This website seeks to detail lives of intersected lives…lives that have been intersected by Jesus Christ. St. Paul the Apostle was one of the first, on the Damascus Road. In the last 5 years I’ve spent many hours studying the Acts of the Apostles which was written by Luke (the author of the Gospel of Luke) and the letters from St. Paul to various disciples (Titus, Timothy, etc.) & churches (Philippians, Corinthians, etc.). My personal study led me to write down his story, Paul’s story, his intersected life. I did so over the last couple of years. I have learned so much from my personal study, that I am sharing a much longer than usual post today. It is the biography of St. Paul I wrote for my personal study. I hope you might take the time to study Paul’s life as I continue to do. May you make this rather brief biography just a scratch on the surface of the study of Paul’s life. So that Jesus may intersect your life as well. So with that…
St. Paul the Apostle
If you really want to understand a man, don’t listen to what he says but watch what he does.
– Maurice Blondel –
In order to understand Paul, we cannot just read his words, but truly walk with him, understand what he did.
PAUL’S (SAUL) BACKGROUND:
Saul (Paul) was born in Tarsus and moved to Jerusalem early in his life. Saul was taught the Jewish Tradition by Gamaliel and by his late teens and early 20s Saul was a leading young Pharisee. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Saul began an active persecution of Christians (Acts 7:29). Saul’s first appearance in the Acts of the Apostles occurs as he overseas Stephen’s martyrdom. Shortly after this, the members of the early Christian church were expelled from Jerusalem. Saul participated in the persecution by going house to house expelling Christians. Phillip & Simon, early followers of Jesus, leave Jerusalem as a result of this decree.
Upon seeing the recent success of the persecution, Saul pleads with Jewish leadership, the High Priest, to send letters to the synagogues in Damascus that if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way he might bring them back to Jerusalem in Chains (Acts 9 1-2). The High Priest grants his request, writes the letter and Saul heads off for Damascus to deliver the letter and work over that city’s population of the Way. Along the way, Saul hears a message directly from Jesus causing a case of temporary blindness. Upon entering the city of Damascus, he meets Ananias who removes the scales from Saul’s eyes. Saul stays with him after his conversion for a time.
THE LOST THREE YEARS:
Saul then heads to Arabia for up to three years (Gal 1:15-18). Arabia was east of the city and largely not populated and not inhabited by humans of the time. Much of the area was desert or arid land. It is unknown what Saul did during this time. However, we do know that it is during this time that Saul first meets Barnabas who befriends him. Barnabas enables him to meet with Church leaders in Damascus and also later in Jerusalem. And a decade from now, Barnabas and Paul are called to minister to the Gentiles together.
ONWARD TO JERUSALEM:
Saul stays in Damascus or that region for 3 years studying and learning more about the church’s teaching (Galatians 1:18). After this time, he learned of a plot against him in Damascus so he headed to Jerusalem. On his ways, he is lowered in a bushel basket over the walls of Damascus to avoid being captured at the gate. Saul desires to meet with Cephas or St. Peter, but many of the apostles are scared of Saul due to his history. Barnabas leads him in to see St. Peter (Acts 9:27) and he stays with them for 15 days (Galatians 1:18). Paul then travels throughout Jerusalem with the christians speaking boldly in the name of Jesus. The only other apostle he meets on this visit is James (Galatians 1:18). This visit to Jerusalem would have been in 36-39 AD.
After a couple of weeks in Jerusalem, Saul is discovered by a local group of Hellenists and a plot against his life is hatched (Acts 9:29). Saul may have discovered this plot before or after an experience he had at Temple. Saul was keeping his ancestral roots and praying in the Temple. He had a vision where the Lord said to him, “Hurry, leave Jerusalem at once, because they will not accept your testimony about me.” But Paul replied, “Lord, they themselves know that from synagogue to synagogue I used to imprison and beat those who believed you. I also stood watch over the cloaks of the murderers of Stephen.” The Lord replied, “Go, I shall send you far away to the Gentiles.” (Acts 22: 17-21) Since there was a plot against his life for a second time, the brothers or apostles send him to Caesarea and then on his way to Tarsus – Paul’s hometown. (Acts 9:29)
As it relates to the Hellenists, it is worthwhile to understand the nature of the Jerusalem Community at the time of Saul’s re-entrance. There were two distinct Jewish Communities at the time Saul’s re-entrance – Hebrews and Hellenists. The Hebrews were a more traditional sect of Palestine Jews speaking Hebrew or Aramaic. Whereas, the Hellenists were more likely to be of Greek descent and speaking Greek or some other language. Historically, the Hellenists were from north of Jerusalem and this civilization represented the zenith of the Greek empires. Before the time of Jesus, the Hellenistic culture was spread widely by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. The next 200 years were the zenith of the Greek empire. Then the Roman’s slowly conquered all the Hellenistic territory from west to east until it’s culminating victory in Egypt in 30 BC. It is widely believed that the Greek culture and language was the underpinning for many of the Roman arts and cultural norms and amongst the elite of Rome, both Latin and Greek were prevalent. Paul, being born in Tarsus, was of Hellenist descent and also born a Roman citizen.
