Teaching Notes

This week we will not study a specific scripture, but look at the life of one of the early churches important figures, Apostle Paul. This is not a detailed study but an overview of his life.

Paul the Mission Worker

After Paul’s conversion, he carried out his commission not only in Damascus but also in the kingdom of the Nabatean Arabs, to the east and the south. (Gal. 1:17) Even though we are not given the details of his activity it was enough for the King to try and arrest him (2 Cor. 11:32-33). After he left Damascus, he visited Jerusalem to make the acquaintance of Peter. During his two weeks there, he met James the brother of Jesus. (Ga. 1:18-19) Paul left Jerusalem and went to Tarsus. He spent the next ten years in and around Tarsus, actively engaged in evangelizing the Gentiles.

He was invited by Barnabas to come to Antioch to care for a young church there. A spontaneous campaign of Gentile evangelization had recently taken place there resulting in a vigorous church.

After about a year of being in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to met with the apostles Peter and John, and James the brother of Jesus (Gal. 2:1-10). The results of this meeting was an agreement that the Jerusalem leaders would concentrate on the evangelization of the Jews, while Paul and Barnabas continue to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

Barnabas and Paul were released from the Antioch church to pursue a missionary campaign that took them to Barnabas’ native island of Cyprus and then into the highlands of central Asia Minor (modern Turkey), to the province of Galatia. There they preached the gospel and planted churches in the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Debre.

After Paul and Barnabas parted company, Paul chose Silas as his new collegue. Together they visited the young churches of Galatia. At Lystra they were joined by Timothy, a young convert. From this time until the end of his life, Timothy was his most faithful attendant.

Paul was told in a vision to cross the north Aegean sea and preach the gospel in Macedonia. The first stop was the Roman colony of Philippi. In spite of running into trouble and being imprisoned, Paul and his companions planted a strong church. They moved on to Thessalonica. They were forced to leave the city quickly because they were accused of proclaiming Jesus as the rival to the emperor.

Paul was alone now in his travel and he moved south into the province of Achaia. After a short stay in Athens, he went to Corinth. Their reputation was one of a wicked city in the Greco-Roman world. Surprisingly, Paul stayed there for 18 months and made many converts.

After his stay in Corinth, Paul paid a brief visit to Jerusalem and Antioch and then traveled to Ephesus where he stayed for 3 years. These are just a few of the travels of Paul. He also was able to encourage believers from his stay in jail. As long as God used him, he was available for service no matter the circumstances. Can we say the same?

What can we learn from Paul's life? One thing is we can be used by God to go and say whatever he decides. We can also learn that situations and circumstances do not have to stop you from being effective for God. Paul was willing to even preach while locked in Prison.

This week, let's ask God the question of what does he want from our lives? What does he want to do with us? Lord have your way in my life and use me for your glory, no matter what and who I may have to stand up against. Amen.