The Life of Paul

Acts 21-end

Paul’s Life: a Chronology

We are reading about a historical figure. “While Gallio was proconsul…” Acts 18:12 “The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of

intelligence…” Acts 13:1 Many other characters known to secular

history: Festus, Felix, “a petty King, Agrippa” and his sister Bernice,

Paul’s Life: a Chronology

We are reading about a historical figure. “While Gallio was proconsul…” Acts 18:12 “The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of

intelligence…” Acts 13:1 Many other characters known to secular

history: Festus, Felix, Herod Agrippa and his sister Bernice…

It was once fashionable to discredit Acts as a book of no real value as history. The Tubingen school regarded Acts as "a late controversial romance, the only historical value of which was to throw light on the thought of the period which produced it" (Chase, The Credibility of Acts) —International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

“Ramsay went to Asia Minor as a very skeptical man and repeated the journeys of Paul, as Luke had related them. He found the reports of Luke confirmed in such a remarkable way that he came to believe in the Holy Scriptures through it”- van Ommeren, Nicholas M. "Was Luke an Accurate Historian?" Biblioteca Sacra 148, no. 589 (1991): 58-71.

Acts was written by a great historian, a writer who set himself to record the facts as they occurred, a strong partisan indeed, but raised above partiality by his perfect confidence that he had only to describe the facts as they occurred, William H. Ramsay. The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1915.

“The book was composed by a personal friend and disciple of Paul.” William H. Ramsay. Ibid.

Paul’s Life: a Chronology

We are reading about a historical figure. With a very tight chronology.

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Paul’s Life: a Chronology

We are reading about a historical figure. With a very tight chronology. With a very driven life.

Launched churches across the “civilized world”Palestine, Europe, and Asia.

Wrote 15 books of the Bible. Stood alone against the entire Early Church

leadership: “those of high reputation” (Gal.2:2f)

Paul’s Life: a Chronology

We are reading about a historical figure. With a very tight chronology. With a very driven life. But he could never win at home!

Paul’s Jewish Identity:• “…a Hebrew of Hebrews”• “…a Pharisee of Pharisees”• “…a disciple of Gamileal”• Romans 9:3 “I wish I could trade places”

Paul’s Jewish Dream:• Collected large sums of money from

Gentile churches for Jerusalem’s poverty.• Went to Jerusalem expecting to be heard.

Crushed!

The End of Paul’s Ministry

21:15 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. . . and went up to Jerusalem.

17-19 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. . . Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. . .they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.”

The End of Paul’s Ministry

What disappointment!• Jerusalem never changed!• 15 years later: still dense!

21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.

22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come,

23 so do what we tell you. . .

The End of Paul’s Ministry

A Plan to “Win Back” His Countrymen:• Paul agrees to help with a Nasserite

vow, in order to demonstrate his faithfulness as a Jew…

• While doing so, he is recognized, and a mob forms, which grabs him and wants to kill him…!

31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

The End of Paul’s Ministry

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.

34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.

The End of Paul’s Ministry

35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.

36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”

Then Paul gets to speak to the crowd, and gives his story

It goes well until the end. . .

The End of Paul’s Ministry

20 “And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.

21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

The End of Paul’s Ministry

23 As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air,

24 the commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.

The End of Paul’s Ministry

25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”

The End of Paul’s Ministry

27 The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” he answered.

28 Then the commander said, “I had to pay a big price for my citizenship.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

The End of Paul’s Ministry

29 Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains. . .

23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

The End of Paul’s Ministry

A Conspiracy to murder Paul forms. The commander sends him to

Caeserea to Felix (the governor). Felix kept Paul for 2 years… Festus takes over… Festus wants to take him to

Jerusalem for trial… Paul “appeals to Caeser”

The End of Paul’s Ministry

Paul gives his defense again before a “petty king,” Agrippa, who was visiting Festus.

26:28 And Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”

26:32 Agrippa says, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

The End of Paul’s Ministry

27:1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy. . .

• Shipwrecked on Malta for over 3 Shipwrecked on Malta for over 3 monthsmonthsFinally sails to Rome, and meets Finally sails to Rome, and meets

Christians and Jews there Christians and Jews there (chapter 28)(chapter 28)

= Spring, AD 58= Spring, AD 58

The book of Acts closes:

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.

