The Life of the Apostle Paul

332 Pages·2015·2.88 MB·English

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The Life of the Apostle Paul

Including Most of the Seventy Apostles
And Including Key Excerpts from John Chrysostom’s Commentary on Paul’s Epistles

Copyright  Mark Kern 2014

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Table of Contents

Paul’s Early Life ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
Paul’s Education ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
The Stoning of Stephen ................................................................................................................................................. 9
Paul’s Role in the Death of Stephen ...................................................................................................................... 10
The Scattering of the Saints after the Death of Stephen .............................................................................................. 14
Paul Begins Persecuting the Church ............................................................................................................................ 16
The Road to Damascus ................................................................................................................................................ 17
Paul’s Conversion by Ananias ............................................................................................................................... 18
The Role of Ananias in Damascus ......................................................................................................................... 21
The Date of Paul’s Conversion – 34 AD ............................................................................................................... 23
34 AD to 37 AD ..................................................................................................................................................... 23
37 AD to 45 AD ..................................................................................................................................................... 28
Barnabas Receives Paul after His Conversion ............................................................................................................. 30
Barnabas was sent to Antioch by the Church in Jerusalem ......................................................................................... 31
Barnabas Leaves for Tarsus to Get Paul ................................................................................................................ 32
Origin of the Name “Christian” ............................................................................................................................. 33
Agabus the Prophet Warns of a Famine ................................................................................................................. 34
Alms for the Jerusalem Church .............................................................................................................................. 37
Distinguishing Characteristics about the City of Antioch ...................................................................................... 39
Barnabas and Paul Take Their 1st Missionary Journey ................................................................................................ 40
Mission to Cyprus, Barnabas’ Homeland .............................................................................................................. 44
John Mark Abandons His Apostleship in Pamphylia ....................................................................................... 45
The Church of Antioch in Pisidia .......................................................................................................................... 46
The Church of Iconium in Galatia ......................................................................................................................... 48
The Churches of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia of Galatia .................................................................................... 50
Ordaining Elders and the Report Back to Antioch of Syria ................................................................................... 54
Barnabas and Paul at the Council of Jerusalem ........................................................................................................... 56
The Issues in Jerusalem, 48 AD ............................................................................................................................. 60
The Result of Barnabas’ and Paul’s Actions .......................................................................................................... 62
What is the Place of the Mosaic Law Today? .................................................................................................. 65
Peter and Paul’s Ruse; Barnabas Gets Carried Away ...................................................................................... 69
Barnabas Goes Back to the Church on Cyprus ............................................................................................................ 72
Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey with Silas .................................................................................................................... 74
The Churches of Syria and Cilicia ......................................................................................................................... 74
Paul Probably Wrote to the Galatians at this Time .......................................................................................... 74
Some of the Seventy Accompanied Paul and Silas from the Beginning ................................................................ 79
Visiting the Churches from the 1st Missionary Journey ................................................................................... 81
The 2nd Missionary Journey Moves to Macedonia ........................................................................................... 83
The Church in Philippi ..................................................................................................................................... 84
A Spirit of Divination ................................................................................................................................. 86
How Does Demon Possession Occur? ........................................................................................................ 87
Why Would the Fortune-Telling Slave Girl Proclaim God? ...................................................................... 89
Servants of the Most High God .................................................................................................................. 90
The Way of Salvation ................................................................................................................................. 91
Paul and Silas Began “Night Watches” ...................................................................................................... 93
Orthodox Midnight Prayers Compared to Paul’s and Silas’ Prayers .......................................................... 94
The Prisoners Were Listening to Paul and Silas ......................................................................................... 97
The Jailor Was Listening to Paul and Silas ................................................................................................ 98
Evangelism Methods in Philippi............................................................................................................... 100
Paul and Silas Took a Beating for the Philippian Christians .................................................................... 101
The Evangelist Luke Remained Behind in Philippi .................................................................................. 102
Others of the Seventy Worked with Luke in Macedonia .......................................................................... 102

The Church in Thessalonica ........................................................................................................................... 104
The Reaction of the Jews .......................................................................................................................... 105

