Thank you for the question on the Apostle Paul, “Who taught Apostle Paul the scriptures?”
Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration:
A. Saul of Tarsus learned the Old Testament Scriptures under the teachers of Israel.
As one reads the Book of Acts, Luke records that Saul of Tarsus was trained in the Law.
Paul says this about himself in Philippians 3, “3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (NIV).
Saul further states who he studied under: Gamaliel. ln Acts 22:, “Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today” (NIV). It is also likely that Saul of Tarsus sat under the teaching of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.
One can conclude from the above passages that Saul or Paul was trained as a Pharisee who knew the very letter of the Law, the Prophets, and the Poetic Books.
II. Saul of Tarus learning or hearing about the teaching of Jesus.
The Scripture is silent about whether Saul of Tarsus ever met or heard Jesus. My conjecture is that he would have heard the Pharisees talked about Jesus and his teachings. When Jesus preached in the Temple, is it possible for Saul to ignore the most popular person in Israel and the most despise person by the Pharisees? I don’t know if Saul ever saw Jesus, but it is likely that he heard directly or indirectly the teachings of Jesus from the Pharisees and from the people whispering about Jesus.
Upon Saul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus in Acts 9 and before the Jerusalem Council, Saul had opportunities to listen to the followers of Jesus:
A. Saul heard about Jesus from Ananias and the disciples at Damascus(Acts 9::7–22).
B. Saul heard about Jesus from Barnabas and the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–29).
C. Saul heard about Jesus from the disciples at Antioch (Acts 9:30).
D. Barnabas mentored Saul in the first missionary journey (Acts 13).
E. Saul received divine revelation from God.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 3, he says this, “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV).
The writers of the New Testament were seeking to address needs of people group or churches. Their authority was to teach all that Jesus commanded them to others (Matt. 28:18–20), II Tim. 2:2). This would have included Saul/Paul when he first became a follower of Jesus.
Summary: Saul/Paul learned the Old Testament from the teachers of Israel and the life of Jesus from the Apostles and disciples of Jesus.
-Kingston