31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

The End of Paul’s Ministry

What an anti-climax!What an anti-climax! Also bizarre from a strategic Also bizarre from a strategic

viewpoint. . .viewpoint. . .The book ends in AD 60The book ends in AD 60Within 5 years, Paul was Within 5 years, Paul was

dead deadWhat was God thinking?What was God thinking?

The End of Paul’s Ministry

Paul’s Life: Full of Paradox

So driven, energetic and So driven, energetic and productiveproductive!!

But satisfied during setbacks:But satisfied during setbacks:““For I have learned to be content in whatever For I have learned to be content in whatever

circumstances I am. I know how to get along circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” need.” Philippians 4:11-12Philippians 4:11-12

Paul’s Life: Full of Paradox Contentment with Drive!

A different kind of drive. Not greed!

If we have food and covering, with these we If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. shall be content. 1 Timothy 6:81 Timothy 6:8

Paul’s Life: Full of Paradox Contentment with Drive!

A different kind of drive. Not greed!

A different kind of contentment. Not laziness!

I I press onpress on toward the goal for the prize of toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 (NASB95) Philippians 3:14 (NASB95)

Paul’s Life: Full of Paradox Contentment with Drive! Strategic and Spontaneous!

A different kind of strategist Worry-Free!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil.4:6

Paul’s Life: Full of Paradox Contentment with Drive! Strategic and Spontaneous!

A different kind of strategist Worry-Free!

A different kind of spontaneity Not careless, not Lunging...

““I run with purpose in every step. I am not I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.” just shadowboxing.” 1 Cor. 9:24-261 Cor. 9:24-26

Paul’s Life: Full of Paradox Contentment with Drive! Strategic and Spontaneous! How Did He Do It?

“Resting in Jesus Christ” Not Just for Paul…

I know how to get along … I have learned the I know how to get along … I have learned the secret…” secret…” Philippians 4:12Philippians 4:12I can do all things through Him who I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

And the peace of God, which surpasses all And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NASB95) Philippians 4:7 (NASB95)

The things you have learned and received and The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9Philippians 4:9

Paul’s Life: Full of ParadoxSelf-Driven Self Self-Dependency

“I’m just too busy to pray…”

Resting in Christ God-Dependency

“I’m too busy not to pray!”

Paul’s Life: Full of ParadoxSelf-Driven Self Self-Dependency “Follow Your Dreams”

Imagine Paul’s bitterness if he had done this!

Resting in Christ God-Dependency Follow Christ

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14Philippians 3:14

Paul’s Life: Full of ParadoxSelf-Driven Self Self-Dependency “Follow Your Dreams” Circumstance-Worship

What’s going wrong…What I don’t have… If only this would

change…

Resting in Christ God-Dependency Follow Christ God-Worship

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8Philippians 4:8

Paul’s Life: Full of ParadoxSelf-Driven Self Self-Dependency “Follow Your Dreams” Circumstance-Worship Sometimes Works Out

Resting in Christ God-Dependency Follow Christ God-Worship Overwhelming Victory

Phil.1:12,13 “Now I want you to know, brothers, that Phil.1:12,13 “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guardthroughout the whole palace guard and to everyone and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”else that I am in chains for Christ.”

Phil.1:14Phil.1:14 “Because of my chains, most of the “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”fearlessly.”

Much of the New Testament Much of the New Testament written at this time…written at this time…

Books written at this time:Books written at this time:• PhilippiansPhilippians• EphesiansEphesians• ColossiansColossians• PhilemonPhilemon• Luke and Acts also!Luke and Acts also!

Though it was hard to see at the Though it was hard to see at the time, this period became one of time, this period became one of the most important periods of the most important periods of Paul’s ministryPaul’s ministry

Paul’s Life: Full of ParadoxSelf-Driven Self Self-Dependency “Follow Your Dreams” Circumstance-Worship Sometimes Works Out

Resting in Christ God-Dependency Follow Christ God-Worship Overwhelming Victory

impossibleimpossibleRejoice in the Lord always; Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:4 Philippians 4:4

Paul’s Life: Full of ParadoxSelf-Driven Self Self-Dependency “Follow Your Dreams” Circumstance-Worship Sometimes Works Out Ultimately Pointless…

Resting in Christ God-Dependency Follow Christ God-Worship Overwhelming Victory A Plan with a Future

1 Tim. 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a 1 Tim. 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; course, I have kept the faith;

8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.also to all who have loved His appearing.

Though it was hard to see at the time, this period became one of the most important periods of Paul’s ministry!

Paul’s Life: Full of Paradox