S.H.A.P.E of Paul.pdf

Paul, the apostle, is one the leading figures of the early church in Christianity. God enabled Paul with different skills and talents and equipped him with grace to build God's kingdom. This document illustrates the different aspects by which Paul was used by God.
Note: This document is developed based on the SHAPE study by Pastor.Rick Warren

1. S.H.A.P.EofPaul
Introduction:
Godhasapurposeforallofus.Hehassetusapartevenwhilewewereinourmother’s
wombforHispurpose.Goddoesn’texpectustofulfillHispurposeallbyourself,insteadHe
hasgivenusthespiritualgifts,instilspassioninourheart,givenusnaturalabilities,givenus
apersonalityanduniqueexperiencestogroomustoachieveHispurpose.Themorewe
aligntoHiswill,themorewecanbeusedbyHim.
Galatians1:15:ButwhenGod,whosetmeapartfrommymother’swombandcalledme
byhisgrace,waspleasedtorevealhisSoninmesothatImightpreachhimamongthe
Gentiles
GodhadchosenPaulasHisinstrumenttoproclaimHisnametotheGentiles,kingsand
Jews.TheaimofthisarticleistoanalysetheS.H.A.P.EofPaulinthelightofScriptures(
althoughtherecouldhavebeenotheraspectsaswell),andunderstandhowGodhelpedhim
achieveHispurposeinlife.
Acts9:15:ButtheLordsaidtoAnanias,“Go!Thismanismychoseninstrumentto
proclaimmynametotheGentilesandtheirkingsandtothepeopleofIsrael.Iwill
showhimhowmuchhemustsufferformyname.”
Acts26:16-18:Ihaveappearedtoyoutoappointyouasaservantandasawitnessof
whatyouhaveseenandwillseeofme.Iwillrescueyoufromyourownpeopleandfrom
theGentiles.Iamsendingyoutothemtoopentheireyesandturnthemfromdarkness
tolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoGod,sothattheymayreceiveforgivenessofsins
andaplaceamongthosewhoaresanctifiedbyfaithinme.’
SpiritualGifts:
GodhasgiventhespiritualgiftstousaccordingtoHiswill.
1Corinthians12:4-7,11:Therearedifferentkindsofgifts,butthesameSpiritdistributes
them.Therearedifferentkindsofservice,butthesameLord.Therearedifferentkindsof
working,butinallofthemandineveryoneitisthesameGodatwork.Nowtoeachonethe
manifestationoftheSpiritisgivenforthecommongood.Allthesearetheworkofone
andthesameSpirit,andhedistributesthemtoeachone,justashedetermines.
Listofspiritualgifts:
ThebelowversesmentionthelistofspiritualgiftsthatGodhasgiventothechurch.
Romans12:6-8:Havinggiftsthatdifferaccordingtothegracegiventous,letususethem:
ifprophecy,inproportiontoourfaith;ifservice,inourserving;theonewhoteaches,inhis
teaching;theonewhoexhorts,inhisexhortation;theonewhocontributes,ingenerosity;the
onewholeads,withzeal;theonewhodoesactsofmercy,withcheerfulness.
1Corinthians12:7-10:ToeachisgiventhemanifestationoftheSpiritforthecommongood.
FortooneisgiventhroughtheSpirittheutteranceofwisdom,andtoanothertheutterance
ofknowledgeaccordingtothesameSpirit,toanotherfaithbythesameSpirit,toanother
giftsofhealingbytheoneSpirit,toanothertheworkingofmiracles,toanotherprophecy,to
anothertheabilitytodistinguishbetweenspirits,toanothervariouskindsoftongues,to
anothertheinterpretationoftongues.
1Corinthians12:28:AndGodhasappointedinthechurchfirstapostles,secondprophets,
thirdteachers,thenmiracles,thengiftsofhealing,helping,administrating,andvariouskinds
oftongues.

2. Ephesians4:11-13:Andhegavetheapostles,theprophets,theevangelists,theshepherds
andteachers,toequipthesaintsfortheworkofministry,forbuildingupthebodyofChrist,
untilweallattaintotheunityofthefaithandoftheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,tomature
manhood,tothemeasureofthestatureofthefullnessofChrist
1Peter4:9-11:Showhospitalitytooneanotherwithoutgrumbling.Aseachhasreceiveda
gift,useittoserveoneanother,asgoodstewardsofGod'svariedgrace:whoeverspeaks,
asonewhospeaksoraclesofGod;whoeverserves,asonewhoservesbythestrengththat
Godsupplies—inorderthatineverythingGodmaybeglorifiedthroughJesusChrist.Tohim
belonggloryanddominionforeverandever.Amen.
Romans12:6-81Corinthians
12:7-10
1Corinthians
12:28
Ephesians4:111Peter4:9-10
apostles apostles
prophecy prophecy prophets prophets
evangelists
abilityto
distinguish
betweenspirits
utteranceof
wisdom
shepherds
teaching teachers teachers speaksoracles
ofGod
utteranceof
knowledge
encouraging
workingof
miracles
miracles
giftsofhealinggiftsofhealing
hospitality
service helping serves
leading
administrating
variouskindsof
tongues
variouskindsof
tongues
interpretationof
tongues

3. giving
faith
mercy
SpiritualgiftsofPaul:
GodhadusedthespiritualgiftsofPaultoreachtheJews,Gentilesandthekings.
1.Apostle:
Asanapostle,Paulplantedmanychurchesandreachedmanyunreachedpeoplegroups.
HehadevenriskedhislifeforthesakeofChristwhileplantingthechurches.
Galatians1:1:Paul,anapostle—sentnotfrommennorbyaman,butbyJesusChristand
GodtheFather,whoraisedhimfromthedead
1Corinthians9:1:AmInotfree?AmInotanapostle?HaveInotseenJesusourLord?
AreyounottheresultofmyworkintheLord?
1Corinthians15:9-10:ForIamtheleastoftheapostlesanddonotevendeservetobe
calledanapostle,becauseIpersecutedthechurchofGod.ButbythegraceofGodIam
whatIam,andhisgracetomewasnotwithouteffect.No,Iworkedharderthanallof
them—yetnotI,butthegraceofGodthatwaswithme.
1Corinthians3:6,10:Iplantedtheseed,Apolloswateredit,butGodhasbeenmakingit
grow.BythegraceGodhasgivenme,Ilaidafoundationasawisebuilder,andsomeone
elseisbuildingonit.Buteachoneshouldbuildwithcare.
Romans15:20:IthasalwaysbeenmyambitiontopreachthegospelwhereChristwas
notknown,sothatIwouldnotbebuildingonsomeoneelse’sfoundation.
2Corinthians11:22-23:AretheyHebrews?SoamI.AretheyIsraelites?SoamI.Arethey
Abraham’sdescendants?SoamI.AretheyservantsofChrist?(Iamoutofmymindtotalk
likethis.)Iammore.Ihaveworkedmuchharder,beeninprisonmorefrequently,been
floggedmoreseverely,andbeenexposedtodeathagainandagain.
2.Teacher:
HespentqualitytimeintrainingthedisciplesinthewordofGod.
Acts11:25,26:ThenBarnabaswenttoTarsustolookforSaul,andwhenhefoundhim,he
broughthimtoAntioch.SoforawholeyearBarnabasandSaulmetwiththechurch
andtaughtgreatnumbersofpeople.ThediscipleswerecalledChristiansfirstatAntioch.
Acts18:11:SoPaulstayedinCorinthforayearandahalf,teachingthemthewordof
God.
Acts19:9,10:Hetookthediscipleswithhimandhaddiscussionsdailyinthelecturehall
ofTyrannus(atEphesus).Thiswentonfortwoyears,sothatalltheJewsandGreeks
wholivedintheprovinceofAsiaheardthewordoftheLord.
PaulwasagreattheologianwhichreflectsinhisepistlestoRomansandEphesians.Healso
usedthestyleofdiatribewhereinheraisesquestionsandalsoprovidesanswerstothe
questioninhisepistles(Romans2-4,6,7).
Healsopreachedthegospel:
Romans15:18,19:IwillnotventuretospeakofanythingexceptwhatChristhas
accomplishedthroughmeinleadingtheGentilestoobeyGodbywhatIhavesaidand

