A Jew From Tarsus
Acts 21:39-22:3
Tarsus
Was the center of learning for the world, surpassing the colleges of Alexandria and Athens
The capital of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor
Ancient trade routes from Euphrates Valley to Asia Minor passed through Tarsus
East and West met at Tarsus and influenced the culture there
Birth and Raising
Jewish – Hebrew of the Hebrews, a trained rabbi at the top of his class
Hellenistic (Greek) Paul was considered a Hellenistic Jew because of the influence he received from the Greek world. He learned Greek culture, language and study methods. He could speak and related to anyone one in the known world
Roman – He and his family had Roman citizenship. This allowed him to intermingle with the cream of society. His father had probably preformed a service for Pompey or Marc Antony. Roman citizenship was very rare with 75% of the Empire being slaves
Gamaliel
He was highly educated and honored teacher and Pharisee.
He was influenced and taught by his grandfather Rabbi Hillel, the founder of one of the main branches of the Pharisees.
He was given the title of rabban, which only seven doctors of Jewish law were ever given the title
It was said when he died “the glory of the law departed”
Paul was his prized student
It was Gamaliel who said to leave the Christian disciples alone and let God sort it out (Acts 5:34-39)
Paul did not adopt the party line and went past his teacher to become a terrible persecutor of the church
Interaction with Christ
Paul would have entered training as a Rabbi in Jerusalem shortly after the visit of Christ at age 12 (Luke 2:40-52)
Paul had a different view of who the Christ should have been
He envisioned a militant messiah, a true son of David, a man of war
The Messiah would smite Roman Empire and make Jerusalem the capital of the world founded on the Mosaic Law
He wanted a Messiah who would let Himself be crowned and not crucified
The cross was revolting (Galatians 3:13, Deuteronomy 21:23)