ANALYZING PAUL EXPERIENCES AND APPEARANCES WITH THE GROUPS OF JEW AND GENTILE IN HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY WITH TODAY'S WORLD.

1. INTRODUCTION.

Paul by racial ancestry was Israelites, by citizenship was Roman, by religion a follower of Judaism, yet born and raised among Greek culture. We do not know much about him but this background and environment that Paul (or at that time he was called Saul) received his education in the religion of Judaism which means that he was very well versed in its dogma and apologetics. Sometime during his so much educational years it was instilled in him a fervent hatred for Christ was found in him he became a perfect agent in the employment of the Sanhedrin against the Christians. He moved around throughout the Roman world in his approximately thirty years in Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2) in arresting and testifying against the followers of Christ until God had to do something about him and used what he knew to do His ministry. His tripped to Damascus somehow changed his history to become fellow followers of Christ and through the life he only brought gospel to all nations and all kinds of men from the poor to the rich, from the servant to the king and not forgetting his own people the Jews which was the most difficult people and like Christ he was prosecuted because of them.

2. which experience taught us about him

Paul went on to make three recorded missionary tours plus his journey to Rome as a prisoner. In the course of these, he opened up the work in several cities in Europe and preached the gospel in several countries and islands that today are known as Syria, Cyprus, Crete, Turkey, Greece, Malta, and Sicily. He may even have reached Spain. He helped establish congregations in many cities.

Paul imitated Christ’s way of teaching. Therefore he knew how to relate to people. He knew how to teach and how to train others as teachers. He based his teaching on the Scriptures. He did not try to impress others with his own wisdom but, rather, reasoned from the Scriptures. (Acts 17:2, 3) Paul also knew how to adapt to his audience and how to use the local setting as a stepping stone for his message. As he said: “I have made myself the slave to all, that I may gain the most persons. And so to the Jews I became as a Jew . . . To those without law I became as without law . . . To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to people of all sorts, that I might by all means save some.”—1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Acts 17:22, 23.

With what attitude did the apostle carry out this ministry? “Though I am free from all persons,” he said, “I have made myself the slave to all that I may gain the most persons.” (1 Corinthians 9:19) Unquestionably, Paul made meaningful effort to present his message in an effective way, for he also said: “I do all things for the sake of the good news, that I may become a sharer of it with others.” (1 Corinthians 9:23)

3. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE?

Paul’s Jewish background and his willingness to do all things for the sake of the good news equipped him to help humble Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah.

For example, consider what the apostle did when he chose Timothy as his traveling companion. Timothy, whose father was Greek, had not been circumcised as Jewish male children were. (Leviticus 12:2, 3) Paul knew that Jews might be stumbled if an uncircumcised young man tried to help them to become reconciled to God. Therefore, so that honest hearted Jews might not be hindered from accepting Jesus, what did Paul do? He “took [Timothy] and circumcised him because of the Jews.” This was done even though circumcision was not a Christian requirement.—Acts 16:1-3.

Did he deal similarly with Gentiles? First, “Paul had decided to preach to gentiles apparently out of his own revelatory experience that this was the mission that had been given him by God when God called him to function as a prophet for this new Jesus movement” [1]. Paul’s genuine desire to gain Gentile converts to Christianity prompted him to take an interest also in people whose background was very different from his own. “To those [the Gentiles] without law I became as without law, although I am not without law toward God but under law toward Christ, that I might gain those without law.” (1 Corinthians 9:21) How did the apostle seek to gain Gentiles?

When Paul went to Jerusalem about 49 C.E. to attend the important meeting of the Christian congregation’s governing body, he was accompanied by the Greek disciple Titus. To the assembled brothers, Paul delivered a report on his preaching work among the people of the nations, and he later wrote: “Not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek.” (Galatians 2:1-3) Unlike Timothy, Titus performed his ministry primarily among uncircumcised people of the nations. Hence, the issue of circumcision did not arise in his case.—2 Corinthians 8:6, 16-18, 23; 12:18; Titus 1:4, 5.

Giving a witness in Athens, Paul again demonstrated that he did all things for the sake of the good news. Taking into account the thinking of inhabitants of that Grecian capital, he told them about the God unknown to them and quoted their poets Aratus and Cleanthes, who said: “For we are also his progeny.” The apostle thus sought to help his listeners to understand that they “ought not to imagine that the Divine Being is . . . like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man.” Moreover, Paul reasoned: “God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent.” He effectively directed attention to the “Lord of heaven and earth,” Jehovah. And the result was? “Some men joined themselves to him and became believers.” (Acts 17:22-34) Paul’s methods were successful!