4. done—fromJerusalemallthewayaroundtoIllyricum,Ihavefullyproclaimedthegospelof
Christ.
Ephesians3:8-9:AlthoughIamlessthantheleastofalltheLord’speople,thisgracewas
givenme:topreachtotheGentilestheboundlessrichesofChrist,andtomakeplainto
everyonetheadministrationofthismystery,whichforagespastwaskepthiddeninGod,
whocreatedallthings.
1Corinthians9:16:ForwhenIpreachthegospel,Icannotboast,sinceIamcompelledto
preach.WoetomeifIdonotpreachthegospel!
2Corinthians4:5:Forwhatwepreachisnotourselves,butJesusChristasLord,and
ourselvesasyourservantsforJesus’sake.
1Corinthians2:4-5:Mymessageandmypreachingwerenotwithwiseandpersuasive
words,butwithademonstrationoftheSpirit’spower,sothatyourfaithmightnotreston
humanwisdom,butonGod’spower.
Acts14:1,21:AtIconiumPaulandBarnabaswentasusualintotheJewishsynagogue.
TheretheyspokesoeffectivelythatagreatnumberofJewsandGreeksbelieved.They
preachedthegospelinthatcityandwonalargenumberofdisciples.
Acts13:44:OnthenextSabbathalmostthewholecitygatheredtohearthewordofthe
Lord.
3.Shepherd:
Theheartoftheshepherdisalwaysafterthewelfareofthesheep.
Paulwasconcernedaboutthespiritualneedsofthechurchandaddressedtheissuesinthe
churchesof1,2Corinthians,1,2Thessalonians,Romans.
WhensomefromthecircumcisedgroupcametoAntiochandspreadfalseteachings,he
wenttoJerusalemcounciltogettheissuesortedout(Acts15).
Healsodidafollowupjourneyandencouragedthechurcheshefoundedduringhissecond
andthirdmissionaryjourneys.
Acts15:36:SometimelaterPaulsaidtoBarnabas,“Letusgobackandvisitthebelievers
inallthetownswherewepreachedthewordoftheLordandseehowtheyaredoing.”
Acts18:23:AfterspendingsometimeinAntioch,Paulsetoutfromthereandtraveledfrom
placetoplacethroughouttheregionofGalatiaandPhrygia,strengtheningallthe
disciples.
Acts20:1,2:Whentheuproarhadended,Paulsentforthedisciplesand,after
encouragingthem,saidgoodbyeandsetoutforMacedonia.Hetraveledthroughthatarea,
speakingmanywordsofencouragementtothepeople
4.Evangelist:
GodhadusedPaulforevangelisingandspreadingthegospeltoJews,Gentilesandkings.
Acts9:15:ButtheLordsaidtoAnanias,“Go!Thismanismychoseninstrumentto
proclaimmynametotheGentilesandtheirkingsandtothepeopleofIsrael.Iwill
showhimhowmuchhemustsufferformyname.”
Acts26:16-18:Ihaveappearedtoyoutoappointyouasaservantandasawitnessof
whatyouhaveseenandwillseeofme.Iwillrescueyoufromyourownpeopleandfrom
theGentiles.Iamsendingyoutothemtoopentheireyesandturnthemfromdarkness
tolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoGod,sothattheymayreceiveforgivenessofsins
andaplaceamongthosewhoaresanctifiedbyfaithinme.’

5. Acts13:2-3:WhiletheywereworshipingtheLordandfasting,theHolySpiritsaid,“Setapart
formeBarnabasandSaulfortheworktowhichIhavecalledthem.”Soaftertheyhad
fastedandprayed,theyplacedtheirhandsonthemandsentthemoff.
5.Prophecy:
Paulhadprophesiedaboutthefutureeventsrelatedtotheendoftimes.
1Corinthians14:22:Tongues,then,areasign,notforbelieversbutforunbelievers;
prophecy,however,isnotforunbelieversbutforbelievers.
1Corinthians15:51-52:Listen,Itellyouamystery:Wewillnotallsleep,butwewillallbe
changed—inaflash,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrumpet.Forthetrumpetwill
sound,thedeadwillberaisedimperishable,andwewillbechanged.
Romans11:25-26:Idonotwantyoutobeignorantofthismystery,brothersandsisters,so
thatyoumaynotbeconceited:Israelhasexperiencedahardeninginpartuntilthefull
numberoftheGentileshascomein,andinthiswayallIsraelwillbesaved.
2Thessalonians2:9,10:Thecomingofthelawlessonewillbeinaccordancewithhow
Satanworks.Hewilluseallsortsofdisplaysofpowerthroughsignsandwondersthat
servethelie,andallthewaysthatwickednessdeceivesthosewhoareperishing.They
perishbecausetheyrefusedtolovethetruthandsobesaved.
6.Utteranceofknowledge:
GodusedPaultorevealthemysteriestothechurches.Hehelpedthechurchtohavea
clearunderstandingofthewordofGod.Hespenthistimetoanswerdifficultquestions
sothatpeoplecouldacceptthegospel.
Ephesians3:8-9:AlthoughIamlessthantheleastofalltheLord’speople,thisgracewas
givenme:topreachtotheGentilestheboundlessrichesofChrist,andtomakeplainto
everyonetheadministrationofthismystery,whichforagespastwaskepthiddeninGod,
whocreatedallthings.
2Corinthians5:11:Since,then,weknowwhatitistofeartheLord,wetrytopersuade
others.WhatweareisplaintoGod,andIhopeitisalsoplaintoyourconscience.
1Corinthians2:4-5:Mymessageandmypreachingwerenotwithwiseandpersuasive
words,butwithademonstrationoftheSpirit’spower,sothatyourfaithmightnotreston
humanwisdom,butonGod’spower.
Acts17:2-4:Aswashiscustom,Paulwentintothesynagogue,andonthreeSabbathdays
hereasonedwiththemfromtheScriptures,explainingandprovingthattheMessiah
hadtosufferandrisefromthedead.“ThisJesusIamproclaimingtoyouistheMessiah,”
hesaid.SomeoftheJewswerepersuadedandjoinedPaulandSilas,asdidalarge
numberofGod-fearingGreeksandquiteafewprominentwomen.
Acts28:23,24:TheyarrangedtomeetPaulonacertainday,andcameinevenlarger
numberstotheplacewherehewasstaying.Hewitnessedtothemfrommorningtillevening,
explainingaboutthekingdomofGod,andfromtheLawofMosesandfromthe
ProphetshetriedtopersuadethemaboutJesus.Somewereconvincedbywhathe
said,butotherswouldnotbelieve.
7.Leading:
Hewasachurchman(spiritualleader).Hedidmanyfollowupjourneysandencouragedthe
churchesheestablishedinthefirstandsecondmissionaryjourneys.Healsowrotethe
epistlesto1and2Corinthians,1and2ThessaloniansandRomanstoaddresstheissues
inthechurch.

6. 1Corinthians4:15:EvenifyouhadtenthousandguardiansinChrist,youdonothave
manyfathers,forinChristJesusIbecameyourfatherthroughthegospel.
Paulalsoappointedelderstotakecareofthechurches.
Acts14:23:PaulandBarnabasappointedeldersforthemineachchurchand,withprayer
andfasting,committedthemtotheLord,inwhomtheyhadputtheirtrust.
PaulalsoadvicedtheeldersofEphesusonhowtheyneedtoconduct
themselves(Acts20:17-36).
8.Abilitytodistinguishbetweenspirits:
Paulhadthegiftofdiscernmenttodistinguishbetweenthespirits.
Acts13:8-11:ButElymasthesorcerer(forthatiswhathisnamemeans)opposedthemand
triedtoturntheproconsulfromthefaith.ThenSaul,whowasalsocalledPaul,filledwith
theHolySpirit,lookedstraightatElymasandsaid,“Youareachildofthedevilandan
enemyofeverythingthatisright!Youarefullofallkindsofdeceitandtrickery.Will
youneverstoppervertingtherightwaysoftheLord?NowthehandoftheLordis
againstyou.Youaregoingtobeblindforatime,notevenabletoseethelightofthesun.”
Acts16:16-18:Oncewhenweweregoingtotheplaceofprayer,weweremetbyafemale
slavewhohadaspiritbywhichshepredictedthefuture.Sheearnedagreatdealofmoney
forherownersbyfortune-telling.ShefollowedPaulandtherestofus,shouting,“These
menareservantsoftheMostHighGod,whoaretellingyouthewaytobesaved.”She
keptthisupformanydays.FinallyPaulbecamesoannoyedthatheturnedaround
andsaidtothespirit,“InthenameofJesusChristIcommandyoutocomeoutof
her!”Atthatmomentthespiritlefther.
9.Workingofmiracles:
Acts20:9-10:SeatedinawindowwasayoungmannamedEutychus,whowassinkinginto
adeepsleepasPaultalkedonandon.Whenhewassoundasleep,hefelltotheground
fromthethirdstoryandwaspickedupdead.Paulwentdown,threwhimselfontheyoung
manandputhisarmsaroundhim.“Don’tbealarmed,”hesaid.“He’salive!”
Acts19:11-12:GoddidextraordinarymiraclesthroughPaul,sothatevenhandkerchiefs
andapronsthathadtouchedhimweretakentothesick,andtheirillnesseswerecured
andtheevilspiritsleftthem.
Romans15:18,19:IwillnotventuretospeakofanythingexceptwhatChristhas
accomplishedthroughmeinleadingtheGentilestoobeyGodbywhatIhavesaidand
done—bythepowerofsignsandwonders,throughthepoweroftheSpiritofGod.So
fromJerusalemallthewayaroundtoIllyricum,IhavefullyproclaimedthegospelofChrist.
10.Tongues:
1Corinthians14:18,22:IthankGodthatIspeakintonguesmorethanallofyou.
Tongues,then,areasign,notforbelieversbutforunbelievers;prophecy,however,is
notforunbelieversbutforbelievers.
11.Encouraging:
Pauldidfollowupjourneysandstrengthenedthebelievers.
Acts14:21,22:ThentheyreturnedtoLystra,IconiumandAntioch,strengtheningthe
disciplesandencouragingthemtoremaintruetothefaith.“Wemustgothroughmany
hardshipstoenterthekingdomofGod,”theysaid.