So there were two feuding sects of Jewish tradition in Jerusalem. Amongst the Jewish converts to the Way, these sects were continuing to feud as is stated, “the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.” (Acts 6:1) Stephen was chosen from among the crowd along with 6 others to monitor the daily distribution and ensure equal share to both sects. So the martyrdom of Stephen was very impactful to both the Hellenist Jewish Community and also the Christian Community – and whether from the fledgling Christian Hellenist community or from the Jewish Hellenist community, the death threat to Saul was real.
PAUL IN TARSUS:
During Paul’s time in Tarsus, many Gentiles were being converted to the Way. (Acts 11:24) Paul was in Tarsus for up to 5 years as he was ministering on his own and facing persecution (2 Cor 11: 24-26). It is worth noting this persecution here –
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 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. 27 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. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
This 4-5 year stay in or near Tarsus is based on timing Paul’s visit to Antioch the year before the famine occurred in 46 AD and when he left Jerusalem to head home in late 30’s or early 40’s AD.
During the time Paul was in Tarsus, back in Jerusalem, there continued to be conflicts over whether it was appropriate to minister to the Greeks at all. Peter has a vision in which he sees that “God shows no partiality.” (Acts 10:9) God’s desire is to love all and have all believe in the name of Jesus. The rest of the Church agrees, saying “God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.” (Acts 11:18)
They learn that many Gentiles are being converted primarily as a result of scattering of the early Christian church from Jerusalem. This led many Christians to flee to the north into Hellenist or Gentile territory. (Acts 11:20) As a result of this great news about the Gentiles belief, the Apostles send Barnabas to Antioch to learn more about these men and women. (Acts 11:22)
PAUL IN ANTIOCH:
After a time visiting churches, Barnabas goes to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he had found him, they go back to Antioch. While in Antioch they stayed for a whole year and for the first time the members of the Way were named Christians. (Acts 11:26) Based on the famine mentioned below, Saul would have arrived in Antioch in 45 AD.
During this time Agabus came from Judea to Antioch and told them that the Spirit had predicted a famine, which occurred under Caesar Claudius. So the disciples determined that each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea. They sent Barnabas and Saul to the Presbyters or elders of the Judea Christian Church of Jerusalem. According to historians this famine occurred in 46 AD (The fifth century historian Orosius mentions this famine in Syria as having occurred in 46 AD).
THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY:
After this relief mission, Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch (Acts 13 1-3) and are with Symeon, Lucius, and Manaen, close friend of Herod the Tetrarch. While worshiping in Antioch, the Holy Spirit said to them “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13: 2)
So they set forth on the first of many missionary journeys. This first missionary journey occurs in 46 or 47 AD. On the first journey, Barnabas and Saul go to Seleucia and sail to Cyprus, an island off the coast of Syria. John, also called Mark, was with them as well as their assistant. They traveled the entire island from Salamis upon their arrival to Paphos where they met Bar-Jesus a magician and a Jewish false prophet who was with Sergius Paulus. Sergius was the proconsol of Cyprus and was a man of great intelligence (Acts 13: 7). He summoned Saul and Barnabas as he wanted to hear the word of God. Bar-Jesus tried to stop the testimony and teaching to which Paul tells Bar-Jesus he is the “son of the Devil” and to be “blind.” At seeing this feat of the Lord, the proconsol came to believe. This visit had to have occurred before Sergius Paulus was appointed to be one of the Curators of the banks and Tibris river – which occurred in 47 AD.
