The Paul Factor: Impacting the Marketplace - Week 2: Paul the Student
Now I know that I had said we would take a look at the Marketplace this week, yet throughout the week I could not get Paul the student out of my mind, so we are going to start with that. Next week we will look at Paul and the Marketplace. I believe there is a reason, which will tie in greatly with next weeks lesson!
To understand how Paul impacted the marketplace we need to begin at the beginning. Paul was effective in his culture, not only because he had encountered Christ on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9), but that he was a student first. His understanding of Scripture (Old Testament) laid down the foundation for Paul to effectively converse in the porticoes of his culture. He was first a disciple. Lets take a step back and understand what that meant, when he wrote...
Hebrew education in the first century included three levels. The first level was called Beth Sefer, meaning a place of writing and reading. Education was done in the synagogue, where a teacher was hired to educate the children. The educator was known as "Rabbi". The primary purpose for this Rabbi was to teach the children. Education began around 4 and 5 years old. The main curriculum for the children (boys and girls) was the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). They learned how to read and write the Scriptures. Every part of the community was surrounded by God's word. Their education would take them to the ages of 12 and 13 years of age. By this time many of the students knew the Torah by memory! Their education would come to an end which would mean they now learned a trade. For the girls it meant being with mom and learning how to run the household. For the boys it meant learning the trade of the father...farmer, carpenter, fisherman, leather maker ect.
Yet their was a second level called Beth Midrash which included the best of the Beth Sefer. The students were the ages of 12-15 years. They studied the Scripture in depth but also studied the prophets and writings of the Oral Law. They memorized more Scripture, plus expanding their interpretation and application skills. Memorization of Scripture was still emphasized. As a student though, they still had to learn their father's trade. It was part of the education. Business and God's word, meshed together! They studied with the adults and learned important skills in dialogue and debate. These young men were being prepared to carry the word of God (the Torah) to their generation, so that they could pass it on to the next.
Another level was implemented and provided to the very best students of the Beth Midrash. Not everyone was accepted into this level. Very few were given permission to go on. This is were a student would seek out a Rabbi and become a talmidim , otherwise known as a disciple. What that meant was...
In this culture, it meant that the talmid was very close and dedicated to his rabbi. He spent hours with him. Listening. Watching. Traveling. Participating with his Rabbi in everything he did. This form of mentoring was for the student to be like their Rabbi. In return as the student grew, he then would become a teacher and lead others with a talmid beside him. The cycle would continue and God's word would be passed down to generation to generation!
This was Paul's life! Paul was the cream of the crop! He was the best student in the Beth Sefer! Between 12 and 13 Paul while in Tarsus (where he lived) learned the trade of a tentmaker from his father and studied God's word! Paul must have been a great-/promising student. How do we know...at the end of his education, probably in his late teens early twenties we see him in Jerusalem as a talmidim, with the best Rabbi teacher of that time, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Here is a young man in Jerusalem, away from home, with the best teacher of that time, indicates also the probability that his father was successful and Paul came from a wealthy family. Paul was learning from the best and on the road to becoming a great leader within his Jewish culture! He was probably there at the time of Christ death and resurrection. Paul probably was there when Paul gave his speech to the masses on the Day of Pentecost. He saw the rise of this "new" movement which threatened the religion of the establishment. This group of people were calling Christ the Messiah. Remember, Paul knew the Old Testament Scriptures. He was an upcoming star! How dare this movement call this Jesus the Messiah! Paul was probably there when Peter and John were brought before the Pharisee's (Acts 5:12-42). Gamaliel was there! He spoke up in Acts 5:33-39...being a good talmid Paul would have been there with his rabbi. Paul was there at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57-58). Scripture records the following..."And Saul was there, giving approval to his death." (Acts 8:1) We then see Saul given a responsibility to persecute the church and tear down this movement of followers of Christ. He had gained a reputation throughout the Jewish community that I am sure made his family proud. Yet it was a trip down the Damascus Road that changed this man's life forever! Scripture tells us in Acts 9 that Paul encountered Christ and asked "Why do you persecute me?" Christ even identifies himself to Paul! I can only imagine what must have gone through Paul's mind. In the midst of his blindness, where no distraction is allowed, did all the Scripture he studied come back to him concerning the Messiah? The prophecies of the coming Messiah must have come back to him. The memories of possibly watching Jesus ministry and life. In his blindness I cannot help but to think that he put the puzzle pieces together. In Galatians 1:13-17 we are told that he went to Arabia for some time before returning to Damascus (where I believe Acts 9:20 picks up). We have to ask ourselves why? Why did he go to Arabia? Here is the lesson for the day. I shared the history to get to this point. If we do not know the history of tamidim, we wont' get this point. I believe Paul went to Arabia, to re-enter the Beth Midrash, yet this time his Rabbi was not a certain man...it was the Son of God. The Messiah he read about in the Scriptures! Paul became a student in preparation to impact his culture. Paul spent three years in Arabia, learning. Reading. Remembering the acts of Christ. God was preparing Paul to enter his culture with confidence. A right tool at a right time in history!
If we are going to impact our communities, we need to become talmidims of our Rabbi...Jesus Christ! As Paul who knew the Scriptures took time to know his new found "rabbi", we too must do the same! God wants to use you in this time in history! Paul was effective in the marketplace because, he knew his "rabbi" and the Scriptures to back it up! Paul was a student first, who became the greatest apologist of the early church! For a talmid "to be like his teacher" meant to follow him with all his heart! Look what Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:1-21...
This is what Paul learned from his "rabbi", and he now passes it on to you. Now pass it on to others!