7. Acts20:1-3:Whentheuproarhadended,Paulsentforthedisciplesand,after
encouragingthem,saidgoodbyeandsetoutforMacedonia.Hetraveledthroughthatarea,
speakingmanywordsofencouragementtothepeople,andfinallyarrivedinGreece,
1Thessalonians2:11,12:Foryouknowthatwedealtwitheachofyouasafatherdeals
withhisownchildren,encouraging,comfortingandurgingyoutolivelivesworthyof
God,whocallsyouintohiskingdomandglory.
12.Healing:
Acts14:9:HelistenedtoPaulashewasspeaking.Paullookeddirectlyathim,sawthathe
hadfaithtobehealedandcalledout,“Standuponyourfeet!”Atthat,themanjumpedup
andbegantowalk.
Acts28:8,9:Hisfatherwassickinbed,sufferingfromfeveranddysentery.Paulwentinto
seehimand,afterprayer,placedhishandsonhimandhealedhim.Whenthishad
happened,therestofthesickontheislandcameandwerecured.
13.Helping:
PaulcollectedthegiftsandtooktothechurchesatJudeaduringthetimeoffamine.
Acts11:29,30:Thedisciples,aseachonewasable,decidedtoprovidehelpforthebrothers
andsisterslivinginJudea.Thistheydid,sendingtheirgifttotheeldersbyBarnabasand
Saul.
2Corinthians8:19-21:Whatismore,hewaschosenbythechurchestoaccompanyusas
wecarrytheoffering,whichweadministerinordertohonortheLordhimselfandto
showoureagernesstohelp.Wewanttoavoidanycriticismofthewayweadministerthis
liberalgift.Forwearetakingpainstodowhatisright,notonlyintheeyesoftheLordbut
alsointheeyesofman.
14.Utteranceofwisdom:
PaulwasabletogiveproperguidancewithGod’shelpduringtoughsituations.Onseeing
thisthecenturionandothersintheshipwouldhaveunderstoodGod’spower.
Acts27:25,26:Sokeepupyourcourage,men,forIhavefaithinGodthatitwillhappenjust
ashetoldme.Nevertheless,wemustrunagroundonsomeisland.
Paulwasabletotaketherightdecision/judgmentwiththehelpofGod’sleading.Onseeing
thisthosetravellingwithhimwouldhaveunderstoodGod’splanaftertheyreached
Macedonia.
Acts16:6-10:PaulandhiscompanionstraveledthroughouttheregionofPhrygiaand
Galatia,havingbeenkeptbytheHolySpiritfrompreachingthewordintheprovinceof
Asia.WhentheycametotheborderofMysia,theytriedtoenterBithynia,buttheSpiritof
Jesuswouldnotallowthemto.SotheypassedbyMysiaandwentdowntoTroas.During
thenightPaulhadavisionofamanofMacedoniastandingandbegginghim,“Comeover
toMacedoniaandhelpus.”AfterPaulhadseenthevision,wegotreadyatoncetoleave
forMacedonia,concludingthatGodhadcalledustopreachthegospeltothem.
15.Administering:
Paulsplitthetasksandsentpeople
SentTimothyandSilastoMacedoniaandTitustoCorinth.
Timothy:FromBereaonlyPaulwenttoAthensbecauseoftheproblemcreatedbyJews.
PaulsentTimothybacktoThessalonicatostrengthenandencourageandtofindwhether
theyarestandinginfaith.

8. 1Thessalonians3:1-2,5-6:Sowhenwecouldstanditnolonger,wethoughtitbesttobeleft
byourselvesinAthens.WesentTimothy,whoisourbrotherandco-workerinGod’s
serviceinspreadingthegospelofChrist,tostrengthenandencourageyouinyour
faith...Forthisreason,whenIcouldstanditnolonger,Isenttofindoutaboutyourfaith.I
wasafraidthatinsomewaythetempterhadtemptedyouandthatourlaborsmighthave
beeninvain.ButTimothyhasjustnowcometousfromyouandhasbroughtgoodnews
aboutyourfaithandlove.Hehastoldusthatyoualwayshavepleasantmemoriesofusand
thatyoulongtoseeus,justaswealsolongtoseeyou.
Silas:SilasandTimothystayedinBereatostabilizethenewchurchandhelpedtobuilditup
(Acts17:10-14).WhenPaulgottoAthens,hesentforSilasandTimothy(Acts17:15).
Timothy,andapparentlySilas,leftAthensandreturnedtoThessalonicatoencourage
thebelieversthere.SomehavesuggestedSilaswentontoPhilippitoencouragethose
believersaswellandbringbackafinancialgift,buttheScriptureissilentonthispossible
visittoPhilippi.WhatwedoknowisthatSilasandTimothyjourneyedtogetherfrom
MacedoniatomeetPaulinCorinth.
Titus:TituswassenttoCorinthtocollectthegift.
2Corinthians8:6,17,18:SoweurgedTitus,justashehadearliermadeabeginning,to
bringalsotocompletionthisactofgraceonyourpart.ForTitusnotonlywelcomedour
appeal,butheiscomingtoyouwithmuchenthusiasmandonhisowninitiative.Andweare
sendingalongwithhimthebrotherwhoispraisedbyallthechurchesforhisservicetothe
gospel.
PaulalsotookcareoforganisingandcollectingthegiftsfromMacedoniaandGreece
forthechurchesinJerusalemandJudea.
2Corinthians8:19-21:Whatismore,hewaschosenbythechurchestoaccompanyusas
wecarrytheoffering,whichweadministerinordertohonortheLordhimselfandto
showoureagernesstohelp.Wewanttoavoidanycriticismofthewayweadministerthis
liberalgift.Forwearetakingpainstodowhatisright,notonlyintheeyesoftheLordbut
alsointheeyesofman.
PaulleftTimothyatEphesustostopfalseteaching
1Timothy1:3:AsIurgedyouwhenIwentintoMacedonia,staythereinEphesussothat
youmaycommandcertainpeoplenottoteachfalsedoctrinesanylonger
PaulleftTitusatCretetoappointelders.
Titus1:5:ThereasonIleftyouinCretewasthatyoumightputinorderwhatwasleft
unfinishedandappointeldersineverytown,asIdirectedyou.
16.Giving:
Paulwaseagertohelpthoseinneed.
Galatians2:10:Alltheyaskedwasthatweshouldcontinuetorememberthepoor,thevery
thingIhadbeeneagertodoallalong.
Acts11:29,30:Thedisciples,aseachonewasable,decidedtoprovidehelpforthe
brothersandsisterslivinginJudea.Thistheydid,sendingtheirgifttotheeldersby
BarnabasandSaul.
17.Faith:
Paulsteppedoutinfaithamidstobstacles.AshehadfaithinGod,heriskedhislifeforthe
spreadofgospel.

9. Galatia:Acts14:19-22:ThensomeJewscamefromAntiochandIconiumandwonthe
crowdover.TheystonedPaulanddraggedhimoutsidethecity,thinkinghewasdead.
Butafterthediscipleshadgatheredaroundhim,hegotupandwentbackintothecity.The
nextdayheandBarnabasleftforDerbe.Theypreachedthegospelinthatcityandwona
largenumberofdisciples.ThentheyreturnedtoLystra,IconiumandAntioch,
strengtheningthedisciplesandencouragingthemtoremaintruetothefaith.“Wemustgo
throughmanyhardshipstoenterthekingdomofGod,”theysaid.
Jerusalem:Acts21:10-13:Afterwehadbeenthereanumberofdays,aprophetnamed
AgabuscamedownfromJudea.Comingovertous,hetookPaul’sbelt,tiedhisownhands
andfeetwithitandsaid,“TheHolySpiritsays,‘InthiswaytheJewishleadersinJerusalem
willbindtheownerofthisbeltandwillhandhimovertotheGentiles.’”
Whenweheardthis,weandthepeopletherepleadedwithPaulnottogoupto
Jerusalem.ThenPaulanswered,“Whyareyouweepingandbreakingmyheart?Iam
readynotonlytobebound,butalsotodieinJerusalemforthenameoftheLord
Jesus.”
Rome:Philippians1:21:Fortome,toliveisChristandtodieisgain.
18.Hospitality
Acts28:30:FortwowholeyearsPaulstayedthereinhisownrentedhouseand
welcomedallwhocametoseehim.HeproclaimedthekingdomofGodandtaughtabout
theLordJesusChrist—withallboldnessandwithouthindrance!
19.Mercy:
Paulprayedforotherssothattheirphysicalandspiritualneedscanbemet.
1Thessalonians3:10:Nightanddaywepraymostearnestlythatwemayseeyouagain
andsupplywhatislackinginyourfaith.
2Thessalonians1:11-12:Withthisinmind,weconstantlyprayforyou,thatourGodmay
makeyouworthyofhiscalling,andthatbyhispowerhemaybringtofruitionyourevery
desireforgoodnessandyoureverydeedpromptedbyfaith.Wepraythissothatthename
ofourLordJesusmaybeglorifiedinyou,andyouinhim,accordingtothegraceofourGod
andtheLordJesusChrist.
Philemon6:Ipraythatyourpartnershipwithusinthefaithmaybeeffectiveindeepening
yourunderstandingofeverygoodthingweshareforthesakeofChrist.
Philippians1:3-6:Inallmyprayersforallofyou,Ialwayspraywithjoybecauseofyour
partnershipinthegospelfromthefirstdayuntilnow,beingconfidentofthis,thathewho
beganagoodworkinyouwillcarryitontocompletionuntilthedayofChristJesus.
Colossians1:3-6:WealwaysthankGod,theFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whenwe
prayforyou,becausewehaveheardofyourfaithinChristJesusandoftheloveyouhave
forallGod’speople—thefaithandlovethatspringfromthehopestoredupforyouin
heavenandaboutwhichyouhavealreadyheardinthetruemessageofthegospelthathas
cometoyou.Inthesameway,thegospelisbearingfruitandgrowingthroughoutthewhole
world—justasithasbeendoingamongyousincethedayyouhearditandtrulyunderstood
God’sgrace.
Ephesians1:18-19:Ipraythattheeyesofyourheartmaybeenlightenedinorderthatyou
mayknowthehopetowhichhehascalledyou,therichesofhisgloriousinheritanceinhis
holypeople,andhisincomparablygreatpowerforuswhobelieve.
Ephesians3:16-19:Ipraythatoutofhisgloriousricheshemaystrengthenyouwithpower
throughhisSpiritinyourinnerbeing,sothatChristmaydwellinyourheartsthroughfaith.

