2. He was a _preacher_ of power. He was a master of the art of public speaking; and people would always listen to him with the deepest interest (Acts 17. 22-31. Acts 22. 1-2. Acts 26. 1-26).
3. He was a _theologian_. He saw the great truths of the gospel in clearer light than any of his co-workers. Under the guidance of the Spirit he formulated a system of doctrine (Gal. 1. 11, 12), which he sometimes called "my gospel" (Rom. 2. 16; 2 Tim. 2. 8). This "gospel according to Paul," presented in his great epistles, came to be the theology of the church, and so remains.
4. He possessed rare _tact_ in dealing with men; knew how to adapt his methods to people of varied races and views. His manner of preaching at Athens was very different from that in Jerusalem. Note 1 Cor. 9. 19-22.
5. He was a _natural leader_ of men; ready to take responsibilities, quick to decide, yet thoughtful of others. He possessed the ruling spirit, yet was no imperious, self-willed man. People were as ready to follow as he was to lead.
6. He was a _tireless worker_; indomitable and undiscouraged, caring little for hardship (2 Cor. 11. 23-28), although he seems to have been delicate in health. See allusions 2 Cor. 12. 7-10. Gal. 4. 13. Notice the field of his labors, in the middle of his ministry (Rom. 15. 19).
Notice too his plans for regions more distant (Rom. 15. 24).
Blackboard Outline
PART ONE
=Pau. Prep. & Meth.=
I. =Je.= 1. Train. fai. 2. Part in Syn.
II. =Trai. Rec. Rab.= Sch. of Gam.
III. =h.e.l.l.= "Gre. J." Trav. Gre. Lang.
IV. =Rom. cit.=
V. =Apos.=
VI. =Nat. Endow.= 1. Sym. 2. Pre. 3. Theol. 4. Tac. 5. Nat.
lead. 6. Tir. Work.
Review Questions
PART ONE
What prominence does the book of Acts give to Paul in the period of the church among the Gentiles? How do we know that there were other workers at that time? Name some of these other workers. What churches are named which could not have been founded by Paul? What was Paul"s age at the opening of this period? What were some advantages which Paul possessed for his work?
What were the advantages of his birth and training as a Jew? What education did he receive, and wherein was it a help to him? To what great branch of the Jews did Paul belong? How was this fact an advantage in his work? Of what nation was he a citizen? Name instances when this fact was of avail to Paul. With what authority could Paul speak? Whence came this authority? What were some of Paul"s natural endowments for his ministry? What does Paul mean by the expression, "my gospel"? What showed his industry as a worker?
PART TWO
VII. We must also study Paul"s =Methods of Work=. These were varied greatly according to circ.u.mstances, but in them we may note certain principles.
1. _He took fellow workers_ with him. Notice his companions on his first journey. Acts 13. 2-5. On his second journey. Acts 15. 40; 16. 1-3. What other companion is indicated in the word "we" in Acts 16. 10? On his third journey. Acts 19. 22, 29. Other companions on this journey. Acts 20. 4, 5. This method gave 1.) _Mutual encouragement_. Paul was social, loved companionship; was sometimes melancholy when alone (Acts 17. 15, 16; 2 Cor. 2. 12, 13; 2 Cor. 7. 5, 6). 2.) _Power in co-operation_; two can do much more than twice as much as one. 3.) There was also _training_ for younger workers, whom Paul always took with him; e. g., Mark, Timothy, and perhaps t.i.tus.
2. _He chose the cities_; and of these the largest and most important centers of population. Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome.
Paul was, in training and tastes, a man of the city, not of the country.
He took great interest in men, but apparently none in nature. Contrast Paul in this respect with Christ, most of whose ill.u.s.trations were drawn from nature. One result of Paul"s choice of the cities was the wide and rapid diffusion of the gospel. The cities became Christian long before the country-places. The word "pagan" literally means "countryman," but it came to mean a worshiper of idols. See the effect of Paul"s two years in Ephesus (Acts 19. 10). "The seven churches of Asia" (Rev. 1. 11) were the outgrowth of Paul"s work in Ephesus.
3. _He supported himself by his trade._ His occupation. Acts 18. 3.
References to his self-support in different places. 1 Cor. 4. 12; 1 Thess. 2. 9; Acts 20. 34; Paul"s was a "self-supporting mission,"
because there was no society to support him and he would not lay the burden upon those just converted. But although he asked no contributions, he accepted them when tendered. Phil. 4. 15; 16. 18.