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The Church in Berea ...................................................................................................................................... 109
The Beginning of the Church in Athens ......................................................................................................... 112
The Church in Corinth ................................................................................................................................... 115
Paul Worked with His Own Hands in Corinth ......................................................................................... 115
Silas and Timothy Arrive from Macedonia .............................................................................................. 117
Paul Has a Vision to Become Bold; Extensive Miracles Occurred .......................................................... 118
Faith is Required for Miracles to Occur.............................................................................................. 120
The Jews Create a Disturbance Again ...................................................................................................... 121
Paul Writes Epistles from Corinth to the New Church in Thessalonica ................................................... 122
Silas Remains in Corinth as Bishop ......................................................................................................... 123
Paul’s Return to Antioch ................................................................................................................................ 123
Paul Leaves Aquila and Priscilla in Charge in Ephesus ........................................................................... 124
Paul Takes a Vow ..................................................................................................................................... 126
Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey ................................................................................................................................... 127
Members of the Seventy Accompanying Paul ..................................................................................................... 127
Visiting the Churches Already Established .......................................................................................................... 129
A Change in the Bishops of the Churches ...................................................................................................... 129
Aquila & Priscilla Encounter Apollos; Paul Encounters John’s Disciples ..................................................... 131
Paul’s Return to Ephesus ..................................................................................................................................... 144
The Jewish Exorcists and the Magicians ........................................................................................................ 148
The Controversy over the Temple of Diana ................................................................................................... 150
The Widespread Renown of the Apostle Paul .......................................................................................... 150
The Riot over the Temple of Diana .......................................................................................................... 151
Onesiphorus Was Very Helpful to Paul in Ephesus ................................................................................. 154
The Founding of the Church at Colossae ....................................................................................................... 155
Paul Sends Aquila and Priscilla to Rome ....................................................................................................... 156
Paul Writes to the Church in Rome .......................................................................................................... 156
Eighteen of the Seventy Apostles in Rome .............................................................................................. 157
Others of the Seventy Who Were with Paul in c. 55 AD ......................................................................... 158
Paul’s Epistles to Corinth ............................................................................................................................... 158
The Church in Colossae ................................................................................................................................. 163
Paul Leaves for Macedonia .................................................................................................................................. 164
Parallel Developments at Mt. Athos............................................................................................................... 165
Paul Picks Up Luke in Macedonia ................................................................................................................. 166
Epaphroditus Also Joins Paul in Philippi ....................................................................................................... 167
The All-Night Teaching at Troas ......................................................................................................................... 168
Paul Heads for Antioch ........................................................................................................................................ 170
The Emotional Meeting with the Presbyters of Ephesus ................................................................................ 171
Paul’s Message to the Presbyters at Ephesus ........................................................................................... 172
Paul Arrives in Judea ........................................................................................................................................... 177
Paul and His Companions Stay with Deacon Philip....................................................................................... 177
Agabus Prophesies of Paul’s Imprisonment ................................................................................................... 178
Paul Arrives in Jerusalem .......................................................................................................................................... 179
History of the Jewish Zealot Party ................................................................................................................. 180
Paul Meets with Bishop James............................................................................................................................. 180
What Was Bishop James’ Methodology in Jerusalem?.................................................................................. 181
Other Issues in Jerusalem ..................................................................................................................................... 183
The Jewish Zealots from Asia Start a Riot ..................................................................................................... 184
Paul Addresses the Rioters ............................................................................................................................. 186
Paul Speaks to the Sanhedrin in Front of the Barracks .................................................................................. 191
The Murder Plot against Paul ......................................................................................................................... 193
Paul was Taken by Night to Felix the Governor in Caesarea ......................................................................... 194
Paul’s Testimony before Felix ....................................................................................................................... 195
The Accusation of the Jewish Zealots against Paul .................................................................................. 195
Paul’s Response to the Accusations ......................................................................................................... 196
Paul Reasons with Governor Felix for Two Years ................................................................................... 197
Festus Succeeds Felix as Governor .......................................................................................................... 198

