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Open Forum => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Colin Michael on March 27, 2009, 08:27:36 PM

Title: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Colin Michael on March 27, 2009, 08:27:36 PM
Saul's name was not changed to Paul.
Saul never converted to Christianity.

Why are both of these statements Biblically true? (for a cookie)
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Sean on March 27, 2009, 08:29:00 PM
Because you're referring to King Saul.
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Colin Michael on March 27, 2009, 08:31:32 PM
Because you're referring to King Saul.
No, I am referring to the Saul/Paul that stoned Steven and later became an Apostle. (That was rather nice though).

By the way, these conclusions are not based off doubts, rather theological and historical facts that are in accordance with scripture.
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: TimMierz on March 27, 2009, 08:38:23 PM
Are you referring to the name "Saulus Paulus"?
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Colin Michael on March 27, 2009, 08:40:55 PM
Are you referring to the name "Saulus Paulus"?
They are each actually transliterated from the Greek into Saulos and Paulos, but yes.
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: TimMierz on March 27, 2009, 08:47:38 PM
Then I suppose you're referring to "The Way" being the term for following Jesus?
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Colin Michael on March 27, 2009, 08:48:29 PM
Then I suppose you're referring to "The Way" being the term for following Jesus?
In what sense?
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: DaClock on March 27, 2009, 08:56:08 PM
I'll make a guess. Saul and Paul aren't the original names used and are bad translations of a different name.

People wouldn't have called themselves "Christians" during Saul's lifetime, it was a name coined after the fact.

Am I close?
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Colin Michael on March 27, 2009, 08:57:15 PM
You're looking in the right area.

Let me be more specific. Saul/Paul's name was never changed.

Saul/Paul never changed his religion.
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: sk on March 27, 2009, 11:30:45 PM
You thinking Messianic Jew?
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Colin Michael on March 27, 2009, 11:35:14 PM
You thinking Messianic Jew?
Yes. The distinction between Christian and Jew was made by the Pharisees following the destruction of the temple by Rome a good half-century later (since after this, neither could make sacrifices). Paul repented; he didn't "convert"; Christianity and Judeaism were just different "denominations".

As for the other one, look at what the Bible has to say:

Quote
Acts 13:9
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,

Saul is his Hebrew name, Paul is his Greco-Roman name; there was never a "name change".
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Rrulez on April 29, 2009, 09:26:54 PM
He was actually a Hellenistic Jew.

Ancient Greek: Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and Παῦλος Paulos, Hebrew: שאול התרסי‎ Šaʾul HaTarsi (Saul of Tarsus).
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: FresnoRedemption on May 06, 2009, 12:10:30 PM
So then why is he continually called Paul after Acts 13:9 and not referred to as Saul again? (This is probably the reason for the confusion about Saul/Paul's name.)

Actually, I don't think Jew and Christian were two denominations, because true Jews still did not accept Christ as the Messiah. The Jewish Christians continued to keep most of their Jewish traditions, but the Gentile Christians were not required to live like Jews (15:23-29). And it's true that Christians were originally called "of the Way," but the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch in Acts 11:26.
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Rrulez on May 06, 2009, 12:38:07 PM
So then why is he continually called Paul after Acts 13:9 and not referred to as Saul again? (This is probably the reason for the confusion about Saul/Paul's name.)

Actually, I don't think Jew and Christian were two denominations, because true Jews still did not accept Christ as the Messiah. The Jewish Christians continued to keep most of their Jewish traditions, but the Gentile Christians were not required to live like Jews (15:23-29). And it's true that Christians were originally called "of the Way," but the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch in Acts 11:26.
His name in hebrew is pronounced "Shaul" Even after his name was "changed".
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: Colin Michael on May 06, 2009, 04:09:54 PM
So then why is he continually called Paul after Acts 13:9 and not referred to as Saul again? (This is probably the reason for the confusion about Saul/Paul's name.)

Actually, I don't think Jew and Christian were two denominations, because true Jews still did not accept Christ as the Messiah. The Jewish Christians continued to keep most of their Jewish traditions, but the Gentile Christians were not required to live like Jews (15:23-29). And it's true that Christians were originally called "of the Way," but the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch in Acts 11:26.
Jewish Christians still were considered "Jews" and attended the synagogues. After the destruction of the temple in 70AD, the Pharisees decided upon what the "orthodox" beliefs of judeaism were, and thus Christians were no longer allowed in the synagogues.

The name was changed because Saul (the Jewish name) was used when ministering to the Jews. Paul (the Grecco-Roman name) was used when speaking to the gentiles.
Title: Re: Saul to Paul?
Post by: lightningninja on May 06, 2009, 04:36:48 PM
I stumped my Bible study teacher on Sunday with this.  ;D
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