4. PAUL’S LIFE JOURNEYS [2].

Before I decide to choose which journey I would like to analyze and to select his appearance to a particular group for discussion in this term paper, I would also like to briefly go through the whole three missionary journey that he had covered through his life or what is found in the book of Acts. We need to know that each journey is almost interrelated because if we talk one particular group of people like the Jew, it is also found through the three missionary journeys how Paul related to these groups of people. The events or the incidents might in different locations and reasons but it always end up with the same message that is Jesus Christ is the son of God and only through Him we have salvation. It did not matter if they are Jews or Gentiles. All are the same under God’s grace. All these lessons have different incidents or arguments but overall it is Paul that had to defend the faith that he believed and live by.

The books of Acts 13 and 14 covers Paul’s first missionary journey from the city of Antioch. In Syria, Paul and Barnabas with John Mark launched their first missionary journey. They departed to Seleucia, Syria, a seaport on the Mediterranean coast and sailed to the island of Cyprus. They then went to many places in Asia Minor before returning to Antioch in Syria. They were gone for approximately four years from A.D. 45-49.

The books of Acts 15:35-18:22 covers Paul’s second missionary journey which recorded the journey of Paul, Silas and Timothy on their preaching tour which covered approximately four years between A.D. 50-54. Their journey was form Antioch, Syria to the Roman regions of Cilicia, Lycaonia, Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia in modern Turkey, westward across the Aegean Sea to Macedonia, turned south into Greece, Achaia (southern Greece), sailed eastward across the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor, then to Samaria, Jerusalem and back home to Antioch, Syria.

The books of Acts 18:23-21:17 covers the final or third missionary journey that recorded the journey of Paul, Timothy and others on their third preaching tour which covered approximately four years from A.D. 54-58. Their journey took them from their home church in Antioch, Syria to retrace the steps which Paul had covered on his first two journeys.

5. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. [3]

Before I really go into a discussion of analyzing the particular group of people, I would general like to go briefly into the account or incident that happened during Paul and Silas journey as Timothy and Mark came into picture along the journey.

*Gordon Smith, A Harmony of the New Testament, Wales – UK, 20th December 2000
http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CH225ACTSPaulTwo.htm

a) Paul & Silas cross Asia Minor; Paul's vision of the Macedonian man 15:40-41; 16:1-9

Paul met Timothy in Lystra. Paul chooses Timothy as companion. We do well to notice that the early apostles not only worked in pairs, but also took along younger brethren for training in practical aspects of the Christian ministry in this missionary enterprise. Before Paul departed, he circumcised Timothy. If these Jews knew that Timothy was not circumcised, they might refuse to listen; whereas if he were, there would be no possibility of offense on this matter. The interpretation that Paul’s circumcising of Timothy was in order to gain an audience for the gospel with the Jews seems to be strongly implied by the word. And circumcised him because of Jews although they all knew that his father was Greek. I will analyze this matter on the next section.

b) They cross to Europe and reach Philippi; Lydia and Paul's jailer are converted

16:10-40

During a night vision Paul saw a man of Macedonia calling him to come over and help. The spirit cuts off the “logical” lines of advance to the west (Asia) and the north (Bithynia) and lead Paul and his companions to Troas in North West. Asia Minor and to Macedonia in northern Greece.

The man of Macedonia represented Europe and his cry for help Europe’s need of Christ. Paul recognized in the vision a divine summons; and the very next sunset which bathed the Hellespont in its gold light shone upon his figure seated on the deck of a ship, the prow of which was moving toward the shore of Macedonia. [4]

In Philippi, Lydia was converted. Later on his way to the place of prayer, Paul also exorcised a demon from a slave girl that gave her ability to tell fortune. The slave girl master complained and Silas and Paul was ordered beaten by the Roman magistrates and later put into prison. In prison, an earthquake opened the prison doors and chains of the prisoners were broken. That where Paul prevented the Philippian jailer from committing suicide. This incident led him and his entire household to faith in Christ. Paul and Silas were released and asked to leave the city of Philippi. Paul and Silas find their journey divinely directed

When the jailer announced the good news to Paul, the apostle refused to leave under such circumstances. After all, Silas and Paul though Jews by birth were citizens of Rome. They had been beaten unfairly. Paul, in a strong position, makes the authorities apologize which later urged them to depart Philippi. During his time, Paul founded the church in that city.