Paul and Barnabas then departed for Perga in Pisidia, but John Mark headed back to Jerusalem. They continued from Perga to Antioch in Pisidia. While in Antioch, Paul went to the Synagogue on the sabbath and proclaimed how Jesus fulfilled the old covenant between God and the people of Israel (Acts 13: 16-40). After hearing this, they invited Paul and Barnabas to come again to speak the following Sabbath. They also had a group of people who followed them.
The following Sabbath, the whole city gathered to hear Paul and Barnabas. The Jews reacted violently trying to suppress the words of Paul and Barnabas. The Gentiles were converted in great numbers but the Jews stirred up the “women of prominence” and “leading men of this city” to expel Paul and Barnabas. To this, they shake the sand from their feet and head for Iconium.
In Iconium, Paul & Barnabas spoke boldly in the Synagogue and many Jews and Greeks converted. The Jews tried to stop this but Paul & Barnabas convinced their followers with the works of their hands. There appeared to be a conflict between those with the Jewish faith and the Way as the leaders of the city and the Jews both wanted to arrest and stone Paul & Barnabas, but they leave and head for Lycaonian and the city’s of Lystra and Derbe.
In Lystra, Paul heals a paralyzed man and in return the people of the city think that Barnabas is Zeus and Paul is Hermes, both were god’s of the Greek faith. They subsequently offer sacrifices on their behalf to which P&B tear the garments and tell them to not do so. Despite their asking them to stop, the words “scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.” (Acts 14:18) Some Jews from Antioch of Pisidia and Iconium arrive and win over the crowds instigating them to arrest Paul, stone him and drag him to the edge of the city to be left for dead. The disciples gather him up and he and Barnabas head for Derbe. After they had proclaimed the word there, they back track through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch exhorting the churches to persevere. They also appoint presbyters for each church. P&B then traveled through Pisidia reaching Pamphylia. While in Perga they proclaimed the word and then headed for the neighboring port city of Attalia. From there headed back to Antioch of Syria.
End of the First Missionary Journey and the Council of Jerusalem:
While in Antioch of Syria, they proclaimed the good news of how many Gentiles had accepted Jesus. There was much celebration. But men were coming from Judea saying that in order to be saved you must also be circumcised. Circumcision was a ritual for entry into the Jewish faith and since many early Christians in Jerusalem were Jewish and still believed in the Jewish Faith background, they thought a requirement for the Gentiles would be circumcision. To this, the church was puzzled and decided to send Paul and Barnabas to the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem. While on their way they stopped in Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of many Gentiles.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, the church accepted them and were glad to hear of the success. But while they were speaking, some from the party of the Pharisees who had converted to Christianity stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic Law.” Acts 15:5
In response the apostles and presbyters met on the matter and after much debate Peter stands up and settles the matter saying that they are saved through Jesus just as the Jews are saved when the accept Jesus. Then Paul and Barnabas describe the signs and wonders of God that had been worked among the Gentiles.
Then James gets up and proclaims that they should send a letter to the Gentiles describing the minimum limitations on the Gentiles for being part of the church – namely, no sacrificed meat, no blood from strangled animals and no unlawful marriage. They write a letter and have it delivered by Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas, son of Barsabbas. The four of them delivered the letter to Antioch and Judas and Silas stayed for a time then returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas stay there after they leave. (Acts 15: 22-35)
SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY:
After a time, Paul approached Barnabas wanting to travel and revisit the churches planted on their recent visit to Pamphylia. Barnabas insisted on bringing John Mark but Paul did not want to take him as he had deserted them on the prior trip through Pamphylia. “So sharp was their disagreement, that they separated.” (Acts 15: 39)
So Barnabas and John Mark went on to Cyprus and Paul went to Syria and Cilicia. Paul reached also Derbe and Lystra where a Timothy was living. He was the son of a Jewish woman but his Father was Greek. Paul asked Timothy to be circumcised so that he could be an effective minister to both Jew and Gentile. As they traveled from city to city, they passed on the letter from the apostles as a result of the Jerusalem Council – that circumcision was not a requirement for salvation.
They traveled through Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia. This territory was north of Antioch and Cilicia and the furthest east of all Paul’s ventures. He then went west to Mysia and came to Troas, the gateway to Europe. While in Troas, Paul has a vision in which a Macedonian stood before him and implored him to come and help his people. So they went at once to Macedonia, setting sail from Troas and heading to Samothrace, then Neapolis and finally Phillipi, a leading Roman city. There they spent some time (Acts 16: 12).