His call. His gift to you. Your purpose. Irrevocable
*"That the World May Know: Walk as Jesus Walked", Ray Vander Laan, 2005
...though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
-Paul (Philippians 3:4-6, ESV)
To understand how Paul impacted the marketplace we need to begin at the beginning. Paul was effective in his culture, not only because he had encountered Christ on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9), but that he was a student first. His understanding of Scripture (Old Testament) laid down the foundation for Paul to effectively converse in the porticoes of his culture. He was first a disciple. Lets take a step back and understand what that meant, when he wrote...
And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:14)
Hebrew education in the first century included three levels. The first level was called Beth Sefer, meaning a place of writing and reading. Education was done in the synagogue, where a teacher was hired to educate the children. The educator was known as "Rabbi". The primary purpose for this Rabbi was to teach the children. Education began around 4 and 5 years old. The main curriculum for the children (boys and girls) was the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). They learned how to read and write the Scriptures. Every part of the community was surrounded by God's word. Their education would take them to the ages of 12 and 13 years of age. By this time many of the students knew the Torah by memory! Their education would come to an end which would mean they now learned a trade. For the girls it meant being with mom and learning how to run the household. For the boys it meant learning the trade of the father...farmer, carpenter, fisherman, leather maker ect.
Yet their was a second level called Beth Midrash which included the best of the Beth Sefer. The students were the ages of 12-15 years. They studied the Scripture in depth but also studied the prophets and writings of the Oral Law. They memorized more Scripture, plus expanding their interpretation and application skills. Memorization of Scripture was still emphasized. As a student though, they still had to learn their father's trade. It was part of the education. Business and God's word, meshed together! They studied with the adults and learned important skills in dialogue and debate. These young men were being prepared to carry the word of God (the Torah) to their generation, so that they could pass it on to the next.
Another level was implemented and provided to the very best students of the Beth Midrash. Not everyone was accepted into this level. Very few were given permission to go on. This is were a student would seek out a Rabbi and become a talmidim , otherwise known as a disciple. What that meant was...
A student wants to know what the teacher knows for the grade, to complete the class or the degree or even out of respect for the teacher. A talmid wants to be like the teacher, that is to become what the teacher is.*
In this culture, it meant that the talmid was very close and dedicated to his rabbi. He spent hours with him. Listening. Watching. Traveling. Participating with his Rabbi in everything he did. This form of mentoring was for the student to be like their Rabbi. In return as the student grew, he then would become a teacher and lead others with a talmid beside him. The cycle would continue and God's word would be passed down to generation to generation!
This was Paul's life! Paul was the cream of the crop! He was the best student in the Beth Sefer! Between 12 and 13 Paul while in Tarsus (where he lived) learned the trade of a tentmaker from his father and studied God's word! Paul must have been a great-/promising student. How do we know...at the end of his education, probably in his late teens early twenties we see him in Jerusalem as a talmidim, with the best Rabbi teacher of that time, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Here is a young man in Jerusalem, away from home, with the best teacher of that time, indicates also the probability that his father was successful and Paul came from a wealthy family. Paul was learning from the best and on the road to becoming a great leader within his Jewish culture! He was probably there at the time of Christ death and resurrection. Paul probably was there when Paul gave his speech to the masses on the Day of Pentecost. He saw the rise of this "new" movement which threatened the religion of the establishment. This group of people were calling Christ the Messiah. Remember, Paul knew the Old Testament Scriptures. He was an upcoming star! How dare this movement call this Jesus the Messiah! Paul was probably there when Peter and John were brought before the Pharisee's (Acts 5:12-42). Gamaliel was there! He spoke up in Acts 5:33-39...being a good talmid Paul would have been there with his rabbi. Paul was there at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57-58). Scripture records the following..."And Saul was there, giving approval to his death." (Acts 8:1) We then see Saul given a responsibility to persecute the church and tear down this movement of followers of Christ. He had gained a reputation throughout the Jewish community that I am sure made his family proud. Yet it was a trip down the Damascus Road that changed this man's life forever! Scripture tells us in Acts 9 that Paul encountered Christ and asked "Why do you persecute me?" Christ even identifies himself to Paul! I can only imagine what must have gone through Paul's mind. In the midst of his blindness, where no distraction is allowed, did all the Scripture he studied come back to him concerning the Messiah? The prophecies of the coming Messiah must have come back to him. The memories of possibly watching Jesus ministry and life. In his blindness I cannot help but to think that he put the puzzle pieces together. In Galatians 1:13-17 we are told that he went to Arabia for some time before returning to Damascus (where I believe Acts 9:20 picks up). We have to ask ourselves why? Why did he go to Arabia? Here is the lesson for the day. I shared the history to get to this point. If we do not know the history of tamidim, we wont' get this point. I believe Paul went to Arabia, to re-enter the Beth Midrash, yet this time his Rabbi was not a certain man...it was the Son of God. The Messiah he read about in the Scriptures! Paul became a student in preparation to impact his culture. Paul spent three years in Arabia, learning. Reading. Remembering the acts of Christ. God was preparing Paul to enter his culture with confidence. A right tool at a right time in history!
If we are going to impact our communities, we need to become talmidims of our Rabbi...Jesus Christ! As Paul who knew the Scriptures took time to know his new found "rabbi", we too must do the same! God wants to use you in this time in history! Paul was effective in the marketplace because, he knew his "rabbi" and the Scriptures to back it up! Paul was a student first, who became the greatest apologist of the early church! For a talmid "to be like his teacher" meant to follow him with all his heart! Look what Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:1-21...
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
This is what Paul learned from his "rabbi", and he now passes it on to you. Now pass it on to others!
His call. His gift to you. Your purpose. Irrevocable
*"That the World May Know: Walk as Jesus Walked", Ray Vander Laan, 2005
Comments
Post a Comment