c) In Thessalonica they are rejected by the Jews; in Berea, they are accepted 17:1-14

Paul and Silas now traveled to Amphiplis than to Apollonia before stopping at Thessalonica. This city was strategically located on trade routes and an excellent center of commerce. Here Paul chose it as a base form his next gospel. He preached at a Jewish synagogue about the long awaited Messiah Jesus Christ. He tried to prove that Christ was God. Some of the Jews were persuaded included the Greek proselytes and not a few of the leading women. This provoked the unbelieving Jews to take decisive action by incited a riot from the market place and besieged the house of Jason where Paul and Silas was guest. They described them (Paul and his followers) as those who had turned the world upside down. Then charged them with plotting to overthrow the government of Caesar by preaching of another king whom we knew was Christ Jesus. What was funny here was that they were questioning safeguarding the government while they actually had little or no love for the Roman Empire. The ruler of the city or politarchs was not happy with the news or reports so they investigated by inquiry more information from Jason. They than let them go. They were sent away by night to Berea. In Berea, Paul still continued this mission and in many incidents a good number of Jews and prominent Gentile women as well as men were converted. What happened next was the Thessalonica Jews heard about this and made a special trip to Berea and once again stirred up the crowds against Paul. Sad to say that once again Paul had to leave Berea but it was followed by encouragement at Beroea

d) Paul is taken to Athens; he addresses the "philosophers" 17:15-21; 17:32-34

Paul stopped at Athens. He sent word to Silas and Timothy who was still remaining at Berea to join him at Athens. While waiting for them, our good Paul was new deeply burdened by the idolatry the city as we know it was a city center of culture, educations and fine art at that time. Paul still went to the Jews synagogue and his favorite market place to preach. He met some Epicurean philosophers who taught that pleasure and not the pursuit of knowledge is the chief end of lie and Stoic philosophers were pathesis who believer that wisdom of intense emotions and willingly submissive to natural law.

Paul’s proclamation to the Greek is one with his proclamation to the Jew, he is “testify God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”, the Deliverer and Judge of both Jew and Greek. Human wisdom is not easily persuaded of its failure; the mind boggles at the miracle of the resurrection of the dead. [5]

They considered Paul teaching rubbish a proclaimed of unknown gods that die and resurrected. They took him to Areopagus, a judicial body like a supreme court that met on the hill of Mars. Paul stood before them all and delivered a message speaking before to Gentile and not Jews this time. He preached about the God of every thing, we are his offspring and that He will judge us for what we did. During his last message on the resurrection of Christ that scorn him of his concept. Paul had to put an end to his preaching. However, it would not be right to say that Paul’s message was failed. We learned that Dionysius (Areopagite, a member of the court), a woman named Damaris and many that their names not given were believed and convinced of Paul’s gospel.

e) Paul to Corinth, meets Aquila and Priscilla, appears before Gallio; stays eighteen months 18:1-18a.

Paul departed from Athens as he believed that the Holy Spirit led to journey to Corinth, the capital of Achaia. There he formed a friendship with a couple named Aquila a Jew from Pontus and Priscilla where they were converted under Paul’s ministry. As we know that Paul left Silas and Timothy in Berea when he moved on to Athens, at Athens Paul sent word for them to join him. They caught up with him at Corinth.

Once again as usual, Paul was compelled by the spirit to share about Jesus was indeed the Christ of God at the Jews’ synagogue and where he was once again opposed by the unbelieving Jews and called as blasphemed. Following the outburst of the Jews, the apostle went to the home of Justus, a Gentile convert to Judaism whereby lived next door to the synagogue who the ruler was Crispus on which Paul shared his ministry and were enable to convert him and his household. This brought encouragement to Paul on which he stayed on for eighteen months on which Gallio was appointed proconsul of Achaia. The Jews were thinking the new proconsul would be friendly to them, they brought Paul before him at the judgment seat in the marketplace of Corinth, and the accusation was brought up again over the matter that Paul was persuading them to worship God contrary to the Jewish law. Gallio dismissed the matter because he had not intention of becoming a judge of such matter. After these incidents, Paul remained in Corinth for a while more and traveled to Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla but decided could not do so as he went to Caesarea before going back to Antioch. Paul sailed for Palestine, visits Jerusalem and returned to Syrian Antioch 18:18b-23a. This was the end of Paul’s second missionary journey.

6. which "groups" that Paul met was most meaningful of all his journey?

