The Heart of Paul’s Theology
Paul and His Theology
Lesson 1
Lesson Guide
© 2021 by Third Millennium Ministries
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means for profit, except in brief quotations for the purposes of review, comment, or scholarship, without written permission from the publisher, Third Millennium Ministries, Inc., 316 Live Oaks Blvd., Casselberry, Florida 32707.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
About Thirdmill
Founded in 1997, Thirdmill is a non-profit Evangelical Christian ministry dedicated to providing:
Biblical Education. For the World. For Free.
Our goal is to offer free Christian education to hundreds of thousands of pastors and Christian leaders around the world who lack sufficient training for ministry. We are meeting this goal by producing and globally distributing an unparalleled multimedia seminary curriculum in English, Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. Our curriculum is also being translated into more than a dozen other languages through our partner ministries. The curriculum consists of graphic-driven videos, printed instruction, and internet resources. It is designed to be used by schools, groups, and individuals, both online and in learning communities.
Over the years, we have developed a highly cost-effective method of producing award-winning multimedia lessons of the finest content and quality. Our writers and editors are theologically-trained educators, our translators are theologically-astute native speakers of their target languages, and our lessons contain the insights of hundreds of respected seminary professors and pastors from around the world. In addition, our graphic designers, illustrators, and producers adhere to the highest production standards using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.
In order to accomplish our distribution goals, Thirdmill has forged strategic partnerships with churches, seminaries, Bible schools, missionaries, Christian broadcasters and satellite television providers, and other organizations. These relationships have already resulted in the distribution of countless video lessons to indigenous leaders, pastors, and seminary students. Our websites also serve as avenues of distribution and provide additional materials to supplement our lessons, including materials on how to start your own learning community.
Thirdmill is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) corporation. We depend on the generous, tax-deductible contributions of churches, foundations, businesses, and individuals. For more information about our ministry, and to learn how you can get involved, please visit www.thirdmill.org.
CONTENTS
HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE 1
II. Cultural Background (1:46) 3
III. Apostolic Ministry (19:50) 5
IV. Central Outlooks (42:05) 9
HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE
This lesson guide is designed for use in conjunction with the associated video. If you do not have access to the video, the lesson guide will also work with the audio and/or manuscript versions of the lesson. Additionally, the video and lesson guide are intended to be used in a learning community, but they also can be used for individual study if necessary.
- Before you watch the lesson
- Prepare — Complete any recommended readings.
- Schedule viewing — The Notes section of the lesson guide has been divided into segments that correspond to the video. Using the time codes found in parentheses beside each major division, determine where to begin and end your viewing session. IIIM lessons are densely packed with information, so you may also want to schedule breaks. Breaks should be scheduled at major divisions.
- While you are watching the lesson
- Take notes — The Notes section of the lesson guide contains a basic outline of the lesson, including the time codes for the beginning of each segment and key notes to guide you through the information. Many of the main ideas are already summarized, but make sure to supplement these with your own notes. You should also add supporting details that will help you to remember, describe, and defend the main ideas.
- Record comments and questions — As you watch the video, you may have comments and/or questions on what you are learning. Use the margins to record your comments and questions so that you can share these with the group following the viewing session.
- Pause/replay portions of the lesson — You may find it helpful to pause or replay the video at certain points in order to write additional notes, review difficult concepts, or discuss points of interest.
- After you watch the lesson
- Complete Review Questions — Review Questions are based on the basic content of the lesson. You should answer Review Questions in the space provided. These questions should be completed individually rather than in a group.
- Answer/discuss Application Questions — Application Questions are questions relating the content of the lesson to Christian living, theology, and ministry. Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.
Preparation
- Read Acts 9:1–21:17
Notes
Introduction (0:25)
Cultural Background (1:46)
Jewish culture greatly affected Paul as well as his exposure to Gentile, Greco-Roman culture.
Jewish culture (2:48)
Paul was self-conscious of his Jewish heritage before he became a Christian.
Paul’s remained deeply indebted to his Jewish culture after he became a Christian.
Paul still believed in the authority of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Paul held firmly to the Jewish belief that God would one day send the Messiah, the great son of David who would end Israel’s suffering and extend the kingdom of God to all the Gentile nations.
Gentile culture (9:03)
The Holy Spirit used Paul’s contact with Gentile culture to shape his theology.
At different times in his life, Paul lived in the Gentile world.
- Acts 21:39
- Acts 22:3
- Acts 9:30
- Acts 11:25
Paul enjoyed full Roman citizenship.
Paul showed himself knowledgeable of sophisticated pagan literature.
Effects of Paul’s contact with the Gentile world:
Paul was equipped to minister to Gentiles outside the church.
Paul was prepared to minister to Gentiles within the church, and even to fight for them.