On the sabbath while in Phillipi, they went down to the river and met Lydia, who listened, believed and invited them into her home. It appears based on the language change from them to us/we in Acts that Luke was also with Paul, Silas and Timothy at this time. In Acts 16:15 it states that “she prevailed on us.”
As they were going to the place of prayer with Lydia, they encountered a young girl who used to bring a large profit to her owners through her fortune-telling. She followed Paul for many days proclaiming loudly that they were telling the story of salvation. Annoyed, Paul tells the spirit to come out of the girl and at once the spirit left her. Her owners saw this and knowing their profit was gone they seized Paul and Silas dragging them into the public square before the officials.
The magistrates had them flogged and put into the most secure innermost prison secured to stakes. While singing hymns a large earthquake occurs, breaking the chains and throwing the doors to the prison open. The prison guard is about to kill himself realizing that the prisoners have probably escaped, however, Paul and Silas tell him not to kill himself and that they are still there. The guard is surprised and asks them what he has to do to be saved. He believes and the guard takes them into his house for dinner late that night and returns to the prison with them the following morning.
That morning the lictors or police are sent over to tell Paul and Barnabas they are free. However, Paul tells the lictor that they will not leave silently after being beaten and that they are offended as Roman citizens as their treatment was terrible. The magistrates are alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas are Roman citizens, so they come and placate their prisoners and walk them to the gates of the city asking them to leave. Paul and Silas instead head to Lydia’s house and encourage the church there and then leave.
Paul and Silas then head through Amphipolis and Apollonia to the city Thessalonica. Paul and Silas spend 3 weeks there (Acts 17:2) and in Paul’s normal custom he joins the Jews in the Synagogue debating the scriptures on the Sabbath. Paul convinces many and they followed them. The Jews became jealous and recruited worthless men to set the city to turmoil. They then marched on the house of Jason, where Paul and Silas were presumably staying. But when they arrived, Paul and Silas were not there but they dragged Jason and some brothers before the magistrate. Jason and the brothers are let go after a surety was set. Paul and Silas escape the city at night and head for Beroea, which was west of Thessalonica.
Upon arrival, Paul joined the Jews in synagogue and many of the Jews were fair-minded and examined the scriptures daily to determine if the things which Paul was speaking were so. Many of the Jewish leaders and followers were made believers. Upon hearing this, the Jews of Phillipi sent men to stir up the crowds. The brothers sent Paul onward to the sea-coast upon seeing this, but Timothy and Silas remained behind. Paul is sent on to Athens with escorts and he gives orders to his escorts to return Timothy and Silas to join him as soon as possible.
While in Athens, Paul debated with people of the Synagogue, with people in the Public Square and anyone else he could find. He was disturbed by the idols. He even debated the Epicurian and Stoic philosophers. These philosophers take Paul up to the Areopagus, where Paul speaks at their request about the news of Jesus. Paul starts by saying the people of Athens are a “very religious people” because he even discovered a shrine to an “unknown God.”
When he proceeded through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the eventual resurrection of man, many scoffed but some were interested to hear more. While there, he found new believers Dionysius, a member of the Court of Areopagus and a woman named Damaris.
After this he departed for Corinth and met a Jewish Christian named Acquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Claudius had expelled all the Jews from Rome due to a dispute between Christians and Jews at that time – This happened in the year 49 AD according to history. Claudius ruled from 41 – 54 AD. Claudius was born in 10 BC and his rule was followed by that of his great-nephew and adopted son, Nero from 54 – 68 AD. Nero was born in 37 AD and Claudius married his mother Agrippa in 49 AD. Nero would have succeeded the throne at 17 years old.
Paul stayed with Acquila and Pricilla as they were of the same tentmaking trade. Every sabbath Paul would visit the synagogue to attempt to convince both Jews and Greeks of Jesus fulfilling the Mosaic Law.
When Silas and Timothy finally join Paul in Corinth, Paul decides to consume himself totally in teaching. He tried to convince the Jews of Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law, but when they refused to listen, he shook out his garments and told them that the “blood be on your heads!” I will go speak to the Gentiles. (Acts 18:6) So he left there and went next door to the house of Titus Justus. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe as were many of this household. Paul has a vision to stay in Corinth for a time and not to be silent but be bold. So he stayed there for a year and half – presumably from 49-51 AD based on dating his arrival to when Christians were expelled from Rome by Claudius.
