In clarifying the range to which the Apostle Pauls missional journey is an appropriate theoretical account for twenty-first Century missions, consideration must be given to the relationship between Paul ‘s missional journey and the great committee in Matthew 28:18-20. The great committee obliterate the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles and tag the prologue of a cosmopolitan multi-ethnic redemptional redemption for all humanity.[ 1 ]James Dunn illustrate that the great committee is the fuel that enables Christianity to go so influential in determining the moral fiber and traditions of the universe over the ‘last two millenary ‘ .[ 2 ]
Fran Trombley, affirm that Paul ‘s earliest sermon of the Gospel was to the Jews in the temples nevertheless, because the Jews invariably rejected his message he turns to non- Hebrews[ 3 ]. Polhill asserted that Paul ‘s three missional journeys lasted for a period of one decennary which was spent in two major metropoliss viz. ‘Asia and Greece, Corinth and Ephesus.[ 4 ]This essay will research the three missional journeys accomplished by Paul. The statement will give a brief overview of Paul ‘s history. Besides show how Paul ‘s missional journeys and schemes is appropriate theoretical account to twenty-first century mission.
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1.0 Paul ‘s History
Paul is from a Judaic background and it is believed that Paul was a Pharisee therefore he was really influential in the instruction of Judaism.[ 5 ]Paul whose name was Saul was a avid tormentor of the church ( Acts 9:1-2 ) . Bible declares in Acts 9:1-19 that it was during one of his journey to Damascus to oppress the church he received an experience of a vision of Jesus which leads to his transition that changed his very name. Therefore, a avid tormentor was committee on missional Journeies to be an apostle to the Gentile ( Acts 9:15 ) . Barton, et.al affirms that Paul ‘s experience shows that ‘God finds great and assorted utilizations for those willing to obey wholeheartedly ‘ .[ 6 ]
2.0 Paul ‘s First Missionary Journey
McGrath provinces that Paul went on his first missional journey at least 14 old ages after his Damascus experience[ 7 ]. Butler asserted that this journey took topographic point around A.D 46-48, in the part of Antioch, here Paul was really active in the already set up mission work with the Hellenistic Christians in Antioch.[ 8 ]Antioch was besides known as the taking Centre for ‘Christian idea ‘ such as Alexandria, likewise Antioch had a really strong presence of Christianity which was established by the early Church.[ 9 ]McGrath asserted that Paul had the support of the church on his first mission journey.[ 10 ]Since Bible declares that it was during worship one twenty-four hours the Holy Spirit revealed to the church to take Paul and Barnabas for the work of the ministry ( Acts 13: 2 ) .
Therefore the focal point of Paul ‘s journey was to change over the Jew.[ 11 ]However some rejected him whilst others accepted his instruction. He was Persecuted and ‘expelled ‘ from the metropolis. Notwithstanding, after the great persecution, Paul went on to another part prophesying the Gospel to the Gentiles and deriving trusters where he was celebrated and the people in Lystra wanted to idolize him as God.[ 12 ]Harmonizing to Blank, Paul went into different parts and preached in their temple so he would go to the neighbouring countries[ 13 ]. This illustrates a really good illustration to be followed by 20 first century missionary. Alluding to the fact that Paul aligned himself with an established church foremost, and so subsequently work through that temple to set up a foundation before get downing to work in the sketching countries.
2.10 Paul ‘s Second Missionary Journey
Although it was revealed to Paul through a vision that he should travel to Philippi, on his 2nd Missionary Journey it was non without obstruction and imprisonment which he subsequently had to get away the metropolis[ 14 ]. Furthermore, Marshall asserted that Paul followed the leading of the Holy Spirit who directed him to travel Philippi.[ 15 ]This scheme is surely appropriate for modern twenty-four hours missional to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow his leading. Harmonizing to Butler this journey took topographic point between A.D. 49 and 52.[ 16 ]McGrath affirm that Paul ‘s 2nd missional journey had great significance as it was this journey that exposes Europe to hearing the first Christian Gospel.[ 17 ]At Philippi there were non much Jew that was present similarly there were no temple at that place therefore, Paul found some faithful adult females and he established a church at that place.[ 18 ]Consequently from Philippi Paul continued prophesying the Gospel to Thessalonica and Berea. However subsequently Paul was persecuted and had to go forth the country and was escorted by his brethren to Athens, Butler recorded that Paul ‘s Preaching in Athens had small consequence.[ 19 ]On the other manus Blank illustrates that when Paul went to Corinth he had enormous success and it was here he wrote the two epistles to the Thessalonica church.[ 20 ]
Corinth was considered the place of the Roman Government.[ 21 ]Rome was the ideal topographic point for the spreading of the Gospel because of the substructure and the political influence it had at the clip. Therefore for Paul to hold had great success in this influential country would do the Gospel to distribute across different part. Because Roman at the clip was puting in substructures hence the path for going was much easier.[ 22 ]Consequently, Paul had to discourse with those in the authorization to turn out to them his unity as an Apostle. Hence, for the message of the Gospel to be effectual Paul had to show his authorization as an apostle.[ 23 ]
Like Paul ‘s scheme he uses the part of Rome as an axis to distribute the Gospel because of the influence Rome had on the universe at that clip. it can be deduced that Paul uses the scheme of influence to make the other neighbouring countries. He found it easy to go from one topographic point to another. This scheme is really necessary for the twenty-first century because this does help in the easy spreading of the Gospel.
2.11Paul ‘s Third Missionary Journey
Finally Paul leaves Corinth and journeyed to Ephesus where he started his Third Missionary Journey during A.D 52-57.[ 24 ]Harmonizing to Scott, Ephesus is known as the place of superstitious notion, occultism and pagan religion based on Bibles. The people are really familiar to the worshiping of a Pagan goddess Diana.[ 25 ]Similarly for this missional journey Paul aligned himself to an already established church in the metropolis where he preached and taught the Gospel to the people which was followed by great marvelous work of mark and admirations as God permitted. Notwithstanding Paul was persecuted by the graven image worshippers and those who were involved in it as a concern. They wanted to take Pauls life because he exposed their workss.[ 26 ]
This serves as an encouragement to modern twenty-four hours missionaries. Since Paul was non afraid to near the people functioning other Gods and expressly expose their evil work and won psyche for the land. The great committee given to adult male is to travel ye hence into all the universe to prophesy the Gospel ( Matt. 28:18-20 ) . Like Paul we need to be fervent about making so. The great committee annihilate the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles and tag the foreword of a cosmopolitan multi-ethnic redemptional redemption for all humanity.[ 27 ]Therefore we must be steadfast in carry throughing the work of the mission even if like Paul we get wounded, imprisoned and persecuted or at worst killed for the Gospels sake.
3.0 Decision
Therefore taking the above information about Pauls Missionary Journey into consideration, it is clear that Paul was called by God to carry through the great committee. Sadly this did non halt Paul from being persecuted and rejected even by his ain people the Jew. He subsequently went to the Gentiles. It is believed that Paul ‘s schemes included sing parts where the population is heavy and there was an established church so subsequently work his manner on to the sketching parts. Here are three major lessons learnt from his experience ( 1 ) ever have a church from which you are sent. ( 2 ) Work with the churches found in the part of mission. ( 3 ) Like Paul enter into the most concentrated country where the people are, so travel towards the sketching countries.