A central theme of many of Paul’s epistles was that Jesus had flung open the door of salvation to the Gentile nations so that any Gentile who was in Christ was counted as full-blooded Jew and perfect Law-keeper in God’s eyes.
Apostolic Ministry (19:50)
Paul’s service to the church provided a constant reference point for his theology and deeply influenced what he believed.
Office (21:15)
Christ ordained apostles to speak with absolute authority to the church on his behalf.
Paul met a set of qualifications established for apostleship.
Authoritative apostles of Christ had to meet three criteria:
- Acts 1:21, they had to have been taught directly by Christ during his earthly ministry.
- Acts 1:22, they had to be witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.
- Acts 1:23-26, new apostles had to be chosen for the office by the Lord himself.
Paul’s qualifications:
- Galatians 1:11-18
- Acts 9:1-6
- Acts 9:15
Galatians 2:7-8: “[They] saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles).”
The New Testament made it clear that Paul was a legitimate apostle.
Mission (26:39)
We get a good idea of Paul’s work by looking at his three missionary journeys and his trip to Rome.
First Journey (27:40)
The journey began when God told the church in Syrian Antioch to set aside Paul and Barnabas for a special work. They traveled through the isle of Cyprus and onto a tour of Asia Minor traveling as far east as Derbe.
Paul’s first journey as an apostle of Christ was relatively short and uncomplicated.
Second Journey (28:55)
This expedition began when the apostles and church leaders in Jerusalem selected Paul and Barnabas to deliver a letter to the churches in Antioch, Syria, Cilicia and Galatia, explaining that Gentile converts did not need to be circumcised or to keep the Law of Moses in order to gain salvation.
Third Journey (31:02)
Paul went from Syrian Antioch through Galatia and Phrygia, and then established a thriving ministry in Ephesus. He also visited churches he had planted in his previous trip to the region. When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his third journey, the Jews falsely accused him of sedition, and the Romans arrested him.
Fourth Journey (32:03)
Paul’s appeal to Caesar led him on his fourth missionary journey to Rome.
The region between Jerusalem and Rome reveals that Paul visited many different places, making contact with thousands of people in more than twenty-five cities.
Writings (34:40)
When Paul wrote his epistles (13 letters), he was concerned to address the specific needs of those particular situations. Because Paul’s letters were so occasional, written to address specific problems, none of his letters lay out his whole theology in a systematic way.
A closer examination of Romans reveals Paul wrote to them to stabilize relationships between Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome.
- Romans 1–3: Jews and Gentiles are equally sinners, neither had a right to claim superiority over the other.
- Romans 4–8: God provided the same way of salvation both for Jews and Gentiles.
- Romans 9–11: Complementary roles for Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan for human history.
- Romans 12–16: Issues of practical Christian living closely related to conflicts between Jews and Gentiles.
We are right to believe that Paul had a well-formed, logical set of theological beliefs, or what we might call systematic theology. But, Paul’s system of theology remained unwritten, even though it undergirded his epistles.
Central Outlooks (42:05)
Reformation (43:03)
Prior to the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church taught that salvation required both God’s grace and human merit. Justification is a long process by which God infuses grace into the believer, and this grace allows the believer to become more righteous by doing good works.
Paul opposed this legalism in the early church, and insisted that justification was a unique event that occurred apart from works of the law.
Sola fide (by faith alone): Believers are justified solely by means of faith in Christ, and not by means of faith plus our good works.
Protestants have held that Paul developed his theology primarily around the theme of how salvation is applied to individual believers. Paul’s theology was thought to be structured around the ordo salutis, or the order of salvation.
Paul was also concerned with the long history of God’s redemption that climaxed in the death and resurrection of Christ, historia salutis, or the history of salvation.
Eschatological (47:32)
The eschatological perspective on Paul’s theology is the idea that the history of salvation is central to Paul’s theology.
Terminology (49:16)
“Eschatology” comes from the Greek word eschatos, which means “last” or “end.”
In traditional systematic theology, “eschatology” has primarily referred to the Bible’s teaching about the second coming of Christ. In the “eschatological” approach to Paul, we must expand the term to refer to much more than the second coming of Christ.
Structure (51:57))
- Origins
Jewish theologians:
This Age >> Messiah >> Age to Come
- The present age of sin and trouble (this age)
- A future age of blessing (the age to come)
- Messiah is crucial turning point between ages
Paul held same basic two-age view of history:
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
- 1 Corinthians 1:20
- 1 Timothy 6:19
- Ephesians 2:7
- Ephesians 1:21
- Development
The transition from this age to the age to come was not a simple shift from one age to the next. It involved a period of overlap when both ages occurred simultaneously.
- Themes
“Already and not yet”- some aspects of the end times or last days had already become reality in Christ, while other aspects had not yet been realized.
- Already
This theme appears in Paul’s writings in three ways:
- First, the final stage of the Kingdom of God began when Jesus ascended to his heavenly throne.
