The Apostle Paul, The Church, and the Letter Writing in the First Century. Bible Research Group

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1 The Apostle Paul, The Church, and the Letter Writing in the First Century Bible Research Group -- Literal Translation of the Holy Bible - Copyright

2 The Apostle Paul, The Church, and the Letter Writing in the First Century -- Literal Translation of the Holy Bible - Copyright Introduction The birth of the church, in the book of Acts, probably showed the greatest expansion of evangelism in church history. What had started in Jerusalem, within a century, had spread over most of the known world. This foothold was accomplished by God himself, acting through his believers. By any standards, the dynamics of this church growth seemed incredible. No less interesting were the events leading up to the birth of the church. The proverbial stage was set for evangelism. What should have been a logistical nightmare had largely been eliminated over a few previous centuries. Jesus himself had told them to "Disciple all nations" (Matthew 28:18). And that is basically what they largely did. These were bi-vocational men who could financially support themselves. The known world largely spoke one common language (Greek). There was personal safety within the law-and-order of the Roman Empire, making travel much easier. This was no coincidence or accident. The events had come together for this perfect setting. And it was put together by God himself. On top of the evangelistic effort, there was communication between the churches. And they communicated with the apostles themselves, who wrote letters back to them in response. These known letters now make up most of the New Testament. This all became part of a structure which came together formed by God (Ephesians 2:11-22), "Because of this, remember that you, the nations, were then in the flesh (those having been called Uncircumcision by those having been called Circumcision in the flesh made by hand) that at that time you were without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers of the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus you who then were afar off, came to be near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, He making us both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, in His flesh causing to cease the enmity, the Law of the commandments in decrees, that He might in Himself create the two into one new man, making peace, and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, slaying the enmity in Himself. And coming, He proclaimed "peace to you, the ones afar off, and to the ones near." For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. So, then, you are no longer strangers and tenants, but you are fellow citizens of the saints and of the family of God, being built up on the foundation of the

3 apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone, in whom all the building being fitted together grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." ****************************************** Setting the Stage Greek Empire - One Language Alexander the Great Alexander was the young king of Macedon. His military expedition, to liberate the Greeks of Asia Minor, led to the destruction of the Persian Empire in 336 B.C. 1 He ended up controlling Macedonia, Greece, Asia minor, Palestine area, Egypt, Babylon, and other areas 2. This system, and culture, was known as "Hellenism"3. As a result of the conquest, Greek became the language spoken, from Greece and Macedonia all the way down to Egypt. As will be seen, Greek-speaking Egypt was to have an influence on Judaism. The name "Egypt" was originally the Greek Aigyptos, derived from the Egyptian rendering of "Chapel of Ptah", which was a central sanctuary in Memphis 4. The Hebrews called the Egyptians misrayim, which was a loan-word from the Akkadians, meaning "border", or "region"5. The Egyptians themselves called their country kemet, meaning "black land"6, which referred to the black dirt left behind by the annual flooding of the Nile River, on which they farmed. It is not unlikely that they called themselves "black landers", in their own language. Little did they know that over two thousand years later, which would arrive at a few centuries before Jesus' birth, they would be speaking Greek. Their most celebrated Greek city would be named "Alexandria". It is also to be noticed that the Greeks had opened trade across the Mediterranean. Migration and intermixture of peoples came natural to them 6. The conquests of Alexander, in the fourth century B.C., had even further stimulated the trade 7. A collection of Greek states, long with a common language, helped make all this possible. Division into Kingdoms: Many Jews are Relocated When Alexander died in 323 B.C., he left no heir 8. After seven years of struggle, four generals appeared, and each had their own kingdom, dividing up Alexander's empire into four parts: Antigonus ruled from the Mediterranean to central Asia Minor; Cassander ruled Macedonia; Ptolemy Lagi ruled Egypt and Southern Syria, beginning the line of rulers from the Ptolemaic Dynasty; And Lysimachus ruled Thrace 9. Ptolemy's foremost general was Seleucus 10. Although Jewish Palestine would ultimately be under Ptolemaic rule, and taxes paid to them, it was locally ruled by the Seleucids 11. As things turned out, the four kingdoms would follow the same developmental pattern, and would account for the dispersion of Jews that Paul found centuries later. When a Greek king began to rule over the recently-acquired land, there was a logical sequence of events which were used for the development of the new kingdom. First, he needed a capitol city in which to rule from.

