BASIC SEVEN CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Study Questions
1. Who is God?
2. What are some of the attributes of God?
3. What are some of the names of God in different Nigerian languages?
4. How does God's sovereignty impact our lives?
5. What can we learn from God's sovereignty?
Further Reading
- John 4:24
- Isaiah 45:12
- Revelation 4:11
- Exodus 3:14
- Revelation 1:8
- John 1:1
- Psalm 13
9
Study Questions
1. What authority was conferred on man after creation?
2. Did God create humanity in His own image? If yes, explain.
3. Mention two reasons why humanity was created.
4. How is man a special creation of God?
5. In what ways does man share in the creative power of God?
Further Reading
- Genesis 1:28
- Genesis 2:23-24
- Psalm 8:4-6
- Colossians 3:10
Study Questions
1. State five problems facing marriages.
2. Highlight five methods to resolve problems at home.
3. How can couples build a strong and healthy marriage?
4. What role does communication play in a successful marriage?
5. How can couples overcome infertility challenges in their marriage?
Further Reading
- Genesis 2:24
- Ephesians 5:25-33
- 1 Peter 3:7
- Proverbs 5:15-19
- Matthew 19:3-6
Study Questions
1. Discuss the consequences of the sin of Adam and Eve.
2. What is sin?
3. What do you think can be done to address the problem of sin in the world today?
4. Write one Bible verse talking about "sin." (Example: Romans 3:23)
5. How can individuals cultivate a deeper relationship with God to resist sin?
Study Questions
1. Describe the job of Cain and Abel.
2. Explain the reason for the enmity between Cain and Abel.
3. What lessons can we learn from the story of Cain and Abel?
4. How can we apply the principles of faith and obedience in our daily lives?
5. What are the consequences of sin, and how can we avoid them?
Study Questions
1. Describe Saul's disobedience and its consequences.
2. What lessons can we learn from Saul's disobedience?
3. How can we apply the principles of obedience and humility in our daily lives?
4. What are the consequences of sin, and how can we avoid them?
5. How can we cultivate a deeper relationship with God and avoid disobedience?
Additional Reflections
As we reflect on Saul's story, we can apply the lessons we learn to our own lives. By obeying God's instructions and living a life of humility and truthfulness, we can avoid the consequences of disobedience and cultivate a deeper relationship with God. May Saul's story serve as a warning and a reminder of the importance of following God's commands.
Study Questions
1. Describe the circumstances that led to Jacob and Esau's reconciliation.
2. What lessons can we learn from Jacob's actions in preparing for the meeting with Esau?
3. How can we apply the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation in our daily lives?
4. What are the benefits of reconciliation, and how can it impact our relationships?
5. How can we cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and humility in our own lives?
Additional Reflections
As we reflect on the story of Jacob and Esau's reconciliation, we can apply the lessons we learn to our own lives. By seeking forgiveness, showing humility, and being willing to make amends, we can restore relationships and experience the power of reconciliation. May this story serve as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and restoration in our own lives.
Study Questions
1. Describe the composition and role of the Sanhedrin in Paul's trial.
2. How did Paul divide the assembly during his trial before the Sanhedrin?
3. What were the accusations brought against Paul during his trial before Felix?
4. How did Felix respond to Paul's message, and what were the consequences for Paul?
5. What lessons can we learn from Paul's experiences during his trials and defense?
Additional Reflections
As we reflect on Paul's trials and defense, we can learn valuable lessons about standing firm in our convictions and articulating our beliefs in the face of adversity. May this narrative inspire us to remain committed to our faith and to trust in God's sovereignty in all circumstances.
Here are some project topics based on the themes:
Project Topics
1. *The Sovereignty of God*: Discuss the concept of God's sovereignty and its impact on human lives.
2. *The Creation Story*: Analyze the biblical account of creation and its significance in understanding God's relationship with humanity.
3. *Marriage and Relationships*: Explore the biblical perspective on marriage, its types, and its significance in building strong relationships.
4. *The Consequences of Disobedience*: Examine the story of Adam and Eve's disobedience and its consequences, and discuss how it relates to human experiences.
5. *Paul's Trial and Defense*: Study Paul's experiences during his trials and defense, and discuss the lessons that can be learned from his encounters with the Sanhedrin and Felix.
THEME ONE Project Questions
1. How does God's sovereignty impact human decision-making and responsibility?
2. What are the implications of the creation story for human understanding of the world and their place in it?
3. How do different types of marriage relationships impact individuals and society?
4. What are the consequences of disobedience, and how can individuals cultivate a spirit of obedience and humility?
5. What lessons can be learned from Paul's experiences during his trials and defense, and how can they be applied to contemporary Christian living?
A) It marks the birth of the church
B) It shows Jesus' power over death
C) It proves Jesus' divinity
D) It fulfills prophecy
A) Isaiah
B) Jeremiah
C) Ezekiel
50. What is the significance of the second coming of Jesus in Christianity?
A) It marks the end of time
B) It shows Jesus' power over death
C) It proves Jesus' divinity
D) It fulfills prophecy
51. Who was the apostle who wrote the book of Revelation?
A) John
B) Paul
C) Peter
D) Jude
52. What is the name of the event where Jesus healed a blind man?
A) Healing of the Blind Man
B) Feeding of the 5,000
C) Walking on Water
D) Transfiguration
53. Who was the tax collector who was forgiven by Jesus?
A) Matthew
B) Zacchaeus
C) Mark
D) Luke
54. What is the significance of tithing in Christianity?
A) It is a commandment from God
B) It shows trust in God's provision
C) It is a way to support the church
D) All of the above
55. Who was the prophet who was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire?
A) Elijah
B) Elisha
C) Jeremiah
D) Isaiah
56. What is the name of the book in the Bible that contains prophecies about the end times?
A) Revelation
B) Daniel
C) Ezekiel
D) Isaiah
57. Who was the apostle who preached to the Gentiles?
A) Paul
B) Peter
C) John
D) Philip
58. What is the significance of communion in Christianity?
A) It symbolizes Jesus' body and blood
B) It shows Jesus' power over death
C) It proves Jesus' divinity
D) It fulfills prophecy
59. Who was the mother of Samuel in the Bible?
A) Hannah
B) Mary
C) Elizabeth
D) Sarah
60. What is the significance of the Bible in Christian living
A) It provides guidance and wisdom
B) It shows Jesus' power over death
C) It proves Jesus' divinity
D) It fulfills prophecy
ANSWERS:
1. B) Jesus Christ
2. B) Bible
3. C) Disobedience
4. C) Adam
5. C) Mount of Temptation
6. A) Mary
7. D) All of the above
8. A) Genesis
9. A) Isaiah
10. A) Jordan
11. A) John the Baptist
12. A) Feeding of the 5,000
13. A) Peter, Andrew, James, and John
14. A) Jerusalem
15. B) Simon of Cyrene
16. D) All of the above
17. A) Caiaphas
18. A) Peter
19. A) Pilate
20. A) Resurrection
21. A) Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome
22. D) All of the above
23. A) It marks the birth of the church
24. A) Acts of the Apostles
25. A) Paul
26. D) All of the above
27. A) Matthew
28. A) The Lord's Prayer
29. A) It is a day of rest and worship
30. A) Jonah
31. A) Mount Sinai
32. A) They provide a moral code for living
33. A) Gideon
34. A) Proverbs
35. C) Solomon
36. D) All of the above
37. A) Thomas
38. A) Walking on Water
39. A) Lazarus
40. B) It is a demonstration of trust in God
41. A) Elijah
42. A) Genesis
43. A) Saul
44. A) It is the inspired word of God
45. A) Judas Iscariot
46. A) Crucifixions
B) To preach to all nations
C) To heal the sick and cast out demons
D) All of the above
Study Questions*
1. Who founded the church in Samaria?
2. What was Philip's ministry in Samaria characterized by?
3. Why did Philip go to Samaria?
4. What was the role of Peter and John in Samaria?
5. What problem did the Ethiopian eunuch have, and how was it solved?
6. What miracle did Peter perform in Lydda?
7. Why did the disciples in Joppa call for Peter?
TOPIC EIGHT:
THE CHURCH IN CAESAREA:
*The Church in Caesarea*
The church in Caesarea was a significant development in the early Christian church. It marked the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem and Judea, and it demonstrated the power of the gospel to break down barriers and unite people from different backgrounds.
*Cornelius Calls for Peter*
The church in Caesarea started with the invitation Peter received from Cornelius to come to his house and preach the gospel. Cornelius was a Roman army officer living in Caesarea, and he was a devout religious man who worshipped God faithfully with all the members of his household.
*The Vision of Cornelius*
Cornelius had a vision in which an angel asked him to send for Simon Peter who was in Joppa at that time. After the vision, Cornelius sent his servants and soldiers to look for Peter. The vision was a significant turning point in Cornelius' life, and it marked the beginning of his journey with God.
*Peter's Vision*
While the messengers of Cornelius were still on their way to Joppa, Peter went into prayer and fell into a trance. He saw a vision of a vessel descending from heaven like a sheet and containing various kinds of animals. A voice said to him, "Peter, kill and eat." Peter replied, "No Lord, for I have never eaten anything unclean." The voice cautioned Peter not to call anything God has done unclean.
*The Significance of Peter's Vision*
Peter's vision was significant because it marked a turning point in his understanding of the gospel. He realized that the gospel was not just for the Jews, but for all people. The vision prepared Peter for his ministry to the Gentiles.
*The Meeting at Cornelius' House*
When Peter arrived at Cornelius' house, he preached the gospel to the crowd that had gathered. Many accepted Christ and were baptized. Peter laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
*The Importance of Baptism*
Baptism is an important step in the Christian journey. It symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the believer's identification with Him. Baptism is also a symbol of cleansing and new life.
*The Relevance of Men of God*
Men of God like Peter play a crucial role in society. They bring spiritual guidance, healing, and hope to those in need. They also demonstrate the power of God and the importance of faith.
*The Role of Prayer*
Prayer played a significant role in the lives of Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius prayed, and God answered him by sending Peter to his house. Peter prayed, and God revealed to him the significance of the vision.
*The Power of the Gospel*
The gospel is powerful and effective in bringing people to Christ. It has the power to break down barriers and unite people from different backgrounds.
Study Questions
1. Who was Cornelius, and what was his role in the establishment of the church in Caesarea?
2. What was the content of Peter's vision, and what was its significance?
3. Why did Cornelius call for Peter, and what was the outcome of their meeting?
4. What is the relevance of men of God in our society?
5. What is the importance of baptism in the Christian journey?
Further Reading
- Acts 9:32-43
- Acts 11:19-26
Conclusion
The church in Caesarea was a significant development in the early Christian church. It marked the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem and Judea, and it demonstrated the power of the gospel to break down barriers and unite people from different backgrounds. The story of Cornelius and Peter is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, prayer, and obedience to God.
TOPIC NINE:
PERSECUTION OF THE EARLY BELIEVERS:
*Persecution of the Church by Saul*
Saul was a Hebrew youth who was highly educated and studied law under Gamaliel, a great Hebrew teacher. He was a zealous member of the strictest Jewish religious party and was very active in the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem and cities around him.
*The Havoc Saul Caused in the Early Church*
Saul caused significant havoc in the early church. He moved from house to house, forcing Christians out of their hiding places and clamping them into prison. Many believers were killed, and many more were insecure in Jerusalem, leading to the flight of many Christians out of Jerusalem to other places. The persecution was so severe that it scattered the disciples, but it also led to the spread of the gospel.
*Saul's Mission to Damascus*
Saul's mission to Damascus was to bind Christians and bring them to the council for judgment. However, on his way to Damascus, he had an encounter with Jesus who struck him down. He became blind, and later, God used Ananias to minister to him, and he regained his sight.
*The Significance of Saul's Conversion*
Saul's conversion was a significant event in the early church. He was struck down by Jesus and became blind, but later regained his sight through the ministry of Ananias. He became an apostle and won many nations unto the Lord. His conversion marked a turning point in his life, and he became one of the most influential figures in the early church.
*The Killing of James*
*While Herod Killed James*
King Herod (Agrippa I) was a major persecutor of the church. He arrested and imprisoned James, the brother of John, and killed him with the sword. Herod's brutality against the church was evident in his actions.
*The Reason for James' Death*
Herod killed James to intimidate the apostles and believers and to demonstrate the brutal way they would be killed if they continued in their belief. James' death was a significant loss to the early church, and it marked a period of intense persecution.
*Herod's Brutality Against the Church*
Herod's brutality against the church was evident in his actions. He arrested Peter and put him in prison, placing him under the surveillance of four squads of soldiers. Herod's actions were motivated by a desire to please the Jewish leaders and to maintain his power and influence.
*The Arrest of Peter*
*While Peter Was Arrested*
Peter was arrested by Herod and put in prison. He was placed under the surveillance of four squads of soldiers, and Herod planned to put him on trial after the Passover. The arrest of Peter marked a significant moment in the early church, and it demonstrated the danger and risk that the disciples faced.
*The Significance of Peter's Arrest*
Peter's arrest was significant because it marked a turning point in the early church. The church prayed fervently for Peter's release, and God answered their prayers. Peter was miraculously freed from prison, and he went into hiding.
*The Conversion of Saul*
*The Significance of Saul's Conversion*
Saul's conversion was a significant event in the early church. He was struck down by Jesus and became blind, but later regained his sight through the ministry of Ananias. He became an apostle and won many nations unto the Lord. His conversion marked a turning point in his life, and he became one of the most influential figures in the early church.
*The Impact of Saul's Conversion*
Saul's conversion had a significant impact on the early church. He became a powerful advocate for the gospel, and his ministry helped to spread Christianity throughout the Mediterranean world.
*Scripture References*
- Acts 8:1-3
- Acts 9:1-30
- Acts 12:1-8
*Study Questions*
1. What was Saul's role in the persecution of the early church?
2. Why did Herod kill James?
3. What was the significance of Saul's conversion?
4. How did the disciples react to persecution?
5. What were the reasons for the persecution of the church?
THEME ONE PROJECT QUESTIONS
Topic 1: The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer?
2. How does the Holy Spirit empower believers for service and witness?
3. What are some of the functions of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers?
*Topic 2: The Coming of the Holy Spirit*
1. Describe the events of the day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
2. What was the significance of the Holy Spirit's coming to the disciples?
3. How does the coming of the Holy Spirit relate to the mission of the church?
*Topic 3: The Effects of the Holy Spirit on the Early Disciples*
1. How did the Holy Spirit empower the early disciples for ministry and service?
2. What were some of the effects of the Holy Spirit's presence in the lives of the early disciples?
3. How can believers today experience the same effects of the Holy Spirit?
*Topic 4: Fellowshipping in the Early Church*
1. Describe the communal lifestyle of the early church and its significance.
2. What can we learn from the way the early church shared resources and supported one another?
3. How can believers today apply the principles of fellowship and community in their own lives?
*Topic 5: Early Day of the Church - Fraud in the Church*
1. What was the issue that led to the death of Ananias and Sapphira, and what lessons can we learn from their story?
2. How did the early church handle issues of dishonesty and deceit, and what can we learn from their example?
3. What are some ways that believers can maintain integrity and honesty in their relationships with one another?
*Topic 6: The Church in Samaria*
1. Describe Philip's ministry in Samaria and its significance.
2. What role did Peter and John play in the establishment of the church in Samaria?
3. How did the church in Samaria demonstrate the power of the gospel to break down barriers and unite people from different backgrounds.