- Second, an aspect of the age to come which is already present with us is the foretaste of our eternal inheritance in the Holy Spirit.
- Finally, Paul pointed to the fact that Christ had inaugurated the new creation associated with the age to come.
- Not-yet
Paul believed that the blessings of the last days had not yet come in their fullness. Paul looked forward to Christ’s return as the time when Christ would fulfill the final judgments and blessings.
Three ways Paul’s perspective comes into view:
- First, Paul taught that Christ the King is now reigning from his throne in heaven. But Paul also believed that when Christ returns he will bring in the fullness of God’s Kingdom.
- Secondly, Paul believed that the Holy Spirit is the firstfruits of the harvest of salvation, and the down payment of our inheritance. “Firstfruits” and “down payment” indicate that the full reception of our inheritance is in the future.
- Finally, although the new creation has become a spiritual reality in the lives of believers, we also await the complete renewal of creation and our eternal reign over the new earth.
Implications (1:11:26)
Paul expressed his theology largely in the context of pastoral ministry. Paul explained what God had done for believers in the first coming, and taught Christians how to live their lives as they waited for Christ’s return.
- Union with Christ
Romans 6:3-4: Our union with Christ actually moves us from this age to the next age.
Romans 6:10-11: Paul’s teaching about our union with Christ applied eschatology to the practical lives of all believers.
- Divine Purpose
God’s plan for the overlap of the ages included uniting believing Jews and Gentiles into one people of God.
Church might reach a measure of spiritual maturity.
Ephesians 2:19-22
Ephesians 4:15-16
Romans 11:25
Ephesians 3:4-6
- Christian Hope
Paul’s eschatology gives us hope for the future by pointing out that we have already begun to enjoy many benefits of the age to come.
The blessings that still lie ahead of us are so astounding that they utterly overshadow any trials we experience in this life.
Conclusion (1:26:19)
Review Questions
1. Explain how Paul’s Jewish culture influenced him and his theology.
2. Explain how Paul’s Gentile culture influenced him and his theology.
3. Why is it important to see Paul’s Jewish, as well as his Gentile, cultural background when understanding Paul’s theology?
4. Explain how Paul’s apostolic office gave him authority and legitimacy.
5. What key events took place during each of Paul’s missionary journeys as well as his trip to Rome?
6. What was the main purpose of Paul’s writings?
7. How did the various aspects of Paul’s apostolic ministry enhance one another?
8. Explain how the Reformation and the controversies Paul faced parallel each other.
9. Describe Paul’s eschatology.
10. What were the implications of Paul’s eschatology for Christians living during the time of the Reformation and for those living in the modern world?
Application Questions
1. In light of Paul’s background and ministry, what questions should we keep in mind as we read his writings?
2. Why does living in the “already” bring encouragement to you as a follower of Christ?
3. Why does living in the “not yet” bring encouragement and purpose to you as a follower of Christ?
4. How can a proper understanding of Paul’s theology compel and inspire you to radical service for Christ?
5. How does an understanding of the already-not-yet paradigm help shape your understanding of suffering in this world?
Glossary
Abraham – Old Testament patriarch, son of Terah, father of the nation of Israel with whom God made a covenant in Genesis 15 and 17 promising innumerable descendants and a special land
already and not yet – View of the end times known as "inaugurated eschatology" which asserts that the coming age of eternal salvation is “already” here in some ways, but “not yet” here in its fullness
aparche – Greek term (transliteration) meaning "firstfruits" or the first portion of a harvest
apostle – Special New Testament office held by someone who had been taught by Jesus, had seen the risen Lord, and had been chosen for the office by the Lord himself; from a Greek word meaning "one who is sent"
Arabia – Large, arid, triangular peninsula in the southwest of Asia bordered by the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean; desert region where Paul spent three years after his conversion
arrabon – Greek term (transliteration) meaning “down payment” or "deposit" that guaranteed full payment in the future
Augustine – (A.D. 354-430) Bishop of Hippo who believed in the Scriptures as our final authority in doctrine and considered the creeds of the church to be helpful summaries of scriptural teaching; wrote numerous works that continue to influence the church today
Barnabas – Friend of the apostle Paul and cousin of John Mark (author of the second gospel) who accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey
Calvin, John – (1509-1564) French theologian and key Protestant Reformer who wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion
Christ – From the Greek word "christos" meaning "the anointed" or "anointed one"; closely tied to the Old Testament Hebrew term "messiah"
christos – Greek word (transliteration) for Christ; used in the Septuagint to translate "mashiach," or "messiah," meaning "anointed one"
circumcision – The Jewish tradition of excising the foreskin of the male penis instituted by God as a sign and seal for his covenant people in Genesis 17:10-14
consummation – Third and final stage of inaugurated eschatology when Christ will return and fulfill God's ultimate purpose for all of history