4 The first thing was a matter of location. Some kings would take over existing cities 12. They would bring in an additional population, from foreign countries, and change in constitution, a process which may be described as "refounding"13. Sometimes an entire city would be founded upon a site where a small village had been 14. A new name, for the city, was connected with the current dynasty 15. In at least two cases, we have cities in the Bible named after women. Thessalonica, the largest city in Macedonia, was named after the wife of Cassander, king of Macedonia. She was half-sister of Alexander the Great 16. Laodicea, located in Asia Minor, was founded by Antiochus II, and was named after his wife Laodice 17. An army was needed for the defense of the city. These were found among the mercenaries of many nations. But most came from the north, Macedonians, Thracians, etc. 18. It is known that Thyatira was a Macedonian colony. Laodicea and Philadelphia probably had Thracian and Mysian colonies 19. A colony also needed administration, commerce, art, and teaching 20. Such needs required people of education and literacy. The best of these were found among Greeks and Jews 21. The most loyal Jews, for the Seleucid kings, were to be found outside of Palestine 22. It is also to be expected that the different groups, within each city, would also have their worship centers. As well as the Jews, the pagan cults had their places as well 23. Strangers to the city naturally brought their religions in with them. And people would get together with others who had similar beliefs. And it was totally legal 24. And the Jews would gather together into their own place of worship as well 25. In cities of small Jewish populations, they would worship in places like beside a river bank, as was seen in the city of Philippi, in Macedonia (Acts 16:13). If the Jews in the city had ten heads (each of their own family), and ten men in order to perform full-time service, then a synagogue was constructed 26. The origin of the synagogue is unclear 27. But it is not unlikely that it came into being during the exile in Babylon, or later during the time of Ezra 28. The primary purpose of the synagogue was teaching the law 29. It was a place where the law (the "Torah") was carefully read, heard, taught, and learned 30. From that point, the functions branched out into other related areas of ministry, and other things. It also served as a school 31, place of prayer 32, council house and place of assembly 33, hospice (for Jews from abroad, especially during feasts) 34, and displaying articles which honored local secular rulers 35. Jesus Christ himself often chose synagogues as the place for his preaching and teaching 36. The apostle Paul would often evangelize at the synagogues first, at Perga (Acts 13: 14), Thessalonica (Acts 17:1), Berea, (Acts 17:10), Athens (Acts 17:17), Corinth (Acts 18:4), Achaia (Acts 18:17), and Ephesus (Acts 18:19). Understanding the synagogue becomes an important hermeneutical tool, because it displays the attitude of the local Jews back then. The synagogue was oriented so that the entrance faced the known direction of Jerusalem 37, ultimately the temple, which was the focal point for the Jews. This corresponds to the direction of prayer attested to in places in the Old Testament 38. Therefore, the synagogue focused in on the temple, but never competed with it 39. It liberated the Judaism from geographical bondage to one place 40. The presence of priests was not mandatory, not even for worship 41. It was a lay institution, where the Scriptures, with few exceptions, could be read by most anyone, including women and children 42. When the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., the synagogue became a full substitute 43. The spread of the synagogue locations are worth noting, because they existed both in and

