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Great people of the Bible - Paul
Paul: Persecutor
Turned Preacher
Paul has been called the greatest Christian the world has ever
known. Perhaps he was. The zealous opponent of Christianity became
a primary preacher and defender of the faith. He authored almost
half of the 27 books in the New Testament. He endured sickness,
rejection, and repeated attacks on his life to bring the message
of God’s grace and forgiveness to his world. He spoke before
Jews, Greeks and Romans, slaves, soldiers and philosophers. By
the end of his life he had reached most of the Roman Empire with
the gospel. We see in his life a remarkable demonstration of God’s
power, both miraculous and providential. Paul serves as a challenging
example to all believers.
The Life and Times of Paul Background: Paul was born about the same time
as our Lord. His original name was Saul, and probably the name
Paul was also given to him in infancy for use in the Gentile
world. He was a native of Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman
province in the southeast of Asia Minor (Turkey). Here Paul spent
his youth, no doubt enjoying the best education his native city
could afford. His father was of the strictest sect of the Jews,
a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish
blood (Ac 23:6; Ph 3:5).
At some point he decided to become a rabbi, that is, a minister,
teacher, and lawyer all in one. According to Jewish custom, however,
he learned a trade before entering upon rabbinic training. His
chosen craft was the making of tents from goats’ hair
cloth, a trade which was common in Tarsus. After learning tent
making, Paul was sent, when about thirteen years of age probably,
to the great Jewish school of sacred learning at Jerusalem as a
student of the law. Here he became a pupil of the celebrated rabbi
Gamaliel, and here he spent many years in an elaborate study of
the Scriptures and the traditions of the Jews.
Adult life: After this period of training, he probably
left Jerusalem for Tarsus, where he may have been associated
with a synagogue for some years. But we find him back again at
Jerusalem very soon after the death of our Lord. Here he learned
the particulars regarding the crucifixion of Jesus and the rise
of the new sect called the “Nazarenes.”
Persecution arose against Stephen and the followers of Christ
generally, in which Saul of Tarsus took a prominent part. He was
at this time probably a member of the great Sanhedrin, the Jewish
council, and became the active leader in the furious persecution
by which the rulers then sought to exterminate Christianity. But
the object of this persecution backfired. “They that
were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” Hearing that
fugitives had taken refuge in Damascus, he obtained letters from the
chief priest authorizing him to proceed there and arrest more believers. This
was a long journey of about 130 miles, which would occupy perhaps six days,
during which, with his few attendants, he steadily went onward, “breathing
out threatenings and slaughter.”
Paul’s conversion: Suddenly at mid-day on the road to
Damascus a brilliant light shone around them, and Saul was laid flat in terror
on the ground. The voice of the risen Lord sounded in his ears, “Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Paul answered, “Who art thou, Lord?” “I
am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Ac 9:5, 22:8, 26:15). The experience
also blinded him temporarily. His companions led him into the city, where,
absorbed in deep thought for three days, he neither ate nor drank (Ac 9:11).
Ananias, a disciple of Christ living in Damascus, was informed by a vision
of the change that had happened to Saul, and was sent to him to open his eyes
and admit him by baptism into the Christian church (Ac 9:11-16). The whole
purpose of his life was now permanently changed.
Immediately after his conversion he went to the deserts of Arabia (Ga
1:17) for the purpose, probably, of devout study and meditation
on the marvelous revelation that had been made to him. Coming back,
after three years, to Damascus, he began to preach the gospel “boldly
in the name of Jesus” (Ac 9:27) but was soon forced to flee
from the Jews (Ac 9:25; 2 Cor 11:33).
Paul “increased the more in strength, and confounded the
Jews that dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ” (Acts
9:22). He did so with such marvelous skill that the Jews were first
confounded, then enraged to the point of murder. Their former hero
was now their foe.
Barnabas, who had been sent from Jerusalem to superintend
the work at Antioch, decided to ask Paul to help him in the ministry
there. For about a year they worked together. The church at Antioch
then decided to send out missionaries to the Gentiles, and they
commissioned Paul and Barnabas, with John Mark as their attendant
for this mission.
Missionary work: Paul and his associates launched
out on three successive
missionary journeys, preaching the gospel and starting churches throughout
the area from northern Israel to Greece. He spent about a year and a half with
the church in Corinth and also visited towns such as Philippi, Thessalonica,
and Berea. In Ephesus a “great door and effectual” was opened to
him. His fellow-laborers aided him in his work, carrying the gospel to Colosse
and Laodicea and other cities of the region.
He returned to Jerusalem, probably in the spring of A.D.