*Topic 7: The Church in Caesarea*
1. Describe the story of Cornelius and Peter, and its significance for the early church.
2. What was the significance of Peter's vision, and how did it relate to the ministry to the Gentiles?
3. How did the church in Caesarea demonstrate the power of the gospel to reach people from different backgrounds.
*Topic 8: Persecution of the Early Believers*
1. Describe the persecution faced by the early church, and how it affected the spread of Christianity.
2. What were some of the reasons for the persecution of the early church, and how did the believers respond?
3. How can believers today learn from the example of the early church in the face of persecution?
*Topic 9: The Church in Jerusalem and Beyond*
1. Describe the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem and its significance.
2. What role did key figures like Peter, Paul, and Philip play in the spread of Christianity?
3. How did the early church demonstrate the power of the gospel to unite people from different backgrounds and cultures.
THEME TWO
TOPIC ONE:
Paul's Nativity and Education:
Paul's Birth and Citizenship
Paul was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), to a Jewish family. His father purchased Roman citizenship for him, which granted him certain rights and privileges. As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal to the Roman authorities and was protected from certain forms of punishment.
Paul's Education
Paul was brought up in Jerusalem and studied under the great Greek teacher Gamaliel. He was educated in the strict manner of the law of the fathers and became a zealous follower of the Jewish traditions. Paul's education prepared him for his role as a Pharisee and later as a Christian apostle.
Paul's Background
Paul's family was a disciplined Jewish family that obeyed the rules and regulations of the Jewish religious laws. His father was a Pharisee, and Paul was trained to become a Pharisee. Paul's background and education shaped his worldview and prepared him for his future ministry.
Significance of Paul's Roman Citizenship
Paul's Roman citizenship was significant because it:
1. Granted him certain rights and privileges
2. Allowed him to appeal to the Roman authorities
3. Protected him from certain forms of punishment
Significance of Paul's Education
Paul's education under Gamaliel was significant because it:
1. Prepared him for his role as a Pharisee
2. Equipped him with a deep understanding of the Jewish law and traditions
3. Shaped his worldview and prepared him for his future ministry
Study Questions
1. Where was Paul born, and what was his citizenship?
2. Who was Paul's teacher, and what was his educational background?
3. What was the significance of Paul's Roman citizenship?
4. How did Paul's education prepare him for his future ministry?
Scripture References
- Acts 22:3
- Acts 23:6
- Philippians 3:5-6
TOPIC TWO:
Paul’s Persecution of the Early Church (Acts 7:57-58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2)
After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostles were spreading the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit was at work. Many Jews were converted to Christianity and the church kept on increasing.
Paul was among the Jews who did not believe that Jesus was the messiah. They did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They believed that God would send the messiah to them and save them. They saw that the Gospel Message about the resurrection of Jesus Christ was dangerous and must be stopped.
These people believed that what the Christians were doing was not right in the sight of God and that God would back them up for punishing them. It was some of these Jews who arrested Stephen and stoned him to death.
When Stephen was being stoned, Paul was present. The Bible referred to him as young man whose feet the witness laid down their clothes. That is, Paul was the ring leader of the mob. Paul’s plan was to eradicate Christianity and therefore consented to Stephen’s death. He himself said: “I persecuted this way (Christianity) to death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the council of elders bear me witness”. (Acts 22:4)
The death of Stephen resulted to mass persecution of Christians in Jerusalem and Paul was among the great persecutors of the disciples of Jesus Christ. He imprisoned many of them. He went to the high priest and took letter of permission to arrest those Christians who had fled from Jerusalem to Damascus and bring them in chain to Jerusalem for trial.
The Significance of Paul’s Early Life: Paul succeeded as a young man because of his attitude of obedience, discipline and hardworking. This helped him to succeed in his studies to graduate with a good grade.
Paul also took his religion very seriously. He was a devoted Jew who faithfully defended his religion by attacking those who he thought opposed it.
ASSIGNMENT
State Paul’s former name, nationality and religion
The Conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-19)
Conversion simply means changing from one religion to another Paul was converted from his religion, Judaism (the Jewish religion) to Christianity when he encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Paul persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem and later heard that many of them had run to Damascus, in Syria. He also got the information that the Christians had made converts, established churches had made converts, established churches and got settled down. Paul was sad at the development because his purpose was to eradicate Christianity.
He therefore went to the high priest and took letters of permission to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem for punishment. The high priest supported the idea and gave Paul a letter of introduction to the synagogue in Damascus.
Paul and some of his colleagues left Damascus the following day to execute his plan against Christians. As he w as about to get to the city of Damascus in the afternoon, something strange happened to him that was to transform his entire life.
As Paul was riding on his horse, a bright light from haven shinned on him and got him blinded. When this happened, he fell on the ground and heard the voice of Jesus Christ that said: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” then Paul looked up and asked: Who are you, Lord?”And the voice answered” I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Jesus Christ asked Paul to enter the city of Damascus and that Paul would be told what to do.
Those people travelling with Paul were silent and became afraid because they heard the voice speaking, but did not see anybody. When Paul rose up from the ground, he could not see anything because the light from heaven had blinded him. He was led by his companion into the city of Damascus; he stayed in the city for three days without food and water.
There was one of the Christians who lived in Damascus called Ananias. The Lord appeared to him and said to him: “Rise and go to the street called straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul: for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias said: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority form the Chief priests to bind all those who call upon thy name.” but the Lord replied him: “Go for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel: for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Ananias left for the house of Judas and saw Saul. He laid his hands upon him and said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. Immediately after this, something like a scales fell from his eyes and Saul regained his sight. Then he got and was baptized, and when he ate, he strengthened. Saul then became a Christians and preached his first message in the city of Damascus.
The Significance of Paul’s Conversion: when Paul met with Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit, his life was transformed. He did not persecute the Christians any longer. Rather, he committed the rest of his life to Christian service. Through him, many people were converted to Christianity. The most interesting thing is that the chief persecutor of the church became one of the greatest shepherds of the church he formerly persecuted and defended it to the point of death.
Paul’s call and how he worked tirelessly in the vineyard of God brings to mind the call and work of great people of old like Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, the apostles of Jesus and those committed and dedicated Christians of today.
Their work proofs their faithfulness and trust in the living God.
TOPIC THREE
PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Acts 13 and 14)
Shortly after Paul encountered Jesus and was converted to Christianity, he started preaching the Gospel in Damascus and confirming that Jesus Christ was the son of God. The Jews who were in Damascus was not happy that Paul had joined the Christians and was preaching that Jesus was the son of God. They planned to kill him, but some Christians in Damascus put him in a basket in the night and let him down over the walls of Damascus and he escaped to Jerusalem.
When he got to Jerusalem, he wanted to mix the Christians but they were afraid of him. Then Barnabas went to the people and explained to them how Paul met Jesus and was converted on the road to Damascus. When some Jews later saw that Paul was preaching about Jesus Christ, they attempted to kill him. Se this, the Jerusalem church took Paul to Caesarea and from there to Tarsus where he was born. After he had spent two years there, Barnabas brought him down from Tarsus to Antioch in Syria.
It was while Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch that one of the prophets from Jerusalem named Agabus came to Antioch. Through the Holy Spirit, Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine all over the world. This prophecy came to pass during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. The Christians in Antioch raised money among them and sent it down through Paul and Barnabas to the church in Jerusalem and Judea.
After the return of Paul and Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch, certain teachers of God’s word and prophets of the church in Antioch gathered together and were engaging in fasting and the work of ministry. They were Barnabas, Simeon, who was caller Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen and Paul. The Holy Spirit spoke to them to: ‘set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them’.
When the apostles had prayed and fasted, they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them forth. After this, Paul and Barnabas embark on their first missionary journey. The place they went to were Paphos, Perga in Pamphilia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
TOPIC FOUR
Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13 and 14)
Shortly after Paul encountered Jesus and was converted to Christianity, he started preaching the Gospel in Damascus and confirming that Jesus Christ was the son of God. The Jews who were in Damascus was not happy that Paul had joined the Christians and was preaching that Jesus was the son of God. They planned to kill him, but some Christians in Damascus put him in a basket in the night and let him down over the walls of Damascus and he escaped to Jerusalem.
When he got to Jerusalem, he wanted to mix the Christians but they were afraid of him. Then Barnabas went to the people and explained to them how Paul met Jesus and was converted on the road to Damascus. When some Jews later saw that Paul was preaching about Jesus Christ, they attempted to kill him. Se this, the Jerusalem church took Paul to Caesarea and from there to Tarsus where he was born. After he had spent two years there, Barnabas brought him down from Tarsus to Antioch in Syria.
It was while Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch that one of the prophets from Jerusalem named Agabus came to Antioch. Through the Holy Spirit, Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine all over the world. This prophecy came to pass during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. The Christians in Antioch raised money among them and sent it down through Paul and Barnabas to the church in Jerusalem and Judea.
After the return of Paul and Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch, certain teachers of God’s word and prophets of the church in Antioch gathered together and were engaging in fasting and the work of ministry. They were Barnabas, Simeon, who was caller Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen and Paul. The Holy Spirit spoke to them to: ‘set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them’.
When the apostles had prayed and fasted, they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them forth. After this, Paul and Barnabas embark on their first missionary journey. The place they went to were Paphos, Perga in Pamphilia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
ASSIGNMENT
Why is Paul having two names and two citizenship
PAUL AND PAPHOS (ACTS 13:6-12)
From Seleucia, Paul and Barabbas sailed to the town called salamis which is on the island of Cyprus. They brought John Mark along with them as their assistant. They went to many towns on the island and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. They later came to Paphos and met the ruler of the island named Sergius Paulus. They preached to the ruler about Jesus, but a certain man who was a Jewish sorcerer and a false prophet tried to discourage the ruler so that he would not listen and be saved.
Bar-Jesus thought he would not be reckoned with anymore if the ruler should be converted to Christianity. This made Bar-Jesus to speak against the apostles’ preaching. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit looked intently at him and said: “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time”.
Immediately Paul declared these words, Elymas could not see again and began to look for somebody to lead him by the hand. When the ruler, Sergius Paulus, saw what had happened, he believed the Gospel message of Paul about Jesus Christ and he was converted to Christianity.
Paul in Perga in Pamphilia (Acts 13:13)
After Paul and his companions planted the church in Paphos, they sailed to the mainland and arrived at Perga in Pamphilia. When they reached there, John, Mark left them and wet back to Jerusalem.
Paul in Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14-52)
Paul and Barnabas left Perga in Pamphilia and came to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day, they went to the Jewish synagogue. After the scriptures were read, Paul was called upon to preach to the people. Paul spoke to them about the history of the people of Israel right from the time they were enslaved in the land of Egypt and got delivered through Moses. He told them how the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years and how they were led by Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan.
After they settled down Canaan, the people were ruled through Judges until the time of Prophet Samuel. When they demanded for a King and God gave them Saul as their first King. God then removed Saul and enthroned David as the next king of Israel. Paul continued by telling them that from the descendants of David, God had been ginning them a Saviour as he had promised and that the Saviour was Jesus Christ.
Jesus was condemned to death and crucified but was raised from the dead by God. Paul quoted from the book of psalm 16:35 to establish the resurrection of Jesus Christ: “thou will not let thy holy one see corruption”.
Paul further said that forgiveness of sins was given through Jesus Christ and by him those who believed was freed from the bondage of the Law of Moses. Paul also told them the consequences of not accepting the message of salvation.
When Paul finished speaking, the congregation liked his preaching so much that they demanded that he should repeat it on the following Sabbath. On the following Sabbath, when the Jews saw that many people came to listen to Paul, they were filled with envy and began to contradict and blaspheme. They opposed the things spoken by Paul. Some people supported Paul and other rejected his message. Paul was able to convert both the Jews and Gentiles. Later, there was riot, and then Paul and Barnabas fled to Iconium.
Paul in Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)
When Paul and Barnabs got to Iconium, they went to the Jewish synagogue on the same day and preached. Many people in the congregation accepted their message and as a result many Jews and Gentiles believed in the Gospel message and they were delivered. Meanwhile some Jews did not believe their message and poisoned the minds of some the gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. The apostles stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, performing sings and wonders among the people. Later, a violent attempt was made by both the gentiles and Jews, with their ruler to persecute them, when they became aware of it; they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia.
Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:8-20)
Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel of Jesus to the people of Lystra on a certain day, as they were preaching; there was a certain man who was crippled from him mother’s womb who had never walked. The man listened attentively to Paul as he was preaching the word of God voice: “stand up straight on your feet”. When the people saw what had happened, they said their gods had visited them in the form of human beings and healed the crippled man. They shouted in Lycaonian language: “The gods come down to us in the likeness of men”. They called Barnabas, Zeus (or Jupiter). They called Paul, Hermes (or Mercury) because he was chief speaker. Zeus or Jupiter was the father of the Greek gods while Herms or Mercury was the messenger of their gods.
The priest in-charge of the temple of Jupiter brought out oxen and was ready to make sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas who they thought were gods. Immediately Paul and Barnabas saw this, they felt bad and quickly restrained the people by saying: “Men, why are doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, sea, and all things that are in them”.
Pauls and Barnabas admonished them to turn from their superstition to the living God. They continued by telling them that God who crated them was merciful and the supplier of their needs. When the apostles had finished their admonition, the Jews who persecuted them in Iconium and Antioch appeared and poisoned the minds of the people against the apostles. They therefore stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he had died. However, when the enemies had left him, the disciples (Christians) gathered around him, he then rose up and went into the city. And he departed with Barnabas to Derbe the following day.
Paul in Derbe (Acts 14:21-28)
The apostles left Lystra for Derbe the following day. When they got to Derbe, they preached the Gospel to the people of the city and got many people converted to Christianity. They later returned to Antioch through Lystra and Iconium, where they strengthened the faith of the Christians, exhorted them to continue in the faith. They also appointed elder in every church they got to which they established.
The Significance of Paul’s First Missionary Journey
The first missionary journey of Paul caused the church outside Jerusalem to grow and expand rapidly. Also, through Paul’s ministry,, many gentiles and some Jews were converted to Christianity.
The work of God is a difficult task. The apostles encountered much opposition from Satan and his agents. They faced persecutions in their attempt to win souls for Jesus. The apostles were able to overcome the opposition because of their faith in CHRIST JESUS. They often pray and fast for God to crown their efforts with success. To be successful in the work of God, those who are called should follow the steps of the apostles. They should have strong faith in Jesus Christ, be fervent in prayer and fast often.
TOPIC FIVE
The Church Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35)
Paul’s first missionary journey gave room to the conversion of many Gentiles who became members of the church. Some of the Jewish Christians who came for Judea taught that unless the foreigner were circumcised according to the Law of Moses they would not be saved. They tried to resolve the matter in Antioch but the matter could not be solved then a delegation was sent to the church in Jerusalem which included Paul and Barnabas. On their arrival some of the Jewish Christians who were among the Pharisees’ party said that the gentiles should obey the Law of Moses in order to be save.
