Paul was in prison frequently, was flogged severely, was stoned, was in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger in the country, in danger at sea and in danger from false brothers. He knew hunger and thirst, often went without sleep and food, and was cold and naked (2 Co 11:23-27).
Besides everything else, Paul was concerned for all the churches [saints] that he had to take care of (2 Co 11:28-29).
He once took the lead in persecuting the Christians, but afterwards he became a Christian and preached to the Gentiles as an apostle.
1. Birthplace
Paul was born in Tarsus of Cilicia in Asia Minor (Ac 21:39; 22:3). He was called Saul before he was converted to Christianity (Ac 7:55-58).
2. Education
He was trained in the law under Gamaliel who was a famous teacher of the law at that time (Ac 22:3).
3. Persecution and conversion
When the Jews stoned Deacon Stephen to death, Paul gave approval to his death. He opposed the Early Church, dragging off the Christians in prison (Ac 1-3).
Once He was on the way to Damascus to seize the Christians. When Saul [Paul] neared Damascus on his journey, he lost his sight by a light from heaven which flashed around him. He heard a voice, "Now get up and go into the city [Damascus]." He was baptized there and began to preach the gospel (Ac 9:1-18).
4. Paul as a Christian
Paul persecuted the Christians so severly when he was in Judaism that the Christians doubted him even after his baptism. However he testified that Jesus is the Christ even harder and met the Apostles in Jerusalem, avoiding the Jews who tried to kill him (Ac 9:19-30). Afterwards he preached the gospel in many pagan regions.
5. The preaching of Paul
Paul lived for preaching. He didn't stop proclaiming that "Jesus is the Christ," and His resurrection. His life of preaching is a great example for us.
Paul wrote in his letter, "Yet when I preach the gospel … Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Co 9:16). This shows the absolute necessity of the gospel and his firm belief in the gospel.
After his conversion, his whole life was for the gospel. Wherever he went, many people returned to God and many churches were established. It was not by his own ability, but by the power of God whom he depended on absolutely.
Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, Berea, Rome, Ephesus, Troas, Philippi …
The regions Paul went to preach were countlessly many and the pains, persecution and distress he experienced during the preaching journey were countless as well.
Paul was in prison frequently, was flogged severely, was stoned, was in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false brothers; he knew hunger and thirst, often went without sleep and food and was cold and naked (2 Co 11:23-27).
Besides everything else, Paul was concerned for all the churches [saints] that he had to take care of (2 Co 11:28-29).
He saw many visions and revelations and was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell as well. But the Christ gave him a thorn [probably a disease] of Satan in his flesh and made him not be proud.
Three times he pleaded with God to take it away from him. But when he heard God saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," (2 Co 12:9) he was more glad.
6. Our resolution
When we preach the gospel of God, we don't preach it with our ability. When we preach the gospel with the absolute faith that Christ will give us ability, we will surely bear abundant fruit like Paul.
Some might hesitate to preach, thinking, "I don't have ability," "I have no knowledge," but such thoughts are of those who try to preach the gospel with his own ability.
The word of Christ given to Paul, a great preacher, "My power is made perfect in weakness," was not only for Paul, but also for all the brothers and sisters of Zion in the new covenant of Christ.
Now let us blow the trumpet of the gospel, believing in the power and help of the Holy Spirit and the Bride, our Savior.
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