58. While there at the feast of Pentecost, he was almost murdered
by a Jewish mob in the temple. Rescued from their violence by the
Roman commander, he was taken as a prisoner to Caesarea, where,
from various causes, he was detained for two years in Herod’s
Praetorium*1 (Ac
23:35). At the end of these two years Porcius Festus succeeded
Felix in the governorship of Palestine, before whom the apostle
was again heard. But he felt he could not get a fair trial there,
so he appealed to the emperor (Ac 25:11). Such an appeal could
not be disregarded, and Paul was at once sent on to Rome under
the charge the centurion Julius.
After a long and perilous voyage in which he suffered shipwreck,
Paul at length reached Rome in the early spring, probably, of AD
61. Here he was permitted to occupy his own hired house, under
constant military custody. Paul had the opportunity of preaching
the gospel to many of the soldiers who were guarding him during
these “two whole years,” and with the result of spreading
the gospel among the imperial guards and even in Caesar’s
own household (Ph 1:13). His imprisonment “turned rather
to the furtherance of the gospel,” and his hired house became
the evangelization center of the whole city. During this period
the apostle wrote his epistles to the Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians,
and to Philemon, and probably also to the Hebrews.
This first imprisonment came at length to a close, Paul was freed,
probably because no witnesses appeared against him. Once more he
set out on his missionary labors, probably visiting western and
eastern Europe and Asia Minor. During this period of freedom he
wrote his First Epistle to Timothy and his Epistle to Titus.
Death: A fierce persecution again broke out against
the Christians after Nero blamed them for burning Rome.
Paul was arrested, and once more taken to Rome as a prisoner. During
this imprisonment he probably wrote the Second Epistle to Timothy,
the last he ever wrote. He again appeared at Nero’s court, and this time he was found guilty of some crime and sentenced
to death. Paul was condemned, delivered over to the executioner and beheaded,
probably about AD 66 or 67, a few years before the fall of Jerusalem. He was
about 65 years old and had been a believer for about 35 years.
Paul’s Theology
Pauline theology is biblical theology. Since Paul wrote much of
the NT, what Paul taught is what the Bible teaches. Here are
the main themes of Paul’s preaching:
Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the incarnate Son
of God. Christ reveals God to man, and his atoning death reconciles
the world unto himself. Jesus Christ is both God and man (Rom
1). Believers inherit the promises God made to Abraham through
faith in Christ (Gal 3).
Salvation is by grace through faith. The believer has vital union with
Christ, which transforms the nature of the believer. The sinner
comes into union with God by faith in Christ as Redeemer
and Lord (Rom 5:1, 8:1).
Christ has set us free from the bondage of the OT Law.
We are free from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). Grace is
the distinctive word for the gospel (Rom 3-5), but it must lead
to sanctification (Rom 6-8), not license (Col 3).
Sin is universal in humanity (Rom 1:18-3:20). Man is
totally depraved, utterly unwilling and unable to save himself.
However, the substitutionary death of Christ makes redemption
possible to all who believe (Rom 3:21ff; Gal 3:6-11).
Jesus is the head of the church universal (Col 1:18;
Eph 1:22f). The redeemed constitute the church universal, with
Christ as head. Local churches are the chief means for accomplishing
God’s program in the world. Paul taught two ordinances,
both of which present in symbolic form the death of Christ for
sin and the pledge of the believer to newness of life in Christ – baptism (Rom
6:1-11) and the Lord’sSupper (1 Cor 11:17-34).
The Second Coming of Christ will be sudden and could
happen at any time (1 Thes 4-5). Believers should ready themselves
for it by holy living.
Paul demanded the proof of life as opposed to mere profession of
faith. In most of the epistles a doctrinal section is followed
by practical exhortations to holy living. His notion of the righteousness
demanded by God and given by God included both sanctification
and justification. In the end, the sinner who for Christ’s
sake is declared righteous must behave righteously.
Paul’s Character
Scholars have said many things about Paul’s character: he
endured great pain, yet had tremendous powers for work; he was
both humble and self-confident; he was sometimes depressed and
sometimes intoxicated with joy; he was at times tender and at times
very stern; he was ardently loved and furiously hated; he was keenly
intellectual yet profoundly practical. He was a scholar, a sage,
a statesman, a seer, and a saint. He was a man of heart, of passion,
of imagination, of sensibility, of will, of courage, of sincerity,
of vivacity, of subtlety, of humor, of adroitness, of tact, of
genius for organization, of power for command, of gift of expression,
and of leadership. He loved his converts like a mother rather than
a pastor.*2 Paul was
a unique man.
