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2008
Diocesan Theology Course
Audio Lecture 1
LIFE AND EVANGELIZATION OF ST. PAUL Part 2
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Audio ~*~*~*~ The Book of Acts and the 13 letters of St. Paul Acts consists of 28 chapters. Written In Rome by St. Luke between 63-80 AD. The book of Acts is divided into 3 parts
The Second Part of the Book of Acts. The Ministry of St. Paul Chapters 13-28 between the years of 43 A.D. -63 A.D. The life of St. Paul The great apostle of the Gentiles The Life of Paul, the Jew Paul was born of Jewish parents around 14A.D. at Tarsus in Turkey. He spoke three languages: Aramaic, Hebrew, and Koine (Greek). Besides his Jewish identity as Saul, he had a Roman name; Paul. Following the death of Christ and the spread of Christianity, Paul came to Jerusalem to be a Rabbi. He persecuted Christians until he was called by Jesus and baptized in 37 A.D. He was a Roman citizen too. Paul became Christian After his baptism, Paul made a three year retreat in Arabia, came back to Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch to preach the Christian Faith. In 46 A.D., Paul started three missions, which were journeys that lasted until 58 A.D .He preached through Asia Minor and Greece.
The First Journey of Barnabas and Paul From Antioch through South East Asia Minor, 46-49 A.D. The first journey, Chapters 13-14 from and to Antioch in Syria Because of the rapid expansion of Christianity among the residents of Antioch, Barnabus and Paul decided to carry the good news to other countries. They traveled for 3 years, baptizing Jews and Gentiles and establishing new churches. They returned to Antioch and reported the growth of the Church abroad to the Apostles. The Council of Jerusalem, chapter 15, 49 A.D
Following
the first journey, the church accepted both Jews and Gentiles.
Some of the Christians, however, wanted the Gentiles to become
Jews before becoming Christians. The church decided that the
Gentiles could become Christian directly without being
circumcised first. The Second Journey of Paul, 49-52 A.D. From and to Antioch through Asia Minor to Greece (Europe) chpt.15-18 This journey began as an effort to strengthen the faith of those who had been baptized and to add new members to the church. Paul’s activity this time passed beyond Asia Minor to Europe. * The first person to be baptized by Paul in Europe was Lydia from Philippi. (Acts 16:14-15)
Paul started to write
letters between 51 and 67 A.D.
Paul, mindful of Christ's command that the good news must be
taken to the ends of the earth, started writing. He sent two
letters during this journey to Thessalonians. The Third Journey of St. Paul, 54-58 A.D. From Antioch through Asia to Greece, and back to Jerusalem. Chs. 18-21 A. In this journey, Paul strengthens the young converts living in places already visited and carried the good news to those who had not heard about Jesus. His work centered on two main places Ephesus, where he stayed for three years, and Corinth where he stayed for 18 months. B. During this journey Paul wrote the most important letters, 1 and 2 Corinthians, to Romans and to Galatians (4 major letters) C. Paul asked the Christians to practice the teachings of Jesus and to reach out in concern for their brothers. The collection for the needs of the Church of Jerusalem is an example of each concern. D. Conclusion for the journeys of Paul. After 12 years (from 46-58 A.D.) of journeying, St. Paul bringing the gift, finally returned to Jerusalem. The following are important dates in Paul’s life:
The End of the Book of Acts of Apostles A. Paul prisoner in Palestine 59-60 A.D. Paul came back to Jerusalem. After preaching Christ for seven days, he was arrested and transferred to Caesarea in Palestine. He stayed prisoner for 2 years. Then, as a Roman citizen, he asked to be transferred to Rome in 60 A.D. B. Paul’s voyage to Rome. 61-63 A.D. In 61 A.D. Paul was one of many prisoners setting sail for Rome. He was caught in a storm, but miraculously he and all his friends reached Rome safely, Between 60-62 AD He was put in jail there for two years. Paul sent four letters from prison, which are called the Captivity letters: 1st letter to Ephesians, 2nd to Colossians, 3rd to Philemon, and 4th to Philippi. P.S. Note to the end of the book of Acts: The work the Holy Spirit carried on through the Apostles and especially through Paul, did not cease through the centuries. God continues through His people, the task of taking the good news of salvation to the entire world.
A. Final Note: History of the Church from the end of the book of Acts, 63 A.D., until the end of the Apostolic Age, 100 A.D. This period includes the fallowing important events: 1. The martyrdom of St. James (Jesus' cousin) 62 A.D. 2. Nero's persecution of the Church 64-67 A.D. 3. The martyrdom of St. Peter and Paul in 67-68 A.D. 4. The destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Roman Empire Titus 71 A.D. 5. The death of St. John the Apostle, the last eye witness, and the end of the Apostolic age 100A.D. Note: the Apostolic age covers from 33-100 A.D. B. Conclusion. The message of the book of Acts of Aostles for us today. The Church is the new people of God, it is on march toward heaven. Jesus continually strengthens his church through the Sacraments and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are the members of the church, the mystical body of Christ. We should grow in love, peace, and joy until the final coming of Christ.
Marana Thaܡܵܪܢܵܐܬܼܵܐ ------- Come, Jesus Come
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