In 51-52 AD, it is noted in Acts that there is an uprising by the Jews against Paul with Gallio was the proconsul of Achacia. From an inscription found at Delphi confirmed the time that Gallio was proconsul. The Jews brought Paul before Gallio accusing him of “inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” Before Paul could even speak, Gallio dismissed the case saying that the argument was over doctrines and titles within the Jewish law.
End of the Second Missionary Journey:
After staying for a time in Corinth, Paul sailed for Syria with Priscilla and Acquilla. When they arrived in Cenchreae in Syria, Paul shaved his head as a vow. This is in reference to an old Jewish Tradition referenced in Numbers 6:18, where the Lord tells Moses, “Then at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the Nazirite must shave off the hair that symbolizes their dedication. They are to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering.” When they reached Ephesus, Paul entered the Synagogue and left Priscilla and Acquilla there. He went in as his normal course of business was to debate the Jews.
Although the Church in Ephesus asked Paul to stay, he set sail from Ephesus to Caesarea and then to Antioch.
Third Missionary Journey:
After staying there for a time, he traveled “in an orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia bringing strength to all the disciples.”
Paul’s disciples, Priscilla and Acquilla, who were left in Ephesus, then encounter Apollos, who was an eloquent speaker but was not fully formed in the word. Priscilla and Acquilla help Apollos understand the Way of God more accurately, then supported his mission to travel to Achacia which he did. Apollos was probably in Ephesus in 52-53 AD and subsequently traveled to Corinth.
Paul comes to Ephesus after Apollos had traveled through onward to Achacia. When Paul arrived, he found believers who had not heard of the Holy Spirit. The believers said they were baptized in the name of John. So Paul pulled the believers aside, about 12 in all, and explained how John had pointed the way to Jesus. So Paul baptized each in the name of the Holy Spirit and each of them spoke in tongues. He spent a further three months there in Ephesus debating the Jews in the synagogue.
The new Christians were growing in faith and numbers but the Jews were continuing to hamper Paul’s efforts in Ephesus. When the Jews were found to be adversely impacting the Way, he decided to put his meetings in another location, Tyrannus Hall. This continued for two years. It was so incredible that even the things just touched by St. Paul, face cloths and aprons were used to heal and deliver people from evil spirits.
Based on a timeline, Paul’s 2-3 year visit with the Ephesians was completed in 52-56 AD. It was during this time that Paul was also most likely planning his missionary journey through Rome and the “ends of the earth” or what is now modern day Spain (Acts 19:21). Paul’s planned trip to Rome was first detoured through Macedonia (Phillipi & Thessalonia) and then through Achacia (Corinth). When they had visited those places, Paul sent two of his disciples, Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia and he stayed in the Province of Asia for awhile. Dating this time based on the above notes, this is in 55-57 AD.
While still in Ephesus a riot was incited by Demetrius, a Diana (Artemis temple dedicated to this Goddess) worshiping Silversmith, because he was profiting from making silver souvenirs for visitors to the Temple of Artemis. Paul and his apostles were preaching against the God of the Ephesians resulting a commensurate decline in his business. Demetrius was concerned that the preaching by Paul would discredit the Temple of Artemis and reduce his trade and the other trades supporting the temple to ruin. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was a great pilgrimage location for not only Ephesians, but also for all of Asia and Europe as it was considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world. It was a temple dedicated to the goddess of the hunt and was 425 ft long, 220 ft wide and 60 ft high. A riot ensued after Demetrius worked the crowd and In the riot, two of Paul’s traveling companions were seized and brought to the theater – Gaius and Aristarchus. Paul wanted to go to the Theater but was restrained and he remained at a distance. The riot ensued for an entire day and was only settled by the town clerk who said that any grieveance that the tradesmen had against Aristarchus and Gaius should be brought before the court.
Paul Heads to Jerusalem:
After the riot had ended, Paul departs and heads for Macedonia. He arrives in Greece where he stays for 3 months until a plot against his life was discovered and he was sent to Syria by way of Macedonia. His traveling companions were Sopater, from Boroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, as well as Timothy and Luke, the writer of Acts. Two additional companions, Tychicus and Trophimus went out ahead of the group to Troas. The rest sailed after the feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover and rejoined them 5 days later in Troas where they spent a week. So this Journey occurred in the Spring of the year.
