ST PAUL by

The World Behind The Text

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:43:21 UTC

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:43:31 UTC

Post 1 - Describe the Mediterranean World in 33 CE in approximately 100 words *Add a map

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:44:04 UTC

Ancient Romans Empire expanded from modern Syria to Spain. It was established in 27 BCE and then finished in 1453 CE. This empire dominated majority cities around the Mediterranean sea, due to its location which is near Rome. The fact that there were also only two canals that were allowing ships to enter the empire. Greek and Latin were the two major languages that were spoken in this empire. The 12 Apostles and St Paul communicated in Hebrew and Aramaic. The Roman Empire had a wide variety of different cultural and ethnic groups, such as the Aromanians, Albanians, Serbians, Greeks, and latins. Although the Greek culture, from Greece, Cyprus, Anatolia, was the most common and dominant, ethnic groups were scattered across the main regions and cities. In the main cities and regions, chariots were used on stone roads and bridges for local transportation. However, ships traveled across the Mediterranean for trading.

Conversion

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:44:38 UTC

Post 2 - *Explain in 50-100 words the significance of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:44:43 UTC

This transformation was extremely significant in that considering the fact Paul was an extremely wealthy Jew who despised all Christians, therefore, he persecuted everyone who was a follower of Jesus. In addition, Jesus stated, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25) This evidence indicates that Jesus Christ had the confidence in the conversion of Saul and trusted him immensely to eagerly and aggressively to spread the word of the Holy Gospel. Jesus had a strong belief that the Holy Gospel was made for all people. Paul had converted many Gentiles into Christians and was happy with his own work. As a result of his conversion, Paul instrumentally spread the teachings of Jesus through major cities and regions around the Mediterranean sea, this was expanding the Christian community globally. Paul then showed the church a new understanding of how God wanted all of them to act.Paul is very largely responsible for making Christianity a wide spread known religion. Over these centuries, Paul’s conversions and his story has become known to many Christians and will still continue to inspire followers all around the world.

The World of The Text

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:45:32 UTC

Journeys

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:45:52 UTC

Post 3 - Outline the extent of Paul's first or second or third Journey Include a map

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:46:39 UTC

Paul's second journey started in the year 49 AD at Antioch. Paul then walked to Derbe, Cilicia< Lystra, Tarsus, and Iconium. Paul then traveled to Phrygia and up to an area called Galatia. After Galatia, he walked to Mysia. He then sailed to the island of Samothrace then to Neapolis. He walked again to Philippi, Amphipolis, Thessalonica then to Berea. He then walked all the way down to Athens which is the center of Greek culture, then to Corinth where he stayed for a year and a half. Then, from Chenchrea he sailed to Ephesus. then back around across the Mediterranean to Caesarea and then to Jerusalem. Altogether Paul traveled 28 thousand miles to spread the word of God.

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:47:53 UTC

Post 4 - Explain the purpose of Paul's letters and identify the main messages in his preaching in approximately 100 words

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:48:56 UTC

In one of Paul's letters, he is talking about the importance of love. This is evident in 1 Corinthians 13:1 – 7. This letter is explaining why love is important, and "without love you are nothing". Paul's states that out of faith, hope, and love, love defeats all and is the greatest of these by far.
The purpose of Paul's letters was to preach the word of God and to try and convert gentiles and Jews into Christians. Paul was a missionary, he was someone who spread the message of God and made Christianity a world-wide know religion.

Post 5 - Identify and explain in 50-100 words a cultural challenge for Paul that is revealed in one of his epistles

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:49:26 UTC

Paul didn't like the idea of people being circumcised so that they could/may become a follower of Jesus Christ. Although Paul was a Jew before his conversion, he believes that to become a follower of Christ you must express your faith for God through love. Paul's epistle explained that circumcision nor uncircumcision is at any value to God. he states the If you let yourselves become circumcised than God is at no value to you. I think that in Paul's epistle he is trying to say that religion should not be justified or governed by laws, but should be filled with peace, hope and righteousness.

The World In Front of The Text

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:49:39 UTC

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:49:44 UTC

Post 6 - Interpret and apply one of Paul's messages for us today in 50-100 words

21silve — 2017-10-10 22:51:03 UTC

Choose one of the epistles listed on the right and read closely the identified passages.
Express the ideas in your own words.
Suggest why and how the message is applicable for individuals or groups of people today.

Corinthians 12:4-7; 12-14; 13:1-3
Spiritual Gifts
In this epistle I think St Paul is trying to say that there are many gifts but all come from the same God. He states that these gifts should be used for the common good.
This message influences people to use their gifts to help their community rather than misusing their gifts by putting others down. Instead of bullying each other we should be bringing each other up by using our individual gifts.

One Body with Many Members
This message explains how we are all equal and apart of one body. Although we are all members of God's community. I think he is trying to say that we shouldn't exclude each other because we need one another.
This preaches that we should all treat each other equally as we are all a part of one body and we all bring different gifts. We can use these gifts to help each other as a community. This is evident today through the issue of gay marriage.

The Gift of Love
In this text Paul is trying to explain that life is pointless without love and that the things you do should be because of love. He says that love is a gift that we should not abuse.
This message makes people understand that we should do everything through love, if not, then we gain nothing. We shouldn't do good things so that may boast about it, but that we should do good things because of love.