In reading Paul's epistles it is helpful to have an understanding of his message and the methods he employed in delivering it. The fundamental truths of his gospel (Rom. 2:16) are touched in a variety of ways in all his writings. In no place has he set down for us a formal statement of his theology. In Romans he gives quite a full exposition of his doctrine of justification by faith. But generally Paul's views on God and man, the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the Lord's supper, the second coming, the resurrection, and other doctrinal subjects, are given in connection with the practical problems he met in his dealings with the various churches and individuals under his care. There are, however, many similar notes recurring in all his writings, which evidence their unity, and which, when clearly understood, greatly simplify the subject matter which to the superficial reader many times seems too deep and philosophical for adequate understanding. In the following studies I have endeavored to touch some of the fundamental notes of Paul's gospel and the methods he used to deliver it to the people:
I. Paul's Message.
A. Paul's Conversion.
B. Paul's vision of Jesus transformed his life. Acts 26:4, 9-20.
2. At the time of his conversion he was familiar with the current Jewish ideas of the Messiah, to which Jesus did not correspond. Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:5, 6.
3. Acceptance of Jesus as He was not only made him a new creature, but it brought him a new conception of the Messiah, a new view of God, and a new view of man. 2 Cor. 5:17.
4. Paul's life was henceforth centered in Christ.
a. Christ was his controlling passion. 2 Cor. 5:14; Phil. 1:21.
b. His conception of the real values of life changed. Phil. 3:4-11.
c. Observe the things he considered of value before his conversion (Phil. 3:5, 6) :
(1) Early conformity to the legal requirements of his religion — circumcised the eighth day.
(2) His nationality.
(3) His tribe.
(4) His devotion to Hebrew character and traditions.
(5) His devotion to the law —a Pharisee.
(6) A zealous advocate of his faith.
(7) Righteous in the eyes of the law.
d. Observe the things that he counted of value after his conversion (Phil. 3:8-11) :
(1) To gain Christ. Verse 8.
(2) To be found in Him. Verse 9.
(3) To have the righteousness from God by faith. Verse 9.
(4) To know Him. Verse 10.
(5) To know the power of the resurrection.
(6) To know the fellowship of His suffering.
(7) To attain to the resurrection from the dead. Verse 11.
B. Paul's Interpretation of Both God and Man Is Based on His Doctrine of Christ.
1. To him Jesus is Christ and Christ is Jesus. Acts 9:5, 22; 17:3; 18:5.
2. To him the real mystery of God is Christ. Col. 2:2, 3.
3. Christ has set us free from ceremonial legalism. Gal. 6:14, 15.
4. We are free from the curse of the law. Gal. 3:13.
5. Grace is Paul's favorite term to characterize his gospel. Rom. 3:24; 4:4, 16; 5:2, 15, 17, 20, 21. Some definitions of grace: "Unmerited favor."
" Love dealing with sin."
" A loving God dealing with sin to save the sinner."
6. But grace must lead to sanctification of life. Romans 6. Paul's gospel of grace does not give license to sin. Rom. 3:7, 8, 31; 6:1, 2; Gal. 5: 16-24.
C. Paul's Doctrine of Christ Centers in Both God and Man, but in God First.
His conception of redemption is a loving God seeking a world lost in sin and finding love's way, the only way consistent with justice, in the atoning sacrifice of His Son. Rom. 3:21-31.
1. The sinner comes into union with God by faith in Christ as Redeemer and Lord. Horn. 5:1, 2.
2. Henceforth he lives to God in Christ by the operation of the Holy Spirit.
a. The feeling of condemnation for past mistakes he puts away, for this is his privilege in Christ. Rom. 8:1, 2.
b. The Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead quickens his mortal body into a new spiritual life. Rom. 8:11.
c. With Jesus living in the mind and heart, a new power is felt in the soul as the Spirit works his being over Into the divine image. Rom. 8:10; 2 Cor. 3:18.
