Question: Who was the most educated apostle among Jesus’ chosen men? We know that Peter, Andrew, James and John were simple fishermen in Galilee. Matthew was a tax collector, typically indicating some business acumen. Little is known from scripture about the other seven men’s educational background.
An interesting statement is made about Peter and John after their arrest for teaching “in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). Luke records Peter’s address to the Sanhedrin, and the response of the assembly, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (4:13).
Much is known about the education of Paul. He spoke of it himself in Acts 22:3, “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.”
Paul was born a Roman citizen, and had the privilege of a first class education. Consider the following about his teacher Gamaliel, taken from the Encyclopedia Britannica:
“Gamaliel was a tanna (one of a select group of Palestinians masters of the Jewish Oral Law.” He enjoyed a leading position in the Sanhedrin and enjoyed the highest repute as teacher of the Law; given the title rabban (teacher).
“Gamaliel’s renown is summed up in the words recorded in the Talmud: ‘When Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, regard for the Torah (Jewish Law) ceased, and purity and piety died.’”
Paul did not consider his education as important to his preaching as an Apostle. Regarding his standing as a Jew and a Pharisee, his “confidence in the flesh”, Paul wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul actually put formal education and His preaching in opposition.
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
The purpose here is not to denounce higher education. However, it must be noted, 1) That such education is irrelevant to knowing and trusting in the Christ, the Father and the Spirit; and, 2) that such education can actually be a stumbling block to faith.
Too often we exalt men because of their education. We feel a preacher is “more qualified” if he has studied at a seminary or has a special degree in “Bible.” It is interesting to look at scripture, and see the contrasting reality and attitudes that are found therein.
Do not place your trust and faith in the wisdom of men. Instead, place your trust and faith firmly “in the power of God.” He will not let you down.
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