10. AndIpraythatyou,beingrootedandestablishedinlove,mayhavepower,togetherwithall
theLord’sholypeople,tograsphowwideandlongandhighanddeepistheloveofChrist,
andtoknowthislovethatsurpassesknowledge—thatyoumaybefilledtothemeasureof
allthefullnessofGod.
20.Interpretation:
Paulasksustoprayfortheinterpretationoftonguewhenwehavethegiftoftongues.The
Bibledoesn’tsayifPaulhadagiftofinterpretationornot.
1Corinthians14:13:Forthisreasontheonewhospeaksinatongueshouldpraythatthey
mayinterpretwhattheysay.
2.Heart’sPassion:
GodworksinourheartstowillandtoactaccordinglytoHispurpose.
Philippians2:13:foritisGodwhoworksinyoutowillandtoactinordertofulfillhis
goodpurpose.
ToidentifyHeart’sPassion:
1.Whodoyouloveserving?
2.Whatneedsdoyoulovemeeting?
3.Whatchallengesorcausedoyouloveconquering?
1.Whodoyouloveserving?
Agegroupofpeople:
●0-5years
●6-12years
●13-17years
●18-22years
●23-26years
●27-40years
●41-60years
●61-70years
Economicstatusofpeople
●Uppermiddleclass
●Lowermiddleclass
●Middleclass
2.Whatneedsdoyoulovemeeting?
●Spiritualneeds
●Physicalneeds
●Relationalneeds
●Emotionalneeds
●Educationalneeds
3.Whatchallengesorcausedoyouloveconquering?(Needtosyncwithwebsite)
●poverty/hungerofpoor
●farmersplight
●alcoholism/drugaddiction-familiesaffectedbythisevil

11. ●pooreducationquality
●socialinjustice,decayingjusticesystem
●environmentalissues
●decayingpolitics,politicalpolicies
●Deceivedyoungsters
●unhealthyentertainmentthroughcinemaandsocialmedia
●childlabourandchildabuse
●orphan/homelesschildren
●differently-abledpersons
●marriage/familyissues
●healthandnutritionalissuesinthesociety
●Christianparenting
●unreachedpeoplegroupsofIndia/TamilNadu
●languageswheretherearenobiblesyet
●sinfullivesofbelievers
●Politicsandcasteisminchurch
●visionlesschurches
●believerswithoutsoundbiblicalknowledge
●ignoranceofpeoplefromotherreligions-apologetics
●villageswithoutchurches
●variouscreativeartssuchasmusic,writing,media,playsetc
●others
Heart’sPassionofPaul:
PaulhadapassionforGod.HewasreadytoevendieforGod
Acts21:10-13:Afterwehadbeenthereanumberofdays,aprophetnamedAgabuscame
downfromJudea.Comingovertous,hetookPaul’sbelt,tiedhisownhandsandfeetwithit
andsaid,“TheHolySpiritsays,‘InthiswaytheJewishleadersinJerusalemwillbindthe
ownerofthisbeltandwillhandhimovertotheGentiles.’”
Whenweheardthis,weandthepeopletherepleadedwithPaulnottogoupto
Jerusalem.ThenPaulanswered,“Whyareyouweepingandbreakingmyheart?Iam
readynotonlytobebound,butalsotodieinJerusalemforthenameoftheLord
Jesus.”
PaulknewGod’spassionforsoulsasheknewthecharacterandgoodnessofGod.Hence
Paulhadaburdenforsouls.
Paulpassionatelypreachedgospeltotheunreachedplaces:
PaulwasnotjustpassionatetospreadthegospeltillRome,buthealsowantedtotravel
evenfartherWesttoSpain.HistorysaysthatheevenreachedtillBritain.
Romans15:20,24:IthasalwaysbeenmyambitiontopreachthegospelwhereChrist
wasnotknown,sothatIwouldnotbebuildingonsomeoneelse’sfoundation.Iplantodo
sowhenIgotoSpain.Ihopetoseeyouwhilepassingthroughandtohaveyouassistme
onmyjourneythere,afterIhaveenjoyedyourcompanyforawhile.
●Hedidallthathecouldsothatsomehowthegospelwillbepreached:1
Corinthians9:19-23:ThoughIamfreeandbelongtonoone,Ihavemademyselfa
slavetoeveryone,towinasmanyaspossible.TotheJewsIbecamelikeaJew,
towintheJews.TothoseunderthelawIbecamelikeoneunderthelaw(thoughI
myselfamnotunderthelaw),soastowinthoseunderthelaw.Tothosenothaving

12. thelawIbecamelikeonenothavingthelaw(thoughIamnotfreefromGod’slaw
butamunderChrist’slaw),soastowinthosenothavingthelaw.TotheweakI
becameweak,towintheweak.Ihavebecomeallthingstoallpeoplesothatby
allpossiblemeansImightsavesome.Idoallthisforthesakeofthegospel,
thatImayshareinitsblessings.
●Hewaseagertopreachthegospelashewasobligated.HearguedwiththeJews
provingJesusisChristandheapologeticallyarguedwithGentilessothatgospel
wouldbespread.Romans1:14:IamobligatedbothtoGreeksandnon-Greeks,
bothtothewiseandthefoolish.ThatiswhyIamsoeagertopreachthegospel
alsotoyouwhoareinRome.
●HetookthelongerroutetospreadthegospelfromSalamistoPaphosatCyprus:
Acts13:6:TheytraveledthroughthewholeislanduntiltheycametoPaphos.
●Hewasreadytoevenriskhislifeforthesakeofthegospel:Duringthefirst
missionaryjourney,PaulwasstonedatLystra,yetwentbacktothecity.Onhisway
back,hewentagaintothecitytostrengthenthebelievers.Acts14:19-22:Then
someJewscamefromAntiochandIconiumandwonthecrowdover.Theystoned
Paulanddraggedhimoutsidethecity,thinkinghewasdead.Butafterthe
discipleshadgatheredaroundhim,hegotupandwentbackintothecity...They
preachedthegospelinthatcityandwonalargenumberofdisciples.Thenthey
returnedtoLystra,IconiumandAntioch,strengtheningthedisciplesand
encouragingthemtoremaintruetothefaith.“Wemustgothroughmany
hardshipstoenterthekingdomofGod,”theysaid.
Paulhadaburdenthathissheepwouldbenurturedandprotectedfrombeingled
astray:
●HeappointedleadersinGalatianchurches:Acts14:20-23:Thentheyreturnedto
Lystra,IconiumandAntioch,strengtheningthedisciplesandencouragingthemto
remaintruetothefaith.“Wemustgothroughmanyhardshipstoenterthekingdomof
God,”theysaid.PaulandBarnabasappointedeldersforthemineachchurch
and,withprayerandfasting,committedthemtotheLord,inwhomtheyhadputtheir
trust.
●HeadvisedeldersofEphesustotakecareoftheirflock(Acts20:16-35)
●PaulleftTimothyatEphesustostopfalseteaching:1Timothy1:3:AsIurgedyou
whenIwentintoMacedonia,staythereinEphesussothatyoumaycommand
certainpeoplenottoteachfalsedoctrinesanylonger
●PaulleftTitusatCretetoappointelders:Titus1:5:ThereasonIleftyouinCrete
wasthatyoumightputinorderwhatwasleftunfinishedandappointeldersinevery
town,asIdirectedyou.
●Duringthesecondmissionaryjourney,hedidfollowupjourneyandwentagainto
seethechurchesonhowtheyweredoingalthoughtheypersecutedthemwhenhe
wasthereearlier:Acts15:36:SometimelaterPaulsaidtoBarnabas,“Letusgoback
andvisitthebelieversinallthetownswherewepreachedthewordoftheLord
andseehowtheyaredoing.”
●WhensomefromthecircumcisedgroupcametoAntiochandspreadfalseteachings,
hewenttoJerusalemcounciltogettheissuesortedout(Acts15).Thisshowshow
muchhewasconcernedaboutfalseteachinggettingspreadamonghissheep
●PaulrebukedPeterwhenhestoodupwhilehewaseatingwithGentileswhenpeople
fromJamescame.Thisshowshowmuchhewasconcernedabouthissheep.

