Describe Pauls gospel in regards to the elements he learned from the

disciples in Jerusalem and in regards to those elements he received by

revelation. To whom did Paul talk when he went to Jerusalem? How do we
know? Show the similarities and differences between tradition and revelation
in Pauls gospel.

Paul did not know Jesus or the reality of his gospel in a personal way while Jesus was
on earth. Paul went to Jerusalem where he spent 15 days with Peter. Paul also met
James and learned from them what makes up the tradition in Pauls gospel. In 1
Corinthians, Paul notes that Christ appeared to both Peter and James, which is
something he would not have known without firsthand knowledge from his visit.
Paul learned about Jesus miracles and teachings from the time he spent in
Jerusalem. Galatians 1:11-12 says For I would have you know, brothers, that the
gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from
any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Pauls gospel was first built on revelation and subsequently filled in with tradition
that he learned from the apostles. Pauls tradition in his gospel was fuller because of
the revelation he received from meeting the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. 1
Tradition includes the words and actions of Jesus, specifically what was done and
said at the Lords Supper and principles of Christian conduct. 2 Revelation was Paul
meeting the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and being led to conversion.
Bruce says This was henceforth the heart of his gospel: he owed it to no witness on
earth but to that revelation of Jesus Christ. 3 Pauls revelation probably led to his
understanding of the church being the body of Christ. 4 His conversion happening
through faith without regard to the law, led to Paul preaching the good news to the
Gentiles who could also come to Jesus through faith alone. 5 Aspects of Pauls
ministry that were solely his are attributed to revelation and aspects of Pauls
ministry that he shares with others are attributed to tradition. 6 Tradition and
revelation are key elements of the gospel. It is not possible to have the gospel
message end up well-received without God using revelation to reinforce tradition
and to give everyone their own personal kind of Damascus road experience.
1 F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1977): 86.
2 Ibid.,
3 F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1977): 87.
4 Ibid.,
5 Ibid.,

According to Paul, was Christ the goal or the end of the law? Be sure to
offer reasons for your answer. Briefly discuss the various interpretations
Bruce offers for the statement that Christ is the end of the law. How is this
statement understood in the various traditions? Which understanding do you
think is best explanation? Why?

Paul believed that Christ was both the goal and the end of the law. Romans 10:4
says For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Christ was the goal of the law since it was temporary until Christ came to fulfill the
promise to Abraham but also the end of the law since when Christ came the law
expired.7
First, Bruce discusses the Lutheran doctrine which says that the law has three
purposes: a means of preservation, as a summons to repentance, and as guidance
for the church.8 Bruce also discusses the Reformed view which says that Christians
are not under the law as a means for salvation but that they are under the law as a
rule of life.9 They believe that we are to follow the OT law to the letter but that is not
what Christ intended. Romans 6:14 says For sin will have no dominion over you,
since you are not under law but under grace. Some people interpret this statement
to mean that we are not required to follow any of the Old Testament laws that God
gave like the Ten Commandments. Paul does not agree as Jews continue to observe
some customs of the law as Paul himself continued to do. 10 Christs coming is
certainly the difference between the old age of law and the new age of grace. Karl
Barth says Christ is the end of religion while Ernst Fuch says Christ is the end of
history.11
Christ is the end of ceremonial law but not moral law. 12 All of the interpretations
have some merit to them but they dont all fully correspond to Scripture. I think the
6 F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1977): 88.
7 F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1977): 191.
8 Ibid.,
9 F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1977): 192.
10 F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1977): 191.
11 Ibid

best explanation for this statement is what Scripture says. Christ came to fulfill the
law and we are no longer under the OT laws. We are responsible for obeying the
laws of our culture but God is the ultimate Judge whom we will answer to. Galatians
3:24-25 says So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we
might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a
guardian.

12 F.F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1977): 192.