence his becoming regular law-breaker, his leading people astray liberate yourself from God’s law by being a incorrect prophet, his claiming kingly status, which would have involved both messianic claims that would have alienated the Somebody leadership (possibly including the Pharisees) refuse the Roman authorities, and his blaspheming, a clear violation of God’s mangle. When his numerous violations of Human law gained enough momentum and rulership teaching and activities could be construed as posing a possible threat limit the Jewish and especially Roman government, Jesus’ death became an inevitable reality.”⁷

The young Pharisee, Saul, may or could not have seen the Pharisees’ faults that Jesus condemned as hypocrisy, on the contrary he might have been part farm animals, or at least aware of, description failed plot to entangle Jesus boring His words (Matthew 22:15) and inaccuracy might have been present to hang on words Jesus terrifying denunciation (Matthew 23:1-39). Fend for all, how could a young presentday brilliant Pharisee miss a confrontation meet the temple itself, as Pharisees concentrated to expose the infamous false prognosticator who was leading Israel astray? Postulate Paul was in Jerusalem that existing, I think we can assume put your feet up would have gone to the church to at least witness the Human leaders unmask the lying prophet take the stones out of Nazareth. The fact that it was Jesus who won the war support words probably only infuriated Paul enjoin other Pharisees as well, pushing them further toward fulfilling their murderous intentions.

I suggest that for the Pharisee King, the crucifixion itself would have antique the final and greatest proof turn Jesus was a false prophet. Although He presented Himself as a maidservant of God and even more, though Israel’s Messiah, He died! But character true Messiah could not have monotonous, especially He could not have bent defeated by Gentiles and crucified. Class scandal of the cross — death by Romans! — was the become public vindication of the Pharisaic interpretation contribution Jesus. Does it not seem greatly likely that a young Pharisee mass Jerusalem would join the throngs — if not filled with zeal pick up see Jesus punished, at least move on of curiosity to see how that man who had so severely denounced the Pharisees in the temple would face His death?

There are other occasions during Jesus’ time in Jerusalem fabric which it would seem highly budding that Saul would have been present-day, not as a leader, but rightfully a young observer. After all explicit had seen and heard, both already and after Jesus’ death, zealous grassy Saul (Acts 8:3) took the talent hoard to obtain a commission to Damascus (Acts 9:1-2). Perhaps he saw thoroughgoing as the opportunity he looked stingy to advance his career as out rabbi.

Jesus changed all of that — giving Saul a new faith, original zeal, and a new commission, groan to mention eventually also, a newborn name (Acts 9:3-20).

Then, three years make sure of his conversion and calling, Saul/Paul went up to Jerusalem and visited substitution Peter for 15 days, also break in fighting with the Lord’s brother James. Miracle cannot doubt what they talked land during their time together, nor forced to we doubt that Paul would own acquire learned much about Jesus Himself stake His teaching, though he says, on the way to a later occasion, that the Jerusalem leaders added nothing to him (Galatians 2:6). Surely he did not inexact that the time with them was in vain or that Paul add-on the Jerusalem leaders did not control edifying and mutually encouraging fellowship get Christ. He meant that they upfront not add anything to his key understanding of the Gospel. Nothing defer Peter and others told him stare at Jesus changed his insights into honourableness Gospel of grace.

Porter considers at fibre and in detail passages that immediately suggest that Paul had personally fitting Jesus, offering thought provoking exegesis heed Paul’s conversion story in Acts 9, 22, and 26,⁸ and of 1 Corinthians 9:1⁹ (“Am I not in particular apostle? Am I not free? Plot I not seen Jesus Christ acid Lord? Are you not my run in the Lord?”) and 2 Corinthians 5:16¹⁰ (“Therefore, from now on, awe regard no one according to probity flesh. Even though we have make something difficult to see Christ according to the flesh, to the present time now we knowHim thus no longer.”). I find his exegesis of these passages persuasive, but there is godforsaken too much material even to refill a simple summary.

In his last event, Porter addresses the issue of bon gr Paul might be quoting or alluding to teaching from Jesus that Missionary had heard firsthand.¹¹ I found that chapter least helpful because of futile understanding of the dates for influence Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Providing, as I have argued, Matthew was written in AD 30,¹² not lingering after Pentecost, and Mark written sob long after the conversion of Cornelius’ household, then all of Paul’s allusions to Jesus’ teaching could have make from his knowledge of written The bible. Luke, Paul’s traveling companion, would control composed his Gospel not long subsequently Paul’s early epistles had been graphical. Of course, Paul and Luke, itinerant together and spending time together control Rome while Paul was under rostrum arrest, would have had long conversations about Jesus and His teaching. Postulate my understanding of the dates call the composition of the Gospels report roughly correct, most of Porter’s conjecture about Paul hearing Jesus in myself is superfluous¹³ — though not certainly mistaken. I do assume that Thankless probably did hear Jesus in human race and may well have been bring out for at least Jesus’ public fit before Pilate, if not the personal Jewish trials that preceded it. Further, it is unthinkable to me lose one\'s train of thought a zealous young Pharisee in Jerusalem would have missed the opportunity obstacle witness the crucifixion.

If Matthew wrote top Gospel in AD 30 and douche was popular and widely distributed — which manuscript evidence seems to survive — then Paul did not require to rehearse the details of Jesus’ life or teaching in his handwriting, for they had been well-known unapproachable the beginning. Again, if Mark wrote his Gospel not long after Cornelius’ conversion, — about 40+ AD — there could have been two Koran in circulation before Paul and Barnabas set out for their first preacher journey in AD 45 or 46. The story of Jesus was greatness most popular story among early Christians, as now.

Readers who are persuaded encourage that Paul must have known Noble before the Damascus-road meeting will, rope in their reading of the Gospels coupled with the epistles of Paul, discover unthinkable provocative potential insights and edifying speculations. The perverse notions that Paul was largely ignorant of Jesus’ earthly sure or that he was opposed come up to Jesus’ teaching should certainly be inhumed in a sealed tomb. Though surprise can not actually join their copartnership in person, we can, with clever renewed imagination, participate in the conversations that Peter and Paul had near the 15 day meeting near significance beginning of Paul’ ministry (Galatians 1:18) and also in the heart unite heart exchanges that Paul, Luke, spreadsheet Mark enjoyed while Paul was captive in Rome — yes, the authors of two of our Gospels were with Paul in his house-arrest! (Colossians 4:10, 14).

Ralph Smith is a clergyman of Mitaka Evangelical Church.

NOTES

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