But the apostles agreed together and concluded that one could only be saved by the grave of our Lord Jesus Christ and not by circumcision or the Law of Moses. The whole issues that was causing confusion and the Law of Moses or by grace. When they did not agree, there was a controversy and division among the church. In order to solve the problem, the first Christian council was set up in Jerusalem.
The Jewish Christians sent their representatives. The apostles and elders were also present for deliberation. James, the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ presided over the meeting.
The council was first addressed by Peter who rejected the idea that the gentiles should be circumcised and must obey the Law of Moses before they could be saved. He brought to their understanding how God had sent him to Cornelius who was a gentile and how he and the people with him received the Holy Spirit as they themselves had on the day of Pentecost. He therefore concluded that salvation could only come by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and not by circumcision or the Law of the Moses.
After Peter’s speech, Paul and Barnabas also addressed the council. They explained how God had called them to minister to the gentiles without considering circumcision or the Law of Moses.
When it was the turn of James, who presided over the council to speak, He condemned the attitude of imposing the Jewish traditions, laws and customs on the gentiles. He therefore suggested that it would be okay to ask the gentiles who had been saved to careful of certain things which were:
Not to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols.
To abstain from blood i.e. not to murder.
To avoid meat that had been strangled which still had blood in it.
To avoid sexual immorality.
James said, if the gentiles should observe these things, they would become member of the church without obeying the laws of Moses or undergo circumcision.
These suggestions of James were writing down in a letter which included apology to the gentiles for what had happened and the letter was sent through Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas to the churches in the Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
James further said that the Jewish Christians who decided on his own to follow circumcision and the Law of Moses could do so complement their faith in Jesus Christ.
The Significance of the Jerusalem Council
The Jerusalem council signifies that controversies could happen even in the work of God. The important thing is to resolve controversies by dialoging with one another not to destroy one another’s character, life and property through violence. The council discussed the issue in a peaceful manner that made them to arrive at a conclusion acceptable to all. The conclusion they arrived at helped to unite the church that was about to disintegrate.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18; 22)
On the second missionary journey, Paul separated from Barnabas because of John Mark who wanted to follow them again. John Mark left Paul and Barnabas and came back to Jerusalem on their first missionary journey. There was argument between Paul and Barnabas because Barnabas wanted John Mark to accompany them but Paul refused him because he left them on the way on their first missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas therefore went differently.
Paul chose Silas, travelled through Syria and Cilicia to Derbe and Lystra. When they got to Lystra, Paul met with Timothy and made him his disciple after he had circumcised him. On second missionary journey, Paul went to Philippi, Athens and Corinth which was cities located in Europe.
Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:11-34)
Paul had a vision to go to Macedonia while he and his companions were still at Troas. In the vision, a man of Macedonia appeared to him and said:
“Come over to Macedonia and help us”. Immediately Paul and his people went to Macedonia and from there to the city of Philippi.
The city of Philippi was found by Philip of Macedonia who was the father of Alexander the great. Philippi was a Roman town which had temples which had temples dedicated to the Greek gods. The people of the city practiced magic and fortune telling.
There was no synagogue in the city of Philippi. The few who were there only worship outside the city.
Paul and his companions stayed in Philippi for some days. They preach the Gospel and got many people converted to Christianity. One of the people who received salvation through them was a woman called Lydia who was from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple. She hosted Paul and his companions in her home for the rest of their stay in Philippi.
One day, Paul and his people were going for prayer outside the city. A slave girl who was possessed with the spirit of divination followed them. This salve give was a fortune – teller who made a lot of money for her masters. The slave girl followed Paul and his companions saying: “these men are the servants of the most high God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation”. The girl did this for many days. Then Paul was greatly annoyed. He turned and said to the evil spirit using the girl: “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her”.
The spirit came out of her immediately. But when the masters of the girl saw that their hope of making money had been dashed, they got angry and arrested Paul and Silas. They turned the crowd against them and dragged them to the magistrates. They made false accusation against them saying: “these men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city, they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe”.
The magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded the people to beat them with canes. After Paul and Silas were beaten, they were thrown into prison. The keeper of the prison had been instructed to guard them well. Having received such an instruction, he put them into the inner prison and locked their feet in the stock to keep them from escaping.
At mid-night, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison. Immediately all the doors of the prison were opened and everyon chain were loosed.
The keeper of the prison woke up from sleep. He was afraid when he saw the doors of the prison opened. The thought that the prisoners had escaped. The therefore drew out his sword and wanted to kill himself. Paul then cried with a loud voice saying to him: “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here”.
The jailer fell down trembling before Paul and Silas asking them: “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied him: “Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household”.
The apostles then spoke the word of Lord to him and to all who were in his house. The jailer was exceeding happy and he washed and took care of their wounds. The apostles baptized him and his family. Afterwards, he set food before the apostles. The jailer and his household rejoiced for the salvation of their souls.
The significance of Paul’s visit to Philippi
The quick response of Paul to the vision that asked him to go and help them in Macedonia showed his zeal for the work of God and his willingness for others to be saved without minding the difficulty he would face.
Lydia was a source of help to Paul and Silas because she supported the apostles by offering them her home in Philippi to stay. Through the event that happened to Paul and Silas in the prison, the jailer life and that of his family were changed. They were saved and converted to Christianity. In order to reciprocate, they help and provided for the apostles.
ASSIGNMENT
State the composition of the Jerusalem council
Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
When Paul and his companions left Philippi, they went to Thessalonica. Paul was warmly received by the people. But some of the Jews who did not believed in Thessalonica raised persecution against Paul and his companions. The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. But the Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and stir up the crowds against the apostles. Therefore, Paul left Berea and went to Athens to wait for Silas and Timothy. As Paul was waiting at Athens, he discovered that the people of the city worship idols because he could see many building where idols were being worshiped and different images representing their gods.
Paul was not happy at this. He therefore went to synagogue and preached the Gospel to the Jews. He also went to the market place to speak to the Athenians. Some of the people who encountered him said: “what does this babbler want to say?” Other said: “he seems to be proclaimer of foreign gods”.
Among the people were highly educated people among them. There were the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers among them who were always willing to argue to learn new things. Therefore, they always wanted to listen to a new doctrine. They took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus which was one of their hills. This hill was the place where the supreme council and supreme court of the Athenians were meeting for hearing. The people of Athens asked Paul: “may we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak”. Paul then stood up on the Areopagus and spoke to the Athenians. He said he perceived that Athenians were very religious people because he saw as he was passing through the town, the object of their worship like their religious building and images of their gods all over the places. He said also saw an altar with the inscription: “to the unknown God”.
Paul then preached to them about this unknown God whom they ignorantly worshipped. He said it was the same God who made the world and everything in it. He does not dwell in the temples with hands and could not worship with men’s hands because he is Lord of heaven and earth. We are all his children for in him. We live, move and have our being.
And that some of their own poets have said it that: “for we are also his offspring”. But Paul told them that the image of gold, silver or stone could never represent God.
Paul explained further that God was the judge of all men and that he had appointed a time when he w as going to judge the world through Jesus Christ whom he raised from died. He told them that God had overlooked the time of ignorance and commanded all people in everywhere to repent of their sins. Paul assured them that the judgment would certainly come.
When Paul talked about the resurrection of Jesus from dead, some of them laughed and mocked him. They did not understand how someone could come back to life after death. But some of them believed him. Among them who believed him were Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris.
The Significance of Paul’s Visit to Athens
Though the Athenians worshipped other gods, but Paul did not condemn them. He rather took the advantages of their knowledge of God as the creator and sustainer of life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
ASSIGNMENT
Give four reasons why we must love our neighbours.
Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:1-22)
When Paul came to Corinth, he stayed in the house of a jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla. This couple and Paul worked together as tent makers. Paul went to synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to meet Paul, Paul was preaching among the Jews telling them that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews opposed him and Paul shook his garments and said to them that henceforth he would go to the Gentiles. When Paul left the Jews, he went and stayed in the house of Titus Justus who was a Greek and worshipper of God whose house next to the synagogue.
Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue. He and his entire household accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour together with some people of Corinth. They were all baptized by Paul. In a vision one night the Lord spoke to Paul saying: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city”. After Paul received this vision, he stayed in Corinth for one year, six months teaching the word of God among them.
But the Jews later came together and attacked Paul when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia. Paul was brought before the tribunal. They accused Paul of persuading people to worship God contrary to the Jewish law. Gallio told the people if it was a case of crime or wrong doing he would have looked into the matter. But he refused to look into the matter because it was connected to their religion. Galllio acted this way because the Roman Government had given the Jewish community freedom to worship God according to their own ways and manner. He then drove them out of the tribunal. The ruler of synagogue called Sosthenes was arrested by the Jews and was beaten in front of the tribunal, but Gallio did not pay attention to it.
After this had taken place, Paul still stayed in Corinth for a good while but later took leave of the members and sailed to Syria in the company of Aquila and Priscilla. Paul had his hair cut off Cenchrea because he had taken a vow. He then came to Ephesus and entered into the synagogue and argued with them. He told them: “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return agains to you, God willing”. He then left them.
TOPIC SIX
PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Acts 18:23-31;6)
Paul in Ephesus (Acts 18:23-28; 19:1-4)
Paul visited Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Paul first visited Caesarea and greeted the church members. When he left there, he went to Antioch, Galatia and Phrygia. A man called Apollo who was a Jew came to Ephesus to preach the Gospel to the people. When Aquila and Pricilla saw him speaking boldly and eloquently they took him to themselves and educated him more on the way of the Lord. He later went to Achaia from Ephesus and the members of the church received him well. He greatly helped those who had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He publicly condemned the Jew showing them from the scripture that Jesus was the Christ.
Paul came again to Ephesus for the second time to fulfill the promise he made to them during his second missionary journey. This second visit of Paul to Ephesus began his third missionary journey. Paul continued in Ephesus for years and got many Ephesians converted. He came across twelve Christians who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then laid his hands on them and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. They all spoke in tongues and prophesied. Paul taught a great number of people which comprised both Jews and Greek the word of Jesus Christ. God also performed unusual miracles of healing by the hands of Paul. Through Paul’s preaching many magicians were converted to Christianity and became followers of Jesus. These people brought their magic books out and burned them in public.
There was a great temple in Ephesus built for the worship of their goddess named Artemis in Greek language and Diana in Roman language. Artemis or Diana as the goddess of fertility. The barren women worshipped this goddess by praying and offering sacrifices to her in order that they might give birth to children. The image of this goddess was mad in such a way that it had several breast which symbolized fertility. The people believed this image fell down from Zeus that is skies and was put in the temple at Ephesus. Every year, people went on pilgrim to the temple of Artemis in Ephesus to worship her. The pilgrims came back home with little silver images of Artemis.
Each year, the silversmiths who made images of this goddess realized lots of money. When Paul preached to the Ephesians to stop worshipping idols, this silversmiths was afraid that Paul teaching might paralyze their business. Therefore, one of the silversmiths named Demetrius called the silversmiths together for a meeting against Paul. In his address he said: “men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover, you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed whom all Asia and the world worship.”
The people were angry by the speech of Demetrius and they shouted: “great is Artemis of the Ephesus”. So the whole city was filled with confusion and rushed into the theater altogether at once, they dragged along with them Gaius and Aristarchus who were Paul’s travelling companions. Paul wanted to go and address the people but the disciples did not allow him and also some of his friends who were Asiarchs prevented him from entering into the theater. A Jewish man named Alexander wanted to defend Paul, but the crowd refused.
The town clerk came to the crowd and addressed them that what they were doing was not lawful. As a result of the uproar, the city might be punished. If Demetrius and his co-silversmiths had any case against Paul and his people, they should go to court. The crowd were dispersed as a result of his words of advice and warning. Later from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. When they came, he delivered his farewell address to them.
The significance of Paul’s stays in Ephesus
Demetrius and his co-silversmiths opposed the Gosple because of financial gain. They worshippers of Artemis opposed the Gospel because of their culture. The opposition means that financial gain and culture can hinder the spread of Christianity. Those who are called preach the Gospel must take these things into consideration.
Also, the conversion of the magicians and the burning of their magical books show clearly that magic is the work of Satan and cannot save in anyway. Only Jesus has power to save from sin.
ASSIGNMENT
State three activities carried out during crusade or revivals.
Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesians at Miletus (Acts 20: 1-21; 6)
When the riot of the Ephesians came to an end, Paul left Ephesus and travelled to Macedonia. From there he went to Greece and spent three months there. When the Jews were planning to kill him, he departed there and came to Philippi, and then to Troas.
At Troas, Paul delivered a speech which lasted till midnight. There was a young boy named Eutychus sited by the widow who fell asleep during the speech and later fell to the ground and died. Paul went to him stretched himself over the boy and prayed over him and he came to life. After this, Paul left Troas for Miletus. When he came to Miletus, he visited the elders the Ephesians church and delivered his farewell message to them.
Paul started his message by reminding the elders of the Ephesians church of how he serve God among them in all humility. The fact that there were threats to his life did not stop him from preaching the Gospel message of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul told them of his visit to Jerusalem and how the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that would face persecution and hardship in Jerusalem. But he was willing to go to Jerusalem because his assignment was to preach the Gospel. He told them they would not see him again. He then advised the elders to take care of the members of the church that had been committed to their care by the Holy Spirit. He said that enemies would rise up among the members of the church after his departure to divide and destroyed the church. Therefore they should watch out.
Paul then commended the elders of the church to the grace of God. He reminded them of how he did not relied on them for his needs but rather worked with his hand to provide his needs and also took care of the weak among them. He advised them to also work hard so that they could support the weak in the church because the Lord Jesus himself confirmed it when he said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
After this address, Paul prayed with the elders of the Ephesians church. These elders embraced him and kissed him. They became sad because he told them they would not see his face any longer. They accompanied Paul to the ship that brought him to Cos. He left Cos and came to Rhodes, and to Cyprus and from there to Tyre. He spent seven days in Tyre with the members of the church. Prophecy came to Paul not to travel to Jerusalem but Paul decided to go to Jerusalem. The people bade him farewell and he boarded the ship to Jerusalem.
TOPIC SEVEN
Paul’s teaching on: the dignity of labour (2Thessalonians 3:6-15; Colossians 3:23)
Dignity is defined as the quality that earns or deserves respect and labour means work. Dignity of labour therefore means that all labour respect. The teaching of Paul on the dignity of labour was connected with his teaching on the second coming of Jesus to the church of God of Thessalonica. After Paul’s visit, some of the members of the church thought Jesus second was near. They thought there was no need to work any longer if Jesus would soon arrive. They expected the church to supply all their needs until Jesus comes and they refused to work.
When this message got to Paul, he wrote to them a letter warning them that their belief was wrong and that their idea was born out of laziness. He then advised them to work and earn money. He also told them to keep away from anyone who refuses to work in order that he might be ashamed. But he should not be seen as an enemy rather he should be encouraged to work.
Paul told them that they should not eat with anyone who is lazy and refuses to work. He used himself as an example that he was able to provide for his need by being hard-working. He said he did not eat anybody’s bread without paying for it. He did not depend on others for sustenance. He wanted the church to imitate him.