From Troas, the group goes south to Assos, Paul by land and the rest by boat. They meet there and head for Mitylene. Over the next week or two, Paul and companions sailed quickly through Chios, Samos, and Miletus, all on the western coast near Ephesus. Paul consciously decides to avoid visiting Ephesus as he desires to return to Jerusalem prior to Pentecost. But, while in Miletus, a few miles south of Ephesus, he has the presbyters of Ephesus summoned and he spends time with them giving them a recorded speech in Acts 20:17-38. In this speech, Paul recalls the time spent with them in Ephesus and the fact that he is now heading on for a big journey to Jerusalem and beyond. He tells them it is likely they will never see his face again, but encourages them to hold fast. He is truthful telling them that “I know after my departure savage wolves will come among you and they will not spare the flock.” He then commends them to God and after a sad goodbye, Paul is escorted to his ship.
Over the next few weeks, the ship ran through Cos, Rhodes, and Patara. While in Patara, they found a ship headed for Phoenicia (Syria/Israel/Jordan). They set sail and sailed by Cyprus on the left and headed toward Tyre in Syria.
While there, Paul and his companions spent time with the disciples for a week. Paul was encouraged not to go to Jerusalem, but needed to go to deliver the offering to the local church there (reference the reason for the trip in Romans). So he continued through Ptolemais and Caesarea, where he visited Phillip, one of the seven (dispute in Acts 5 where seven were appointed including Stephen and Phillip to administer the daily distribution). While there, Paul’s imprisonment is foretold by Agabus (Acts 21:11) – presumably the same Agabus who predicted the famine earlier in Acts that prompted Paul and Barnabas delivering needed supplies to Jerusalem from Antioch.
Paul then departs with Luke and other brothers for Jerusalem. These brothers led the group to Mnason’s house, a Cypriot (originating from Cyprus) and long-standing disciple, where the group was to stay. On his arrival, the brothers greeted them warmly. The next day the group traveled to visit James and the presbyters of Jerusalem. Paul informed all there about what God had accomplished in his ministry among the Gentiles.
The brothers were excited about his ministry but also clearly concerned that Paul had abandoned the teaching of circumcision – and that he in particular may not be observing the law. Paul did not want anything to effect his weaker brothers or impede their belief (reference Romans 14-15). So in order to overcome any falsehood which may bring disunity to the church, Paul acts in Conciliatory Respect of Ritual Observance (Acts 21:23-26).
(Paraphrased from BibleGateway.com) The church leaders counsel Paul to combat words with action. Four pious but indigent men in the congregation have taken on themselves a Nazirite vow of limited duration (Numbers 6). By abstaining from products of the vine, not cutting their hair and avoiding ritual impurity, they have been showing thankfulness for past blessings, earnestness in petition or strong devotion to God. The multi-animal sacrifice and cleansing ceremony at the end of the vow period, when the hair is cut and offered to God, is financially prohibitive (6:13-20). Paul is asked to bear the expenses of the four. This was a commonly recognized act of piety (Josephus Jewish Antiquities 19.294). To do so he must go through a seven-day ritual cleansing himself, because he has recently returned from Gentile lands (m. Oholot 2:3; 17:5; 18:6; Num 19:12). The intended result is that the rumors about Paul will be shown to be baseless and he will be seen living in obedience to the law. Lest Paul’s action be misunderstood in another direction, as making Jewish custom normative for Gentile Christians, the elders hasten to add that the Jerusalem Council decree is still in place (Acts 21: 25). It is repeated here in essential detail.
The next day Paul begins his own ritual purification and declares to temple authorities the date that the Nazirite vow, here called the days of purification (Num 6:5 LXX), would be completed through a sacrificial ceremony (m. Nazir 6:7).
When the seven days were nearly completed, the Jews from a province in Asia noticed him in the Temple and stirred up the whole crowd, laid hands on Paul and told the other Israelites he had defiled he temple by bringing a Greek into the temple with him. Luke says that they had seen Paul with Trophimus an Ephesian in the City and they assumed he had brought him into the Temple.
They seized Paul and dragged him out of the Temple. While they were trying to kill Paul, a report reached the cohort commander that all Jerusalem was rioting. He took soldiers and centurions and charged down upon them. When they saw the commander they stopped beating Paul. The commander tried to ascertain what Paul had done but was unsuccessful. He ordered Paul taken to the compound as a result. Paul was so badly beaten that he had to be carried up the steps of the compound by the soldiers.
Paul speaks to the commander just before he was being thrown into the compound. The commander had assumed Paul was the instigator of an earlier riot involving a Egyptian (Acts 21: 37-40). Paul speaks to the commander in Greek and requests that he be able to address the crowd. The commander grants his wish and he turns to face them addressing them in Hebrew.
