 Background: Biography. Who was Paul? Personality. What type of person was Paul?  Call: Goal. What was the purpose of his call? Mission. What was the fruit of his call? Diversity. How did he face his mission?  Background: Biography. Who was Paul? Personality. What type of person was Paul?  Call: Goal. What was the purpose of his call? Mission. What was the fruit of his call? Diversity. How did he face his mission? This week we’ll study several aspects of Paul’s life:

“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.” (Acts 22:3) He was born in Tarsus, Cilicia. He was a Roman citizen. (Acts 22:3, 28). He belong to the tribe of Benjamin (Phil. 3:5). He was a Pharisee like his father (Acts 23:6). He grew up in Jerusalem. He was disciple of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He was a member of the Sanhedrin, so he was married. Nevertheless, he no longer was when he wrote his letters (AA, p. 92; 1Co. 7:8). He had at least a sister and a nephew who lived in Jerusalem (Acts 23:16). He was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3).

“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10) Paul was a person of great convictions and zeal. Before his conversion: He supported the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). He persecuted the Church (Acts 8:3). He threatened to kill the disciples (Acts 9:1). He organized a raid against Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:2). After his conversion he showed he was:  Just (Phil. 3:6).  Hard worker (2Ts. 3:7-8).  Contrite (1Tim. 1:16).  Tough (2Co. 11:23-33).  Humble (1Co.15:9).

“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 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— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.” (2 Corinthians 11:22-31) Paul had to defense himself from the Judaizers who tried to slander him before the church in Corinth. He then described himself this way:

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2) Paul’s mission involved three main aspects: Preaching Jesus Christ. Paul always exalted the cross of Christ above all (1Co. 2:2). Planting churches. He planted a church in every city he visited (Titus 1:5). Feeding the Church. He nourished the Church and corrected mistakes with his letters (1Co. 14:37).

“And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.” (1 Corinthians 9:20-21) Paul’s mission was clearly multicultural. He had to preach the Gospel to both Jewish and Gentiles. Therefore, he adapted to the culture around him when sharing the Truth. He had to convince the Jews of accepting the Gentiles in the Church without imposing any cultural custom. He even reprimanded Peter of putting the unity of the Church at risk because of cultural reasons (Galatians 2:11-16). Paul was a Pharisee; he knew both the Scriptures and tradition. He could distinguish essential from subsidiary; eternal truth from cultural and religious elements.

“With decided purpose, he [Paul] turned away from wealth, from friends and social distinction, from public honors, and from his kinsmen whom he loved fervently and earnestly. He chose to link his name and his destiny with that of a people he had regarded as low and the offscouring of all things; but for the sake of Christ he suffered the loss of all things. His labors were more abundant than any of the disciples, his stripes above measure. He was beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, in deaths oft. He was in peril by land and sea, in the city and in the wilderness, from robbers and from his own countrymen. He prosecuted his mission under continual infirmities, in painfulness, in weariness, in watchings often, in cold, in nakedness… Paul was a living example of what every true Christian should be. He lived for God’s glory... ‘For me to live is Christ.’ Philippians 1:21” E.G.W. (Our High Calling, December 23)