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Paul Appears before King Herod Agrippa II ............................................................................................ 201
Paul Speaks Boldly to King Agrippa ........................................................................................................ 203
Paul’s 4th Missionary Journey – As Prisoner to Rome............................................................................................... 208
The Beginning of the Journey to Rome ............................................................................................................... 208
Paul Lost at Sea in a Storm .................................................................................................................................. 211
Paul’s Shipwreck on Malta .................................................................................................................................. 212
The Maltese Receive Paul with Kindness ...................................................................................................... 216
Paul Gets Bitten by a Snake ..................................................................................................................... 217
The Chief Citizen of Malta Receives Paul Kindly ................................................................................... 218
Paul Arrives in Rome ........................................................................................................................................... 220
Paul Speaks to the Jewish Leaders in Rome .................................................................................................. 221
Members of the Seventy Apostles in Rome with Paul ................................................................................... 225
Paul Wrote a Number of Epistles from Rome...................................................................................................... 225
Paul Met Onesimus in Rome .......................................................................................................................... 226
Paul Wrote to Philemon in Colossae .............................................................................................................. 232
Paul Wrote to the Colossians ......................................................................................................................... 235
Paul Addresses Archippus of the Seventy in Colossae .................................................................................. 238
The Mission of Epaphroditus to Paul in Rome .............................................................................................. 239
Paul Wrote to the Philippians ......................................................................................................................... 244
Paul Sent Tychicus to Ephesus and Colossae ................................................................................................. 246
Paul Probably Wrote to the Hebrews at This Time ........................................................................................ 247
Paul Refers to the Heretics in Israel ......................................................................................................... 249
The Murder of James the Lord’s Brother in Jerusalem ............................................................................ 249
The Mosaic Law Sacrifices Continue in Jerusalem, but the Saints Are Struggling .................................. 252
Paul Wrote to the Ephesians ........................................................................................................................... 253
The 5th Missionary Journey – After Release from House-Arrest ............................................................................... 254
Paul Visits Spain .................................................................................................................................................. 255
Paul Visited Titus on Crete .................................................................................................................................. 255
Jason and Sosipater Evangelize Corfu after Paul’s Release ................................................................................. 256
Paul Wrote to Timothy the First Time ................................................................................................................. 257
Paul Wrote to Titus .............................................................................................................................................. 263
The Apostle Paul’s Preparation for His Own Death ............................................................................................ 264
Paul Wrote to Timothy Again ........................................................................................................................ 264
The State of Things in Ephesus c. 67 AD ...................................................................................................... 269
The State of the Church in Other Places ........................................................................................................ 272
Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh” ............................................................................................................................ 274
Simon Magus’ Last Dealings with Peter and Paul in Rome ................................................................................ 275
Simon Tries to Return to “His Father in Heaven” ............................................................................................... 279
Nero’s Reaction to Simon’s Death: the Martyrdom of Peter and Paul ................................................................ 283
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9 .............................................................................................................................. 286
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................................................... 288
Paul’s Missionary Journeys - Overview .............................................................................................................. 288
APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................................................ 292
The Seventy and Other Apostles .......................................................................................................................... 292
APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................................................ 330
Source Data on the Identity of the Seventy Apostles ........................................................................................... 330

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June 29, 2014
Revision B

Peter and Paul are commemorated together on June 29th, the approximate day of their
martyrdom. This can only be an approximate date, since Paul, being a Roman citizen (Acts
22:25-29) merited a quick death and was beheaded. Peter, who was not a Roman citizen,
merited no special favor and was crucified (upside down at his request) and may have taken
several days to die.

The Gospel for this Feast Day (Matthew 16:13-19) refers to Peter but not Paul; the
Epistle (2 Corinthians 11:21-12:9) refers to Paul but not Peter. Peter and Paul are remembered
only on June 29th. To remember their sufferings during their lifetime, the Orthodox Church
prescribes a fast1, called “the Apostles’ Fast”, prior to their Feast Day.

Some surprising things from a detailed study of the life of the Apostle Paul are the
amount of effort he spent in working together with the Twelve Apostles and the Seventy
Apostles. From a casual reading of the Scripture, one may get the idea that Paul is out
evangelizing the earth, while the Twelve are kicking back in Jerusalem enjoying a cold one.
Such is hardly the case! Even though the Seventy Apostles are mentioned throughout the
Scriptures, we don’t know who they are without help from other documents outside the
Scriptures. What is startling is how often Paul ends up working with various members of the
Seventy and directing their activities.