5 outside of Palestine. Archaeology has uncovered at least 150 sites 44. But when the temple was destroyed by Titus, one account puts the number as high as Known places include Galilee, Syria, Babylonia, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, Gaul, Spain, North Africa, and Egypt 46. After a few generations of Jews living in Greek-speaking Egypt under the Ptolomies, their Hebrew language had, for many, become forgotten 47. They lived in a separate quarter of Alexandria, near the palace 48. At the time of Christ, their population was at about a million, roughly one-eighth of the Egyptian population 49. The Jews in Egypt later stood in such high royal favor, that the rulers went a few steps farther than allowing a few synagogues. A duplicate temple, of the one in Jerusalem, was built from a disused Egyptian temple at Leontopolis. It was also destroyed, about the time of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. 50 Further, a Greek translation of the Old Testament was put together in Egypt. It was during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus ( B.C.) 51. Its origin is mostly shrouded in legend 52. But it would account for a number of Greek names within the Old Testament, like Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Eccliastes. And it is quoted numerous times in the New Testament 53. When Jesus Christ came into the world, he did several important things: He was the revealed Messiah to the world; He would fulfill the law through his life, and crucifixion on the cross; He would be resurrected from the grave; he would provide the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, for his believers; and he would be the head of the church that he had created. There would be no more need for the temple, or its system. This is stated plainly in two Biblical accounts: John s account quotes Jesus own words that everything needed to fulfill the Law had been fulfilled (John 19:30), "Then when Jesus took the vinegar, He said, It has been finished. And bowing His head, He delivered up the spirit." Matthew s account illustrates the events happening as a result of Jesus death at that same moment (Matthew 27:50-51), "And crying again with a loud voice, Jesus released His spirit. And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn into two from above as far as below. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared!" The next Jewish feast would be Pentecost. Every Jewish male would be there. Jesus' disciples would announce his coming, and his fulfillment of the law. And all the different Jewish people, representing different countries and languages, would be at this one place. And it's no accident that this place turned out to be the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 2:5-11), "And Jews were living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation of those under the heaven. But this sound occurring, the multitude came together and were confounded, because they each heard them speaking in his own dialect. And all were amazed and marveled, saying to one another, Behold, are not all these, those speaking, Galileans? And how do we hear each in our own dialect in which we were born, Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those living in Mesopotamia, both Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the

6 regions of Libya over against Cyrene, and the temporarily residing Romans, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians; in our own languages we hear them speaking the great deeds of God?" The Jews, from different lands, would come to the Christians. Soon, the Christians would go out to different lands to evangelize the Jews, and also the gentiles. Roman Empire: Law and Order Increased Travel Under Alexander the Great, the lands and sea, around the Mediterranean, had a certain amount of security for the traveler 54. But later, under the Roman Empire, this fact would be more evident. This was because it was done on an even broader scale 55. This would prove for the government, commerce, and communication by mail. Increased travel for both government and private business also meant increased travel for the Christians as well. Conceivably, one could just simply walk around the Mediterranean, or use a boat, and arrive at most any chosen destination. If a group of Christians were to do this, like Paul did, then churches could be planted all over the known world. Letter writing in the First Century Correspondence between the cities became the natural result of the ability to conduct foreign trade. And it became a structured system within itself. The early church simply copied that system and used it for their communications. Most of the New Testament consists of such correspondence. It is important to remember that the writing of these letters were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work." Roman Empire The Roman Empire had its own regular postal service. It was an imperial service established by Caesar Augustus 56. But its function was strictly confined to imperial and official business. A privately owned business had to establish its own system of correspondence 57. Private Business Correspondence, for a number of successful businesses, could reach an impressive scale. They needed people who were specially selected for this task. The successful institutions had employed some of their own slaves, called tabellarii, whose sole function was carrying these letters 58. In

7 some cases, wealthy individuals had employed these slaves for private correspondence 59. The best routes were marked out, and so they traveled along fixed roads. The result was that the administrator would have a good approximation where any messenger was at any time. He also, by then, had a good sense of timing as to the arrival of the letter, and the return of the messenger 60. It is to be supposed that the church had its own letter-carrying system as well. Only their messengers were more likely to be volunteers within its membership 61. Epaphroditus, Tychicus, Silas, and others were such people 62. The apostle Paul himself carried the first known Christian letter 63. These were people who had other reasons for traveling, and carried letters as an extra service for the church 64. The letters would be carried to the bishop of the receiving congregation. It would be his responsibility to find suitable quarters for the messenger, as a duty of hospitality 65. It is to be assumed that, as the years progressed, that the system grew along with the church, and became more complex 66. Writing Style used by Paul Paul shows evidence of using a writing-style that was already very familiar at the time. Today, we are familiar with a Supreme Court decision regarding an individual, under the law. The immediate decision applies to him, but potentially affects us all as well, since other lawyers may use that decision as precedent in other cases. The Roman Empire had such a system. A citizen would write a letter to Caesar, regarding a legal problem. The result would not only be an answer to the sender, but identical letters out to the Empire itself. This would be a circular letter 67. This was known as a "rescript" style 68. Paul's only major difference was that he was writing in a very personal, and not a legalistic, style. It was a true letter, often pouring his heart out to his readers 69. His letters, in general, express general principles of life and conduct, religion and ethics, applying to a wide range of circumstances, appealing ultimately to all Christians everywhere 70. Although Paul would write in the format of the Roman rescript, his style wouldn't totally remain the same. In fact, it would evolve 71. His most classic form of the rescript style was in answering the problems that existed in the church in Corinth 72, at Galatia 73, and at Phiippi 74, which he had visited. This was also in the style of the letter written to the church at Colossae, which he had not visited. His letters to Thessalonica were much more positive, since they had remained faithful 75. Despite never having been there, he sent a letter to the Christians in Rome, planning to be there at some future date. Not answering any problems within their church, like the Corinthians, his message was his basic Pauline beliefs 76. As such, it overlapped many of the subjects listed in his other epistles, making it a masterpiece. In what came to be known as the "Pastoral Epistles", Paul wrote letters to Timothy and Titus, both were ministers with whom he had worked very closely. His letter to Philemon was an appeal for the life of escaped-slave Onesimus, who had recently become a Christian 77. This letter has strong links with Paul's letter to the Colossians 78. Conclusion As well as creation and salvation, the church is the act of God. It was he who put it together with his body of believers. Jesus Christ is the head of the body, which is his church (Colossians 1:18). It