As far as Paul’s stature and looks, a very old tradition
suggests that he was “baldheaded, bowlegged, strongly built,
a man small in size, with meeting eyebrows, with a rather large
nose, full of grace, for at times he looked like a man and at times
he had the face of an angel.”
Paul’s character:
Great ambition: Paul’s great purpose and labor
in life was to know Christ and make him known throughout the
world. This motivated him to work hard to proclaim that message.
By the end of his life, he could truly say that he had helped
spread the gospel of Christ throughout the Roman world. “For
you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night
and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you” (1
Thes 2:9). Many thousands of people had been saved and many churches
established because of Paul’s tireless efforts. He was
no couch potato.
Burdened for the lost: Paul’s great ambition
was to preach the gospel and see people saved. He was so concerned
about his fellow countrymen, the Jews, that he could have wished
himself accursed for their sake (Rom 9:3). He experienced “great
heaviness and continual sorrow” in his heart because of
their lost condition. He found ways to communicate the gospel
to almost everyone he met.
Contentment: Paul had learned to be content in
whatever circumstances he faced (Ph 4:11). He wanted to live
for Christ, yet was ready to die for him (Ph 1:23).
Cooperation: Paul worked with several co-laborers
in his ministry–Barnabus, Silas, Timothy, Aquilla and Priscilla,
John Mark, Apollos, Luke and Peter, to name a few. These were
his trusted companions and helpers. Yet he was not afraid to
oppose his friends when it was necessary for the sake of truth,
as he did with Peter.
Leadership: Paul’s enemies accused him of
being a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts
24:5), which was true. He was out on the front lines of the battle,
preaching the gospel, winning converts, starting churches, and
solving problems. He was the leading figure within Christianity
for many years. Christianity is largely based on the writings
of Paul.
Organization: Paul not only started churches,
but he also cared for them and stayed in contact with them over
the years and helped them through their struggles. Even while
in prison he wrote letters to the churches teaching them what
to believe and how to behave.
Humility: He called himself “less than the
least of all saints” (Eph 3:8), “the least of the
apostles,” “not worthy to be called an apostle” (1
Cor 15:9), and the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15). He forsook
all the advantages he enjoyed as a leader of the Jews in order
to “win Christ” (Phil 3:8). He mentioned all his
accomplishments and all he had suffered for Christ only as an
example and a motivation for others.
Respected authority: Paul worked within the Roman
legal system, for the most part. There were times when he had
to disobey the law in order to obey Christ. Yet when arrested
by the Romans, he submitted to their authority and did not try
to stir up rebellion against them. He even recognized the authority
of the Jews who were trying to kill him.
Loved God: Perhaps the greatest motivating factor
in Paul’s life was his love for Christ: “The love
of Christ constrains me…” (2 Cor 5:14). He said, “If
any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be [accursed]” (1
Cor 16:22). His great goal for his readers was “to know
the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Eph 3:19).
The Signs of an Apostle
Paul claimed to have performed “the signs of an apostle … in
all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2
Cor 12:12). God had gifted Paul in many supernatural ways. He could
heal people, speak in languages he had not learned, tell the future,
and speak and write under inspiration. Christ appeared to him several
times, and he also saw visions. His conversion, call, and ministry
were radically different than what others experienced and
from what is generally expected today.
Some suggest that such “signs and wonders” are normative
(normal, regular) for today’s church. However, the Bible
teaches, and history confirms, that the apostolic sign-gifts were temporary in
nature. Only a few people could perform such miraculous signs in
the first place, and their abilities to do so did not persist.
When the apostles died, so did their gifts. There are no apostles
any more, so we should not expect or seek the “signs of an
apostle” within our own lives nor in our churches today.
Other Lessons from the Life of Paul
God is sovereign. Paul believed that he had been specially
chosen by God from the time of his birth to proclaim the message
of the Gospel. God directly intervened in Paul’s life and
called him into the ministry. Christ appeared to Paul several
times and clearly directed his life path. God carried out his
plans in Paul’s life.
Application: Recognize God’s sovereign plan in
your life.
God is omnipotent. We see God’s power displayed
repeatedly in Paul’s life. His conversion on the road to
Damascus, his ability to heal the sick, and his shipwreck experience
all show God’s power over human events, history and the
details of life.
Application: God has the power to do anything.
Conversion naturally results in sanctification.
Salvation and godliness go hand in hand. Paul taught this truth
and lived it out in his life. Conversion radically altered his
beliefs and lifestyle. One who persecuted believers became a
believer himself.
Application: Those who are saved must live righteous
lives.
Be burdened over the spiritual condition of the lost.
