Title Page, Introduction and first chapter, (of four and conclusion) of My Final Research Paper

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

PAULINE FOOTPRINTS: LESSONS FROM THE MASTER MISSIONARY

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. JAMES B. JOSEPH
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE COURSE NBST 522

LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

BY
MICHAEL PADDY

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2008

Introduction
Paul is both a historical and Biblical figure who had a direct impact and influence on his time and ours through his actions, character, and his writings. A study of the Life of Paul from the Book of Acts is profitable for any serious student of missiology. It can teach someone how their preparation for the work of missions, their conversion experience and calling by God to the ministry can help them be a good missionary, as well as understand how the many circumstances that a missionary may confront can be faced with the same love, courage and purpose Paul had thus making one a great missionary.
Pauline Footprints will walk us through some snapshots of Paul’s life in the Book of Acts from his pre-conversion to conversion experience to the end of the Book of Acts where he is a servant, prisoner, and Apostle of Jesus Christ. It will show us along the way how all of this can influence and disciple us as we commit ourselves as missionaries in the task of the Great Commission.
Lesson One: Paul the Man
I believe that there is a direct correlation of a person’s background and upbringing that can be an important aspect of that person’s future calling in missionary work. Is that correlation true of Paul?
Except for Paul’s statements and our observations in Acts and his epistles, there is really no accurate way to trace the life of Saul the Pharisee, before becoming Paul the convert, disciple, missionary, and Apostle. So we must rely on the story evidence we read from these sources to understand “Paul the Man.”
Paul’s Birthright: Born in the city of Tarsus, he was, most likely, a Roman citizen through his father. His citizenship seemed to have been a divine appointment from God. It gave him hearing among some of those who were his captors and as well as providing a sure hearing in Rome before Caesar.
A great example of God using Paul’s birthright in Paul’s missionary work is found near the end of Acts 21. In Acts 21 we see Paul conferring with the church leaders, getting their counsel and then going to the temple. After being at the temple for seven days, he was recognized by some Asian Jews and after some rabble rousing by these Asian Jews, Paul was accosted and dragged from the temple by them to be killed.
Acts 21: 30 – 31, “Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
Only the intervention of the Roman tribune and soldiers prevented Paul’s death. Trying to figure out what had happened and trying to sort out the details of the problem, with the mob so out of control they literally had to carry Paul out of there taking him to their barracks to try and sort out the problem. This is where his birthright plays a significant role in his missionary work:
Acts 21:37 – 40 –“As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language…”
There is a sense of divine providence when Paul, Saul of Tarsus was given the freedom to preach on the steps of the barracks of the Roman tribune after telling the tribune he was born in Tarsus. The fingerprints of God are not just for our lives following our conversion. God can even use our place of physical birth as open door of opportunity for us to serve him.
Paul’s Educational Background and Life Experience: Another part of Paul’s life that played an intricate role as a missionary was his educational background and life experiences. When I say educational background and life experiences I mean before conversion or early in life. This is where God had his hand on our lives long before we knew him and how he uses these things in our missionary endeavors.
In Acts 22, Paul on the steps of the barracks of the Roman Tribune begins to address the crowd.
Acts 22:1 – 3- “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.” And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
“And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet”
Paul takes the time to mention his educational background and life experience. First notice that he uses the language of the people. Speaking in Greek in chapter 21 her reverts to Hebrew in chapter 22. Addressing a Jewish crowd, it is logical to speak a language which is understand and respected by the hearers. Languages are so important in the understanding and connection to the target group we might be called to serve. It shows respect for the people and helps the message to be clearly understood by them. Paul’s having learned both Greek and Hebrew was a great advantage in being a missionary. How advantageous was it? The passage says that when they heard him speak in Hebrew, they grew silent. A once murderous, loud mob became soft and listened.
“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you…And he said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city”
He addresses the mob as fathers and brothers, staking his claim as a Jew born in Tarsus but raised in Jerusalem. How much more can this connection get? He refers to his nationality and though he is from Tarsus, Jerusalem was his home. Some there were Jewish converts from other cities and countries and made the trip to Jerusalem, the Holy Place, infrequently. Paul was telling them I was raised here.
“I am a Jew…educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers”
He was educated by one of the most prominent Jewish teachers of their times, Gamaliel! Gamaliel was very influential in Jerusalem. It was he who when Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin and threatened, told the group to be careful not to judge Peter and John too harshly before knowing if this movement was being advocated by Peter and John or was from God.
“being zealous for God as all of you are this day.”
After using his birthright, cultural background and religious and linguist training, he tells them his life experience, zealous for God like them.
Putting all of Paul the man’s pre-conversion life in perspective we can see how God is at work in our lives long before we might fulfill our calling of service for him. Even then we must as Paul, prioritize these events in our lives comparing them to the ultimate outcome of our Christian life and calling. Paul writes from prison:
Philippians 3:4– 9- though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
We must be careful not to think of our ability to serve God only after we have become Christian, but as we can see from Paul the man’s example, God can and will use our educational background and life experiences to help us fulfill our missionary calling. Just as God used Paul the man, we too can see the hand of God on us moving us toward a conversion experience and also to help equip us to become great missionaries.