Chapter 1 – Tarsus
Paul of Tarsus is a famous man today, but it was not always so.
He did so much: travelling, working, teaching, writing, encouraging, and even suffering, that it is sometimes hard to believe all these things could fit into the life of just one man.
This is the story of a man driven to achieve. Driven first, if you like, by guilt, but expanding his vision so much along the way that you could never describe his stunning achievements as arising solely from guilt.
Here was a man of vision: a man who could never do enough to pay back his Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, and a man willing to do anything his Lord would have done to help his fellow believers.
Paul was an ordinary tent-maker, but with an extraordinary faith.
Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3; Romans 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5; Acts 13:9; Acts 23:6
Tarsus was a city in the area of Cilicia, far to the north of Israel, yet Paul – a Jew – was born there. It was no unimportant city, and despite being a Jew, his father was a citizen of Rome. This inherited citizenship conferred immense privileges, privileges which Paul later took advantage of at times – but always with care.
Paul’s heritage was in the tribe of Benjamin, the youngest of the children of Jacob. In accordance with the command of God through Abraham, he was circumcised when he was eight days old. His father was a Pharisee, the strictest sect of their religion. These were important details.
Jewish baby boys were named when they were circumcised, and at that time Paul was given the name “Saul”, the name of the first king of Israel – the most famous son of all the tribe of Benjamin. His parents must have had high hopes for him. He kept this name for many years, but shortly after his empire-wide work of preaching began, we suddenly read of him as “Paul” and the name “Saul” ceases to be used, except when Paul is retelling
past events.
We know nothing of Paul’s early childhood in Tarsus, but he grew up to be a well-informed and committed follower of the religion of his fathers. His knowledge of the scriptures no doubt reflects a home in which the ancient words of God in what we now call the Old Testament were treasured.
Although no-one knew it at the time, this Jewish boy – growing up in a foreign city far from the land of Israel – would contribute a significant percentage of the writings in the New Testament.
Chapter 2 – Jerusalem
Acts 5:33-42; Acts 22:3
Paul did not stay in Tarsus. His education took place in Jerusalem, sitting at the feet of a famous teacher called Gamaliel. There he learned to read, to write and to listen. His teacher was a wise man and laws defined his life.
The Law of Moses was the most important subject on the curriculum. Teachers must know the laws from start to finish, and Paul wanted to be a teacher. Obedience to it, and to the traditions which hedged it about, was vital. Law and tradition were his life. Soon, his zeal was noticed by the religious establishment. Paul’s career began to blossom.
“Have you noticed my young student Saul?” asked Gamaliel. “He has an incisive mind and an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the words of the fathers.”
“Yes,” said a fellow greybeard. “I heard him the other day in discussion with that young reformer I’m unlucky enough to be teaching. He put him in his box beautifully. Quoted from many different rabbis as well as the law and the prophets. A very powerful presentation of our traditions and beliefs. I was impressed.”
“Just the sort of student the chief priests have been looking for,” said Gamaliel, comfortably. “A pleasure to teach.”
“Wouldn’t you like to swap students? You can have my reformer and I’ll have Saul.”
“No, I don’t think so.” The words suggested some reflection over the answer, but the tone of voice showed none. “It is unfortunate, dear friend, that you have a difficult student, but Saul is very much the right sort of student for me to teach. You know, he always asks the right sort of questions!”
“My student doesn’t ask questions. He makes statements.”
“Well, there’s no doubt that Saul will be high on the High Priests’ list of candidates when they’re looking for new talent.” Saul’s teacher looked almost smug as he reflected on his star student’s bright future.
“I heard that he’s already been given a full scholarship and a guaranteed position amongst the next intake of lawyers.”
“Your information is accurate. He is progressing quickly in Judaism – and deservedly so,” said Gamaliel.
“He’ll go far, there’s no doubt about that.” Gamaliel’s friend looked at him shrewdly, smiled a little and added, “Perhaps he’ll even outstrip his teacher.”
Gamaliel’s mouth stiffened for a moment, then relaxed again. “You may be right,” he said slowly. “You may be right.”
[To be continued]