In his address he talks about his early life being born in Tarsus but raised in Jerusalem. He was taught by Gamaliel and educated strictly in the ancestral law. Then he speaks of his conversion on the road to Damascus and an experience he had in Jerusalem upon his return that prompted him to minister to the Gentiles. When he had said this, the whole community began to raise their voices against Paul and the Commander ordered Paul brought into the compound. He was to be interrogated under the lash, or whip. But as he was being stretched out, he said to the centurion on duty, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and has not been tried?”
Paul had been born a Roman citizen and when the commander found this fact true, he had him bound. The following day, he released Paul and ordered the whole the Chief Priests and the Sanhedrin to convene. The Sanhedrin was an assembly of 23 Judges appointed by each land of ancient Israel. Then he brought Paul to them and made him stand before them. Ananias was the high priest from 47-58 AD and presided at the assembly. Paul and Ananias exchange words at the start of the trial and then Paul goes on to explain that he is a Pharisee, born of a Pharisee. Paul, realizing the Sanhedrin had both Sadducees and Pharisees, says that he is on trial for believing in the resurrection of the dead. At this the Sadducees and Pharisees become divided for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, angels or spirits while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. The dispute became so hostile that the commander ordered his troops to go and save Paul from the mass of people for fear he may be torn to pieces. He is taken back to the compound and while there that night has an experience with the Lord – the Lord directly addresses him and said “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
When day came, a group of 40 Jews take an oath to not eat or drink until Paul has been killed. They tell the Sanhedrin to request Paul return to the court and on the way they would kill him. The son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush and went and told Paul while he was in the compound. The young man was summoned by the commander and as a result of his testimony to him, Claudius Lysias (the commander) sent Paul to Felix the Governor. Marcus Antonius Felix was Governor of the Judea Province from 52-58 AD.
Felix accepts the letter and Paul and agrees to hear the case upon his accusers arrival. He orders Paul stay in Herod’s praetorium until such time. Five days later, Ananias, the high priest came down with some elders and Tertullus to present formal charges. After an exchange it is decided the trial will be delayed until Felix can speak with Lysias the commander. Felix hold Paul in custody, but with much freedom allowing people to care for Paul’s needs (Acts 24: 23).
Two years passed and Paul was often summoned by Felix to learn more about the Way. Felix was hoping that Paul may offer him a bribe for his release, but it never happened. In 58 AD, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus and wishing to ingratiate the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus visits Jerusalem and meets with the High Priest where formal charges are heard. The High Priest request that Paul return to Jerusalem for the trial, knowing that they had a plot to kill him on the way. However, Festus tells them to come to Caesarea and bring charges there. So 8-10 days later, charges are presented in Caesarea by the Jews in front of Festus. At this time, Paul requests an appeal to Caeser, which is granted.
The following day, King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea and Festus discusses the situation with them. King Agrippa was a Jew and was close with Felix, the prior Governor as his sister, Drusilla had married Felix. His kingdom was originally appointed under Claudius in 48 AD and included Syria and Chalcis. With this appointment he had rights to appoint the high priest of the Temple of Jerusalem, so he could have appointed Ananias. His lands were reassigned further north by Claudius in 53 AD and then expanded under Nero in 55 AD to include Phillipi, Lysanias, Tiberias and Taricheae. So Agrippa has many ties with the Jewish community, but his loyalty is clearly with the Romans.
Agrippa requests an audience with Paul and the Jews and the following day, they arrive in the audience hall with much fanfare along with cohort commanders and other prominent men of the city. Paul tells his personal story in Acts 26 to Agrippa. Among the highlights, (i) he states that Agrippa is an “expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies,” (ii) that he “cast his vote against them” putting many christians to death, (iii) that he “pursued them (christians) even to foreign cities” – being plural this indicates that the Damascus trip was one of many trips to foreign city’s. Festus is the first to reply saying that “You are mad, Paul; much learning is driving you mad.”
He retorts Festus telling him that he speaks boldly because of what he has learned from the prophets, heard from the Lord and seen in his actions. He directly addresses King Agrippa asking him “Do you believe in the prophets?” Agrippa responds, “You will soon persuade me to play the Christian.” This is clearly Paul’s desire as he states that “all who listen to me today might become as I am except for these chains.” Agrippa, the governor and Bernice all agree that Paul had done nothing wrong and would be set free if it were not for his appeal to Caesar.