The significance of Paul’s teaching on the Dignity of Labour
Paul’s teaching on the dignity of labour was meant to condemn laziness among the children of God. All Christians should refuse to be lazy because laziness brings lack, makes somebody to be an instrument in the hands of the devil, takes somebody to crime, turns somebody to a servant, takes away happiness and joy from people.
ASSIGNMENT
Enumerate three ways of showing respect to constituted authority.
Paul’s teaching on Obedience to constituted authority (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 6:5-8)
Paul’s teaching revealed that for law and order to be maintaining in the society, people should be subject to the governing authority. Paul was referring to the government of the country as the constituted authority. He therefore admonished every Christians to be subject to the governing authorities for them to live in peace for there is no authority except from God. Every authority in existence is instituted by God. And that, anyone who resists them is resisting God. To go against them is to go against God. Anyone who resists or disobey the authorities will bring God’s judges on himself.
According to Paul, those in the position of authority are not terrors to good behaviors but to bad behavior. Good people should not fear unnecessarily about the people in authority so far they are obedient to the rulers and behave very well. If they do the right thing that God. If they should do what is wrong that disrupt people peace, they should be afraid and be ready for the consequences. The person would experience the wrath of God. Christians are expected to have clear conscience in order to live as good citizens and maintain peace with others. They should respect constituted authority and make sure they are faithful in the payment of their taxes.
The significance of Paul’s teaching on obedience to constituted authority
The teaching of Paul on obedience to constituted authority is mainly for us to obey our rulers and carry out our civic responsibilities. When we are obedient to our rulers, there will be peace among us which will result to progress. To obey the constituted authority is to obey the laws, rules and regulations of the land. When we pay our taxes, levies and rates we carry out our civic responsibilities. Our civic responsibility also include during the elections as an adults, being counted in a census, enjoy our rights, etc. we should not be involved in any secret society. We should take part in ay programme organized by the government that is meant for development and also take part in any programme organized by the government to eradicate danger like hard drug peddling, abortion, human ritual, killing, cheating, stealing, bribery and corruption, etc. We should join those organizations that build lives or take part in their activities. Such organizations are scripture union, boys brigade, student Christian movement, Girls guides, boys scout, etc. We must be God fearing and live our life to please God. We must make sure we train in our family members in the way of the Lord when we grow up as adults. We must be contented with what we have and must not cheat anybody.
TOPIC EIGHT
Paul’s teaching on love (1Corinthians 13:4-8 &13)
In the letter of Paul to the church of Corinthians, he wrote the qualities of love so that Christians can understand what love is really all about. He wrote thus: ‘love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends.’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). We can see from the scripture quoted above that the qualities of love are; patience, kindness, humility and faithfulness.
Love is Patient: another name for patient is long-suffering that is the ability to endure suffering, insult, delay, etc. it is a quality that empowers someone to be tolerant in everything it guides against impatience.
As a Christians and a well trained child, when you refuse to join bad group and your friends call you all sort of bad nams and you ar not angry or fight with them. You can be referred to as patient.
When you are in need and your patients could not answer you on time and you don’t behave somehow, it shows you are patient. When you want to fetch water and somebody tamper with your bucket and you did not abuse him or her, your are patient.
When you don’t join others to cheat during examination but take time to study hard in order to pass, you are patient.
On the other hand, impatience is the lack of patience. Anyone who is impatience can easily spoil things. Such a person can be angry or annoyed with anybody; with his or her parents, teachers, friends, himself or anybody in the community. People don’t like to relate with somebody who is impatience because such a person will be seen as somebody who does not have love for others. Therefore we should learn to be patient in all things and deal with our impatience.
Love is kind: Kindness is the ability to wish others well and be help to them. Anyone with his quality will always want to help those in need whether he or she knows them or not. You are kind when you help your parents to do household work like washing, cooking, ironing, fetching water, running errands, etc.
You are kind when you render assistance to those who are in need whether your friends, neighbors, teachers or ever strangers.
You are kind when you give part of your money to beggars, handicapped and those who are desperately in need.
You are kind when you use your time for the benefit of others. When you show hospitality and are concern for the welfare of other, you are kind. When you visit the motherless children and the handicapped and take good care of them, you are kind.
You are kind when you wish your friends or those around you success. Those who are kind will always be considerate will never take any action that will affect others. They will think before they act.
Selfishness is ht opposite side of kindness. It is also the opposite of love. When you only think of yourself and others don’t matter to you, you are selfish. When you have the means and refuse to help the needy but only concentrate on your needs alone, you are selfish. You are selfish when you don’t worry whether your actions will hurt or affect others. People try to avoid selfish people. They don’t want to relate with them in any way because people see them as somebody who don’t have love in them. We should therefore kill the attitude of selfishness in us and learn to be kind in every way.
Love is Humble: To be humble mean to be modest and moderate in whatever we do. It can also mean to be decent. It is the ability to be submissive. A humble child will be submissive to his or her parents, teachers, friends and elders in the community. You are humble when your behaviour is nice to people you know and the ones you do not know.
You are humble when you respect people especially your parents, teachers and the elderly ones. You are humble when you obey your school’s rules and regulations.
You are humble when you don’t discriminate against people but see them as your brothers and sisters.
When you are not boastful of what you have or look at others somehow, your are humble. When you are decent in the way you talk and in your dressing, you are humble.
The opposite side of humility is pride, arrogance and rudeness. A proud person does not behave nice to the people he or she knows and the ones he or she do not know. You are arrogant when you disregard people in authority and disobey the rules and regulations of your school. You are proud when you see yourself as better than other or discriminate against the people from other tribes. You are proud when you show off you have to provoke your friends who don’t have the same.
When you are not decent in the way you talk and address people, you are rude. Nobody wants to associate with proud, rude and arrogant people. People want to avoid them at all cost because they are seen as people who do not have love for anybody. You must be humble and do away with pride, rudeness and arrogance.
Love is Faithful: to be faithful means to be loyal and truthful in our dealing to God, country, parents, friends and strangers.
You are faithful when you obey the law of the land and shun bribery and corruption, fraud, tribalism, drug peddling, favoritism and nepotism.
You are faithful when you obey your parents, pastor and teachers.
You are faithful when you promise people and always keep to your promise. When you marry and refuse to have sexual contact with another woman or man, you are faithful to your wife or to your husband.
You are faithful when you are disciplined in your behaviour, and do your work very well both at home and at school.
Unfaithfulness is the opposite of faithfulness. Anyone who is unfaithful will be disloyal in his or her dealings to God, country, parents, friends and strangers. When you go after other gods and worship them, you unfaithful.
You are unfaithful when you refuse to obey the commandments of God as revealed in the
Bible. When you refuse to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour as a Christians are unfaithful. When you engage in the activities that are forbidden by the law of your country during examination, you are unfaithful. You are unfaithful when you refuse to respects and obey your parents, teachers and elders. When you fail to keep your promises made to people you are unfaithful. When you are involved in sexual intercourse after you have married with another person who is not your partner, you are unfaithful. When you refuse to do assignment well both at home and school and are not disciplined in your behaviour, you are unfaithful.
TOPIC NINE
Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem and his arrest (Acts 21:17-40)
When Paul got to Jerusalem, the Jews arrested him and brought him before the Jewish Council to try him. Some Jews conspired together to kill him but he was rescued and taken to Caesarea. Paul was later tried before tow Roman governors, Felix and Agrippa.
Paul went to the elders and told them in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When the elders heard it, they glorified God for his efforts. The elder said to him that some Jews who had been converted accused him of preaching against the people who were under a vow in order to clear himself and show the Jews that he was not against their religion (Judaism). The elders of the church also told him that they have sent letters of the decision of the church council in Jerusalem to some Gentiles churches.
Paul did according to the advice of the elders. The following day he purified himself together with four men. He then went to the temple authorities to find out when the days of the purification would be over and do the necessary offerings. The temple authorities told him seven days.
When the seven days were almost ended, some of the Jews who had formally met Paul in Asia Minor stirred up the crowd and spoke against him accusing him of speaking against the people, the temple and Law of Moses. They also said he had brought gentiles into the temples because they had formally seen Paul with Trophimus who was a Greek from Ephesus and thought that Paul had taken him into the temple. Because of this accusation made against him, the Jews seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple and shut the gates of the temple and mad an attempt to kill him. But the Roman may officer with some soldiers Paul. The army officer commanded that Paul should be bound with chain and later him into the barracks.
As Paul was about to be led into the barracks, the army officer accused him of being an Egyptian who sometimes led a rebellion.
Paul denied the accusation and said he was a Jew form Tarsus in Cilicia. Paul then spoke to the assembly in Hebrew language.
TOPIC TEN
Paul before the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) and the plot to kill him (Acts 22:27-30; 23:1-35)
The roman army officer took Paul and brought him before the Sanhedrin to know the reasons why he was being accused by the Jews. Paul spoke first, as he began his speech he said he had live in good conscience before God. The moment he uttered these words, Ananias, the high priest ordered those who stood around Paul to him. Paul cursed him and when he was told that he was the high priest, he then apologies.
Paul later noticed that a part of the assembly were Pharisees, he shouted that he was a Pharisee; and that he was being tried in respect to the resurrection from the dead. This brought disagreement between the Pharisees and Sadducees because the Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead while the Sadducees did not believe such. Then the scribes of the pharisees’ party protested and said they did not find anything wrong with Paul. When the disagreement became so hot, the Roman army officer was afraid that Paul might be harmed and ordered the soldiers to take him by force from the Jews and bring him to the barracks.
The significance of Paul’s trial before the Sanhedrin
The trial of Paul before the Sanhedrin reveals how those who are sentimental and emotional can prevent a fair trial. Also, the order given by the high priest to abuse Paul was totally wrong. It shows that the Sanhedrin was partial and bias against Paul.
TOPIC ELEVEN
Paul Before Roman Governors
Paul’s trail before Felix (Acts 24:10-23)
Paul stood before Felix, the Roman governor to defend himself against the accusation leveled against him by the Jews. They said Paul was a trouble maker who had cause rebellion among the Jewish people all over the world. They also accused him of being the ring leader of the Christians who tried to profane the temple.
When Felix allowed Paul to make his defense against the accusation brought against him by the Jews. Paul told Felix, the governor that all the accusations were false. He said he did not commit any of the offences he was charged for. Paul confessed that he was follower of Jesus Christ and a Christians by religion. But, he did not go against the Jewish religion and their law. He said the Jewish religion itself believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead of both the righteous and unrighteous on the Day of judgment. He said his accuser could not proof what they have accused him of. He ended his defense by saying he was beings tried because of his belief in the resurrection from the dead.
Though Felix did not find Paul guilty in any way, but he did not allow him to be set free. He said would decide on Paul’s case when a commander called Lysia, come around. What Felix actually wanted was a bribe from Paul before he could set free. But Paul did not do what Felix expected and therefore he was left in prison till another governor called Porcius Festus came to power and succeeded Felix.
Paul trial before Festus (Acts 25:1-21)
After the new governor, Pontius Festus came to power; he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. While he was in Jerusalem, the high priest and the chief men of the Jews brought up the case of Paul before him. They asked him to send Paul to Jerusalem for trail. They had already planned to kill him on the way. But Festus answered them that Paul should be accused in Caesarea that he himself was going there.
When he came to Caesarea, Festus sent from Paul and Paul and brought out of prison for trial. The Jews who had come from Jerusalem laid many serious accusations against Paul which they prove. While Paul was defending himself, he declared that all the charges brought against him were false. He said: “Neither against Caesar have I offended in anything at all”. But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favour by trying to take him to Jerusalem. He asked Paul this question: “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these thing?”
Paul knew that he would get a fair trial in Jerusalem. But Paul, being a Roman citizen used his right to appeal to Caesar. He said: “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar”.
Festus could not stop Paul from appealing to Caesar because he knew that he was a Roman citizen and had the right to appeal to Caesar. Festus then held a meeting with the council. They came out with the decision that Paul must appear before Caesar. Festus said to Paul: “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go”.
Paul’s trial before Agrippa (Acts 25:23-27; 26:1-16)
King Herod Agrippa visited Caesarea to welcome Festus who was the new governor. Then Festus informed King Agrippa about Paul who was left in prison by Felix, the former governor. King Agrippa said he would like to listen to Paul himself. Paul was brought before Festus and King Agrippa the following day.
Festus mentioned the case of Paul before the king. He told the King that Paul was not guilty of any of the charges made against him by the Jews. He therefore urge the King to listen very attentively to Paul’s defense to find out if he could bring any charges against him for record purposes. Then King Agrippa permitted Paul to speak.
Paul started his address by speaking about his early life. He told the king that he was a strict Jew right from youth and that he belong to the sect of Pharisee. He said he was being tried because of his belief in the resurrection of dead.
Paul referred to how he had persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem in order to defend the Jewish religion. He mentioned how he used to punish the Christians, compelled them to blaspheme and persecuted them to foreign cities. He said while he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians, he was converted to Christianity.
Paul aid that his preaching was in obedience to the vision he received from heaven. He first preached the Gospel in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the entire region of Judea and to the gentiles, that the people should repent and turn to God. Paul said the Jews seized him in Jerusalem and wanted to kill him because of his relationship with the gentiles but God delivered him from their hands.
Paul continued to tell the King that he did not say any other things than what Moses and the prophets said would happen. That Jesus Christ would suffer, that they would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the gentiles.
Festus said with a loud voice that Paul was beside himself and that much learning was driving him mad. But the king was moved by what Paul said concerning the resurrection and told Paul: “you almost persuade me to become a Christian”.
Paul then replied him: “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today. Might become both almost and together such as I am, except for these chains”.
When Paul had ended his defense, the king, the governor and all who sat with them stood up and discussed together and agreed that Paul had not done anything wrong that can warrant death or imprisonment. Then the King said to the governor: “this man have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar”.
The significance of Paul’s trial before Roman governors
Paul defended himself before Felix, the governor of the land. It means that Christians have right to defend themselves through their speech publicly whenever they are brought the civil authorities. The desire of Felix to take bribe from Paul in order to influence the course of justice is evil. Every Christians should shun bribery; and corruption and condemn the perversion of justice.
Paul’s trial before Festus shows that the civil authority can be influenced to perverse the justice even when the person that is being tried is innocent. The governor knew that Paul was not guilty, but he tried to please the Jews in order to kill him.
The civil authorities later gave Paul a fair trial. This show that the human rights can still be respected and people can still get fair trial.