As we get into the details of Paul’s life, we find him going well out of his way to keep the
details of the Mosaic Law himself, even though he was working with Gentiles most of the time.
We need to understand why he did this!

A much underrated aspect of Paul’s work was the influence throughout his life from the
members of the Jewish Zealots political party. For the Zealots, circumcision was viewed as
Jewish national identity; after all it was given to the people of God in the days of Abraham.
Thanks to the work of Jesus’ step-brother James, now Bishop of Jerusalem, many of the Jewish
Zealots had become Christian. But even after the Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15), the Zealots
were not willing to give up circumcision. Later during the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans –
when the Zealots ruled Jerusalem – we get to see the true colors of the Zealots. These “colors”
were exhibited also during Paul’s Missionary Journeys, but we need to pay attention to recognize
them.

Another startling thing occurred at the height of Paul’s ministry. On his 3rd Missionary
Journey, people brought handkerchiefs and aprons that Paul had touched and used these items to
heal the sick (Acts 19:12). The demons seem to go out of their way to avoid him as was seen by
the reaction to the Jewish exorcists (Acts 19:13-18). Rather than go to other countries to further
spread the Word, Paul went to Jerusalem, knowing that chains awaited him. He spent the next
four years in captivity, two years in Caesarea (Acts 24:27) and two years in Rome (Acts 28:30).

1 The length of the Apostles’ Fast varies depending on whether Pascha (Western Easter) is early or late that year.
Traditionally the Apostles’ Fast begins a week after the Feast of Pentecost. If Pascha is late, the Apostles’
Fast may be just a few days. If Pascha is early, the Apostles’ Fast may be over three weeks long.

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Why would Paul do this and seem to waste four years of his extremely valuable ministry? What
did Paul know that we tend to miss?

Paul’s Early Life

Paul was born into a family that was of the Tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5, Romans
11:1) and had his homeland in the town of Giscalis in Judea. Jerome states2 about this, “When
this town was taken by the Romans, his family moved to Tarsus of Cilicia.” We might ask when
was this town taken by the Romans?

Perhaps the event that Jerome referred to was the bloody suppression of a revolt of the
Pharisees in 4 BC by Herod Archelaus3. Archelaus4 was the son of Herod the Great, who
murdered the 14,000 babies in Bethlehem and vicinity (Matthew 2:16); it was Archelaus that
Joseph feared on his return from Egypt, and which caused him to settle in Nazareth (Matthew
2:22-23). The question is whether Paul was born in Giscalis before 4 BC, or whether he was
born after the family moved to Tarsus. Paul stated, “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia,
but brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3). With this conflicting
information, we probably need to conclude that Paul was actually born in Cilicia after his parents
moved there, and after the revolt of the Pharisees in 4 BC, but that his roots were in Giscalis.
This date lines up better with the statement that Paul was still a young man (Acts 7:58) at the
time of the stoning of Stephen in c. 30 AD. The term “young man” generally referred to
someone less than about 20 years of age5. Alfred Edersheim stated6 regarding the customs of the
day:
“Before the coming of the Messiah, marriage was looked upon as of
religious obligation. Many passages of Scripture were at least quoted in support
of this idea. Ordinarily, a young man was expected to enter the wedded state
(according to Maimonides) at the age of sixteen or seventeen, while the age of
twenty may be regarded as the utmost limit conceded, unless study so absorbed
time and attention as to leave no leisure for the duties of married life. Still it was
thought better even to neglect study than to remain single.”