4. _He began in the synagogue._ In every large city there were Jewish synagogues; and in these Paul could speak as an accepted Rabbi. Note how constantly he made use of the synagogue. Acts 13. 4, 5. Acts 14. 1. Acts 17. 1. Acts 18. 4, 19. This method gave him access to the worshiping Scripture-loving _Jews_, to whom he felt called to give the gospel first (Rom. 1. 16). But it also gave him access to the thoughtful, serious _Gentiles_ who were seeking after G.o.d; and from this cla.s.s came many of the early Christians. Notice that in Paul"s opening address in Antioch in Pisidia he addressed both these cla.s.ses (Acts 13. 16). The synagogue among the Jews of the dispersion was a great aid to the gospel.
5. He formed _acquaintance with rulers_ and influential men in many places; in so many that it cannot have been accidental, but must have been a part of his plan. Examine the following references, and note names and places: Acts 13. 7. Acts 17. 34. Rom. 16. 23. Acts 19. 31.
Acts 28. 7. These friendships were often of great service to Paul, especially when opposed by his own people.
6. _He used the pen_ as well as the voice. He wrote many letters, not so much to spread the gospel as to strengthen and instruct the churches which he had planted. A number of his letters to churches and to individuals have been preserved; but it is evident that some have been lost (1 Cor. 5. 9. Col. 4. 16).
7. He strengthened his work by frequently _revisiting his churches_.
Notice a re-visitation on his first journey (Acts 14. 21). The same churches visited again on his second journey (Acts 16. 1-4). Again on his third journey he pa.s.sed through the same places (Acts 19. 1). A re-visitation of the European churches (Acts 20. 1, 2).
VIII. Note, lastly, =Paul"s Enemies=; those who throughout his journeys opposed, fought, persecuted him. Almost everywhere his work stirred up violent antagonisms. This came in different places from three sources:
1. _The Jews_, whose opposition came not so much from his preaching Jesus as the Messiah as from his willingness to receive Gentiles into the church. He was regarded as breaking down the distinctions between Jew and Gentile. Note instances of persecution from this source (Acts 13. 45, 50. Acts 14. 1, 2. Acts 14. 19. Acts 17. 5. Acts 21. 27).
2. _The Judaizing Christians_; professed disciples who were opposed to Gentile membership in the church (Acts 15. 1, 5. Acts 21. 20, 21. Phil.
1. 14-17). As the years pa.s.sed the proportion of Jews to Gentiles in the church became less and less, and this party diminished in power.
3. _The Gentiles._ In only two places do we find persecution stirred up against Paul by Gentiles without suggestion by Jews. Note the places and circ.u.mstances in Acts 16. 16-24. Acts 19 23-30. In each instance private interests caused the trouble. As yet there was no strife between Christianity and the imperial government. But Paul saw the trials impending, and not far distant, and he forewarned his churches of sharper persecution soon to come (Thess. 2. 3-10. Acts 20. 29. Phil. 1.
28-30).
Blackboard Outline
Part Two
VII. =Pau. Meth. Wor.= 1. Fell. work. 2. Ch. cit. 3. Sup. by tra.
4. Beg. syn. 5. Acq. w. ral. 6. Us. pen. 7. Rev. chu.
VIII. =Pau. Ene.= 1. Je. 2. Jud. Chr. 3. Gen.
Review Questions. Part Two
Name seven facts about Paul"s methods of work in the gospel. Who were his companions on his first, second, and third journeys? What were the benefits of having fellow-workers? Name some cities where Paul labored longest. How is Paul contrasted in this respect with Jesus Christ? What was the effect of beginning the work in the great cities? How was Paul supported while preaching? Why did he follow that plan? In what place did Paul begin his work wherever possible? Whom did he reach in that method? Name some rulers and influential people in different places who were friends of Paul.
What use of the pen did Paul make in his ministry?
Show how he frequently revisited his churches. What three cla.s.ses of people were enemies of Paul in his work? Name instances when the Jews opposed him. What was their reason for their opposition? What opposition did he meet from fellow-Christians? At what places was he persecuted by Gentiles? What was the att.i.tude of the Roman government at that time toward Christianity?
SEVENTEENTH STUDY
The Church among the Gentiles
From the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50, To the Death of St. Paul, A. D.
68.