QUESTIONS
Topic One: Paul's Nativity and Education
1. Where was Paul born, and what was his citizenship?
2. Who was Paul's teacher, and what was his educational background?
3. How did Paul's education prepare him for his future ministry?
Topic Two: Paul's Persecution of the Early Church
1. Describe Paul's role in the persecution of early Christians.
2. What event changed Paul's perspective and led him to become a Christian?
3. How did Paul's past experiences shape his later ministry?
Topic Three: Paul's First Missionary Journey
1. What were the key destinations and events of Paul's first missionary journey?
2. How did Paul and Barnabas preach the Gospel in different cities?
3. What challenges did they face during their journey?
Topic Four: Paul's First Missionary Journey (continued)
1. Describe Paul's experiences in Paphos, Perga, and Antioch in Pisidia.
2. How did Paul's message resonate with different audiences?
3. What were some of the reactions to Paul's preaching?
Topic Five: The Church Council at Jerusalem
1. What was the main issue discussed at the Jerusalem Council?
2. Who were the key leaders present at the council?
3. What decisions were made regarding Gentile converts?
Topic Six: Paul's Second Missionary Journey
1. What were the key destinations and events of Paul's second missionary journey?
2. Describe Paul's experiences in Philippi, Athens, and Corinth.
3. How did Paul's message adapt to different cultural contexts?
Topic Seven: Paul's Teaching on Love
1. According to Paul, what are some key qualities of love?
2. How can Christians demonstrate these qualities in their relationships?
3. Describe a situation where Paul's teachings on love were applied in a practical way.
Topic Eight: Paul's Teaching on Obedience to Constituted Authority
1. What did Paul teach about obedience to authority?
2. Why is it important for Christians to respect authority?
3. How can Christians apply Paul's teachings on obedience in their daily lives?
Topic Nine: Paul's Arrival in Jerusalem and His Arrest
1. Describe the events leading up to Paul's arrest in Jerusalem.
2. How did Paul defend himself during his trial?
3. What were the consequences of Paul's arrest?
Topic Ten: Paul Before the Jewish Council
1. What were the circumstances surrounding Paul's appearance before the Jewish Council?
2. How did Paul's message divide the Pharisees and Sadducees?
3. What was the outcome of Paul's appearance before the council?
Topic Eleven: Paul Before Roman Governors
1. Describe Paul's trial before Felix and Festus.
2. How did Paul appeal to Caesar, and what were the implications?
3. What was the significance of Paul's trial before Roman governors?
THEME THREE
TOPIC ONE
PAUL’S NATIVITY AND EDUCATION
Paul was born in Tarsus in Cilicia to a Jewish Family. Tarsus in the city of Cecilia is in Asia Minor, which is present day Turkey. He was brought up in Jerusalem by a Greek teach called Gamaliel. Paul was a Jew and at the same time a Roman citizen. His father purchased Roman citizenship. This citizenship allowed one to have access to certain right. For example, anyone with Roman citizenship could not be molested or flogged when arrested.
Paul was a Jew by birth, but Roman by citizenship. Therefore he had two names, Jewish name called Saul and the Roman name known as Paul. He spoke Hebrew language fluently and also spoke Greek language fluently. As at that time, Greek language was widely used to communicate in Aramaic.
The family of Paul was a disciplined Jewish family who obeyed the rules and regulations of the Jewish religious laws. They trained their children in the way of the Lord. Paul learnt obedience and discipline as he was growing up and lived a disciplined and obedient life.
Paul’s father was a Pharisee of the Pharisees’ party. The Pharisees were member of one of the religious groups among the Jews who observed the laws of religious very strictly so that people could see them, but they did not practice the spirit of the religion. Therefore, they were described as hypocrites or self righteous people. Paul was trained to become a Pharisee. Paul confirmed this himself, he said: “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisee”. At the age of twelve, Paul went to the synagogue school and spent a year there. He was taught about the history and religion of Israel and also taught how to read in Hebrew. At the end of the course, he attended a special synagogue ceremony and wore a Cap and Talith which is prayer shawl and read the scripture. This graduation conferred on him the title of the son of the law and became a full member of the synagogue.
Paul later went to Jerusalem to further his studies. He studies the Jewish religion and law under the great Greek teacher called Gamaliel. Paul referred to this himself during his defense, he said: “I was brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliet, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being Zealous for God as you all this day”.
Further Reading
- Acts 22:3
- Acts 23:6
- Philippians 3:5
Study Questions
1. What was the significance of Paul's Roman citizenship?
2. How did Paul's family influence his upbringing and education?
3. Describe Paul's educational background and training as a Pharisee.
4. What languages did Paul speak fluently, and why were they important?
5. How did Paul's Pharisaic training shape his early life and beliefs?
TOPIC TWO
Paul’s Persecution of the Early Church (Acts 7:57-58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2)
After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostles were spreading the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit was at work. Many Jews were converted to Christianity and the church kept on increasing.
Paul was among the Jews who did not believe that Jesus was the messiah. They did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They believed that God would send the messiah to them and save them. They saw that the Gospel Message about the resurrection of Jesus Christ was dangerous and must be stopped.
These people believed that what the Christians were doing was not right in the sight of God and that God would back them up for punishing them. It was some of these Jews who arrested Stephen and stoned him to death.
When Stephen was being stoned, Paul was present. The Bible referred to him as young man whose feet the witness laid down their clothes. That is, Paul was the ring leader of the mob. Paul’s plan was to eradicate Christianity and therefore consented to Stephen’s death. He himself said: “I persecuted this way (Christianity) to death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the council of elders bear me witness”. (Acts 22:4)
The death of Stephen resulted to mass persecution of Christians in Jerusalem and Paul was among the great persecutors of the disciples of Jesus Christ. He imprisoned many of them. He went to the high priest and took letter of permission to arrest those Christians who had fled from Jerusalem to Damascus and bring them in chain to Jerusalem for trial.
The Significance of Paul’s Early Life: Paul succeeded as a young man because of his attitude of obedience, discipline and hardworking. This helped him to succeed in his studies to graduate with a good grade.
Paul also took his religion very seriously. He was a devoted Jew who faithfully defended his religion by attacking those who he thought opposed it.
ASSIGNMENT
State Paul’s former name, nationality and religion
The Conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-19)
Conversion simply means changing from one religion to another Paul was converted from his religion, Judaism (the Jewish religion) to Christianity when he encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Paul persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem and later heard that many of them had run to Damascus, in Syria. He also got the information that the Christians had made converts, established churches had made converts, established churches and got settled down. Paul was sad at the development because his purpose was to eradicate Christianity.
He therefore went to the high priest and took letters of permission to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem for punishment. The high priest supported the idea and gave Paul a letter of introduction to the synagogue in Damascus.
Paul and some of his colleagues left Damascus the following day to execute his plan against Christians. As he w as about to get to the city of Damascus in the afternoon, something strange happened to him that was to transform his entire life.
As Paul was riding on his horse, a bright light from haven shinned on him and got him blinded. When this happened, he fell on the ground and heard the voice of Jesus Christ that said: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” then Paul looked up and asked: Who are you, Lord?”And the voice answered” I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Jesus Christ asked Paul to enter the city of Damascus and that Paul would be told what to do.
Those people travelling with Paul were silent and became afraid because they heard the voice speaking, but did not see anybody. When Paul rose up from the ground, he could not see anything because the light from heaven had blinded him. He was led by his companion into the city of Damascus; he stayed in the city for three days without food and water.
There was one of the Christians who lived in Damascus called Ananias. The Lord appeared to him and said to him: “Rise and go to the street called straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul: for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias said: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority form the Chief priests to bind all those who call upon thy name.” but the Lord replied him: “Go for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel: for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Ananias left for the house of Judas and saw Saul. He laid his hands upon him and said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. Immediately after this, something like a scales fell from his eyes and Saul regained his sight. Then he got and was baptized, and when he ate, he strengthened. Saul then became a Christians and preached his first message in the city of Damascus.
The Significance of Paul’s Conversion: when Paul met with Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit, his life was transformed. He did not persecute the Christians any longer. Rather, he committed the rest of his life to Christian service. Through him, many people were converted to Christianity. The most interesting thing is that the chief persecutor of the church became one of the greatest shepherds of the church he formerly persecuted and defended it to the point of death.
Paul’s call and how he worked tirelessly in the vineyard of God brings to mind the call and work of great people of old like Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, the apostles of Jesus and those committed and dedicated Christians of today.
Their work proofs their faithfulness and trust in the living God.
Further Reading
- Acts 7:57-58; 8:1-3; 9:1-19
- Acts 22:4
- Philippians 3:5
Study Questions
1. Describe Paul's role in the persecution of early Christians.
2. What event led to Paul's conversion to Christianity?
3. How did Ananias contribute to Paul's healing and conversion?
4. What was the significance of Paul's conversion to Christianity?
5. How did Paul's life change after his conversion?
TOPIC THREE
Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13 and 14)
Shortly after Paul encountered Jesus and was converted to Christianity, he started preaching the Gospel in Damascus and confirming that Jesus Christ was the son of God. The Jews who were in Damascus was not happy that Paul had joined the Christians and was preaching that Jesus was the son of God. They planned to kill him, but some Christians in Damascus put him in a basket in the night and let him down over the walls of Damascus and he escaped to Jerusalem.
When he got to Jerusalem, he wanted to mix the Christians but they were afraid of him. Then Barnabas went to the people and explained to them how Paul met Jesus and was converted on the road to Damascus. When some Jews later saw that Paul was preaching about Jesus Christ, they attempted to kill him. Se this, the Jerusalem church took Paul to Caesarea and from there to Tarsus where he was born. After he had spent two years there, Barnabas brought him down from Tarsus to Antioch in Syria.
It was while Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch that one of the prophets from Jerusalem named Agabus came to Antioch. Through the Holy Spirit, Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine all over the world. This prophecy came to pass during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. The Christians in Antioch raised money among them and sent it down through Paul and Barnabas to the church in Jerusalem and Judea.
After the return of Paul and Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch, certain teachers of God’s word and prophets of the church in Antioch gathered together and were engaging in fasting and the work of ministry. They were Barnabas, Simeon, who was caller Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen and Paul. The Holy Spirit spoke to them to: ‘set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them’.
When the apostles had prayed and fasted, they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them forth. After this, Paul and Barnabas embark on their first missionary journey. The place they went to were Paphos, Perga in Pamphilia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
ASSIGNMENT
Why is Paul having two names and two citizenship
PAUL AND PAPHOS (ACTS 13:6-12)
From Seleucia, Paul and Barabbas sailed to the town called salamis which is on the island of Cyprus. They brought John Mark along with them as their assistant. They went to many towns on the island and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. They later came to Paphos and met the ruler of the island named Sergius Paulus. They preached to the ruler about Jesus, but a certain man who was a Jewish sorcerer and a false prophet tried to discourage the ruler so that he would not listen and be saved.
Bar-Jesus thought he would not be reckoned with anymore if the ruler should be converted to Christianity. This made Bar-Jesus to speak against the apostles’ preaching. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit looked intently at him and said: “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time”.
Immediately Paul declared these words, Elymas could not see again and began to look for somebody to lead him by the hand. When the ruler, Sergius Paulus, saw what had happened, he believed the Gospel message of Paul about Jesus Christ and he was converted to Christianity.
Paul in Perga in Pamphilia (Acts 13:13)
After Paul and his companions planted the church in Paphos, they sailed to the mainland and arrived at Perga in Pamphilia. When they reached there, John, Mark left them and wet back to Jerusalem.
Paul in Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14-52)
Paul and Barnabas left Perga in Pamphilia and came to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day, they went to the Jewish synagogue. After the scriptures were read, Paul was called upon to preach to the people. Paul spoke to them about the history of the people of Israel right from the time they were enslaved in the land of Egypt and got delivered through Moses. He told them how the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years and how they were led by Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan.
After they settled down Canaan, the people were ruled through Judges until the time of Prophet Samuel. When they demanded for a King and God gave them Saul as their first King. God then removed Saul and enthroned David as the next king of Israel. Paul continued by telling them that from the descendants of David, God had been ginning them a Saviour as he had promised and that the Saviour was Jesus Christ.
Jesus was condemned to death and crucified but was raised from the dead by God. Paul quoted from the book of psalm 16:35 to establish the resurrection of Jesus Christ: “thou will not let thy holy one see corruption”.
Paul further said that forgiveness of sins was given through Jesus Christ and by him those who believed was freed from the bondage of the Law of Moses. Paul also told them the consequences of not accepting the message of salvation.
When Paul finished speaking, the congregation liked his preaching so much that they demanded that he should repeat it on the following Sabbath. On the following Sabbath, when the Jews saw that many people came to listen to Paul, they were filled with envy and began to contradict and blaspheme. They opposed the things spoken by Paul. Some people supported Paul and other rejected his message. Paul was able to convert both the Jews and Gentiles. Later, there was riot, and then Paul and Barnabas fled to Iconium.
Paul in Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)
When Paul and Barnabs got to Iconium, they went to the Jewish synagogue on the same day and preached. Many people in the congregation accepted their message and as a result many Jews and Gentiles believed in the Gospel message and they were delivered. Meanwhile some Jews did not believe their message and poisoned the minds of some the gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. The apostles stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, performing sings and wonders among the people. Later, a violent attempt was made by both the gentiles and Jews, with their ruler to persecute them, when they became aware of it; they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia.
Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:8-20)
Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel of Jesus to the people of Lystra on a certain day, as they were preaching; there was a certain man who was crippled from him mother’s womb who had never walked. The man listened attentively to Paul as he was preaching the word of God voice: “stand up straight on your feet”. When the people saw what had happened, they said their gods had visited them in the form of human beings and healed the crippled man. They shouted in Lycaonian language: “The gods come down to us in the likeness of men”. They called Barnabas, Zeus (or Jupiter). They called Paul, Hermes (or Mercury) because he was chief speaker. Zeus or Jupiter was the father of the Greek gods while Herms or Mercury was the messenger of their gods.
The priest in-charge of the temple of Jupiter brought out oxen and was ready to make sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas who they thought were gods. Immediately Paul and Barnabas saw this, they felt bad and quickly restrained the people by saying: “Men, why are doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, sea, and all things that are in them”.
Pauls and Barnabas admonished them to turn from their superstition to the living God. They continued by telling them that God who crated them was merciful and the supplier of their needs. When the apostles had finished their admonition, the Jews who persecuted them in Iconium and Antioch appeared and poisoned the minds of the people against the apostles. They therefore stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he had died. However, when the enemies had left him, the disciples (Christians) gathered around him, he then rose up and went into the city. And he departed with Barnabas to Derbe the following day.
Paul in Derbe (Acts 14:21-28)
The apostles left Lystra for Derbe the following day. When they got to Derbe, they preached the Gospel to the people of the city and got many people converted to Christianity. They later returned to Antioch through Lystra and Iconium, where they strengthened the faith of the Christians, exhorted them to continue in the faith. They also appointed elder in every church they got to which they established.
The Significance of Paul’s First Missionary Journey
The first missionary journey of Paul caused the church outside Jerusalem to grow and expand rapidly. Also, through Paul’s ministry,, many gentiles and some Jews were converted to Christianity.
The work of God is a difficult task. The apostles encountered much opposition from Satan and his agents. They faced persecutions in their attempt to win souls for Jesus. The apostles were able to overcome the opposition because of their faith in CHRIST JESUS. They often pray and fast for God to crown their efforts with success. To be successful in the work of God, those who are called should follow the steps of the apostles. They should have strong faith in Jesus Christ, be fervent in prayer and fast often.