Paul, along with Luke, Aristarchus, other Prisoners and their escort Julius of the Cohort of Augusta all set sail for Italy from the port of Adramyttium, near Caesarea. From there they sailed north in one day to Sidon, where Julius allowed Paul to visit his friends who had taken care of him. They then put out to sea and sailed on the East side of Cyprus finally stopping at Myra, between Perga and Ephesus. While there, Julius found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy and put us on board. For many days at sea they made little progress, finally making it to an island of Cnidus (an island to the south of Ephesus, and about two times the same distance from Myra as Sidon was from Caesarea which was sailed in one day.)
Since the wind was not favorable for sailing on the current route, they sailed to the sheltered side of Crete of Salmone. They sailed past with difficulty and reached the place called Fair Havens where they stopped. The sailing was becoming dangerous as it was Late September or Early October around the time of the fast before the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. The day of Atonement is the holiest most solemn day for Jews. It is the culmination of the Jewish year and is called High Holy Days. This is comparable to Christmas or Easter in the Christian faith as attendance soars at synagogue during this time. On the Gregorian calendar this date can fall from September 15 to October 14. Yom Kippur traditionally begins at sundown the day before and at that time the Synagogue is held. It is derived from Lv 16 29-31 and Num 29 7-11.
Despite the bad time of year to sail, Julius listened to the pilot who wished to get to a harbor on the northwest side of Crete, a more favorable place to spend the winter. While attempting to hug the coast of Crete and make for Phoenix, a Noreaster hit and drove the ship out to sea. The ship drifted west for 14 days having serious difficulty. At points, people did not eat, threw cargo overboard and struggled to maintain control. Paul was visited by an angel during this time and he was told all aboard would survive and make it to shore. They eventually reached Malta, an island south of Italy.
The natives of the island, led by Publius, were very welcoming. It notes a couple of events on the island. The first was that Paul was bitten by a viper while trying to gather brushwood for a fire. The natives thought for certain he was going to die, however he did not and then they thought him to be a god. Paul then visits Publius whose father is ill. He heals his father and once news spread regarding this healing, many came to Paul for help.
After three months on the island, they set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with Dioscuri as it’s figurehead. They put in at Syracuse, passed by Rhegium and Puteoli and stopped there to visit some brothers of the faith. And after this they came to Rome. Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier on guard. He had brothers from as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us.
The fact that the brothers of the faith were already there speaks to the fact that there were already missionary journey’s to Rome before Paul endeavored there. The Catholic tradition states that Peter founded the Roman church sometime after the Jerusalem Council in AD 49 or 50. This would seem to be a valid time line as Claudius expelled Christians from Rome in 49-51 AD as is noted when Paul first meets Priscilla and Acquilla at Corinth. Making this connection, it can be assumed that Paul arrives there 8-10 years later and certainly the mood has somewhat changed. Nero ascended the throne in 54 AD and it may have been a more favorable climate for Christians at that time.
One of Paul’s first acts of outreach is to pull together all the leaders of the Jewish faith in Rome. He does so and they come to his residence. He explains why he is here, that he had to appeal to Ceaser based on false accusations by Jewish brothers. They admit that they have no word of these accusations but do know that the Way is denounced where ever they go. But they are willing to listen to a few days later they spend a whole day together and some come to believe. Luke ends by saying that Paul was there for two additional years. Placing this on a timeline it puts it from 59-62 AD. So his imprisonment does not end in death according to Luke. In fact it is believed that Paul was released from his imprisonment only to be killed by Nero in 64 AD. Nero had taken the throne from his uncle by killing him as we previously mentioned. It is assumed Nero started the great fire in the city of Rome around 64 AD, blamed it on the Christians of that day and proceeded to persecute and kill many of them, including Paul and Luke. Nero started the fire to create space for his personal temple. One that he did in fact build over the burnt out parts of the city in the years following the fire.
It is also believed that the story that Luke was telling, from the Gospel of Luke to the Acts of the Apostles is unfinished. That Luke perhaps was writing a third volume of work to be the final part of the trilogy when the persecution and death occurs. If this is true, I do look forward to the day that I can sit with Luke and Paul and hear the rest of the story.
St. Paul is an inspiration to me. I hope this might be an inspiration to you to reflect upon a great father of the Church.
Intersect Me 