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Where was Paul?

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Dave in Tenn:
Gary, there is no mention of Saul/Paul during the ministry of Christ as recorded in the Gospels.  What we have in scripture is him persecuting the early Church and specifically being present and being in full support of the stoning of Stephen.  He's just not mentioned by name in any of the Gospels, so we don't know where he was.  He doesn't show up in the chronological history recorded the scripture until after the resurrection.  Clearly he is unconverted at this point.  

After the resurrection, he is on his way to Damascus to continue his recently-acquired mission of persecuting the believers in Christ.  This is where he is blinded by Christ and falls from his horse, and has his name changed from Saul to Paul.  This is the point at which he is converted.  There is more that follows this history in Acts.  

Most of the rest we know about Paul, we know from his own writings.  He is the one who describes himself as the chief of sinners, and reveals more about his background as a Pharisee of the Pharisees.  

We know from the Gospels that Christ had quite a bit of contact with Pharisees in general.  We know He had a low opinion of them, to put it midly.  We do NOT know from Scripture whether Saul (later to be Paul) had any direct contact with Christ while He was alive pre-crucifixion.  I'm of a mind to remain silent where Scripture is silent.  No...I don't think there is any way to 'know' whether he encountered Jesus in the flesh before the resurrection.  

It's very clear from Scripture that Saul was anti-Christ and worked against the earliest church after the resurrection of Jesus.  I think it's a safe assumption that He was in full agreement with his 'party' in rejecting Christ during the Lord's earthly ministry, whether or not he ever laid physical eyes on him.  It's my assumption, given the lack of testimony otherwise, that his primary 'life' at that time had nothing to do with Christ, but was mostly--if not exclusively--concerned with 'being a pharisee'.  I would not be surprised to learn that Saul and Jesus crossed paths in the flesh...maybe much more than that...but I'm not going to learn that from Scripture, therefore 'faith' makes no difference whatsoever.  My personal belief is that he did not have any significant contact (and just as likely none at all) with Jesus Christ in the flesh.  

Kat:

Hi Gary,

There is no historical or Scriptural record that Saul/Paul meet Jesus before
the crucifixion.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

Amrhrasach:

--- Quote from: Dave in Tenn on October 01, 2009, 03:39:11 PM ---He doesn't show up in the chronological history recorded the scripture until after the resurrection.  

We know from the Gospels that Christ had quite a bit of contact with Pharisees in general.  We know He had a low opinion of them, to put it midly.  We do NOT know from Scripture whether Saul (later to be Paul) had any direct contact with Christ while He was alive pre-crucifixion.  

I'm of a mind to remain silent where Scripture is silent.  
 

--- End quote ---



I try never to turn a blind eye if for nothing more than to cure curiosity.  But perhaps this is a matter that is of little importance since it isn't included in scripture.  Reminds me of this verse:

Ecc 12:12  And further, from these, my son, be warned; the making of many books hath no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Your position on the matter, Dave, shows wisdom.

Perhaps one I should take as well.   

Gary

Marky Mark:

--- Quote ---And if Paul was taught by Jesus, was it in the flesh? Or was it in Spirit?
--- End quote ---

Witness for the Spirit.

clv
Act 22:14 Now he said. 'The God of our fathers fixes upon you beforehand to know His will, and to be acquainted with the Just One, and to hear the voice of His mouth,
Act 22:15 that you shall be His witness to all men of what you have seen and hear.

clv
Act 26:15 Now I say, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' Now the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting."

clv
2Co 12:1 If boasting must be, though it is not expedient, indeed, yet I shall also be coming to apparitions and revelations of the Lord. "



Peace...Mark

cjwood:
excellent post dave.

claudia

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