How did Paul know so much?

[eh7]

Where did Paul get the knowledge of God's word and what things are going to happen since Paul was not a disciple of Jesus?

I know this is simple for many, but just wanna hear from you all and also to see if it matches what I think should be .... and to enhance my understandings.

 

[jbarcher]

Three possible explanations immediately come to mind:

a) Teaching from the apostles (not everything Jesus said could be written in a few pages)
b) Revelation
c) Lying

 

[eoe]

Have you read about him at all? I am just wondering what it is that you know already - not being critical....

 

[BarbB]

There are wonderful books about Paul out there. I find him fascinating. I'm positive that 90% of his knowledge came from personal revelation from Jesus. How? When? I don't know but I plan to find out when I see him in person!

 

[Simonline]

Where did Paul get the knowledge of God's word and what things are going to happen since Paul was not a disciple of Jesus?

I know this is simple for many, but just wanna hear from you all and also to see if it matches what I think should be .... and to enhance my understandings.

Friend, you are mistaken. Paul was most definitely a disciple of the risen Messiah whom he personally encountered on the road to Damascus and whom he thereafter declares to be the one who gave him both his gospel and his commission to be the risen Messiah's apostle to the Gentiles.

Furthermore, prior to his conversion Saul of Tarsus was one of the top Pharisees in Israel (having been discipled by Gamaliel, the grandson of Hillel). As such he would have known most, if not all, of the Hebrew Scriptures (the only Scriptures at that time...he had yet to write most of the New Testament) from memory and could quote it at will. His problem was that although he was absolutely passionate for God and had all the theological knowledge, he lacked true spiritual discernment (he honestly believed that that he was doing God's will by persecuting the Church for worshiping a creature (Jesus of Nazareth), he just couldn't grasp the Truth that the Messiah was not just a human creature). It was not untill his personal encounter with the risen Messiah (and his subsequent journey into the Arabian penninsula where God and he spent three years sorting out and reorganizing his theology in the light of the risen Messiah's new revelations) that Paul finally got true spiritual discernment.

See: Paul - The Jewish Theologian by Brad Young http://www.centuryone.com/3248-6.html

See also: Jesus - The Jewish Theologian by Brad Young http://www.centuryone.com/3060-2.html

Simonline.

 

[Leah]

Friend, you are mistaken. Paul was most definitely a disciple of the risen Messiah whom he personally encountered on the road to Damascus and whom he thereafter declares to be the one who gave him both his gospel and his commission to be the risen Messiah's apostle to the Gentiles.

Furthermore, prior to his conversion Saul of Tarsus was one of the top Pharisees in Israel (having been discipled by Gamaliel, the grandson of Hillel). As such he would have known most, if not all, of the Hebrew Scriptures (the only Scriptures at that time...he had yet to write most of the New Testament) from memory and could quote it at will. His problem was that although he was absolutely passionate for God and had all the theological knowledge, he lacked true spiritual discernment (he honestly believed that that he was doing God's will by persecuting the Church for worshiping a creature (Jesus of Nazareth), he just couldn't grasp the Truth that the Messiah was not just a human creature). It was not untill his personal encounter with the risen Messiah (and his subsequent journey into the Arabian penninsula where God and he spent three years sorting out and reorganizing his theology in the light of the risen Messiah's new revelations) that Paul finally got true spiritual discernment.

See: Paul - The Jewish Theologian by Brad Young http://www.centuryone.com/3248-6.html

See also: Jesus - The Jewish Theologian by Brad Young http://www.centuryone.com/3060-2.html

Simonline.

 

[Augustine_Was_Calvinist]

in the Pharisaic school of Gamaliel.

However, Saul's eyes had not been opened to the truth of the Scriptures.

First Saul had to lose his sight, then be made to see again with the eyes of Christ.

Saul, being born from above, became Paul, and was taught by revelation of Christ for three years in Arabia.

Paul continued to study the Scriptures to the end of his life in Rome, but this time it was through the eyes of Christ in all truth.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Lying

I seriously doubt that. Paul was able to know so much not only because of his past life as an educated Jew, but also because of the Holy Spirit guiding him and giving him the words to speak.

 

[Sabra]

eh7:

Where did Paul get the knowledge of God's word and what things are going to happen since Paul was not a disciple of Jesus?

I believe that Paul says that he got his message from God the Father through Jesus - which I truly believe because he was obviously that important for Jesus to descend from heaven to convert him. I just can't remember in which book Paul says that his message is from God the Father...

I'll have to get back to you on that, because I know I read it somewhere in the Bible...

Also, he had quite a bit of knowledge on the Old Testament as other users have already explained.