If Paul were 20 to 25 years old at the time of the Crucifixion of Christ, he would have
been born in Cilicia between 5 AD and 10 AD. The Scriptures don’t hint anywhere that Paul
was a member of the Sanhedrin, but there is a hint that he was well-regarded by the Sanhedrin

2 Jerome, Illustrious Men, Chapter 5.
3 See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Archelaus
4 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Archelaus, Archelaus received the Tetrarchy of Judea by the last will of
his father, though a previous will had bequeathed it to his brother Antipas. He was proclaimed king by the
army, but declined to assume the title until he had submitted his claims to Caesar Augustus in Rome.
Before setting out, he quelled with the utmost cruelty sedition of the Pharisees, slaying nearly three
thousand of them. In Rome he was opposed by Antipas and by many of the Jews, who feared his cruelty;
but in 4 BC Augustus allotted to him the greater part of the kingdom (Samaria, Judea, and Idumea) with the
title of ethnarch (not king) until 6 AD when Judaea province was formed, under direct Roman rule, at the
time of the Census of Quirinius.
5 Others have suggested that the term “young man” could refer to someone as old as 40. However, if Paul were that
old, he would not have been considered a junior member of the Sanhedrin as he seems to have been ( ).
A more reasonable age for Paul at the time of the stoning of Stephen would be 20-25.

6 Alfred Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life, Hendrickson Publishers, 1994, p. 136.

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(Acts 7:58-8:3). Paul said that he “cast his vote in favor of the death of some Christians” (Acts
26:10), but this doesn’t imply that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, probably because he was a
little young at the time.

Since Paul was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee (Acts 23:6), the revolt of the
Pharisees in 4 BC affected Paul’s family considerably. Since Paul was born a Roman citizen,
this implies that his parents were Roman citizens before his birth. Being able to pack up and
move quickly to Cilicia implies that Paul’s parents were also well-off financially. This is
confirmed by Paul’s statement that he was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, whom Jerome
calls7 “a most learned man”.

Paul’s Education

Jewish children were educated in their homes by their parents8 until they were about 6
years old. About age 6, children were sent to the local synagogue school. At age 16 or 17, boys
who proved themselves capable students were sent to an academy. It was probably at this age
that Paul was sent to Jerusalem to study at the academy run by Gamaliel.

As was customary, all Jewish boys learned a trade as part of their education. This trade
was taught while the boys were young, before they went to an academy. Paul’s trade was tent
making (Acts 18:1-3); this would prove very helpful later on (Acts 20:32-35, 1 Corinthians 9:6-
12).

Those parents who could afford it sent their children to Jerusalem to be educated by the
top Rabbis. Since Paul had a sister who lived in Jerusalem (Acts 23:16), one might assume that
he could live with relatives while he was in Jerusalem. We are not told whether Paul’s sister –
who was probably older than Paul – and her family were Christians. However from the account
of Paul’s nephew informing the Chiliarch of the murder plot against Paul (Acts 23:12-22), Paul’s
relatives were definitely not adversaries to the Christians.

Gamaliel was a Pharisee and he was not only the leading teacher among the Jews in
Jerusalem, but he was respected by everyone in Jerusalem (Acts 5:34). Not only was he
respected, but he showed respect for others. When the High Priest and the Sadducees in
Jerusalem wanted to kill the Apostles for preaching about Christ, then Gamaliel stood up at the
Sanhedrin and counseled them against this. He reminded them about what happened with
Theudas9 and Judas of Galilee in the days of the census10. These false messiahs drew many
people after their ideas, but they were overthrown by the Romans and came to nothing. Gamaliel
counseled the Sanhedrin to let the Apostles alone. If what they are saying is the work of men,
they will come to nothing just like Theudas and Judas. But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow

7 Jerome, Illustrious Men, Chapter 5.
8 Alfred Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life, Hendrickson Publishers, 1994, pp. 123-125.
9 “Theudas” is probably the one that Josephus calls Judas, the son of Ezekias: Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews,
XVII, x, 5, 271-272.

10 That is, at the time of the birth of Christ. See Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, XX, v, 2, 102. Also see
Josephus, Wars of the Jews, II, iv, 1, 56; viii, 1, 118; xvii, 8-9, 433-448. We note that Josephus describes
many, many more leaders of rebellions who rose up for a short time only to be put down violently by the
Romans.

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it and you will even be found to be fighting against God (Acts 5:35-39). From this we can see
that Gamaliel was keeping an open mind regarding what the Apostles were saying. According to
tradition11, when Stephen was stoned, it was Gamaliel who collected Stephen’s body and buried
it in his own tomb. Over 200 others were stoned to death at the same time12 as Stephen
including Deacon Nicanor (Acts 6:5). Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus by night (John 3:1-
15), and who had assisted in the burial of Christ (John 19:38-42), passed away at this time due
the extreme stress of the time. Gamaliel buried Nicodemus in his own tomb along with Stephen.
According to tradition, Gamaliel himself later became a Christian.

