Who Would Have Guessed!
In today’s world, one generally expects that you would choose a man or woman of high regard for a big mission. But from the enemy’s camp? Well, that’s what our Lord did when He chose Saul to be His emissary. Before we study God’s calling of Saul to be a missionary to the Gentiles, we want to examine the man.
Saul
Saul was born about the same time as our Lord. Some historians place it around 1 A. D. He was born in the city of Tarsus in Asia Minor. Let’s see what we can learn about his birth city.
The chief city of Cilicia. It was distinguished for its wealth and for its schools of learning, in which it rivaled, nay, excelled even Athens and Alexandria, and hence was spoken of as “no mean city.” It was the native place of the Apostle Paul (Acts 21:39). It stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, about 12 miles north of the Mediterranean. It is said to have been founded by Sardanapalus, king of Assyria. It is now a filthy, ruinous Turkish town, called Tersous. A maritime province in the southeast of Asia Minor. Tarsus, the birthplace of Paul, was one of its chief towns, and the seat of a celebrated school of philosophy. Its luxurious climate attracted to it many Greek residents after its incorporation with the Macedonian empire. It was formed into a Roman province, 67 B.C. The Jews of Cilicia had a synagogue at Jerusalem (Acts 6:9). Paul visited it soon after his conversion (Gal. 1:21; Acts 9:30), and again, on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:41), “he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” It was famous for its goat’s-hair cloth, called cilicium. Paul learned in his youth the trade of making tents of this cloth.
Facts on Saul
- Saul was the son of a _______________________, of the tribe of __________________. (Acts 23:6, Philippians 3:5)
- Saul’s father was a _________________citizen. We are not told how he obtained this distinction, but because of his father’s citizenship, Saul became a “freeborn” man and afforded the privileges of citizenship in the entire Roman world. Saul’s Roman name was ______________.
- We are not told anything about Saul’s mother, although some would suggest her to be a great influence in molding the character of her son. Other relatives mentioned in the Bible are:
- Brothers and sisters ______________________________Acts 23:16
- Other relatives __________________________________Romans 16:7; 11-12
- Saul was a Pharisee like his father. But before he began his religious training, he learned a trade. Saul was a tentmaker. Tents were made from goat’s hair cloth called “cilicium.”
- Saul was sent to Jerusalem at a very young age (13-14) to begin his training as a Pharisee. He would have completed his preliminary education in Tarsus, then sent to Jerusalem to the Jewish School of Sacred Learning. Saul was a pupil of Gamaliel. We aren’t sure, but many suggest Saul returned to Tarsus following his training. Some historians believe Saul was very “mission-minded” as a young Pharisee. As such, he would have been zealous for bringing others to the Jewish faith. These God-fearers who became part of the faith were called proselytes. Males would have to be circumcised and submit to all the ceremonial and personal demands of the Law of Moses in all of its rigor. Saul returned to Jerusalem in his early 30’s. As a Pharisee, he would have been a minister, teacher and lawyer all wrapped in one. Some speculate that Saul was a member of the great Sanhedrin during the beginnings of the Christian Church.
- Saul’s immediate family. While nothing is stated, it is almost certain that he was married. Why? Because Jews rarely remained celibate and parenthood was a qualification required for candidates to the Sanhedrin. Some suggest he lost his wife early in life (and maybe a child). Sometime later, Saul (Paul) virtually adopted Timothy as if to replace a son that he may have lost.
Pharisees
Separatists (Heb. persahin, from parash, “to separate”). They were probably the successors of the Assideans (i.e., the “pious”), a party that originated in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in revolt against his heathenizing policy. The first mention of them is in a description by Josephus of the three sects or schools into which the Jews were divided (145 B.C.). The other two sects were the Essenes and the Sadducees. In the time of our Lord, they were the popular party (John 7:48). They were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the law of Moses (Matt. 9:14; 23:15; Luke 11:39; 18:12). Paul, when brought before the council of Jerusalem, professed himself a Pharisee (Acts 23:6-8; 26:4, 5).
There was much that was sound in their creed, yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more. Theirs was a very lax morality (Matt. 5:20; 15:4, 8; 23:3, 14, 23, 25; John 8:7). On the first notice of them in the New Testament (Matt. 3:7), they are ranked by our Lord with the Sadducees as a “generation of vipers.” They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Matt. 9:11; Luke 7:39; 18:11, 12). They were frequently rebuked by our Lord (Matt. 12:39; 16:1-4).
From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. They could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people.
Saul Transformed
- Now let’s examine “the man” and how the Lord used him for His purposes. Let’s list some details from his “curriculum vitae” that would be useful in his new mission work.
- __________________________
- __________________________
- __________________________
- __________________________
- While Saul was a very special Apostle, he is no better than anyone else. God chose him for a purpose just like you and me. You too have certain gifts that God uses for His purpose. During your own time, think about your life in Christ. List those personal attributes, training, job, and family etc. that you think are useful for the Kingdom. This is not bragging, it’s an exercise to help you focus on your service in the Kingdom.
My Use in the Kingdom!
Lord, help me to be useful in telling the Good News of salvation in Jesus, the Messiah. I know that You have a purpose in my life; guide my work and use my gifts and abilities to Your glory. Amen. Now, list how the Lord has and will use me in His service.
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
Sources used in this lesson:
- Holman’s Bible Dictionary
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary
- “The Apostle, A Life of Paul,” by John Pollock. Chariot Victor Publishing, 1972.