2023 Study Summary 32: “A MINISTER AND A WITNESS”

What stands out in Paul’s teachings?

The insights in this lesson include how Saul, a former Pharisee, violates the temple precinct (according to the Pharisaic rules), after “he saw the light,” he is renamed Paul. The insights continue with a look at Paul’s (Jewish) dialogue with King Agrippa resulting in the famous statement by the King (possibly a believer), “almost thou persuadest me . . .” Paul responds with an Apostolic right and challenge, “I wish you were such as “I am.”

What were the Temple courtyards designations?

The Jerusalem temple precinct had three courtyards. The outer courtyard bounded about forty acres, approximately the area of four-square Salt Lake City blocks. On the insistence of Herod who rebuilt the temple, the outer courtyard was available for any visitor, including Gentiles. Within the outer courtyard was a raised complex under the administration of the Jewish priests that included two major areas, including a ritual area for women. In ancient times, one raised area was under the administration of the twelve High Priests and the innermost area was a little higher and under the charge of the High Priest of the Temple. The priests of the temple posted signs carved in stone and written in four languages– Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin (of that day) and Greek–that announced a death penalty for anyone going into the priestly compounds without their express permission. Apparently, it was the only death penalty the Jewish priests were allowed to administer. It would have been by stoning, hurtling a person to his death and casting stones to cover and bury the body – without a memorial.

How can I be changed by Paul’s conversion?

After Paul’s miraculous conversion, which included blindness as he “saw the light,” Paul boldly returned to Jerusalem and preached in the temple with a Gentile in the second courtyard pf the temple. He escaped stoning at the hand of the Jewish priests and escaped scourging at the hands of the Roman soldiers because he invoked his Roman citizenship. remaining under Roman arrest, he appealed to the higher court of Caesar in Rome. Awaiting transport from Caesarea to Rome to appeal his Roman arrest (thus saving him from murderous plans that Jewish priests had for him), Paul was invited to speak to Herod Agrippa II and some other Roman dignitaries. Paul, taking every opportunity to witness of Jesus and the resurrection, tells his conversion story, giving us some powerful doctrinal guidelines. ““Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22- 23)

What were the first three doctrines Paul teaches?

With his Apostolic endowment, Paul summarizes and sorts out Jewish misunderstandings; (1) the “Hero” Messiah must first suffer. This is somewhat of an antithesis to Judaism which anticipates a Messiah who would redeem Israel from suffering. “In traditional Judaism, the Messiah will be a human being — albeit it a perfect one –who will come and bring harmony to the world. He will not have a divine aspect other than having been chosen by God for his task. The Hebrew word for Messiah, mashi’ah, means “anointed” and indicates that the Messiah has been chosen by God. The coming of the Messiah therefore has come to mean the redemption of the Jewish people and an end to its suffering and tribulations.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) (2) there is a resurrection, and the Messiah will be the first to rise from the dead, The resurrection was started by the Messiah. This doctrine was easier for Paul to accept because he already came from a Pharisaic background. The Pharisees believed in life after death whereas the Sadducees did not. “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.” (Acts 23:6-8) (3) the “Gospel” – the “Law” is for everyone, not just the Jews.

What do I feel about some laws for some, and other laws for others?

Judaism seems to differentiate between the laws for Israel and the laws for others. “Noachide Laws (are) seven laws which were supposed by the rabbis to have been binding on all mankind even before the revelation at Sinai. They are referred to as “Noachide” because of their universality, since the whole human race was supposed to be descended from the three sons of Noah, who alone survived the flood. Exegetically derived from statements made by God to Adam and to Noah, six of them are negative: not to worship idols; blaspheme the name of God; kill; commit adultery; rob; eat flesh that had been cut from a living animal. One is positive: to establish courts of justice. These seven laws are binding on all non-Jews even today. Whoever observes them is considered to be among the “Righteous Gentiles.” “A convert must observe all the precepts that bind Jews. The sages interpret the statement “There shall be one law for the citizen and one for the stranger (ger)  that dwelleth amongst you” (Exodus 12:49) to mean that converts have the same rights and obligations concerning Torah precepts as Jews by birth.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

How did becoming physically blind open the spiritual eyes?

Understanding God’s plan for us must include eyes that can see Him and ears that can hear Him. Paul had to be blinded for him to open his “inner eyes.” “Saul of Tarsus saw Jehovah, the glorified Messiah, and heard his voice and conversed with him. Even partially protected as he was from the brilliance of light from heaven greater than the noonday sun, Paul collapsed to the earth trembling, shocked. The voice said: “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest . . .” (Acts 9:5.) So intense was the light that even with protection he was blinded. He said: “And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.” (Acts 22:11) “A priesthood miracle restored sight to Paul after three days of total darkness.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, p.90)

What takes me beyond “almost” to “altogether?”

Paul was surely aware that King Agrippa II wished to have a better life and better relationship with his subjects than his predecessor Herod Agrippa I, who died being eaten of worms (Acts 12:23). Agrippa II must have studied the Law and the Prophets as well as the language of his subjects. He may have been a “believer,” but without commitment. “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me . . .” (Acts 26:27-28) “Personal integrity is vital in the living Church. We forget that Korihor actually believed but was possessed of a lying spirit. (Alma 30:42.) Agrippa believed the prophets, but when it mattered, he lacked the courage to say so. (Acts 26:27) How sad that so many cannot see that to be put out of the secular synagogues for one’s belief in Christ is the first step toward being let in the kingdom of God! (John 9:22.) How ironic to see so many so-called free spirits imprisoning themselves in roles that, like Korihor’s, cause them to be at cruel war with themselves. How lamentable that when all tongues will confess that Jesus is the Christ in that not-too-distant Judgment Day, there will be so many who were, in mortality, (undeclared believers, who were actually persuaded and “almost” so acknowledged openly.)” (Neal A. Maxwell, Things As They Really Are, p.62)

Who has the right to say, “Be like I Am?”

“Almost” may work in horseshoe pitching, yet in an eternal scope we must be fully committed, or as Paul said, “altogether.” “And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” (Acts 26:29) In his statement, Paul teaches a powerful doctrine of following the Lord’s anointed. He is saying that Agrippa, as well as everyone – Jews and Gentiles – should strive to be as “I AM,” (the name of the Lord). Paul also has the right to say, “Be like I am,” because Paul was one of the Lord’s chosen. His eyes had been opened to see the Lord. His ears heard the Lord. His heart had been touched and purified and then he was called by the Lord to be an Apostle – a “Special Witness” of the Messiah. The same lesson was repeated some time ago in Jerusalem, as Apostle Russell M. Ballard (1928-) was being introduced to the Jerusalem Branch and the BYU students at a fireside. As the young student leader was at a loss of words in announcing an apostle and prophet in Jerusalem, Elder Ballard leaned over and said, “Just tell them I’m one of the good guys.” Apostle Ballard then spoke about the guidelines and instructions of following the Savior. He bore a humble witness of the Lord. Elder Ballard’s last statement included the humble instruction to follow the brethren, because they will lead you to the Lord. In a beautiful chiasma, he sandwiched his testifying of a risen Lord between the beginning statement, “Tell them I’m one of the good guys” and the counsel to “Follow the brethren.” As an apostle, he had the right and responsibility, like Paul of old, in saying, “Be like “I AM” and as I Am.”