There are actually two leaders in Israel named Gamaliel in the 1st century. The Gamaliel
referred to in the New Testament died in about 50 AD. He was the grandson of the great Jewish
teacher Hillel the Elder and presided over the Sanhedrin. In Hebrew tradition, Gamaliel holds
the reputation of being the greatest teacher in the history of Judaism13. The other Gamaliel was
the grandson of the Gamaliel in Acts 5 and was the first person to lead the Sanhedrin after the
destruction of Jerusalem; he is sometimes referred to as Gamaliel II.

John Chrysostom noted14 that Paul’s teacher, Gamaliel, became a Christian before Paul
did but that did not convince Paul.
“Paul was not inferior to those that preached the Resurrection, and was
more credible, by being all at once converted. He had no discussion with any of
the believers; it was at Damascus that he was converted, or rather before he came
to Damascus that this happened to him. I ask the Jew; by what was Paul
converted? He saw so many signs, and was not converted; his teacher (Gamaliel)
was converted, and he remained unconverted. Who convinced him — and not
only convinced, but all at once inspired him with such zeal? He even volunteered
to go into hell itself for Christ’s sake (Romans 9:3).”

Another student of Gamaliel with Paul was the Apostle of the Seventy, Barnabas15.
Barnabas was born16 in c. 14 BC on the island of Cyprus into the family of the tribe of Levi, and
he was named Joseph (Acts 4:36). Joseph was pious; he frequented the Temple; he strictly
observed the fasts and avoided youthful distractions. During this time period our Lord Jesus
Christ began His public ministry. Seeing the Lord and hearing His Divine Words, Joseph
believed in Him as the Messiah. Filled with love for Christ, he followed Him, and the Lord

11 Nickolai Velimirovic, The Prologue from Ochrid, Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1986, December 27.

http://oca.org/FSlives.asp December 27.
The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, translated and published by Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista
CO, 2003, December 27.

12 Nickolai Velimirovic, The Prologue from Ochrid, Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1986, July 28.

http://oca.org/FSlives.asp July 28, December 28.
The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, translated and published by Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista
CO, 2008, July 28.

13 See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamaliel.
14 John Chrysostom, Commentary on Acts, XIX, vv. 7-8.
15 Nickolai Velimirovic, The Prologue from Ochrid, Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1986, June 11.

http://oca.org/FSlives.asp June 11.
The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, translated and published by Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista
CO, 2007, June 11.

16 See http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101691. If Barnabas died in 62 AD at age
76, he had to have been born in c. 14 BC, making him about 20 years older than the Apostle Paul.

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chose him to be one of His Seventy Apostles (Luke 10:1-11). The other Apostles called him
Barnabas, which means “son of consolation” (Acts 4:36). After the Ascension of the Lord to
Heaven, Barnabas sold land belonging to him near Jerusalem and he brought the money to the
feet of the Apostles, leaving nothing for himself (Acts 4:36-37). After the stoning of Stephen, it
was Barnabas who was the leader of the Seventy Apostles, the first in preaching and chief
spokesman of the Seventy17.

John Chrysostom stated18 that when Luke wrote that Barnabas was “a good man, full of
the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24), he meant that he was kind, sincere, and exceedingly
desirous of the salvation of his neighbors.

Paul was an excellent student and advanced beyond many of his contemporaries, being
“exceedingly zealous for the traditions of his fathers” (Galatians 1:14). In the late 20’s AD, it is
possible that Paul came with other Pharisees to be baptized by John the Baptist. John refused to
baptize the Pharisees (Luke 7:30) and called them a brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7).

The Stoning of Stephen

The first mention of Paul in the New Testament comes at the stoning of the Archdeacon
Stephen.
“Then the Sanhedrin cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and
ran at Stephen with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit’. Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do
not charge them with this sin’. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
“Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose
against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered
throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. And devout
men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for
Saul, he made havoc of the Church, entering every house, and dragging off men
and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went
everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 7:57-8:4).

