Chapter IX: Part TWO

VII. We must also study Paul's =Methods of Work=. These were varied greatly according to circumstances, but in them we may note certain principles.

1. _He took fellow workers_ with him. Notice his companions on his first journey. Acts 13. 2-5. On his second journey. Acts 15. 40; 16. 1-3. What other companion is indicated in the word "we" in Acts 16. 10? On his third journey. Acts 19. 22, 29. Other companions on this journey. Acts 20. 4, 5. This method gave 1.) _Mutual encouragement_. Paul was social, loved companionship; was sometimes melancholy when alone (Acts 17. 15, 16; 2 Cor. 2. 12, 13; 2 Cor. 7. 5, 6). 2.) _Power in co-operation_; two can do much more than twice as much as one. 3.) There was also _training_ for younger workers, whom Paul always took with him; e. g., Mark, Timothy, and perhaps Titus.

2. _He chose the cities_; and of these the largest and most important centers of population. Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome. Paul was, in training and tastes, a man of the city, not of the country. He took great interest in men, but apparently none in nature. Contrast Paul in this respect with Christ, most of whose illustrations were drawn from nature. One result of Paul's choice of the cities was the wide and rapid diffusion of the gospel. The cities became Christian long before the country-places. The word "pagan" literally means "countryman," but it came to mean a worshiper of idols. See the effect of Paul's two years in Ephesus (Acts 19. 10). "The seven churches of Asia" (Rev. 1. 11) were the outgrowth of Paul's work in Ephesus.

3. _He supported himself by his trade._ His occupation. Acts 18. 3. References to his self-support in different places. 1 Cor. 4. 12; 1 Thess. 2. 9; Acts 20. 34; Paul's was a "self-supporting mission," because there was no society to support him and he would not lay the burden upon those just converted. But although he asked no contributions, he accepted them when tendered. Phil. 4. 15; 16. 18.

4. _He began in the synagogue._ In every large city there were Jewish synagogues; and in these Paul could speak as an accepted Rabbi. Note how constantly he made use of the synagogue. Acts 13. 4, 5. Acts 14. 1. Acts 17. 1. Acts 18. 4, 19. This method gave him access to the worshiping Scripture-loving _Jews_, to whom he felt called to give the gospel first (Rom. 1. 16). But it also gave him access to the thoughtful, serious _Gentiles_ who were seeking after God; and from this class came many of the early Christians. Notice that in Paul's opening address in Antioch in Pisidia he addressed both these classes (Acts 13. 16). The synagogue among the Jews of the dispersion was a great aid to the gospel.

5. He formed _acquaintance with rulers_ and influential men in many places; in so many that it cannot have been accidental, but must have been a part of his plan. Examine the following references, and note names and places: Acts 13. 7. Acts 17. 34. Rom. 16. 23. Acts 19. 31. Acts 28. 7. These friendships were often of great service to Paul, especially when opposed by his own people.

6. _He used the pen_ as well as the voice. He wrote many letters, not so much to spread the gospel as to strengthen and instruct the churches which he had planted. A number of his letters to churches and to individuals have been preserved; but it is evident that some have been lost (1 Cor. 5. 9. Col. 4. 16).

7. He strengthened his work by frequently _revisiting his churches_. Notice a re-visitation on his first journey (Acts 14. 21). The same churches visited again on his second journey (Acts 16. 1-4). Again on his third journey he passed through the same places (Acts 19. 1). A re-visitation of the European churches (Acts 20. 1, 2).

VIII. Note, lastly, =Paul's Enemies=; those who throughout his journeys opposed, fought, persecuted him. Almost everywhere his work stirred up violent antagonisms. This came in different places from three sources:

1. _The Jews_, whose opposition came not so much from his preaching Jesus as the Messiah as from his willingness to receive Gentiles into the church. He was regarded as breaking down the distinctions between Jew and Gentile. Note instances of persecution from this source (Acts 13. 45, 50. Acts 14. 1, 2. Acts 14. 19. Acts 17. 5. Acts 21. 27).

2. _The Judaizing Christians_; professed disciples who were opposed to Gentile membership in the church (Acts 15. 1, 5. Acts 21. 20, 21. Phil. 1. 14-17). As the years passed the proportion of Jews to Gentiles in the church became less and less, and this party diminished in power.

3. _The Gentiles._ In only two places do we find persecution stirred up against Paul by Gentiles without suggestion by Jews. Note the places and circumstances in Acts 16. 16-24. Acts 19 23-30. In each instance private interests caused the trouble. As yet there was no strife between Christianity and the imperial government. But Paul saw the trials impending, and not far distant, and he forewarned his churches of sharper persecution soon to come (Thess. 2. 3-10. Acts 20. 29. Phil. 1. 28-30).

Blackboard Outline

Part Two

VII. =Pau. Meth. Wor.= 1. Fell. work. 2. Ch. cit. 3. Sup. by tra.
4. Beg. syn. 5. Acq. w. ral. 6. Us. pen. 7. Rev. chu.

VIII. =Pau. Ene.= 1. Je. 2. Jud. Chr. 3. Gen.

Review Questions. Part Two

Name seven facts about Paul's methods of work in the
gospel. Who were his companions on his first, second,
and third journeys? What were the benefits of having
fellow-workers? Name some cities where Paul labored
longest. How is Paul contrasted in this respect with
Jesus Christ? What was the effect of beginning the
work in the great cities? How was Paul supported while
preaching? Why did he follow that plan? In what place
did Paul begin his work wherever possible? Whom did he
reach in that method? Name some rulers and influential
people in different places who were friends of Paul.
What use of the pen did Paul make in his ministry?
Show how he frequently revisited his churches. What
three classes of people were enemies of Paul in his
work? Name instances when the Jews opposed him. What
was their reason for their opposition? What opposition
did he meet from fellow-Christians? At what places was
he persecuted by Gentiles? What was the attitude of
the Roman government at that time toward Christianity?

SEVENTEENTH STUDY

The Church among the Gentiles

From the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50, To the Death of St. Paul, A. D. 68.