Further Reading
- Paphos, Perga in Pamphilia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe
- Acts 13-14
Study Questions
1. Describe Paul's first missionary journey and the key events that took place.
2. How did Paul and Barnabas overcome opposition during their journey?
3. What was the significance of the miracle in Lystra, and how did the people react?
4. What lessons can be learned from Paul's first missionary journey about evangelism and discipleship?
TOPIC FOUR
The Church Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35)
Paul’s first missionary journey gave room to the conversion of many Gentiles who became members of the church. Some of the Jewish Christians who came for Judea taught that unless the foreigner were circumcised according to the Law of Moses they would not be saved. They tried to resolve the matter in Antioch but the matter could not be solved then a delegation was sent to the church in Jerusalem which included Paul and Barnabas. On their arrival some of the Jewish Christians who were among the Pharisees’ party said that the gentiles should obey the Law of Moses in order to be save.
But the apostles agreed together and concluded that one could only be saved by the grave of our Lord Jesus Christ and not by circumcision or the Law of Moses. The whole issues that was causing confusion and the Law of Moses or by grace. When they did not agree, there was a controversy and division among the church. In order to solve the problem, the first Christian council was set up in Jerusalem.
The Jewish Christians sent their representatives. The apostles and elders were also present for deliberation. James, the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ presided over the meeting.
The council was first addressed by Peter who rejected the idea that the gentiles should be circumcised and must obey the Law of Moses before they could be saved. He brought to their understanding how God had sent him to Cornelius who was a gentile and how he and the people with him received the Holy Spirit as they themselves had on the day of Pentecost. He therefore concluded that salvation could only come by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and not by circumcision or the Law of the Moses.
After Peter’s speech, Paul and Barnabas also addressed the council. They explained how God had called them to minister to the gentiles without considering circumcision or the Law of Moses.
When it was the turn of James, who presided over the council to speak, He condemned the attitude of imposing the Jewish traditions, laws and customs on the gentiles. He therefore suggested that it would be okay to ask the gentiles who had been saved to careful of certain things which were:
Not to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols.
To abstain from blood i.e. not to murder.
To avoid meat that had been strangled which still had blood in it.
To avoid sexual immorality.
James said, if the gentiles should observe these things, they would become member of the church without obeying the laws of Moses or undergo circumcision.
These suggestions of James were writing down in a letter which included apology to the gentiles for what had happened and the letter was sent through Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas to the churches in the Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
James further said that the Jewish Christians who decided on his own to follow circumcision and the Law of Moses could do so complement their faith in Jesus Christ.
The Significance of the Jerusalem Council
The Jerusalem council signifies that controversies could happen even in the work of God. The important thing is to resolve controversies by dialoging with one another not to destroy one another’s character, life and property through violence. The council discussed the issue in a peaceful manner that made them to arrive at a conclusion acceptable to all. The conclusion they arrived at helped to unite the church that was about to disintegrate.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18; 22)
On the second missionary journey, Paul separated from Barnabas because of John Mark who wanted to follow them again. John Mark left Paul and Barnabas and came back to Jerusalem on their first missionary journey. There was argument between Paul and Barnabas because Barnabas wanted John Mark to accompany them but Paul refused him because he left them on the way on their first missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas therefore went differently.
Paul chose Silas, travelled through Syria and Cilicia to Derbe and Lystra. When they got to Lystra, Paul met with Timothy and made him his disciple after he had circumcised him. On second missionary journey, Paul went to Philippi, Athens and Corinth which was cities located in Europe.
Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:11-34)
Paul had a vision to go to Macedonia while he and his companions were still at Troas. In the vision, a man of Macedonia appeared to him and said:
“Come over to Macedonia and help us”. Immediately Paul and his people went to Macedonia and from there to the city of Philippi.
The city of Philippi was found by Philip of Macedonia who was the father of Alexander the great. Philippi was a Roman town which had temples which had temples dedicated to the Greek gods. The people of the city practiced magic and fortune telling.
There was no synagogue in the city of Philippi. The few who were there only worship outside the city.
Paul and his companions stayed in Philippi for some days. They preach the Gospel and got many people converted to Christianity. One of the people who received salvation through them was a woman called Lydia who was from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple. She hosted Paul and his companions in her home for the rest of their stay in Philippi.
One day, Paul and his people were going for prayer outside the city. A slave girl who was possessed with the spirit of divination followed them. This salve give was a fortune – teller who made a lot of money for her masters. The slave girl followed Paul and his companions saying: “these men are the servants of the most high God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation”. The girl did this for many days. Then Paul was greatly annoyed. He turned and said to the evil spirit using the girl: “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her”.
The spirit came out of her immediately. But when the masters of the girl saw that their hope of making money had been dashed, they got angry and arrested Paul and Silas. They turned the crowd against them and dragged them to the magistrates. They made false accusation against them saying: “these men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city, they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe”.
The magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded the people to beat them with canes. After Paul and Silas were beaten, they were thrown into prison. The keeper of the prison had been instructed to guard them well. Having received such an instruction, he put them into the inner prison and locked their feet in the stock to keep them from escaping.
At mid-night, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison. Immediately all the doors of the prison were opened and everyon chain were loosed.
The keeper of the prison woke up from sleep. He was afraid when he saw the doors of the prison opened. The thought that the prisoners had escaped. The therefore drew out his sword and wanted to kill himself. Paul then cried with a loud voice saying to him: “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here”.
The jailer fell down trembling before Paul and Silas asking them: “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied him: “Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household”.
The apostles then spoke the word of Lord to him and to all who were in his house. The jailer was exceeding happy and he washed and took care of their wounds. The apostles baptized him and his family. Afterwards, he set food before the apostles. The jailer and his household rejoiced for the salvation of their souls.
The significance of Paul’s visit to Philippi
The quick response of Paul to the vision that asked him to go and help them in Macedonia showed his zeal for the work of God and his willingness for others to be saved without minding the difficulty he would face.
Lydia was a source of help to Paul and Silas because she supported the apostles by offering them her home in Philippi to stay. Through the event that happened to Paul and Silas in the prison, the jailer life and that of his family were changed. They were saved and converted to Christianity. In order to reciprocate, they help and provided for the apostles.
ASSIGNMENT
State the composition of the Jerusalem council
Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
When Paul and his companions left Philippi, they went to Thessalonica. Paul was warmly received by the people. But some of the Jews who did not believed in Thessalonica raised persecution against Paul and his companions. The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. But the Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and stir up the crowds against the apostles. Therefore, Paul left Berea and went to Athens to wait for Silas and Timothy. As Paul was waiting at Athens, he discovered that the people of the city worship idols because he could see many building where idols were being worshiped and different images representing their gods.
Paul was not happy at this. He therefore went to synagogue and preached the Gospel to the Jews. He also went to the market place to speak to the Athenians. Some of the people who encountered him said: “what does this babbler want to say?” Other said: “he seems to be proclaimer of foreign gods”.
Among the people were highly educated people among them. There were the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers among them who were always willing to argue to learn new things. Therefore, they always wanted to listen to a new doctrine. They took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus which was one of their hills. This hill was the place where the supreme council and supreme court of the Athenians were meeting for hearing. The people of Athens asked Paul: “may we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak”. Paul then stood up on the Areopagus and spoke to the Athenians. He said he perceived that Athenians were very religious people because he saw as he was passing through the town, the object of their worship like their religious building and images of their gods all over the places. He said also saw an altar with the inscription: “to the unknown God”.
Paul then preached to them about this unknown God whom they ignorantly worshipped. He said it was the same God who made the world and everything in it. He does not dwell in the temples with hands and could not worship with men’s hands because he is Lord of heaven and earth. We are all his children for in him. We live, move and have our being.
And that some of their own poets have said it that: “for we are also his offspring”. But Paul told them that the image of gold, silver or stone could never represent God.
Paul explained further that God was the judge of all men and that he had appointed a time when he w as going to judge the world through Jesus Christ whom he raised from died. He told them that God had overlooked the time of ignorance and commanded all people in everywhere to repent of their sins. Paul assured them that the judgment would certainly come.
When Paul talked about the resurrection of Jesus from dead, some of them laughed and mocked him. They did not understand how someone could come back to life after death. But some of them believed him. Among them who believed him were Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris.
The Significance of Paul’s Visit to Athens
Though the Athenians worshipped other gods, but Paul did not condemn them. He rather took the advantages of their knowledge of God as the creator and sustainer of life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
ASSIGNMENT
Give four reasons why we must love our neighbours.
Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:1-22)
When Paul came to Corinth, he stayed in the house of a jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla. This couple and Paul worked together as tent makers. Paul went to synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to meet Paul, Paul was preaching among the Jews telling them that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews opposed him and Paul shook his garments and said to them that henceforth he would go to the Gentiles. When Paul left the Jews, he went and stayed in the house of Titus Justus who was a Greek and worshipper of God whose house next to the synagogue.
Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue. He and his entire household accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour together with some people of Corinth. They were all baptized by Paul. In a vision one night the Lord spoke to Paul saying: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city”. After Paul received this vision, he stayed in Corinth for one year, six months teaching the word of God among them.
But the Jews later came together and attacked Paul when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia. Paul was brought before the tribunal. They accused Paul of persuading people to worship God contrary to the Jewish law. Gallio told the people if it was a case of crime or wrong doing he would have looked into the matter. But he refused to look into the matter because it was connected to their religion. Galllio acted this way because the Roman Government had given the Jewish community freedom to worship God according to their own ways and manner. He then drove them out of the tribunal. The ruler of synagogue called Sosthenes was arrested by the Jews and was beaten in front of the tribunal, but Gallio did not pay attention to it.
After this had taken place, Paul still stayed in Corinth for a good while but later took leave of the members and sailed to Syria in the company of Aquila and Priscilla. Paul had his hair cut off Cenchrea because he had taken a vow. He then came to Ephesus and entered into the synagogue and argued with them. He told them: “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return agains to you, God willing”. He then left them.
Further Reading
- Acts 15:1-35; 15:36-18:22
Study Questions
1. What was the main issue discussed at the Jerusalem Council, and how was it resolved?
2. Describe Paul's experiences in Philippi, Athens, and Corinth during his second missionary journey.
3. What were the key points of Paul's sermon on Mars Hill in Athens?
4. How did the Jerusalem Council and Paul's second missionary journey contribute to the growth and expansion of the early Christian church?
TOPIC FIVE
PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Acts 18:23-31;6)
Paul in Ephesus (Acts 18:23-28; 19:1-4)
Paul visited Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Paul first visited Caesarea and greeted the church members. When he left there, he went to Antioch, Galatia and Phrygia. A man called Apollo who was a Jew came to Ephesus to preach the Gospel to the people. When Aquila and Pricilla saw him speaking boldly and eloquently they took him to themselves and educated him more on the way of the Lord. He later went to Achaia from Ephesus and the members of the church received him well. He greatly helped those who had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He publicly condemned the Jew showing them from the scripture that Jesus was the Christ.
Paul came again to Ephesus for the second time to fulfill the promise he made to them during his second missionary journey. This second visit of Paul to Ephesus began his third missionary journey. Paul continued in Ephesus for years and got many Ephesians converted. He came across twelve Christians who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then laid his hands on them and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. They all spoke in tongues and prophesied. Paul taught a great number of people which comprised both Jews and Greek the word of Jesus Christ. God also performed unusual miracles of healing by the hands of Paul. Through Paul’s preaching many magicians were converted to Christianity and became followers of Jesus. These people brought their magic books out and burned them in public.
There was a great temple in Ephesus built for the worship of their goddess named Artemis in Greek language and Diana in Roman language. Artemis or Diana as the goddess of fertility. The barren women worshipped this goddess by praying and offering sacrifices to her in order that they might give birth to children. The image of this goddess was mad in such a way that it had several breast which symbolized fertility. The people believed this image fell down from Zeus that is skies and was put in the temple at Ephesus. Every year, people went on pilgrim to the temple of Artemis in Ephesus to worship her. The pilgrims came back home with little silver images of Artemis.
Each year, the silversmiths who made images of this goddess realized lots of money. When Paul preached to the Ephesians to stop worshipping idols, this silversmiths was afraid that Paul teaching might paralyze their business. Therefore, one of the silversmiths named Demetrius called the silversmiths together for a meeting against Paul. In his address he said: “men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover, you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed whom all Asia and the world worship.”
The people were angry by the speech of Demetrius and they shouted: “great is Artemis of the Ephesus”. So the whole city was filled with confusion and rushed into the theater altogether at once, they dragged along with them Gaius and Aristarchus who were Paul’s travelling companions. Paul wanted to go and address the people but the disciples did not allow him and also some of his friends who were Asiarchs prevented him from entering into the theater. A Jewish man named Alexander wanted to defend Paul, but the crowd refused.
The town clerk came to the crowd and addressed them that what they were doing was not lawful. As a result of the uproar, the city might be punished. If Demetrius and his co-silversmiths had any case against Paul and his people, they should go to court. The crowd were dispersed as a result of his words of advice and warning. Later from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. When they came, he delivered his farewell address to them.
The significance of Paul’s stays in Ephesus
Demetrius and his co-silversmiths opposed the Gosple because of financial gain. They worshippers of Artemis opposed the Gospel because of their culture. The opposition means that financial gain and culture can hinder the spread of Christianity. Those who are called preach the Gospel must take these things into consideration.
Also, the conversion of the magicians and the burning of their magical books show clearly that magic is the work of Satan and cannot save in anyway. Only Jesus has power to save from sin.
ASSIGNMENT
State three activities carried out during crusade or revivals.
Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesians at Miletus (Acts 20: 1-21; 6)
When the riot of the Ephesians came to an end, Paul left Ephesus and travelled to Macedonia. From there he went to Greece and spent three months there. When the Jews were planning to kill him, he departed there and came to Philippi, and then to Troas.
At Troas, Paul delivered a speech which lasted till midnight. There was a young boy named Eutychus sited by the widow who fell asleep during the speech and later fell to the ground and died. Paul went to him stretched himself over the boy and prayed over him and he came to life. After this, Paul left Troas for Miletus. When he came to Miletus, he visited the elders the Ephesians church and delivered his farewell message to them.
Paul started his message by reminding the elders of the Ephesians church of how he serve God among them in all humility. The fact that there were threats to his life did not stop him from preaching the Gospel message of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul told them of his visit to Jerusalem and how the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that would face persecution and hardship in Jerusalem. But he was willing to go to Jerusalem because his assignment was to preach the Gospel. He told them they would not see him again. He then advised the elders to take care of the members of the church that had been committed to their care by the Holy Spirit. He said that enemies would rise up among the members of the church after his departure to divide and destroyed the church. Therefore they should watch out.
Paul then commended the elders of the church to the grace of God. He reminded them of how he did not relied on them for his needs but rather worked with his hand to provide his needs and also took care of the weak among them. He advised them to also work hard so that they could support the weak in the church because the Lord Jesus himself confirmed it when he said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
After this address, Paul prayed with the elders of the Ephesians church. These elders embraced him and kissed him. They became sad because he told them they would not see his face any longer. They accompanied Paul to the ship that brought him to Cos. He left Cos and came to Rhodes, and to Cyprus and from there to Tyre. He spent seven days in Tyre with the members of the church. Prophecy came to Paul not to travel to Jerusalem but Paul decided to go to Jerusalem. The people bade him farewell and he boarded the ship to Jerusalem.
Further Reading
- Acts 18:23-28; 19:1-41; 20:1-38
Study Questions
1. Describe Paul's ministry in Ephesus during his third missionary journey.
2. What were the reasons for the opposition Paul faced in Ephesus?
3. What were the key points of Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders?
4. How did Paul's experiences in Ephesus and his farewell address contribute to the growth and challenges of the early Christian church?