8 is he who opens the doors of opportunity, and also closes them. It was he, working through history, to create an open door, and an open highway, to this body of believers. The principle is wellexplained in his message to the church in Philadelphia, in Asia Minor (Revelation 3:7-13), "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write: These things says the Holy One, the True One, the One having "the key of David," "the One opening, and no one shuts; and shuts, and no one opens: "I know your works. Behold, I have given a door being opened before you, and no one is able to shut it, for you have a little power and have kept My Word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I give out of the synagogue of Satan those saying themselves to be Jews, and they are not, but they lie. Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they shall know that I loved you. Because you kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you out of the hour of trial which is going to come on all the habitable world in order to try those dwelling on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly. Hold what you have that no one take your crown. The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more. And I will write the name of My God on him, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name. The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Bible Research Group

9 Footnotes 1. New Bible Dictionary [NBD], p "Between the Testaments" [Pfeiffer], pp Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament [TDOT], p Ibid. 5. Ibid. 6. "The Letters to the Seven Churches" [Ramsay], p Ibid., p.18; Josephus, Antiquities, XII, Chapter 1, Pfeiffer, p Ibid. 10. Ibid. 11. Ramsay, p Ibid., p Ibid. 14. Ibid. 15. Ibid. 16. "Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free"[Bruce], p NBD, p Ramsay, p Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid. 22. Ibid. 23. Ibid., p Ibid. 25. Ibid. 26. "The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah" [Edersheim], Vol. 1, p Kittel VII: Ibid. 29. Ibid., p Ibid. 31. Ibid., p Ibid. 33. Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid. 36. Ibid., p Ibid., p I Kings 8:38, 44, 48; 2 Chronicles 6:34, 38; Daniel 6: Kittel, ibid., p Ibid. 41. Ibid.

10 42. Ibid. 43. Ibid., pp Ibid., p Ibid. 46. Ibid. 47. "An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek" [Swete], pp Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid. 51. NBD. p Swete, pp Ibid., pp Ramsay, pp Ibid., pp Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid. 60. Ibid. 61. Ibid., p Ibid. 63. Ibid. 64. Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid., p Ibid. 69. Ibid. pp Ibid. 71. Ibid., p NBD, pp Ibid., pp Ibid., pp Ibid., pp Ibid., pp Ibid., pp Ibid., p.859.

11 Bibliography Botterweck, G. Johannes, and Ringgren, Helmer (ed.), Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, 15 vols., William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bruce, F.F., Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Edersheim, Alfred, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1971 Green, Jay P. (ed.), The Interlinear Bible, Peabody, Massachusetts, Josephus, Flavius, The Works of Josephus, Translated by William Whiston, A.M., Hendrickson Publishers, Lynn Massachusetts, Kittel, Gerard, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 10 vols., Grand Rapids Michigan, Ramsay, William M., The Letters to the Seven Churches, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Strong, James, S.T.D., LL.D., Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, World Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Swete, Henry Barclay D.D., F.B.A., An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek, Hendrickson Publishers, Lynn Massachusetts, Thayer, Joseph Henry, D.D., Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978.