13. ●Headdressedtheissuesinthechurchinhisepistles:1and2Corinthians,1and
2Thessalonians,Romans,Philemon
Paulmajorlyfocusedonmeetingthespiritualneedsofthepeople,nomatterwhattheage
was(Bibleissilentifhereachedkids),whethertheywereaJeworaGentile,orarichora
poorperson,oramanorawoman,Paulreachedallkindsofpeopleeventheelitesections
ofthesociety.HehadaburdenforsoulsandsoGodhelpedhimreachJews,Gentiles,
governors,officials,centurions,Kings.AlsoGodusedhimfortheweakaswell.
Hisheart’spassionwastomeetthebelowneeds:
●Hefocussedoninculcatingsoundknowledgetothebelievers
●HereasonedwiththeGentiles
●Heplantedchurches
●Hefocussedonreachingunreachedpeoplegroups
●HeaddressedthesinissueinthelivesofbelieverswhichseparatedthemfromGod
●Headdressedissuesinthechurchsuchasdivisionsinthechurch.
●Heappointedeldersandadvisedthemsoastoavoidvisionlesschurches
3.Abilities:
Naturalabilitiesandtalents:
ChristiansbelittlethenaturalabilitiesortalentsgivenbyGod.Theyinfactevenconsider
educationandintelligencenotworthwhileandthinkthatGodgivesonlyspiritualgiftstous.
Someversesgiventosupportthisargumentare:
1Corinthians1:27:ButGodchosethefoolishthingsoftheworldtoshamethewise;God
chosetheweakthingsoftheworldtoshamethestrong.
1Corinthians2:13:Thisiswhatwespeak,notinwordstaughtusbyhumanwisdombut
inwordstaughtbytheSpirit,explainingspiritualrealitieswithSpirit-taughtwords.
2Corinthians10:4,5:Theweaponswefightwitharenottheweaponsoftheworld.On
thecontrary,theyhavedivinepowertodemolishstrongholds.Wedemolishargumentsand
everypretensionthatsetsitselfupagainsttheknowledgeofGod,andwetakecaptiveevery
thoughttomakeitobedienttoChrist.
Butweneedtounderstandthefactthatthecontextoftheaboveversesarenotrelatedto
naturalabilitiesandtalents.AlsotheBibledoesn’tdenythefactthatGodhasgivenabilities
toallofus.Ontheotherhand,weseeincidentsintheBibletoprovethatGodusedthe
naturalabilitiesofpeople:
●MoseswastrainedinEgypttoleadthepeopleofIsrael
●DavidhadwrittenPsalms
●Isaiahhadpoeticskills
●Solomonhadwisdom
However,weshouldensurethatwedon’trelyonourselves.
AllofourabilitiescomefromGod.SinceournaturalabilitiesarefromGodtheyarejustas
importantasourspiritualgifts.
●Administration
●arts/crafts
●athletics/sports
●audio/visual
●adapting

14. ●analysing
●libraryscience
●maintenance/repairs
●musical:vocal
●musician:instrumental
●decorating
●performingarts/drama
●planningtrips/events
●planimplementation
●projectmanagement
●eventmanagement
●evaluationskills
●counselling
●sales
●hospitality
●electrical
●floralarranging
●foodpreparation
●graphicdesign
●cakedecorating
●computerskills
●sewing
●vehiclemaintenance
●videography
●drawing
●photography
●organising
●analyticalskills
●coordination
●planning
●writing
●marketing
●gardening
●electronics
●programming
●publicspeaking
●puppets
●catering
●secretarialassistance
●Soundsystem
●cooking
●painting
●desktoppublishing
●business
●webdesign
●networking
●managing
●listening

15. ●recruiting
●research
●encouraging
●language
●promotion
●influencing
●learning
●travelling
●mentoring
●negotiation
●pioneering
●promoting
●strategising
●teaching
●translating
●welcoming
●communicating
●competing
●connecting
AbilitiesofPaul:
ExpertinTorahandlearnedinScripturesandknewmanylanguages,sohecould
preach,writeepistlesanddebate:
●HewaslearnedintheOldTestamentScripturesandsohewasabletoproveto
theJewsthatJesusisMessiahandsoheknewtheHebrewlanguagewell.
●HeknewAramaiclanguageanduseditattherighttimeinfrontofJewstosilence
them.Acts21:40-22:2:Afterreceivingthecommander’spermission,Paulstoodon
thestepsandmotionedtothecrowd.Whentheywereallsilent,hesaidtothemin
Aramaic:“Brothersandfathers,listennowtomydefense.”Whentheyheardhim
speaktotheminAramaic,theybecameveryquiet.
●HeknewGreeklanguageandcultureandthiswasusefulindebatingevenwith
theGreekphilosophers:Acts17:13
●Hewrote13epistlesintheNewTestament(Romans-Philemon).
●Hehadthecommunicationskillsandknewwhentosaywhatwiththeguidance
ofGod.
●HerevealedthathewasaJew:Acts21:39-22:3:Paulanswered,“IamaJew,
fromTarsusinCilicia,acitizenofnoordinarycity.Pleaseletmespeaktothe
people.”Afterreceivingthecommander’spermission,Paulstoodonthesteps
andmotionedtothecrowd.Whentheywereallsilent,hesaidtothemin
Aramaic:“Brothersandfathers,listennowtomydefense.”Whentheyheard
himspeaktotheminAramaic,theybecameveryquiet.
●HerevealedthathewasaRomancitizen:Acts22:25-26,29:Asthey
stretchedhimouttofloghim,Paulsaidtothecenturionstandingthere,“Isit
legalforyoutoflogaRomancitizenwhohasn’tevenbeenfound
guilty?”Whenthecenturionheardthis,hewenttothecommanderand
reportedit.“Whatareyougoingtodo?”heasked.“ThismanisaRoman
citizen.”Thosewhowereabouttointerrogatehimwithdrewimmediately.

16. Thecommanderhimselfwasalarmedwhenherealizedthathehadput
Paul,aRomancitizen,inchains.
●Hewasabletograbtheattentionofgovernorsandkings(Acts26)
Abilitytoexertphysicallyanddomanuallabour:
●Hewasatentmakerandsonotafinancialburdentothechurchesasheworkedand
spreadthegospel:Acts18:3:becausehewasatentmakerastheywere,hestayed
andworkedwiththem.
●HehadtheabilitytotravelfromSyriatillSpainandBritainandspreadthe
gospel.
●HehadtheabilitytoadapttoanykindofsituationsothatthegospelofGodcould
bespread.
●Hewasabletoendurepersecution.2Corinthians11:23-28:Aretheyservantsof
Christ?(Iamoutofmymindtotalklikethis.)Iammore.Ihaveworkedmuchharder,
beeninprisonmorefrequently,beenfloggedmoreseverely,andbeenexposedto
deathagainandagain.FivetimesIreceivedfromtheJewsthefortylashesminus
one.ThreetimesIwasbeatenwithrods,onceIwaspeltedwithstones,threetimesI
wasshipwrecked,Ispentanightandadayintheopensea,Ihavebeenconstantly
onthemove.Ihavebeenconstantlyonthemove.Ihavebeenindangerfromrivers,
indangerfrombandits,indangerfrommyfellowJews,indangerfromGentiles;in
dangerinthecity,indangerinthecountry,indangeratsea;andindangerfromfalse
believers.Ihavelaboredandtoiledandhaveoftengonewithoutsleep;Ihaveknown
hungerandthirstandhaveoftengonewithoutfood;Ihavebeencoldandnaked.
Besideseverythingelse,Ifacedailythepressureofmyconcernforallthechurches.
Pauldidn’ttakeprideinhisabilitiesbutinsteadusedalltheabilitiesGodhadgivenhimfor
theadvancementofthegospelandforthegloryofGod.
4.Personality:
GodhaswovenusinaparticularmannersothatHispurposecouldbeachievedinourlives.
Someexamplesofthepersonalities:
●ExtrovertorReserved
●HighRiskorLowRisk
●PeaceMakerorChallenger
●PeopleDrivenorProjectDriven
●FollowerorLeader
●TeamorSolo
●RoutineorVariety
Paul’spersonalities:
Extrovert:Pauleasilymingledwithallincludingpeoplehemetforthefirsttime.
●Acts17:17:SohereasonedinthesynagoguewithbothJewsandGod-fearing
Greeks,aswellasinthemarketplacedaybydaywiththosewhohappenedtobe
there.
●Acts17:17,18:SohereasonedinthesynagoguewithbothJewsandGod-fearing
Greeks,aswellasinthemarketplacedaybydaywiththosewhohappenedto
bethere.AgroupofEpicureanandStoicphilosophersbegantodebatewithhim.
Someofthemasked,“Whatisthisbabblertryingtosay?”Othersremarked,“He