TOPIC SIX
Paul’s teaching on: the dignity of labour (2Thessalonians 3:6-15; Colossians 3:23)
Dignity is defined as the quality that earns or deserves respect and labour means work. Dignity of labour therefore means that all labour respect. The teaching of Paul on the dignity of labour was connected with his teaching on the second coming of Jesus to the church of God of Thessalonica. After Paul’s visit, some of the members of the church thought Jesus second was near. They thought there was no need to work any longer if Jesus would soon arrive. They expected the church to supply all their needs until Jesus comes and they refused to work.
When this message got to Paul, he wrote to them a letter warning them that their belief was wrong and that their idea was born out of laziness. He then advised them to work and earn money. He also told them to keep away from anyone who refuses to work in order that he might be ashamed. But he should not be seen as an enemy rather he should be encouraged to work.
Paul told them that they should not eat with anyone who is lazy and refuses to work. He used himself as an example that he was able to provide for his need by being hard-working. He said he did not eat anybody’s bread without paying for it. He did not depend on others for sustenance. He wanted the church to imitate him.
The significance of Paul’s teaching on the Dignity of Labour
Paul’s teaching on the dignity of labour was meant to condemn laziness among the children of God. All Christians should refuse to be lazy because laziness brings lack, makes somebody to be an instrument in the hands of the devil, takes somebody to crime, turns somebody to a servant, takes away happiness and joy from people.
Further Reading
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
- Colossians 3:23
Study Questions
1. What was the main issue Paul addressed in his teaching on the dignity of labor?
2. How did Paul encourage believers to approach work and self-sufficiency?
3. What are the consequences of laziness, according to Paul's teaching?
4. How can Christians apply Paul's teaching on the dignity of labor in their daily lives?
TOPIC SEVEN
WEEEK 7
Paul’s teaching on Obedience to constituted authority (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 6:5-8)
Paul’s teaching revealed that for law and order to be maintaining in the society, people should be subject to the governing authority. Paul was referring to the government of the country as the constituted authority. He therefore admonished every Christians to be subject to the governing authorities for them to live in peace for there is no authority except from God. Every authority in existence is instituted by God. And that, anyone who resists them is resisting God. To go against them is to go against God. Anyone who resists or disobey the authorities will bring God’s judges on himself.
According to Paul, those in the position of authority are not terrors to good behaviors but to bad behavior. Good people should not fear unnecessarily about the people in authority so far they are obedient to the rulers and behave very well. If they do the right thing that God. If they should do what is wrong that disrupt people peace, they should be afraid and be ready for the consequences. The person would experience the wrath of God. Christians are expected to have clear conscience in order to live as good citizens and maintain peace with others. They should respect constituted authority and make sure they are faithful in the payment of their taxes.
The significance of Paul’s teaching on obedience to constituted authority
The teaching of Paul on obedience to constituted authority is mainly for us to obey our rulers and carry out our civic responsibilities. When we are obedient to our rulers, there will be peace among us which will result to progress. To obey the constituted authority is to obey the laws, rules and regulations of the land. When we pay our taxes, levies and rates we carry out our civic responsibilities. Our civic responsibility also include during the elections as an adults, being counted in a census, enjoy our rights, etc. we should not be involved in any secret society. We should take part in ay programme organized by the government that is meant for development and also take part in any programme organized by the government to eradicate danger like hard drug peddling, abortion, human ritual, killing, cheating, stealing, bribery and corruption, etc. We should join those organizations that build lives or take part in their activities. Such organizations are scripture union, boys brigade, student Christian movement, Girls guides, boys scout, etc. We must be God fearing and live our life to please God. We must make sure we train in our family members in the way of the Lord when we grow up as adults. We must be contented with what we have and must not cheat anybody.
Further Reading
- Romans 13:1-7
- Ephesians 6:5-8
Study Questions
1. What is the main emphasis of Paul's teaching on obedience to constituted authority?
2. How can Christians apply Paul's teaching in their daily lives?
3. What are the benefits of obeying constituted authority, according to Paul's teaching?
4. How can believers balance their civic responsibilities with their Christian values?
TOPIC EIGHT
Paul’s teaching on love (1Corinthians 13:4-8 &13)
In the letter of Paul to the church of Corinthians, he wrote the qualities of love so that Christians can understand what love is really all about. He wrote thus: ‘love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends.’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). We can see from the scripture quoted above that the qualities of love are; patience, kindness, humility and faithfulness.
Love is Patient: another name for patient is long-suffering that is the ability to endure suffering, insult, delay, etc. it is a quality that empowers someone to be tolerant in everything it guides against impatience.
As a Christians and a well trained child, when you refuse to join bad group and your friends call you all sort of bad nams and you ar not angry or fight with them. You can be referred to as patient.
When you are in need and your patients could not answer you on time and you don’t behave somehow, it shows you are patient. When you want to fetch water and somebody tamper with your bucket and you did not abuse him or her, your are patient.
When you don’t join others to cheat during examination but take time to study hard in order to pass, you are patient.
On the other hand, impatience is the lack of patience. Anyone who is impatience can easily spoil things. Such a person can be angry or annoyed with anybody; with his or her parents, teachers, friends, himself or anybody in the community. People don’t like to relate with somebody who is impatience because such a person will be seen as somebody who does not have love for others. Therefore we should learn to be patient in all things and deal with our impatience.
Love is kind: Kindness is the ability to wish others well and be help to them. Anyone with his quality will always want to help those in need whether he or she knows them or not. You are kind when you help your parents to do household work like washing, cooking, ironing, fetching water, running errands, etc.
You are kind when you render assistance to those who are in need whether your friends, neighbors, teachers or ever strangers.
You are kind when you give part of your money to beggars, handicapped and those who are desperately in need.
You are kind when you use your time for the benefit of others. When you show hospitality and are concern for the welfare of other, you are kind. When you visit the motherless children and the handicapped and take good care of them, you are kind.
You are kind when you wish your friends or those around you success. Those who are kind will always be considerate will never take any action that will affect others. They will think before they act.
Selfishness is ht opposite side of kindness. It is also the opposite of love. When you only think of yourself and others don’t matter to you, you are selfish. When you have the means and refuse to help the needy but only concentrate on your needs alone, you are selfish. You are selfish when you don’t worry whether your actions will hurt or affect others. People try to avoid selfish people. They don’t want to relate with them in any way because people see them as somebody who don’t have love in them. We should therefore kill the attitude of selfishness in us and learn to be kind in every way.
Love is Humble: To be humble mean to be modest and moderate in whatever we do. It can also mean to be decent. It is the ability to be submissive. A humble child will be submissive to his or her parents, teachers, friends and elders in the community. You are humble when your behaviour is nice to people you know and the ones you do not know.
You are humble when you respect people especially your parents, teachers and the elderly ones. You are humble when you obey your school’s rules and regulations.
You are humble when you don’t discriminate against people but see them as your brothers and sisters.
When you are not boastful of what you have or look at others somehow, your are humble. When you are decent in the way you talk and in your dressing, you are humble.
The opposite side of humility is pride, arrogance and rudeness. A proud person does not behave nice to the people he or she knows and the ones he or she do not know. You are arrogant when you disregard people in authority and disobey the rules and regulations of your school. You are proud when you see yourself as better than other or discriminate against the people from other tribes. You are proud when you show off you have to provoke your friends who don’t have the same.
When you are not decent in the way you talk and address people, you are rude. Nobody wants to associate with proud, rude and arrogant people. People want to avoid them at all cost because they are seen as people who do not have love for anybody. You must be humble and do away with pride, rudeness and arrogance.
Love is Faithful: to be faithful means to be loyal and truthful in our dealing to God, country, parents, friends and strangers.
You are faithful when you obey the law of the land and shun bribery and corruption, fraud, tribalism, drug peddling, favoritism and nepotism.
You are faithful when you obey your parents, pastor and teachers.
You are faithful when you promise people and always keep to your promise. When you marry and refuse to have sexual contact with another woman or man, you are faithful to your wife or to your husband.
You are faithful when you are disciplined in your behaviour, and do your work very well both at home and at school.
Unfaithfulness is the opposite of faithfulness. Anyone who is unfaithful will be disloyal in his or her dealings to God, country, parents, friends and strangers. When you go after other gods and worship them, you unfaithful.
You are unfaithful when you refuse to obey the commandments of God as revealed in the
Bible. When you refuse to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour as a Christians are unfaithful. When you engage in the activities that are forbidden by the law of your country during examination, you are unfaithful. You are unfaithful when you refuse to respects and obey your parents, teachers and elders. When you fail to keep your promises made to people you are unfaithful. When you are involved in sexual intercourse after you have married with another person who is not your partner, you are unfaithful. When you refuse to do assignment well both at home and school and are not disciplined in your behaviour, you are unfaithful.
Further Reading
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 & 13
Study Questions
1. What are the qualities of love that Paul emphasizes in his teaching?
2. How can we demonstrate love in our daily lives?
3. What are the opposites of love, and how can we avoid them?
4. Why is love important in our relationships with others?
TOPIC NINE
Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem and his arrest (Acts 21:17-40)
When Paul got to Jerusalem, the Jews arrested him and brought him before the Jewish Council to try him. Some Jews conspired together to kill him but he was rescued and taken to Caesarea. Paul was later tried before tow Roman governors, Felix and Agrippa.
Paul went to the elders and told them in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When the elders heard it, they glorified God for his efforts. The elder said to him that some Jews who had been converted accused him of preaching against the people who were under a vow in order to clear himself and show the Jews that he was not against their religion (Judaism). The elders of the church also told him that they have sent letters of the decision of the church council in Jerusalem to some Gentiles churches.
Paul did according to the advice of the elders. The following day he purified himself together with four men. He then went to the temple authorities to find out when the days of the purification would be over and do the necessary offerings. The temple authorities told him seven days.
When the seven days were almost ended, some of the Jews who had formally met Paul in Asia Minor stirred up the crowd and spoke against him accusing him of speaking against the people, the temple and Law of Moses. They also said he had brought gentiles into the temples because they had formally seen Paul with Trophimus who was a Greek from Ephesus and thought that Paul had taken him into the temple. Because of this accusation made against him, the Jews seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple and shut the gates of the temple and mad an attempt to kill him. But the Roman may officer with some soldiers Paul. The army officer commanded that Paul should be bound with chain and later him into the barracks.
As Paul was about to be led into the barracks, the army officer accused him of being an Egyptian who sometimes led a rebellion.
Paul denied the accusation and said he was a Jew form Tarsus in Cilicia. Paul then spoke to the assembly in Hebrew language.
Further Reading
- Acts 21:17-40
Study Questions
1. What was the purpose of Paul's meeting with the elders of the church in Jerusalem?
2. Why did the Jews accuse Paul of speaking against the people, the temple, and the Law of Moses?
3. How did the Roman soldiers intervene to rescue Paul from the crowd?
4. What does Paul's experience in Jerusalem reveal about the challenges faced by early Christian leaders?
TOPIC TEN
Paul before the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) and the plot to kill him (Acts 22:27-30; 23:1-35)
The roman army officer took Paul and brought him before the Sanhedrin to know the reasons why he was being accused by the Jews. Paul spoke first, as he began his speech he said he had live in good conscience before God. The moment he uttered these words, Ananias, the high priest ordered those who stood around Paul to him. Paul cursed him and when he was told that he was the high priest, he then apologies.
Paul later noticed that a part of the assembly were Pharisees, he shouted that he was a Pharisee; and that he was being tried in respect to the resurrection from the dead. This brought disagreement between the Pharisees and Sadducees because the Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead while the Sadducees did not believe such. Then the scribes of the pharisees’ party protested and said they did not find anything wrong with Paul. When the disagreement became so hot, the Roman army officer was afraid that Paul might be harmed and ordered the soldiers to take him by force from the Jews and bring him to the barracks.
The significance of Paul’s trial before the Sanhedrin
The trial of Paul before the Sanhedrin reveals how those who are sentimental and emotional can prevent a fair trial. Also, the order given by the high priest to abuse Paul was totally wrong. It shows that the Sanhedrin was partial and bias against Paul.
Further Reading
- Acts 22:27-30; 23:1-35
Study Questions
1. What was the purpose of Paul's trial before the Sanhedrin?
2. How did the disagreement between the Pharisees and Sadducees affect the trial?
3. What actions did the Roman army officer take to protect Paul?
4. What does Paul's trial reveal about the biases and partiality of some religious leaders?
TOPIC ELEVEN
Paul Before Roman Governors
Paul’s trail before Felix (Acts 24:10-23)
Paul stood before Felix, the Roman governor to defend himself against the accusation leveled against him by the Jews. They said Paul was a trouble maker who had cause rebellion among the Jewish people all over the world. They also accused him of being the ring leader of the Christians who tried to profane the temple.
When Felix allowed Paul to make his defense against the accusation brought against him by the Jews. Paul told Felix, the governor that all the accusations were false. He said he did not commit any of the offences he was charged for. Paul confessed that he was follower of Jesus Christ and a Christians by religion. But, he did not go against the Jewish religion and their law. He said the Jewish religion itself believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead of both the righteous and unrighteous on the Day of judgment. He said his accuser could not proof what they have accused him of. He ended his defense by saying he was beings tried because of his belief in the resurrection from the dead.
Though Felix did not find Paul guilty in any way, but he did not allow him to be set free. He said would decide on Paul’s case when a commander called Lysia, come around. What Felix actually wanted was a bribe from Paul before he could set free. But Paul did not do what Felix expected and therefore he was left in prison till another governor called Porcius Festus came to power and succeeded Felix.
Paul trial before Festus (Acts 25:1-21)
After the new governor, Pontius Festus came to power; he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. While he was in Jerusalem, the high priest and the chief men of the Jews brought up the case of Paul before him. They asked him to send Paul to Jerusalem for trail. They had already planned to kill him on the way. But Festus answered them that Paul should be accused in Caesarea that he himself was going there.
When he came to Caesarea, Festus sent from Paul and Paul and brought out of prison for trial. The Jews who had come from Jerusalem laid many serious accusations against Paul which they prove. While Paul was defending himself, he declared that all the charges brought against him were false. He said: “Neither against Caesar have I offended in anything at all”. But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favour by trying to take him to Jerusalem. He asked Paul this question: “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these thing?”
Paul knew that he would get a fair trial in Jerusalem. But Paul, being a Roman citizen used his right to appeal to Caesar. He said: “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar”.
Festus could not stop Paul from appealing to Caesar because he knew that he was a Roman citizen and had the right to appeal to Caesar. Festus then held a meeting with the council. They came out with the decision that Paul must appear before Caesar. Festus said to Paul: “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go”.
Paul’s trial before Agrippa (Acts 25:23-27; 26:1-16)
King Herod Agrippa visited Caesarea to welcome Festus who was the new governor. Then Festus informed King Agrippa about Paul who was left in prison by Felix, the former governor. King Agrippa said he would like to listen to Paul himself. Paul was brought before Festus and King Agrippa the following day.