Stephen was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul19 and was the first of the seven deacons
whom the Apostles ordained and appointed to the service of assisting the poor in Jerusalem.
Since Paul came from Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts 22:3), we may presume that Stephen came from
Cilicia also. Stephen was the eldest20 of the seven deacons, and therefore he is called
“archdeacon”. He was the first Christian martyr, and he suffered for Christ when he was about
thirty years old. Stephen was a Hebrew21 and, like Paul, was disciple of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3),

17 See http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=83.
18 John Chrysostom, Commentary on Acts, XXV, Recapitulation.
19 Nickolai Velimirovic, Prologue From Ochrid, Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1986, December 27.
20 See http://www.oca.org/FSlives.asp, December 27.
21 Nickolai Velimirovic, Prologue From Ochrid, Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1986, December 27.

The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, translated and published by Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista
CO, 2003, December 27.

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the renowned teacher of the Law. Stephen’s name, meaning “crown” in Greek, could indicate
that he was a Hellenist or Greek-speaking Jew. The significance of Stephen being a Hellenist is
seen first in their numbers and second in the need for seven men to be in charge of the
distribution of relief.

There were many Jews who came long distances to be in Jerusalem at certain Feast Days.
For example, when Peter spoke to the crowd at Pentecost, he addressed people in 13 different
languages from areas remote from Jerusalem (Acts 2:8-11). Some of these people had come
1400 miles to be in Jerusalem at that time22. Most of these visitors spoke Hebrew, but Hebrew
was not their first language, and they may not have been able to read Hebrew. If they had
received an education, it had probably been taught in Greek. For these people to be dedicated
enough to make a 7-week journey (and then turn around and take 7 weeks traveling home), one
can surmise that they were very dedicated to their faith. They had a natural barrier between them
and the Gentiles back home, but they had learned to live with the Gentiles peacefully. These
Jews living away from Judea were called “The Dispersion” (John 7:35, 1 Peter 1:1), and they had
adopted their faith to a Greek language basis, where they had access to the Old Testament
Scriptures via the Septuagint. Stephen, being a disciple of Gamaliel, was fluent in Hebrew (i.e.
Aramaic).

Paul’s Role in the Death of Stephen

Stephen had discovered23 the inadequacy of a mere formalism and ceremonialism in the
Temple worship. The observance of legal minutiae was not an absorbing concern with many of
the early Christians. Stephen, with his broad background among those of the dispersion,
maintained these important aspects of Jesus' message and opened the way for future advance into
Gentile evangelism. Being a man24 mighty in word, he confirmed the believers in the faith as
well, and from the Law and the Prophets proved to the Jews that Jesus, Whom they slew out of
malice, was the Son of God, the Messiah awaited from ancient times.

Ignatius of Antioch stated25 that Stephen served as a deacon to Bishop James in
Jerusalem just as Timothy and Linus26 did to Paul, and Anencletus and Clement27 did to Peter.
We might add that Deacon Prochorus served in a similar role to the Apostle John.

22 For example, the route from Parthia (Acts 2:9) went by land around the forbidding Arabian Desert, and was about
a 1400-mile journey; by sea around the Southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, it was still a 900-mile
journey by land. Mesopotamia and Media were not quite as far (600 and 900 miles respectively). Figuring
20 miles per day on foot, this represents a journey of 30 to 45 days, not including Saturday, which required
the Sabbath rest.

23 The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, translated and published by Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista
CO, 2003, December 27.

24 Demetrius of Rostov, The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints, tr. Fr Thomas Marretta, Chrysostom Press,
House Springs, MO, 2000, December 27.

25 Ignatius, Epistle to the Trallians, 7.
26 Timothy: Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22, 20:4-5, Romans 16:21, 1 Corinthians 4:17, 16:10, 2 Corinthians 1:19,
Philippians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6, Hebrews 13:23;Linus: 2 Timothy 4:18.

27 According to Irenaeus, Against Heresies, III, iii, 3, Anencletus (also called Anacletus and Cletus) was Bishop of
Rome after Linus. Clement was Bishop of Rome after Anencletus, and was ordained by Peter just before
Peter’s death in c. 67 AD. This Clement may not be the same as the Clement referred to by Paul
(Philippians 4:3).