17. seemstobeadvocatingforeigngods.”TheysaidthisbecausePaulwaspreaching
thegoodnewsaboutJesusandtheresurrection.
●Acts17:22:PaulthenstoodupinthemeetingoftheAreopagusandsaid:“People
ofAthens!Iseethatineverywayyouareveryreligious.
●Felix:Acts24
●Festus,KingAgrippa:Acts25
●Sanhedrin:Acts23
●Acts28:23:TheyarrangedtomeetPaulonacertainday,andcameinevenlarger
numberstotheplacewherehewasstaying.Hewitnessedtothemfrommorningtill
evening,explainingaboutthekingdomofGod,andfromtheLawofMosesandfrom
theProphetshetriedtopersuadethemaboutJesus.
Bold:
●2Thessalonians2:1,2:Youknow,brothersandsisters,thatourvisittoyouwasnot
withoutresults.WehadpreviouslysufferedandbeentreatedoutrageouslyinPhilippi,
asyouknow,butwiththehelpofourGodwedaredtotellyouhisgospelinthe
faceofstrongopposition.
●2Corinthians10:10-11:Forsomesay,“Hislettersareweightyandforceful,butin
personheisunimpressiveandhisspeakingamountstonothing.”Suchpeople
shouldrealizethatwhatweareinourletterswhenweareabsent,wewillbeinour
actionswhenwearepresent.
●Acts26:26,27:Thekingisfamiliarwiththesethings,andIcanspeakfreelyto
him.Iamconvincedthatnoneofthishasescapedhisnotice,becauseitwasnot
doneinacorner.KingAgrippa,doyoubelievetheprophets?Iknowyoudo.”
●PraetorianguardswereguardingPaulduringthe2yearsofhousearrest.Theywere
aneliteunitofRomanarmywhowerepersonalbodyguardsforhighprofilepeople.
TheRomansoldierswereundertheRomangovernment,butPaulpreachedabout
kingdomofGodinfrontofthem.AlthoughtheywerealwayswithPaul,Pauldidn’t
hesitatetosharethegospel,butsharedwithboldnessandwithouthindrance.Acts
28:16,30,31:WhenwegottoRome,Paulwasallowedtolivebyhimself,witha
soldiertoguardhim.FortwowholeyearsPaulstayedthereinhisownrentedhouse
andwelcomedallwhocametoseehim.HeproclaimedthekingdomofGodand
taughtabouttheLordJesusChrist—withallboldnessandwithouthindrance!
●HewasboldthatnothingcouldseparatehimfromtheloveofGod:Romans8:38-39:
ForIamconvincedthatneitherdeathnorlife,neitherangelsnordemons,neitherthe
presentnorthefuture,noranypowers,neitherheightnordepth,noranythingelse
inallcreation,willbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGodthatisinChrist
JesusourLord.
Caring:
●1Thessalonians2:6-8:Wewerenotlookingforpraisefrompeople,notfromyouor
anyoneelse,eventhoughasapostlesofChristwecouldhaveassertedourauthority.
Instead,wewerelikeyoungchildrenamongyou.Justasanursingmothercaresfor
herchildren,sowecaredforyou.Becausewelovedyousomuch,weweredelighted
tosharewithyounotonlythegospelofGodbutourlivesaswell.
●Galatians4:19,20:Mydearchildren,forwhomIamagaininthepainsofchildbirth
untilChristisformedinyou,howIwishIcouldbewithyounowandchangemytone,
becauseIamperplexedaboutyou!

18. Encouraging:
1Thessalonians2:11,12:Foryouknowthatwedealtwitheachofyouasafatherdeals
withhisownchildren,encouraging,comfortingandurgingyoutolivelivesworthyof
God,whocallsyouintohiskingdomandglory.
DeterminedandReadytotakerisk:
Hewasdetermined.Hemadeeveryefforttospreadgospelevenamidstpersecution.
●Newmissionfields:Romans15:20:Ithasalwaysbeenmyambitiontopreachthe
gospelwhereChristwasnotknown,sothatIwouldnotbebuildingonsomeone
else’sfoundation.
●DiefortheLord:Acts21:13:ThenPaulanswered,“Whyareyouweepingand
breakingmyheart?Iamreadynotonlytobebound,butalsotodieinJerusalem
forthenameoftheLordJesus.”
Adaptable:
Hewaspeoplefocussed.HebecameJewforaJewandgentileforagentilesothat
somehowgospelwillbepreached:
1Corinthians9:19-23:ThoughIamfreeandbelongtonoone,Ihavemademyselfaslave
toeveryone,towinasmanyaspossible.TotheJewsIbecamelikeaJew,towintheJews.
TothoseunderthelawIbecamelikeoneunderthelaw(thoughImyselfamnotunderthe
law),soastowinthoseunderthelaw.TothosenothavingthelawIbecamelikeonenot
havingthelaw(thoughIamnotfreefromGod’slawbutamunderChrist’slaw),soastowin
thosenothavingthelaw.TotheweakIbecameweak,towintheweak.Ihavebecomeall
thingstoallpeoplesothatbyallpossiblemeansImightsavesome.Idoallthisforthe
sakeofthegospel,thatImayshareinitsblessings.
Hewasskilledtohandlevariouskindsofpeople,placesandsituations:
CouldhandlelearnedJews,philosophicalGreeks,eliteGentilesandwomen,Roman
Jailor(Acts16)andRomancenturions(Acts22-24,27),RomangovernorsFestusandFelix,
KingAgrippa,Bernice.
Pioneeredandmentored:Pioneered,guidedandledonhowthingsneedtobedone
Timothy,SilasandTitus
●Paulsplitthetasksandsentpeople.SentTimothyandSilastoMacedoniaand
TitustoCorinth.
○Timothy:FromBereaonlyPaulwenttoAthensbecauseoftheproblem
createdbyJews.PaulsentTimothybacktoThessalonicatostrengthenand
encourageandtofindwhethertheyarestandinginfaith.1Thessalonians
3:1-2,5-6:Sowhenwecouldstanditnolonger,wethoughtitbesttobeleftby
ourselvesinAthens.WesentTimothy,whoisourbrotherandco-worker
inGod’sserviceinspreadingthegospelofChrist,tostrengthenand
encourageyouinyourfaith...Forthisreason,whenIcouldstanditno
longer,Isenttofindoutaboutyourfaith.Iwasafraidthatinsomewaythe
tempterhadtemptedyouandthatourlaborsmighthavebeeninvain.But
Timothyhasjustnowcometousfromyouandhasbroughtgoodnewsabout
yourfaithandlove.Hehastoldusthatyoualwayshavepleasantmemories
ofusandthatyoulongtoseeus,justaswealsolongtoseeyou.

19. ○Silas:SilasandTimothystayedinBereatostabilizethenewchurchand
helpedtobuilditup(Acts17:10-14).WhenPaulgottoAthens,hesentfor
SilasandTimothy(Acts17:15).Timothy,andapparentlySilas,leftAthens
andreturnedtoThessalonicatoencouragethebelieversthere.Some
havesuggestedSilaswentontoPhilippitoencouragethosebelieversas
wellandbringbackafinancialgift,buttheScriptureissilentonthispossible
visittoPhilippi.WhatwedoknowisthatSilasandTimothyjourneyed
togetherfromMacedoniatomeetPaulinCorinth.
○Titus:TituswassenttoCorinthtocollectthegift.2Corinthians8:6,17,18:So
weurgedTitus,justashehadearliermadeabeginning,tobringalsoto
completionthisactofgraceonyourpart.ForTitusnotonlywelcomedour
appeal,butheiscomingtoyouwithmuchenthusiasmandonhisown
initiative.Andwearesendingalongwithhimthebrotherwhoispraisedbyall
thechurchesforhisservicetothegospel.
●HeadvisedtheeldersofEphesustotakecareoftheirflock(Acts20:16-35)
●PaulleftTimothyatEphesustostopfalseteaching:1Timothy1:3:AsIurgedyou
whenIwentintoMacedonia,staythereinEphesussothatyoumaycommand
certainpeoplenottoteachfalsedoctrinesanylonger
●PaulleftTitusatCretetoappointelders:Titus1:5:ThereasonIleftyouinCrete
wasthatyoumightputinorderwhatwasleftunfinishedandappointeldersinevery
town,asIdirectedyou.
●HetoldTitustocometohimafterhesentArtemasorTychicustoreplaceTitusat
Nicopolis:Titus3:12:AssoonasIsendArtemasorTychicustoyou,doyour
besttocometomeatNicopolis,becauseIhavedecidedtowinterthere.
●Heinstructedpeopleevenwhenhewasnotwiththem.HeaskedTimothytocometo
RomealongwithMark.HesentTychicustoEphesustoreplaceTimothy’splace:2
Timothy4:9,11-13:Doyourbesttocometomequickly.OnlyLukeiswithme.Get
Markandbringhimwithyou,becauseheishelpfultomeinmyministry.Isent
TychicustoEphesus.Whenyoucome,bringthecloakthatIleftwithCarpusat
Troas,andmyscrolls,especiallytheparchments.
Teamplayer:travelledinmissionaryjourneystogether:Acts20:4:Hewasaccompaniedby
SopatersonofPyrrhusfromBerea,AristarchusandSecundusfromThessalonica,Gaius
fromDerbe,Timothyalso,andTychicusandTrophimusfromtheprovinceofAsia.
AlsohecouldhandlesituationsaloneaswellasinAthens(Acts17)
HechallengedtheJewsanddebatedwithGentiles
Acts17:17,18:SohereasonedinthesynagoguewithbothJewsandGod-fearing
Greeks,aswellasinthemarketplacedaybydaywiththosewhohappenedtobethere.A
groupofEpicureanandStoicphilosophersbegantodebatewithhim.Someofthem
asked,“Whatisthisbabblertryingtosay?”Othersremarked,“Heseemstobeadvocating
foreigngods.”TheysaidthisbecausePaulwaspreachingthegoodnewsaboutJesusand
theresurrection.
Peacemaker:
●Addresseddivisioninchurch:1Corinthians1:10-11:Iappealtoyou,brothersand
sisters,inthenameofourLordJesusChrist,thatallofyouagreewithoneanotherin
whatyousayandthattherebenodivisionsamongyou,butthatyoubeperfectly