Festus mentioned the case of Paul before the king. He told the King that Paul was not guilty of any of the charges made against him by the Jews. He therefore urge the King to listen very attentively to Paul’s defense to find out if he could bring any charges against him for record purposes. Then King Agrippa permitted Paul to speak.
Paul started his address by speaking about his early life. He told the king that he was a strict Jew right from youth and that he belong to the sect of Pharisee. He said he was being tried because of his belief in the resurrection of dead.
Paul referred to how he had persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem in order to defend the Jewish religion. He mentioned how he used to punish the Christians, compelled them to blaspheme and persecuted them to foreign cities. He said while he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians, he was converted to Christianity.
Paul aid that his preaching was in obedience to the vision he received from heaven. He first preached the Gospel in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the entire region of Judea and to the gentiles, that the people should repent and turn to God. Paul said the Jews seized him in Jerusalem and wanted to kill him because of his relationship with the gentiles but God delivered him from their hands.
Paul continued to tell the King that he did not say any other things than what Moses and the prophets said would happen. That Jesus Christ would suffer, that they would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the gentiles.
Festus said with a loud voice that Paul was beside himself and that much learning was driving him mad. But the king was moved by what Paul said concerning the resurrection and told Paul: “you almost persuade me to become a Christian”.
Paul then replied him: “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today. Might become both almost and together such as I am, except for these chains”.
When Paul had ended his defense, the king, the governor and all who sat with them stood up and discussed together and agreed that Paul had not done anything wrong that can warrant death or imprisonment. Then the King said to the governor: “this man have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar”.
The significance of Paul’s trial before Roman governors
Paul defended himself before Felix, the governor of the land. It means that Christians have right to defend themselves through their speech publicly whenever they are brought the civil authorities. The desire of Felix to take bribe from Paul in order to influence the course of justice is evil. Every Christians should shun bribery; and corruption and condemn the perversion of justice.
Paul’s trial before Festus shows that the civil authority can be influenced to perverse the justice even when the person that is being tried is innocent. The governor knew that Paul was not guilty, but he tried to please the Jews in order to kill him.
The civil authorities later gave Paul a fair trial. This show that the human rights can still be respected and people can still get fair trial.
Further Reading
- Acts 24:10-23; 25:1-21; 25:23-27; 26:1-32
Study Questions
1. How did Paul defend himself before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa?
2. What was the outcome of Paul's appeal to Caesar?
3. How did Agrippa respond to Paul's testimony?
4. What does Paul's experience reveal about the challenges faced by early Christians in navigating complex legal and cultural contexts?
QUESTIONS
Topic 1: Paul's Nativity and Education
1. What impact did Paul's Roman citizenship have on his ministry?
2. How did Paul's Pharisaic training shape his early life and beliefs?
Topic 2: Paul's Persecution of the Early Church
1. What motivated Paul to persecute early Christians?
2. How did Paul's encounter with Jesus change his perspective on Christianity?
Topic 3: Paul's First Missionary Journey
1. What were the key events of Paul's first missionary journey with Barnabas?
2. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to opposition during their journey?
Topic 4: The Church Council at Jerusalem
1. What was the main issue discussed at the Jerusalem Council?
2. How did the council's decision affect the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers?
Topic 5: Paul's Third Missionary Journey
1. What were the highlights of Paul's ministry in Ephesus during his third journey?
2. What concerns did Paul express in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders?
Topic 6: Paul's Teaching on the Dignity of Labor
1. What did Paul teach about the importance of work?
2. How can believers apply Paul's teachings on work and self-sufficiency in their lives?
Topic 7: Paul's Life and Ministry
1. How did Paul's conversion experience influence his ministry?
2. What were the key characteristics of Paul's ministry?
Topic 8: Paul's Life and Ministry
1. What were the outcomes of Paul's missionary journeys?
2. How did Paul's ministry impact the early Christian church?
Topic 9: Paul's Trials and Defense
1. How did Paul defend himself before Roman authorities?
2. What strategies did Paul use to communicate effectively in his defense?
Topic 10: Paul's Trials and Defense
1. What did Paul's trials reveal about the challenges faced by early Christians?
2. How did Paul's trials demonstrate his commitment to his faith?
Topic 11: Paul's Teachings and Legacy
1. What is the relationship between faith and works according to Paul's teachings?
2. How did Paul's teachings on love and forgiveness shape the early Christian community?
Topic 12: Paul's Teachings and Legacy
1. How did Paul's writings contribute to the development of the early Christian church?
2. What is the ongoing impact of Paul's legacy in modern Christianity?
60 OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1. What was Paul's nationality?
A) Jewish
B) Roman
C) Greek
D) Egyptian
2. What was Paul's occupation before conversion?
A) Tentmaker
B) Pharisee
C) Rabbi
D) Soldier
3. Who persecuted early Christians?
A) Paul
B) Peter
C) Jesus
D) Romans
4. What event led to Paul's conversion?
A) Crucifixion
B) Resurrection
C) Damascus Road experience
D) Pentecost
5. Who was Paul's companion on his first missionary journey?
A) Barnabas
B) Peter
C) John
D) Timothy
6. What was the main issue discussed at the Jerusalem Council?
A) Circumcision
B) Gentile inclusion
C) Sabbath observance
D) Dietary laws
7. What was Paul's teaching on work?
A) Laziness is acceptable
B) Work is optional
C) Hard work is important
D) Wealth is a sign of God's blessing
8. How did Paul defend himself before Roman authorities?
A) By appealing to Caesar
B) By citing Jewish law
C) By denying Christianity
D) By bribing officials
9. What was the outcome of Paul's trial before Festus?
A) Acquittal
B) Conviction
C) Appeal to Caesar
D) Execution
10. What is the significance of Paul's writings?
A) They provide historical context
B) They offer theological insights
C) They demonstrate Paul's literary skill
D) All of the above
11. Who was the Roman governor who heard Paul's case?
A) Felix
B) Festus
C) Agrippa
D) Pilate
12. What was Paul's message to the Athenians?
A) The unknown God
B) The importance of idolatry
C) The power of philosophy
D) The beauty of art
13. How did Paul's ministry impact the early Christian church?
A) It led to division
B) It resulted in stagnation
C) It promoted unity and growth
D) It had no impact
14. What was Paul's teaching on love?
A) Love is optional
B) Love is a feeling
C) Love is a choice
D) Love is a sacrifice
15. Who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey?
A) Silas
B) Timothy
C) Barnabas
D) Peter
16. What was the purpose of Paul's farewell address?
A) To bid farewell
B) To provide guidance
C) To express gratitude
D) To warn against false teachers
17. How did Paul's Pharisaic training shape his early life?
A) It led to strict adherence to Jewish law
B) It promoted tolerance
C) It encouraged love for Gentiles
D) It fostered humility
18. What was the significance of Paul's conversion?
A) It changed his occupation
B) It altered his theology
C) It transformed his life and ministry
D) It improved his social status
19. What was Paul's relationship with the Corinthian church?
A) He founded it
B) He opposed it
C) He ignored it
D) He visited it briefly
20. What is the ongoing impact of Paul's legacy?
A) It is limited to history books
B) It is irrelevant to modern Christianity
C) It continues to inspire and guide believers
D) It is a topic of debate among scholars
21. What was the main theme of Paul's letter to the Romans?
A) Justification by faith
B) The importance of works
C) The role of the law
D) The nature of God
22. How did Paul's Roman citizenship affect his ministry?
A) It provided protection
B) It limited his outreach
C) It increased his influence
D) It had no impact
23. Who was the Roman emperor during Paul's ministry?
A) Nero
B) Augustus
C) Tiberius
D) Claudius
24. What was Paul's teaching on forgiveness?
A) Forgiveness is optional
B) Forgiveness is a feeling
C) Forgiveness is a choice
D) Forgiveness is a process
25. What were the key events of Paul's first missionary journey?
A) Preaching in Jerusalem
B) Healing in Lystra
C) Dispute with Jewish leaders
D) All of the above
26. What was the significance of Paul's letter to the Philippians?
A) It emphasized the importance of joy
B) It discussed the role of works in salvation
C) It addressed the issue of circumcision
D) It provided guidance on church leadership
27. How did Paul's ministry impact the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers?
A) It created division
B) It promoted unity
C) It had no impact
D) It emphasized Jewish traditions
28. What was Paul's teaching on the nature of Christ?
A) He is fully human
B) He is fully divine
C) He is both fully human and fully divine
D) He is a prophet
29. How did Paul's Roman citizenship affect his interactions with Roman authorities?
A) It provided protection
B) It led to mistreatment
C) It had no impact
D) It was irrelevant
30. What was the significance of Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders?
A) It demonstrated his love for the church
B) It provided guidance for future ministry
C) It warned against false teachers
D) All of the above
31. What was the main issue Paul addressed in his letter to the Galatians?
A) Circumcision
B) Justification by faith
C) The role of the law
D) Church leadership
32. How did Paul's ministry impact the Gentile world?
A) It led to widespread rejection
B) It resulted in limited growth
C) It brought many to faith in Christ
D) It had no impact
33. What was Paul's teaching on the relationship between faith and works?
A) Faith without works is sufficient
B) Works are necessary for salvation
C) Faith and works are inseparable
D) Works are optional
34. Who was Paul's companion on his third missionary journey?
A) Timothy
B) Silas
C) Titus
D) Luke
35. What was the significance of Paul's imprisonment?
A) It limited his ministry
B) It increased his influence
C) It demonstrated his commitment to Christ
D) It was unnecessary
36. How did Paul's writings contribute to the development of the early Christian church?
A) They provided theological insights
B) They offered practical guidance
C) They demonstrated Paul's literary skill
D) All of the above
37. What was Paul's message to the Philippian jailer?
A) Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
B) Obey the law
C) Follow Jewish tradition
D) Seek wealth and power
38. How did Paul's ministry demonstrate the power of the gospel?
A) Through signs and wonders
B) Through logical argumentation
C) Through emotional appeal
D) Through social status
39. What was the outcome of Paul's appeal to Caesar?
A) Acquittal
B) Conviction
C) Execution
D) Unknown
40. What is the significance of Paul's legacy in modern Christianity?
A) It is a historical footnote
B) It is a model for ministry
C) It is a source of inspiration
D) All of the above
41. How did Paul's Pharisaic background shape his theology?
A) It emphasized the importance of tradition
B) It highlighted the role of faith
C) It demonstrated the power of works
D) It revealed the love of God
42. What was Paul's teaching on the nature of the church?
A) It is a hierarchical institution
B) It is a community of believers
C) It is a building
D) It is a mystery
43. How did Paul's ministry impact the Jewish community?
A) It led to widespread acceptance
B) It resulted in limited response
C) It sparked intense opposition for both Paul and the church
D) It had no impact
44. What was Paul's teaching on the role of the law?
A) It is necessary for salvation
B) It is a guide for believers
C) It is a burden
D) It is obsolete
45. How did Paul's Roman citizenship affect his treatment by Roman authorities?
A) It provided protection
B) It led to mistreatment
C) It had no impact
D) It was irrelevant
46. What was the significance of Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders?
A) It demonstrated his love for the church
B) It provided guidance for future ministry
C) It warned against false teachers
D) All of the above
47. How did Paul's ministry demonstrate the power of prayer?
A) Through answered prayers
B) Through persistent prayer
C) Through prayer in times of crisis
D) All of the above
48. What was Paul's teaching on the importance of unity in the church?
A) It is optional
B) It is a goal to strive for
C) It is essential for the church's witness
D) It is impossible to achieve
49. How did Paul's writings influence the development of Christian theology?
A) They provided a foundation for doctrine
B) They offered practical guidance
C) They demonstrated Paul's literary skill
D) They had no impact
50. What is the ongoing impact of Paul's ministry?
A) It is limited to history books
B) It continues to inspire and guide believers
C) It is a topic of debate among scholars
D) It is irrelevant to modern Christianity
51. How did Paul's conversion experience shape his understanding of God?
A) It revealed God's justice
B) It demonstrated God's love
C) It transformed his understanding of God's plan
D) It had no impact
52. What was Paul's teaching on the role of leaders in the church?
A) They should be authoritarian
B) They should be servants
C) They should be wise and humble
D) They should be wealthy
53. How did Paul's ministry impact the social and cultural context of the early Christian church?
A) It challenged social norms
B) It conformed to cultural expectations
C) It had no impact
D) It was limited to spiritual matters
54. What was Paul's teaching on the relationship between the church and the world?
A) The church should separate itself
B) The church should engage with the world
C) The church should be neutral
D) The church should dominate the world
55. How did Paul's writings contribute to the development of Christian doctrine?
A) They provided a foundation for theology
B) They offered practical guidance
C) They demonstrated Paul's literary skill
D) They had no impact
56. What was Paul's teaching on the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity?
A) It is optional
B) It is necessary for growth
C) It is a sign of weakness
D) It is impossible
57. How did Paul's ministry demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit?
A) Through signs and wonders
B) Through logical argumentation
C) Through emotional appeal
D) Through social status
58. What was Paul's teaching on the role of women in the church?
A) They should be silent
B) They should be submissive
C) They should be equal
D) They should be leaders
59. How did Paul's imprisonment impact his ministry?
A) It limited his outreach
B) It increased his influence
C) It demonstrated his commitment to Christ
D) It was unnecessary
60. What is the significance of Paul's legacy in the history of Christianity?
A) It is a minor footnote
B) It is a significant chapter
C) It is a defining moment
D) It is a ongoing influence
ANSWERS
1. A) Jewish
2. A) Tentmaker
3. A) Paul
4. C) Damascus Road experience
5. A) Barnabas
6. B) Gentile inclusion
7. C) Hard work is important
8. A) By appealing to Caesar
9. C) Appeal to Caesar
10. D) All of the above
11. A) Felix
12. A) The unknown God
13. C) It promoted unity and growth
14. D) Love is a sacrifice
15. A) Silas
16. D) To warn against false teachers
17. A) It led to strict adherence to Jewish law
18. C) It transformed his life and ministry
19. A) He founded it
20. C) It continues to inspire and guide believers
21. A) Justification by faith
22. A) It provided protection
23. A) Nero
24. C) Forgiveness is a choice
25. D) All of the above
26. A) It emphasized the importance of joy
27. B) It promoted unity
28. C) He is both fully human and fully divine
29. A) It provided protection
30. D) All of the above
31. A) Circumcision
32. C) It brought many to faith in Christ
33. C) Faith and works are inseparable
34. A) Timothy
35. C) It demonstrated his commitment to Christ
36. D) All of the above
37. A) Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
38. A) Through signs and wonders
39. D) Unknown
40. D) All of the above
41. A) It emphasized the importance of tradition
42. B) It is a community of believers
43. C) It sparked intense opposition for both Paul and the church
44. B) It is a guide for believers
45. A) It provided protection
46. D) All of the above
47. D) All of the above
48. C) It is essential for the church's witness
49. A) They provided a foundation for doctrine
50. B) It continues to inspire and guide believers
51. C) It transformed his understanding of God's plan
52. C) They should be wise and humble
53. A) It challenged social norms
54. B) The church should engage with the world
55. A) They provided a foundation for theology
56. B) It is necessary for growth
57. A) Through signs and wonders
58. B) They should be submissive
59. C) It demonstrated his commitment to Christ
60. D) It is a ongoing influence
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