11

John Chrysostom noted28 that Stephen was preeminent among the Seven Deacons,
because he drew greater grace upon himself.
“Notice how even among the seven, one was preeminent. Though the
ordination was common to him and the others, yet he drew upon himself greater
grace. Notice also how he worked no signs and wonders before this time, but
only when he became publicly known. Grace alone is not sufficient; there must
be ordination also, so that there was a further access of the Spirit. For if they
were full of the Spirit (Acts 6:3), it was from the Laver of Baptism.”

At this time, “the Word of God spread and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly
in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the Faith” (Acts 6:7). These
priests were Levitical priests who ceased serving under the Old Covenant priesthood, becoming
obedient to the direction of the Holy Spirit in the Church. This does not imply that they
automatically became presbyters (or priests) in the Church, although some may have done so.
Paul referred to this, “We have an altar from which those who serve the Tabernacle (i.e. Old
Covenant) have no right to eat” (Hebrews 13:10). John Chrysostom made it a point29 to say that
even the High Priest under the Old Covenant was not permitted to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

Demetrius of Rostov added30, “Each group of Jews sent its own children to Jerusalem to
learn the Law of God. The foreign Jews and proselytes living in Jerusalem assembled at separate
locations with their countrymen, and not at the Temple. Every year Jews from the Dispersion
came to the Holy City to worship in Solomon's Temple, and they assembled at separate
synagogues with their compatriots.”

During the first year of the Church, Stephen had a dispute with the Synagogue31 of the
Freedmen. Stephen did not hesitate32 to preach his views in the Hellenistic synagogues. John
Chrysostom referred33 to the diversity of the synagogues of the Freedmen.
“The synagogues of the Freedmen were diverse, where they seem to have
had synagogues according to their different nations. Many stayed behind there,
that they might not be obliged to be continually traveling. The Libertines perhaps
were freedmen of the Romans, and the Cyrenians were from those parts beyond
Alexandria. There were many foreigners dwelling there, so they had their
synagogues, where the Law was to be read.”

This incident began when Stephen came upon Hebrew Jews, Pharisees, Sadducees, and
Greek Jews quarreling about the Lord Jesus Christ: some of them saying that He was a prophet,
others that He was a deceiver, still others that He was the Son of God. Standing on a high place

28 John Chrysostom, Commentary on Acts, XV, v. 8.
29 John Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews, XXXIII, 3.
30 Demetrius of Rostov, The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints, tr. Fr Thomas Marretta, Chrysostom Press,
House Springs, MO, 2000, December 27.

31 The term “Freedmen” is of Latin origin. Philo, On the Embassy to Gaius, XXIII, 155-156, the Hellenistic Jewish
philosopher from Alexandria (d. 50 AD) refers to Jews who had been bought as slaves, but who had been
freed under Pompey (108-46 BC). Gaius Pompeius Magnus, the Roman general, had been very kind to the
Jewish people, supplying them with food and allowing them to build synagogues.

32 The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, translated and published by Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista
CO, 2003, December 27.

33 John Chrysostom, Commentary on Acts, XV, v. 9.

12

the saint proclaimed Christ the Lord, saying, “Brethren, why are you at odds with one another,
disturbing all Jerusalem? Blessed are they that believe in Jesus Christ, Who bowed the heaven
and came down to cleanse our sins, and was born of the holy maiden chosen before the world's
creation. He took upon Himself our infirmities, granting sight to the blind, cleansing lepers, and
expelling demons”. At this the Jews began to argue with him, blaspheming the Lord.

The Hellenistic Jews considered their ancestral faith the one thing worth living for;
therefore, they were bitterly opposed to anything that might undermine their traditional faith34.
Paul, who was also a Hellenistic Jew, had a similar viewpoint prior to his conversion. The
Hellenistic Jews did three things to Stephen, which the Jews from Jerusalem had also done to
Christ:
1. They secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against
Moses and God” (Acts 6:11).
2. They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized
him, and brought him to the council (Acts 6:12).
3. They set up false witnesses, who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous
words against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of...