Paul`s Missionary Methods Essay Example
The most important thing for Paul was the spreading of gospel and extension of the kingdom of God. Paul was ready to preach the gospel without fear as he believed that everybody had the right to hear the good news from God no matter what ethnic group he came from. If Paul realized that the people he was preaching for were not willing to hear the gospel and were persecuting him, he could move to the next groups that were willing to hear the word of God. Paul’s experienced that the newish were rejecting the good news while the gentile willingly accepted the gospel. Paul was deeply hurt by turning away from his people.This was because he loved his people but could not allow the gospel to be compromised for their sake. Paul’s dependent of the Holy Spirit for guidance is seen throughout the whole ministry. This is different with today’s ministry where we rely on the strategic planning.
Paul was keen to adjust the preaching based on the group he was preaching to.
Paul’s way of communication could be understood clearly with the group he was communicating to. Paul saw himself as messenger from God who was to proclaim the word of God that may change the life of human kind. The massage that came from Paul was not his personal opinion or conviction nor just information being passed forwarded. The message from Paul a life changing gospel with authority, confidence, assurance and boldness. The heart of Paul’s missionary was to proclaim Jesus Christ and this is evidenced as he communicated the Christ Jesus through his activity, work and lifestyle. When Paul gave the good news to the Jews, he started with the Jewish history before systematically shifting to the life of Christ. On the other hand to the Gentiles, he reasoning was obtained from nature and made them understand the gospel by bringing the circumstantial object. The adjustment of Paul’s preaching was also evidenced in as he preached to the religious man of Athens
Paul’s preaching was basically the tale of Jesus Christ
Paul preaching was mainly about Jesus. This is a teaching that we should be focusing both our mission and ministry towards Jesus Christ Jesus Christ gospel is felt in the heart every outreach. This is a good indication but it does not mean that we run into a place where the Almighty God is already working but also assists us to keep our focus on Christ. Moreau also understands this as a motivation to focus basically on history as compared to philosophy. However, a time will also come for the involvement in philosophy as evidenced in Athens when Paul was involved.
Paul was determined on moving to new places and planning churches
The main object of Paul was that as he preached the gospel he establishes indigenous strong churches. He will also form a congregation that will be well prepared to carry on the duties of spreading the gospel. He took much of his time in various regions setting up churches even though he was faced with a lot of challenges which he overcame. After properly training mature leaders in the area, he may move on with his mission leaving the mature leaders in charge of the region. The established churches were self-governing, self-propagating and self-supporting. In the today’s world, temptation is witnessed in both the ministry and mission to establish a kingdom of themselves. If this continues, comfortable situation will be set instead of seeking the good of the kingdom first. If we are focused and believe that our citizenship is in heaven then we might stop developing ourselves the earthly kingdoms. Once the establishment of the church, it is very important to move forward for the kingdom to be furthered. Paul reminds us that our nationality is in heaven.
Paul preferred team work in every mission and ministry he went on
Paul embraced team work as it is evidenced that all the missions and the ministries he was always accompanied by a person. Mon his first journey, he was accompanied by John mark and Barnabas. However on the second journey, he was accompanied by Silas. Gospel preaching was of Paul and his followers whom he recruited to assist in the spreading the goods gospel. Joint effort was also witnessed in the latter by Paul to Rome in which he was to involve them in a mission to Spain. Paul viewed himself as a person who must work in a group of others. This is very important as the church is also encouraged to work in a manner that is unified and togetherness. In this way Paul also so a close connection between both the mobile mission and the church. Working together as a group saves time and a large area can be covered within a short period of time.
Reference
Moreau, A. Scott, Gary R. Corwin and Gary B. McGee. Introducing World Missions. : Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004.
Winter, Ralph D. and Steven C. Hawthorne, eds. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1992.
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