Paul As A Christian Worker

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.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Paul As A Christian Worker specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More 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 b ut 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.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More 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 wor kers 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.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Paul As A Christian Worker specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More 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 tho ugh 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 responsibi lity 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.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of â€Å"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 â€Å"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 â€Å"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. The ology and Ethics in Paul. Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2009. Pp. 55. 9 Lewis, John Goddard. Looking for Life: The Role of â€Å"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 â€Å"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 â€Å"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. This essay on Paul As A Christian Worker was written and submitted by user Alayna Sanchez to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.