Study of the Congregation Book, Week 1 to April 7, 2024, Chapter 8, paragraphs 1-4 and box on page. 61, 62, Answers.

Study of the Congregation Book, April 1-7, 2024, Chapter 8, paragraphs 1-4 and box on page. 61, 62, Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 mins.) bt chap. 8 paras. 1-4 and boxes on pages. 61, 62.

Based on Acts 9:1-43

1, 2. With what intentions did Saul go to Damascus?

Saul was heading towards Damascus with the intention of looking for the disciples of Jesus to take them from their homes, humiliate them and take them bound to Jerusalem to be punished by the Sanhedrin. His goal was to persecute and exterminate the followers of Jesus, thus showing his hostility toward the growing Christian congregation.

The persecution of Saul and his followers was very cruel. For example, when he found a disciple of Jesus, he humiliated them and tied them up to take them to Jerusalem, where they would be punished by the Sanhedrin. This punishment could include whipping, imprisonment, and even the death penalty, as seen in the case of Stephen, who was stoned to death for his faith in Jesus Christ.

3, 4. a) What happened to Saul?

Saul experienced a supernatural event while traveling to Damascus. Suddenly, a bright light completely surrounded him, blinding him. Although his companions saw the light, they were stunned and could not speak. Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice from heaven, which asked him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Puzzled, Saul asked who it was that was speaking, and the answer he received was shocking: "I am Jesus, whom you persecute."

3, 4. b) What questions are we going to answer?

What do we learn from the first words Jesus said to Saul? How does it help us to review everything that happened when Saul became a disciple of Jesus? How did the congregation take advantage of the period of peace that followed, and what does that teach us?

ANALYSIS BASED ON THE BOX: SAUL'S AUTHORITY IN DAMASCUS.

Saul, also known as Paul, was a Pharisee of Jewish origin born in Tarsus. Saul mastered Greek, which allowed him to communicate effectively in different contexts. He received an elementary education at a Jewish school and learned practical skills such as making tents, probably taught by his father.

Saul was a Roman citizen by birth, which suggests that his family belonged to a high social class in the province. At approximately age 13, Saul moved to Jerusalem to continue his studies under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee teacher. This additional education involved extensive studies of the Jewish scriptures and laws, as well as memorization of important passages.

Saul showed a fervent zeal for the traditions of his parents and advanced rapidly in his Jewish education. This same zeal led him to become a prominent persecutor of the followers of Jesus, the young Christian congregation.

ANALYSIS BASED ON THE BOX: SAUL, THE PHARISEE.

Saul had the authority to arrest Christians in Damascus for several reasons. First, the Sanhedrin and the high priest had great moral authority over Jews throughout the Jewish world. The high priest, in particular, had the ability to bring criminals from anywhere to Jerusalem to be judged. And Saul had letters that the high priest had given him power.

Furthermore, the Romans had granted the Jews some autonomy in internal judicial matters. This meant that they had the authority to conduct their own court cases and mete out punishments according to their law. For example, the apostle Paul was flogged five times with “forty strokes minus one,” a form of punishment permitted by Jewish authorities.

Even historical records, such as the First Book of Maccabees, document the high priest's authority in Jewish legal matters. In 138 BC, a Roman consul sent a letter to King Ptolemy VIII of Egypt ordering him to hand over Jewish criminals to the high priest to be punished according to Jewish law.

Finally, Julius Caesar also confirmed the authority of the high priest, including his right to judge any matter related to Jewish customs, in 47 BC. In short, Saul had authority backed by both Jewish law and the provisions granted by Roman authorities to arrest Christians in Damascus.