20. unitedinmindandthought.Mybrothersandsisters,somefromChloe’shousehold
haveinformedmethattherearequarrelsamongyou.
●TriedtoreconcileOnesimuswithPhilemon:Philemon17:Soifyouconsidermea
partner,welcomehimasyouwouldwelcomeme.
ReadytorepaywhatOnesimusowedtoPhilemon:
Philemon18-19:Ifhehasdoneyouanywrongorowesyouanything,chargeittome.I,
Paul,amwritingthiswithmyownhand.Iwillpayitback—nottomentionthatyouoweme
yourveryself.
Forgiving:AlthoughMarkhaddesertedduringthefirstmissionaryjourney,andhedidn’t
wanttotakehimonthesecondmissionaryjourney,laterhewasreadytotakeMarkashe
wasusefulinministry.
Acts15:37-39:BarnabaswantedtotakeJohn,alsocalledMark,withthem,butPauldidnot
thinkitwisetotakehim,becausehehaddesertedtheminPamphyliaandhadnot
continuedwiththeminthework.Theyhadsuchasharpdisagreementthattheyparted
company.BarnabastookMarkandsailedforCyprus
2Timothy4:11:GetMarkandbringhimwithyou,becauseheishelpfultomeinmy
ministry.
5.Experiences:
GodusesthenegativeandpositiveexperienceswehadundergoneforfulfillingHispurpose
inourlife.
Romans8:28:AndweknowthatinallthingsGodworksforthegoodofthosewholove
him,whohavebeencalledaccordingtohispurpose
ExperienceofPaul:
1.WasaJewbornatTarsuswhichwasspecialisedforlearning:
Acts22:3:ThenPaulsaid:“IamaJew,borninTarsusofCilicia,butbroughtupinthis
city.IstudiedunderGamalielandwasthoroughlytrainedinthelawofourancestors.Iwas
justaszealousforGodasanyofyouaretoday.
Philippians3:5-6:circumcisedontheeighthday,ofthepeopleofIsrael,ofthetribeof
Benjamin,aHebrewofHebrews;inregardtothelaw,aPharisee;asforzeal,
persecutingthechurch;asforrighteousnessbasedonthelaw,faultless.
AsPaulwasaJew,hecouldgaintheattentionofJews.
Acts21:39-22:2:Paulanswered,“IamaJew,fromTarsusinCilicia,acitizenofnoordinary
city.Pleaseletmespeaktothepeople.”Afterreceivingthecommander’spermission,Paul
stoodonthestepsandmotionedtothecrowd.Whentheywereallsilent,hesaidtothemin
Aramaic:“Brothersandfathers,listennowtomydefense.”Whentheyheardhimspeakto
theminAramaic,theybecameveryquiet.
AshewasborninTarsus,hewaslearned.
2.FreeRomancitizen:
AshewasborninTarsus,PaulwasafreeRomancitizenbybirth.
Acts22:28:Thenthecommandersaid,“Ihadtopayalotofmoneyformycitizenship.”“But
Iwasbornacitizen,”Paulreplied.
BeingaRomancitizen,

21. ●Hecouldappealforlargetrialbeforesomeonecanpunish
●Hecouldn’tbetortured
●Hecouldn’thavedeathpenaltyunlesshewasguiltyoftreason.
●HecouldtraveltoanypartoftheworldasRomeruledtheentireworld.
GodpreparedPaultobeaRomancitizenevenbeforehisbirthanditwashelpfulin
preachingtoawiderangeofplaces/audience/elitegroups(highlyeducatedand
learned).BecausePaulwasarrested,hecouldtalktoofficials,governors,kingsandeven
Caesar.
Acts25:12-14:AfterFestushadconferredwithhiscouncil,hedeclared:“Youhave
appealedtoCaesar.ToCaesaryouwillgo!”AfewdayslaterKingAgrippaandBernice
arrivedatCaesareatopaytheirrespectstoFestus.Sincetheywerespendingmanydays
there,FestusdiscussedPaul’scasewiththeking.Hesaid:“Thereisamanherewhom
Felixleftasaprisoner.
Paulcouldn’thaveimaginedtotalktogovernors,kingandCaesarwithouthisRoman
citizenship-thiswastheplanofGod.Incertainplaceshegotbeatingswithoutrevealinghis
citizenship(Acts16).Incertainplacesherevealedhiscitizenshipbeforebeingbeaten.
Acts22:25,29:Astheystretchedhimouttofloghim,Paulsaidtothecenturionstanding
there,“IsitlegalforyoutoflogaRomancitizenwhohasn’tevenbeenfoundguilty?”
Thosewhowereabouttointerrogatehimwithdrewimmediately.Thecommanderhimself
wasalarmedwhenherealizedthathehadputPaul,aRomancitizen,inchains.
GovernorFestusdiscussedthiscasewithKingAgrippaandhewantedtohearfromhim.
BecauseoftheenquirywithKingAgrippa,allwhoweregatheredknewJesusthatday.This
wasGod’splan.
Acts25:13,14:AfewdayslaterKingAgrippaandBernicearrivedatCaesareatopay
theirrespectstoFestus.Sincetheywerespendingmanydaysthere,Festusdiscussed
Paul’scasewiththeking.
Acts25:22,23:ThenAgrippasaidtoFestus,“Iwouldliketohearthismanmyself.”He
replied,“Tomorrowyouwillhearhim.”ThenextdayAgrippaandBernicecamewithgreat
pompandenteredtheaudienceroomwiththehigh-rankingmilitaryofficersandthe
prominentmenofthecity.AtthecommandofFestus,Paulwasbroughtin.
AllthosewhoheardPaulunderstoodthathewasnotguiltyofevenbeinginprison.Paul
wouldhavebeensetfreeifhehadn’tappealedtoCaesar.ButbecausePaulhadappealed
toCaesar,hecouldpreachthegospelinRomealso.PaulwasdeterminedtogotoRome
andtestifybeforeCaesarandwasreadytoevenfacedeath.
Acts26:31,32:Aftertheylefttheroom,theybegansayingtooneanother,“Thismanisnot
doinganythingthatdeservesdeathorimprisonment.”AgrippasaidtoFestus,“Thisman
couldhavebeensetfreeifhehadnotappealedtoCaesar.”
GodevenhadaplanforthesoldiersandofficialswhoPaulmetonthewaytoRome
andinRome.AllthiswaspossiblebecausehewasaRomancitizen.
Paulwashandedovertothecaptainofimperialregimentwhoareanelitegroupof
soldiers.TheincidentsonthewaytoRomewouldhavehadanimpactonthemaswell.
Acts27:1:WhenitwasdecidedthatwewouldsailforItaly,Paulandsomeotherprisoners
werehandedovertoacenturionnamedJulius,whobelongedtotheImperialRegiment.

22. PraetorianguardswereguardingPaulduringthe2yearsofhousearrest.Theywereanelite
unitofRomanarmywhowerepersonalbodyguardsforhighprofilepeople.
Acts28:16,30,31:WhenwegottoRome,Paulwasallowedtolivebyhimself,withasoldier
toguardhim.FortwowholeyearsPaulstayedthereinhisownrentedhouseand
welcomedallwhocametoseehim.HeproclaimedthekingdomofGodandtaught
abouttheLordJesusChrist—withallboldnessandwithouthindrance!
WhenPaulwasinhousearrest,hehadspreadthegospeltomanyhighprofile
people(Caesar’shousehold)whobelongedtotheimperialcivilservice.
●PeopleadministratingCaesar’sgovernment
●Palaceofficials
●Secretaries
●Peoplethosewhowereinchargeofimperialrevenues
●Peoplethosewhowereinchargeofday-to-dayadministrationoftheRomanempire
Philippians4:22:AllGod’speopleheresendyougreetings,especiallythosewhobelongto
Caesar’shousehold.
PaulwasabletotravelfartherWestfromRometoSpainandeventoBritain.Allthis
waspossiblebecausehewasaRomancitizen.
GodsawalltheseeventsevenbeforethebirthofPaulandnoneoftheeventswasonthe
spotevent.Godhadoriginated,ordainedandorchestratedeverythingaccordingtohisplan.
GodhasprotectedhimallalongandtherebytheprophecytoAnaniaswasfulfilled.
Acts9:15:ButtheLordsaidtoAnanias,“Go!Thismanismychoseninstrumentto
proclaimmynametotheGentilesandtheirkingsandtothepeopleofIsrael.Iwill
showhimhowmuchhemustsufferformyname.
GodalsofulfilledwhatHespoketoPaul.
Acts26:16-18:Ihaveappearedtoyoutoappointyouasaservantandasawitnessof
whatyouhaveseenandwillseeofme.Iwillrescueyoufromyourownpeopleandfrom
theGentiles.Iamsendingyoutothemtoopentheireyesandturnthemfromdarkness
tolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoGod,sothattheymayreceiveforgivenessofsins
andaplaceamongthosewhoaresanctifiedbyfaithinme.’
3.LearntGreekphilosophy,cultureandlanguage:
AshewasborninTarsus(knownforlearningandschools),hewaslearnedinGreek
philosophy,cultureandlanguage.
Thiswashelpfulindebatingwiththephilosophers.
Acts17:18:AgroupofEpicureanandStoicphilosophersbegantodebatewithhim.
Someofthemasked,“Whatisthisbabblertryingtosay?”Othersremarked,“Heseemsto
beadvocatingforeigngods.”TheysaidthisbecausePaulwaspreachingthegoodnews
aboutJesusandtheresurrection.
4.StudiedunderGamaliel:
Atage14,studiedunderGamaliel.HewaslearnedinScripturesanditwasusefulforPaul
toprovetotheJewsthatJesusisMessiah.