continuation – Second or middle stage of inaugurated eschatology; the period of the kingdom of God after Christ's first advent but before the final victory
Corinth – Prosperous trade center in south-central Greece that had a reputation for sexual promiscuity; city where Paul planted a church on his second missionary journey and lived for 18 months
Cyprus – Island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea visited by Paul on his first missionary journey
David – Second Old Testament king of Israel who received the promise that his descendant would sit on the throne and reign forever
Ephesus – City in Asia Minor; visited by Paul on his third missionary journey; place where John probably wrote the fourth gospel; said to have lost their "first love" in Revelation
eschatological – Having to do with the study or doctrine of the last days
eschatos – Greek term (transliteration) meaning "last," "end," "final"
evangelical – Term used to describe a variety of Christians and Christian movements; often used by Reformers to distinguish Protestants from Roman Catholics; in modern use it usually refers to Christians who affirm the unquestionable authority of Scripture
firstfruits – The first yield of a harvest or endeavor; often presented to God as an offering of gratitude
Galatia – Roman province in Asia Minor where Paul planted a number of churches on his first missionary journey
Gamaliel – Respected rabbi, Pharisee, and member of the Sanhedrin who defended the apostles before the Jewish council; the apostle Paul's teacher before Paul's conversion
Gentile – Non-Jewish person
Hellenistic – Of or relating to Greek civilization, culture, or language, after the time of Alexander the Great
historia salutis – Theological term meaning “history of salvation”; the ways God accomplished the salvation of his people in history
inauguration – First stage in inaugurated eschatology; refers to Christ's first coming and the ministries of his apostles and prophets
justification – Initial declaration of righteousness when a believer is acquitted of the guilt of sin and is credited with the righteousness of Christ
logos – Greek term (transliteration) meaning "word" or "study"; title assigned to Christ (John 1:1)
Luther, Martin – (1483-1546) Sixteenth century German monk and Protestant reformer who initiated the Reformation when he posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg church in 1517
Macedonia – Name of an ancient Roman province located in what is now modern-day Greece where Paul was told in a vision to go and share the gospel during his second missionary journey
Malta – Island in the Mediterranean where Paul was shipwrecked on his fourth missionary journey
mashiach/meshiach – Hebrew word (transliteration) for "messiah"; anointed one
Messiah – Hebrew word meaning "anointed one"; the great King from David’s royal line who would bring about the transition from this age to the age to come; translated "Christos" in Greek
Nero – Roman emperor from A.D. 54-68 who persecuted Christians; blamed the Christians for a fire in Rome in A.D. 64; executed Paul (according to tradition)
olam haba’ – Hebrew term (transliteration) for "the age to come"; rabbinical phrase referring to the future age when God would fulfill all of his promises to Israel
olam hazeh – Hebrew term (transliteration) for "this age"; rabbinical phrase referring to the present age of sin, suffering and death that has existed since the Fall
ordo salutis – Theological term meaning “order of salvation”; the order by which salvation is applied to individual believers
Philippi – Important city in the Roman province of Macedonia, located on the main road that connected Rome to the eastern provinces; city where Paul planted a church during his second missionary journey
rabbi – Jewish name for "teacher"
Reformation, the – Also called the Protestant Reformation; sixteenth-century religious movement that began as an attempt to correct abuses and errors in the Roman Catholic Church; promoted beliefs such as the primacy of Scripture over church tradition, and justification by faith in Christ alone, not by faith plus good works
sanctification – The act of making people and things holy
Silas – Also called Silvanus; one of the leaders in the church at Jerusalem and Paul's companion on his second missionary journey; mentioned, along with Timothy, as coauthor of Paul letters to the Thessalonians
Sola fide – Latin phrase meaning "faith alone"; the belief that justification is by faith alone and not by works; one of the basic principles of the Reformation
synagogue – Place where Jews assembled for worship and instruction
Syrian Antioch – Capital of the Roman province of Syria located in what is now modern-day Turkey; Paul’s starting point for his missionary journeys; city where Jesus’ followers were first called Christians
Tarsus – Gentile city in the region of Cilicia in Asia Minor where Paul was born and also lived for a time as an adult; known as a great cultural and intellectual center; residents were granted Roman citizenship
theology – Any matter that refers directly to God or that describes subjects in relation to God
Thessalonica – Prominent Roman city and cultural center in northern Greece located along a major trade route; city where Paul planted a church on his second missionary journey and where unbelieving Jews started a riot in opposition to Paul’s message
Timothy – Paul's young protégé and companion on his second missionary journey who brought Paul news from the church in Thessalonica; mentioned, along with Silas, as coauthor of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians
Zwingli, Ulrich – (1484-1531) Influential Swiss Reformer and priest who is regarded as the founder of Swiss Protestantism