As noted above, Paul was deeply concerned about his people, the
Jews. His normal procedure when entering a new city was to start
in the Jewish synagogue. He said that the gospel is “to
the Jew first” (Rom 1:16). When he was temporarily in Athens,
his “spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly
given to idolatry” (Ac 17:16). He asked for prayer for
help in declaring the gospel (Eph 6:18-19). His desire was that “by
all means, I might save some” (1 Cor 9:22).
Application: You should care about the lost people around
you and use any opportunities to tell them the gospel.
Even good things can prevent or hinder one from enjoying
a proper relationship with God. Paul listed off several things
which were beneficial to him (family, training, zeal, lifestyle),
but were actually preventing him from entering into a proper
relationship with God (Ph 3:4-8).
Application: Evaluate what things in your life are preventing
you from serving God as you should. For some, their religion
prevents them from being saved.
Education is important. Paul’s background and
training as a Pharisee had a major impact on his doctrine. He
had likely memorized vast sections of the OT. He knew the history
of his people. He was able to intelligently defend his beliefs
before both educated and non-educated audiences. He probably
could speak and read in four or five languages. He was comfortable
speaking with all sorts of people–slaves, philosophers,
soldiers, theologians, and kings.
Application: Appreciate your education; seek higher
education. Education is especially important for those seeking
to enter the ministry.
Pioneer ministries are important. Paul desired “to
preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should
build upon another man’s foundation” (Rom 15:20).
He recognized that his was a seed-planting ministry (1 Cor 3:6-7).
He wanted to open up new fields for the proclamation of the gospel
rather than “preach to the choir,” as it were.
Application: Consider being a pioneer missionary or
supporting those who are.
Cooperate with like-minded people. As noted above, Paul
cooperated with many people during his ministry. He normally
had at least a few other people with him co-laboring in the ministry.
Agreement among workers is a key to successful ministry. At one
point Paul and Barnabas split up over whether or not to allow
John Mark to participate in their mission work. Later, Paul asked
for John Mark’s help because he had proven to be profitable
in the ministry.
Application: Seek to work with those who share your
same basic values.
Appreciate the circumstances God puts you in. When Paul
was free to travel, he went from place to place spreading the
gospel. When he was in prison, he preached to guards, to slaves
and even to kings. No matter what the place or conditions, Paul
was ready to “open [his] mouth boldly to make known the
mystery of the gospel” (Eph 6:19). He used his time in
prison to write several of his letters and to evangelize within
the Roman government.
Application: Think of ways to use the circumstances
in which you find yourself. 1 Pet 3:15–always be ready
to give a defense of the gospel.
Expect persecution and difficulties in the ministry.
Here’s Paul’s testimony: “From the Jews
five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I
was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked;
a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often,
in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own
countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city,
in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils
among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness
often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2
Cor 11:24-27). At one point he was stoned and left for dead (Acts
14:19). Paul told Timothy “All that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:12). He
eventually was killed for his “crime” of preaching
the gospel.
Application: Expect and prepare yourself for persecution.
Follow godly leaders, but only to the extent that they
follow Christ. Paul exhorts us to follow his teaching and his
example: “Brethren, be followers together of me” (Ph
3:17). “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1
Cor 11:1). “Those things, which ye have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace
shall be with you” (Ph 4:9).
Application: Follow good examples, but don’t follow
them into error.
Conclusion: Very few Christians ever approach
Paul’s level of commitment, love, and service for Christ.
He was one-of-a-kind. His impact on the early development of Christianity
cannot be overemphasized. He serves as a great pattern for us to
follow.
Discussion:
Why was Paul so influential within Christianity? Because
he was an apostle, a missionary, and the one who wrote much
of the NT. He interprets the gospels for us.
What things about Paul made him such an effective minister? He
was well-educated, had great passion/zeal, was well-organized,
was able to endure persecution, accepted God’s call upon
his life.
Why was Paul so violently opposed to Christianity before his
conversion? He saw it as an error, a false cult, something
leading good Jews astray.
Is Paul’s conversion and call normative? No,
what happened to him was radically abnormal. We should not
expect the same kind of experience.
Why did the believers in Jerusalem initially express doubt
about Paul’s conversion and call? Because he
had been their chief persecutor.
If Paul’s conversion, call and ministry was so different than
our own, how can he be a good example for us? He told his
readers to follow his example, so it must be right to do so. Further,
he was not a perfect person–he struggled just like we do (cf.
Rom 7).
*1 The Greek
word (praitorion) means “judgment hall” or “governor’s
house” or “palace.”
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