23. Acts22:3:ThenPaulsaid:“IamaJew,borninTarsusofCilicia,butbroughtupinthiscity.I
studiedunderGamalielandwasthoroughlytrainedinthelawofourancestors.Iwasjust
aszealousforGodasanyofyouaretoday.
5.Veryzealous:
Galatians1:14:IwasadvancinginJudaismbeyondmanyofmyownageamongmypeople
andwasextremelyzealousforthetraditionsofmyfathers.
Philippians3:5,6:circumcisedontheeighthday,ofthepeopleofIsrael,ofthetribeof
Benjamin,aHebrewofHebrews;inregardtothelaw,aPharisee;asforzeal,persecuting
thechurch;asforrighteousnessbasedonthelaw,faultless.
●Rightfromhischildhood,seedsweresowninhisheartandhelearntTorahby
heart.
○FestivalslikeFeastoftabernaclestorememberwildernessevents,and
festivalslikeHanukkahtoremindhowJudasMaccabeesstoodagainstKing
AntiochusEpiphaneswhodesecratedthetemple.ThisfestivalremindedPaul
onhowtostandagainstsomeonewhentheystandagainsttheJewish
culture.
○PaulalsoknewhowpeoplestrayedawayfromGodandwere
destroyed/failure/problems.GodhadseparatedIsraelitesusing
ceremonial(clean)lawsandmoralandsociallaws,circumcisionto
differentiatethemandothers.Hemusthavethoughtthatsuchpersecution
neededtoturnIsraelitesbacktoGod
○HisfatherwasaPhariseeandhisfamilyhadamentalitythatTorahis
important,separatedfromGentiles,whenthingsdoneagainstJewish
customsneedtostandagainst.TheywouldhavespokenathomeandPaul
wouldhaveknown.
●HewouldhavereadtheScriptures:
○PhinehaszealforGodtokillMoabitewomanandIsraelitemanandGod’s
covenant:Numbers25:10-13.Psalm106:29-31
○Elijah:1Kings18:25-40.Afterwinning,hekilled400prophetsofBaal
○200yearsbeforebirthofPaul,AntiochusEpiphanes(divinemanifestation)
kingofSyriawantedtogetridofmonotheismandsousedmilitaryforceand
cametothetempleandkeptidols,sacrificedtoidols,desecratedtemple.
JudasMaccabeeswhowasapriestandhisbrotherscollectedpeople,won
andfornext100yearsestablishedindependentnationofIsrael.He
rededicatedtemple.Paulwouldhavereadandacquiredzealtoprotect
individualityofIsrael.
●PaulcametoJerusalemtolearn.AlthoughhewaslearningunderGamaliel(whohad
theprincipleofliveandletlive),hisprinciplewasthatifGod’skingdomneedtobe
establishedonearththenpeopleneedtobezealousforGodandHisword,
needtopray,andgetreadyforactionandfollowviolence.
●JewsvalueTorah,templeandmonotheism.BecauseStephenfollowedJesus(whom
JewsmisunderstoodofdesecratingGodandtemple),PaulconsentedtoStephen's
death.
PaulexhibitedthesamezealandpassionevenafterheacceptedChristandhe
pressedonforthesakeofChristandHisgospel.
6.Pharisee:

24. Acts26:4,5:TheJewishpeopleallknowthewayIhavelivedeversinceIwasachild,from
thebeginningofmylifeinmyowncountry,andalsoinJerusalem.Theyhaveknownmefor
alongtimeandcantestify,iftheyarewilling,thatIconformedtothestrictestsectofour
religion,livingasaPharisee.
Philippians3:5,6:circumcisedontheeighthday,ofthepeopleofIsrael,ofthetribeof
Benjamin,aHebrewofHebrews;inregardtothelaw,aPharisee;asforzeal,persecuting
thechurch;asforrighteousnessbasedonthelaw,faultless.
Galatians1:13,14:ForyouhaveheardofmypreviouswayoflifeinJudaism,howintensely
IpersecutedthechurchofGodandtriedtodestroyit.IwasadvancinginJudaismbeyond
manyofmyownageamongmypeopleandwasextremelyzealousforthetraditionsof
myfathers.
7.EncounterwithChristontheroadtoDamascus:
●Whilepeoplearetravelling,theyusuallymeditateandprayontheirway.Paulmight
havedonethesamething.WhenhemighthavelookedatGod,Jesuswouldhave
appearedtohim.Hemighthaveunderstoodthathewaswrongabouthis
opiniononChristandalsothewayheunderstoodOldTestamentscriptures.
Hehadn’tunderstoodtheheartofGodandthewordofGodclearlyandsohe
hadheadedtowardsthewrongdirectiontillthen.Butnowhehadtheright
understanding.Atthispointheunderstoodthatthemeetingpointwasnotthe
templebutitwasaforeshadowofChrist.Paulunderstoodthatonlythrough
ChristwecanreachGod.PaulsawthegloryofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist:2
Corinthians4:6:ForGod,whosaid,“Letlightshineoutofdarkness,”madehislight
shineinourheartstogiveusthelightoftheknowledgeofGod’sglorydisplayedin
thefaceofChrist.BecauseofthisexperienceheunderstoodthatJesusisMessiah
andthatthisistheworkofGodtofulfilHispromisesintheScripturesandHisplan.
SohestartedfollowingChristthereaftertilltheendofhislifeandwasreadyto
evengivehislifeforChrist.Thisiswhyhecouldwrite13epistlesintheNew
Testamentandpreachthegospeltothenationsoftheworld,establishedchurches
andbroughtmanysoulstoChrist.
8.TimespentinArabia:
Hespent3yearsinArabiaanalyzingtheScripturestoseeChristrevealedintheOld
Testament.ThishelpedhimtobeusedbyGodtowrite13epistles(almosthalfoftheNew
Testament)
Galatians1:17,18:IdidnotgouptoJerusalemtoseethosewhowereapostlesbeforeI
was,butIwentintoArabia.LaterIreturnedtoDamascus.
Thenafterthreeyears,IwentuptoJerusalemtogetacquaintedwithCephasandstayed
withhimfifteendays.
9.Persecutorandsohumbleandunderstandingwhenpeoplepersecutedhim.
Acts8:1-3:AndSaulapprovedoftheirkillinghim.Onthatdayagreatpersecutionbroke
outagainstthechurchinJerusalem,andallexcepttheapostleswerescatteredthroughout
JudeaandSamaria.GodlymenburiedStephenandmourneddeeplyforhim.ButSaul
begantodestroythechurch.Goingfromhousetohouse,hedraggedoffbothmen
andwomenandputtheminprison.
Philippians3:6:asforzeal,persecutingthechurch;

25. Paulenduredpersecutions
2Corinthians4:7-10:Butwehavethistreasureinjarsofclaytoshowthatthis
all-surpassingpowerisfromGodandnotfromus.Wearehardpressedoneveryside,but
notcrushed;perplexed,butnotindespair;persecuted,butnotabandoned;struckdown,but
notdestroyed.WealwayscarryaroundinourbodythedeathofJesus,sothatthelife
ofJesusmayalsoberevealedinourbody.Forwewhoarealivearealwaysbeinggiven
overtodeathforJesus’sake,sothathislifemayalsoberevealedinourmortalbody.
2Corinthians11:23-28:AretheyservantsofChrist?(Iamoutofmymindtotalklikethis.)I
ammore.Ihaveworkedmuchharder,beeninprisonmorefrequently,beenfloggedmore
severely,andbeenexposedtodeathagainandagain.FivetimesIreceivedfromtheJews
thefortylashesminusone.ThreetimesIwasbeatenwithrods,onceIwaspeltedwith
stones,threetimesIwasshipwrecked,Ispentanightandadayintheopensea,Ihave
beenconstantlyonthemove.Ihavebeenconstantlyonthemove.Ihavebeenindanger
fromrivers,indangerfrombandits,indangerfrommyfellowJews,indangerfromGentiles;
indangerinthecity,indangerinthecountry,indangeratsea;andindangerfromfalse
believers.Ihavelaboredandtoiledandhaveoftengonewithoutsleep;Ihaveknownhunger
andthirstandhaveoftengonewithoutfood;Ihavebeencoldandnaked.Besideseverything
else,Ifacedailythepressureofmyconcernforallthechurches.
Conclusion:
Fromtheaboveaspectsandincidents,wecouldseehowGodhadplanned,purposedand
orchestratedeventsinthelifeofPaul.HehadgivenspiritualgiftstoPaul,plantedpassionin
hisheart,givenhimaptabilitiesandpersonalitiesandmouldedhimthroughhislife’s
experiences.TherebyGod’scommissioninlifewasfulfilled.
Acts9:15:ButtheLordsaidtoAnanias,“Go!Thismanismychoseninstrumentto
proclaimmynametotheGentilesandtheirkingsandtothepeopleofIsrael.Iwill
showhimhowmuchhemustsufferformyname.
Acts26:16-18:Ihaveappearedtoyoutoappointyouasaservantandasawitnessof
whatyouhaveseenandwillseeofme.Iwillrescueyoufromyourownpeopleandfrom
theGentiles.Iamsendingyoutothemtoopentheireyesandturnthemfrom
darknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoGod,sothattheymayreceive
forgivenessofsinsandaplaceamongthosewhoaresanctifiedbyfaithinme.’
GodorchestratedtheeventsinsuchawaythatthegospelwhospreadinJerusalem,Judea,
Samariaandtotheendsoftheworld,eventoSpainandBritain(Acts1:8).Thiswaspossible
becauseGodwilleditandPauldidit.
TheGodwhocalledusisfaithfulandcanfulfilHisplansandpurposeinourlifetoo.
Thequestionis:ArewereadytobeapartofthisplanandbeusedbyGod?
Psalm138:8:TheLordwillfulfillhispurposeforme