Some things about the apostle Paul's life that particularly strike me are: his fearlessness in the face of persecution; he always moved pro-actively and progressively forward with his God-given mission, making the most good use of time, and I love the fact that he mentored so many brothers, some of whom, were his relatives. Yes, there are many other points we could mention but I'd like to stick with these most favorite ones.
The fact that Paul moved resolutely forward even after a beating or the stoning of his life, coupled with the many warnings he received from brothers en route via the Holy Spirit and even directly from the Holy Spirit, is astonishing (Acts 20:22-24 NIV).
This reminds one of Jesus who set His face like a flint, moving ever forward towards Jerusalem, knowing full well He'd be crucified, literally, when He arrived (Isaiah 0:71; Luke 9:1). He spent "last moments" with His disciples. Paul did the same, even speaking all night in Troas (Acts 20:7-12). As a parallel, Paul was also headed for Jerusalem. Rather, Christ-like, don't you think?
In some places, like Achaia, (Acts 20:2-3 Good News), Paul stayed longer, three months or even more than a year in others. In each place he'd systematically head for the synagogues, preach and see what the "fallout" was. Persecution, mostly but it was worthwhile to him when some of the thinking, noble Jews listened, understood and accepted the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and believed that Jesus is God; just Who He said He was.
When Paul was rejected and ejected, he'd turn to the Gentiles. They were more than happy that this message of Jesus was open and available for them too. Local assemblies were formed, leaders appointed. When things in one city got too hot for Paul, he'd move on to the next, not with his tail between his legs but in triumph that souls had been won for Christ. He was ever mindful of his time constraints but that he also wanted,
"to complete [his] mission and finish the work the Lord Jesus gave [him] to do, which [was] to declare the Good News about the grace of God" (Acts 20:24 Good News).
Paul was not a one-man show, so to speak, but did have 'disciples' of his own. He seemed to be following the example of Barnabas who had taken him under his wing in the early days of his conversion. It was also, so it seems to me, a kind of rabbinical tradition, if you will, that a learned one of Scripture, would pass this knowledge on to a group of others.
Following this style and even again, like Jesus, Paul mentored several brothers whom he named. We all know about Timothy, whom Paul seems to have treated very much like a son. However, Timothy became "well trained" enough to be given a ministry among the Ephesian assembly of believers. History says the year AD64. Just so you know.
Here in Acts 20 we meet some more of Paul's proteges. Besides Timothy, there were Sopater (aka-possibly- Sosipater), who was likely a relative (Romans 16:2); Aristarchus, Gaius, Secundus, Tychicus, and Trophimus. Each of these dudes were from different palces (Acts 20:1-6 NIV).
Luke the physician often taveled along with Paul and Silas too. We can surmise that besides his doctoring duties, Luke was also learning from Paul. Tradition has it that Luke did have a preaching itinerary of his own in places like Alexandria (Rome), Bithynia (in Turkey) and died in Greece.
Paul referred to Priscilla and Aquila as his "fellow workers in Christ" (Romans 16:3). Paul did not "go it alone". It was by the mouth of two or three witnesses that the word of God was established. He got that.
No doubt there were other trainees of Paul, such as Titus. However the point has been made, that by having these brothers accompany him in his journeys they would be greatly benefitted by the constant hands on experience of seeing and hearing Paul in preaching mode.
He would then likely teach them directly in his "spare" time, thus making the most efficiently wise use of his time. He bought time and moved ever forward with the gospel even with the constant threat of prison and other forms of persecution that loomed and hung over his head. For Paul, it was full steam ahead for Christ and Jesus His Savior, come what may.
Can you see how these favorite things about Paul could strike me? What are your favorite things about him? Praise God for such brothers and sisters-in-Christ. Pray for such preachers and teachers of the gospel and word of God in our day and age. The going is often tough and they can use all the encouragement and back-up support they can get.
~ERC November 2021~
Based on Acts 20 NIV/GoodNews.
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