Introduction
One of the most prominent characters in the Bible and especially the New Testament that should be aped in this modern day world and by Christian workers all around the world is Paul.
Paul was a missionary theologian who forged his theological reflections in the face of his understanding of the Old Testament, what has happened in the Christ event, his own experience of resurrected Lord and the experiences of his Churches1.
Paul had an understanding of the plan and work of God in His creation from eternity past to eternity in the future. Paul was also conscious of the fact that some of his letters and statements were to be founded on which of his readers would conduct their ministries2.
Essay
Modern day Christian worker or Bible student is not an inspired Scripture writer or even an apostle of the rank of Paul but could learn a number of key lessons that are still very much applicable their ministry from this great man of God be it Pastoral, Relief Work , Counseling or even Writer.
Paul as an Itinerant Missionary
Paul was considered to be fundamentally a missionary and an apostle to the Gentiles during his time3. The itinerancy of Paul was complex and should therefore not be necessarily regarded as an ideal manner by which to carry out ministry4.
The general routine of Paul whenever he entered a city was to relate himself with people and minister in the synagogues if any existed. Since he was Jewish, he sought to worship with fellow Jews as they were more conversant with the Scriptures from which Paul preached5.
There were a number of factors that apparently determined Paul’s movement as an Itinerant missionary for instance the Roman road network. In particular instances, while the Holy Spirit directed Paul’s movements, Satan hindered them6.
The whereabouts of his assistants and his own needs also were a major factor that determined Paul’s movement in the course of his missionary work7. However, Paul’s itinerant missionary model and his missionary passion for lost souls should be emulated by every Christian worker today.
His commitment to local believing community is also one to be emulated especially for the non-church based Christian worker in this day and age8.
Paul as a Pastor
The pastoral instincts of Paul caused as well as enabled him to constantly adapt his teaching, theological reflections and style to suit his congregations9.
He believed the general Old Testament principle stating that the worker was deserving his wages and that where people and the congregation were able to, he accepted and at times solicited their financial support as regards his ministry10.
Unlike majority of Christian workers today who insist on being paid, Paul did not always insist on it. It is therefore important for Christian workers today to emulate Paul’s transparency, integrity and modesty in regard to financial matters11.
Paul as a Writer
Majority of Christians largely recognize Paul through is writing and especially that of his letters. These letters have serves as means of molding lives and civilizations over the past 2000 years12.
During Paul’s time, writing was inevitable and because he was an absentee pastor most of the times, letters were one of the only two means of keeping in touch with his congregations in addition to sending messengers bearing the letters13.
It is fortunate that the modern Christian worker may have a number of other avenues for keeping in touch with beneficiaries of their ministry. Even though Paul’s letter to the Colossians was directed to a Church he had not established, it was designed to address a specific situation14.
As a writer, Paul believed that Scripture was alive and always had something to say as regards contemporary issues15. He made an effort of articulating the contemporary relevance of Scripture in his writing. Christian workers should therefore emulate Paul’s writings if they are to take him seriously as a model.
Conclusion
Lessons learned from Paul as a Relief Worker include the fact that relief collection or work should not be ignored as it was overlooked in Paul’s time.
It is rather obvious that Evangelical Christianity has not taken up the principle of relief work as seriously as it should have where those of the 19th Century abandoned this ministry to poor believers and left a vacuum to be filled by non-Christian organizations that did not honor or preach Christ.
Christian workers today should therefore take up the responsibility and cater to the needs of the poor and needy in the society in addition to encouraging others to give generously towards relief.
References
Dunn, James D.G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.
Furnish, Victor Paul. Theology and Ethics in Paul. Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2009. Pp. 55.
Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical Reasoning” in Paul’s Religion. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.
Footnotes
1 Dunn, James D.G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.
2 Furnish, Victor Paul. Theology and Ethics in Paul. Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2009. Pp. 55.
3 Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical Reasoning” in Paul’s Religion. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.
4 Dunn, James D.G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.
5 Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical Reasoning” in Paul’s Religion. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.
6 Dunn, James D.G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.
7 Furnish, Victor Paul. Theology and Ethics in Paul. Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2009. Pp. 55.
8 Furnish, Victor Paul. Theology and Ethics in Paul. Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2009. Pp. 55.
9 Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical Reasoning” in Paul’s Religion. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.
10 Dunn, James D.G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.
11 Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical Reasoning” in Paul’s Religion. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.
12 Dunn, James D.G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.
13 Furnish, Victor Paul. Theology and Ethics in Paul. Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2009. Pp. 55.
14 Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical Reasoning” in Paul’s Religion. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005.
15 Dunn, James D.G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.