ALL groups were treated the same by Paul and every incidents that occurred in the second missionary journey stands something for us to learn. In my opinion, there are only two groups that are the Jews and the Gentiles and Paul intention was just to bring them together under one roof. There should not have differed in any way under the kingdom of God. The relationship of Paul tried to convince the Jews and the Gentiles was the most interesting experiences in his life to or for any person to analyzed or to learn because if any person wants to do what Paul is doing than he or she has to prepared themselves of what Paul had experienced through all or any of his journeys.

For example of Paul experiences and how he tackles this groups of people:

Paul circumcised Timothy despite preaching the necessity of circumcision found in Acts 16:1-5 – Why did Paul circumcise Timothy yet he believed that it wasn't necessary for a person to be circumcised in order for that person to be saved? 16:3 says that he did it "because of the Jews who were in those parts". The implication being that the Jews wouldn't have received any word Timothy spoke on the grounds that he hadn't been circumcised, and therefore it was necessary to circumcise him to allow the Jews to give him a hearing.

Paul and Silas were accused of teaching Jewish customs to Romans found in Acts 16:16-24 – The accusation against Paul and Silas should be noted. Romans accused them before the magistrates of teaching JEWISH customs to Romans. In other words, it seemed to the Romans who accused them that Paul and Silas were teaching Jewish ways. [6]

The Jews in Beroea tested the word of Paul and Silas’ word found in Acts 17:10-12 was that they found Paul’s word was true and confirmed according to the Bible; many were converted and just a few against.

Paul personally observed the Law of Moses like what we found in Acts 18:18 - 21 where Paul “shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a “vow” and personally observed the feast in Jerusalem according to the Law of Moses although observing it was not for justification for salvation purposes. It was much more and it was for him to reach out to the Jews.

We can learn from Paul, who had a fine missionary spirit. For instance, he did not want to be responsible for obstacles that might prevent Jews and Gentiles from accepting the truth. Therefore, the apostle was careful about what he ate and admonished Corinthian Christians to watch that exercising their right to eat certain foods so that it should not stumble others. (1 Corinthians 8:8, 9) In the New Century Bible, Professor F. F. Bruce stated: “In all indifferent things (such as the food which was at issue in [1 Corinthians] chapter 8), [Paul] conforms to the customs of those with whom he is at the time, so as to put no obstacle in the way of ‘winning’ them for the gospel.” (Romans 14:21)

Similarly, missionaries works do not try to change the customs of people in their own perspective state or country, though new ones are given spiritual help to make adjustments needed to please God.—Romans 12:1, 2.

7. CONCLUSION.

I do not choose one particular experience of Paul with one particular group of people to analyze instead pick one of Paul’s missionary journey (that is the second missionary journey) to analyze. Hence, we notice that Paul met with all sorts of people from different countries, race, custom, belief and walks of life. These people were either Jews or Gentiles. Paul is a Jew but he was always considered a missionary for the Gentile. The whole second missionary journey helps us know so much about him and his experiences. The Bible records the Paul’s accomplishments in the ministry and the fine help he gave so many people. Yet, if anyone was overloaded, Paul was. He endured persecution and physical hardships in order to preach the good news and to strengthen the congregations. He also had to put up with a severe health problem. (2 Corinthians 11:21-29; 12:7-10) He was determined to spend his time wisely. He acknowledged that he did all his work with God’s help. (Philippians 4:13) None of those whom Paul assisted would have reason to conclude that his time and efforts in God’s service were wasted or could have been better spent. Why, we are still benefiting today from Paul’s wise use of his time! How we appreciate his inspired counsel to help us sort out our priorities and stick with the truth in these difficult times!

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[1] Woolsey Professor of Biblical Studies Yale University, Paul’s mission and Letter, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/
shows/religion/first/missions.html

[2] Jennings, Charles A., Truth in History Pub., Springdale, Dec 1999

http://www.truthinhistory.org/paul.htm (extracted with minor changes)

[3] Mac Donald, William, Believer’s Bible commentary, Thomas Nelson Publishers,
Nashville- Tennessee, 1995, pp.1631-1642 (My own summary and not direct copying).

[4] James Stalker, Life of Paul, p.78

[5] Walter R..Roehrs & Martin Franzmann, Concordia Self-Study Commentary,
Concordia Publishing House, St Louis-Missouri, 1973, pp.115

[6] Alluochier, Isaac, Servant of Yahweh, London 2000 http://www.serveyahweh.org/Paul/paul05.htm#paul078