 

[8TarHeel8]

Three possible explanations immediately come to mind:

a) Teaching from the apostles (not everything Jesus said could be written in a few pages)
b) Revelation
c) Lying

There is no reason to speculate. The Bible tells us how Paul recieved his message:

Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), - Gal 1:1

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. - Gal 1:11-12

The idea that he was lying would make sense only if you are convinced God allowed falsehoods to be passed off as his word.

 

[lmnop9876]

Paul may have been one of the Pharisees who followed Christ around during His earthly ministry?? I know it doesn't say this anywhere in Scripture, but do you think this could be the case?

 

[BarbB]

Paul may have been one of the Pharisees who followed Christ around during His earthly ministry?? I know it doesn't say this anywhere in Scripture, but do you think this could be the case?

No way. He held the cloaks of those who murdered Stephen for blasphemy. He agreed and gained a document to go to Damascus to arrest and execute Christians. Until Jesus knocked him off his high horse!

Read Acts 6:5 through 8:3 for the whole story. In Jerusalem one of the old city gates (not original, but ancient nonetheless) is named the Stephen Gate!

 

[justified]

Paul was a diaspora Jew, so he wasn't following Jesus around Palestine. Tarsus is a while from Jerusalem.

Furthermore, prior to his conversion Saul of Tarsus was one of the top Pharisees in Israel (having been discipled by Gamaliel, the grandson of Hillel). As such he would have known most, if not all, of the Hebrew Scriptures (the only Scriptures at that time...he had yet to write most of the New Testament) from memory and could quote it at will.

I wonder, if this were true, how come he paraphrase rather than quotes so often, and instead of quoting the Hebrew quotes instead the Greek translation, and why he asks for his scrolls in 2 Timothy?

He was well-educated and was inspired for writing. These are the reasons for his brilliant works. So too for us: become educated and ask God for knowledge.

 

[lmnop9876]

No way. He held the cloaks of those who murdered Stephen for blasphemy. He agreed and gained a document to go to Damascus to arrest and execute Christians. Until Jesus knocked him off his high horse!

Read Acts 6:5 through 8:3 for the whole story. In Jerusalem one of the old city gates (not original, but ancient nonetheless) is named the Stephen Gate!

yes, but Paul went to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel. during this time, he may have been one of the Pharisees who followed Jesus around trying to trap Him in His words. although, if Paul had been one of these men, he probably would have said so.

 

[HolyGuardianAngels]

Paul may have been one of the Pharisees who followed Christ around during His earthly ministry?? I know it doesn't say this anywhere in Scripture, but do you think this could be the case?

I truly appreciate what you have said here...

WOW...

I recall I said somthing most disrespectful about SAINT Paul once, and wow do I regret that mistake...:o :o :o











Good Christian Men, Rejoice!!
God Bless

 

[Andyman_1970]

No way. He held the cloaks of those who murdered Stephen for blasphemy.

He may have held the coats, but he did not pick up a stone, Jewish tradition says those who pick up stones (to stone) are indicating they think the person being stoned is guilty of the crime they are being stoned for.................something to consider.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Where did Paul get the knowledge of God's word and what things are going to happen since Paul was not a disciple of Jesus?

No but Paul was a rabbi, just as Jesus was a rabbi. When viewed in light of the teachings of His contemporaries Jesus' teachings as rabbi were not that different. So as a rabbi himself Paul would have caught on quick to the whole "Jesus thing".

 

[BarbB]

yes, but Paul went to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel. during this time, he may have been one of the Pharisees who followed Jesus around trying to trap Him in His words. although, if Paul had been one of these men, he probably would have said so.

I'm sorry - I misunderstood what you were asking. You meant following him around looking for evidence to hold against him? Yes, I think he probably did. But just like before I was saved, I heard the message over and over and over. It wasn't until my heart was properly softened that the message made any sense to me. So Paul probably heard Jesus over and over and over but was unable to see past the Sabbath breaking miracles.

Doesn't matter, though, does it? Look where he ended up!

 

[BarbB]

I truly appreciate what you have said here...

WOW...

I recall I said somthing most disrespectful about SAINT Paul once, and wow do I regret that mistake...:o :o :o
...

Well, many Christians don't like Paul. I think they resent that Paul holds all of our feet(s) to the fire. Where would the Gospel have been if not for Paul - just another sect of Judaism.

 

[BarbB]

He may have held the coats, but he did not pick up a stone, Jewish tradition says those who pick up stones (to stone) are indicating they think the person being stoned is guilty of the crime they are being stoned for.................something to consider.

Good point. Maybe he was just being a political toady. Good thing that Jesus got to him!