3. Paul's theology can be summarized as follows:
a. God is Father of all in one sense. Eph. 4:6; Acts 17 :24- 29 ; 14:15-17.
b.But in a special sense God is the Father of believers in Christ. Rom. 8:15, 16; Gal. 4 : 4-7.
c. Jesus Christ is the incarnation of the preincarnate Son of God. 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:5-10.
d. Thus Jesus is both God and man. Rom. 1:3, 4; 1 Tim. 2: 5, 6. (Cf. Col. 1:15; 2:3, 9.)
e. With Paul, Jesus is the agent of creation. Col. 1:15, 16.
f. He is head of the church. Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22, 23.
g. In the work of Christ the cross holds the central place. 1 Cor. 1:17, 18; 2:2; Col. 1:20; Eph. 2: 13-18.
h. Sin is universal in humanity. Rom. 1:18 to 3:20. (See concluding truth expressed in Rom. 3:23.)
i. Vicarious death of Christ makes redemption possible to all who believe. Rom. 3:21 ff.; Gal. 3:6-11.
j. The redeemed constitute the kingdom of God or the universal church, with Christ as head. Eph. 1:22, 23; 1 Cor. 12:12 ff. Local bodies are also called churches, and are the chief means of pushing the work of the kingdom. Rom. 16:1, 5; 1 Cor. 1:2; 4:17; 14: 23; Phil. 4:15.
k. Paul knows two ordinances, both symbols of Christ's death and the pledge of the believer to a new life in Christ.
(1) Baptism. Rom. 6:1-11.
(2) Lord's supper. 1 Cor. 11: 17-24.
l. Paul is animated by the hope of the second coming. 1 Thess. 4:13-18.
(1) Sudden. 1 Thess. 5:2, 3.
(2) Not at once. 2 These. 2.
(3) But considered always imminent. 1 These. 5:4 ff.
4. Paul's theology showed a very practical purpose. He was also a great ethical teacher.
a.With Paul a transformed life was the beginning and end of religion; ritualistic ceremonies were nothing. Gal. 6:1316; 5:6; 1 Cor. 7:19; Rom. 2:26, 28, 29.
b. Paul insisted continually on a demonstration of the power of the gospel in the life. Rom. 1:16. (Cf. Rom. 6-8; 1 Cor. 2:4, 5.)
c. His idea of righteousness demanded by God and given by God includes both sanctification (Eph. 5:26; 1 Thess. 5: 23) and justification (Rom. 3:24, 25; 5:1, 9; Rom. 8:30).
d. In the end, the sinner who for Christ's sake is treated as righteous, must be righteous. Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 6:7.
e.Thus the image of God is restored in man by the regeneration work of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 8:26, 29.
f. Paul sees God in the face of Christ (2 Cor. 4: 6), and the vision of Christ brings God to all who see ,(2 Cor. 3:18).
II. Paul's Method.
A. Paul was a man with a special mission. Acts 9:15.
B. This special mission was ever before him. Observe, in order, the periods in Paul's life when special notice is made of Paul's mission:
1. At the beginning of his ministry, which he relates in Acts 22: 17-21. (Cf. Gal. 1:15-21; also Acts 9:26-30.)
2. Barnabas seeks Paul to help him in working for the Gentiles in Antioch. Acts 11:22-26.
3. Paul is ordained for his special mission. Acts 13:2, 4.
4. Paul's missionary Journeys are the practical fulfillment of that mission.
5. He refers to his mission repeatedly in his epistles:
a. The word " apostle" involves it. Rom. 1:1; 11:13; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1, etc.
b. Special reference is made to it. Gal. 1:15, 16
c. It is extensively discussed in Romans 9-11.
C. Paul lived and practiced the message he bore to others, and thus became a personification of it. Phil. 3:1-16.
D. He often cites his own case as an example of what he wanted others to become. Phil. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:16; Phil. 4:9; 1 Cor. 11:1; Acts 26:29.
E. He was a preacher of the first magnitude. Gal. 1:16. His addresses at Antioch (Acts 13:1640), on Mars' Hill (Acts 17:22-31), before the mob at Jerusalem (Acts 22:3-21), and before Agrippa (Acts 26:2-23), are masterpieces of Christian eloquence.
F. His addresses had a telling effect on his hearers. Acts 13:42, 43; 24:25; 26:24-28.
G. He is not only a preacher, but a witness. Acts 26:16; 22:15; 16: 25, 26.
H. Paul was a man of faith, and through him miracles were wrought to give strength to his message. Acts 13:9-12; 14:8, 9; 16:18; 20:9, 10.
I. Paul depended on the operation of the Holy Spirit for effect in his work. 1 Cor. 2:4; Rom. 15:18, 19. (Cf. 1 Cor. 4:20; Rom. 1:16.)
J. Paul's ministry was carried on through dangers at the hazard of his life. Acts 21:13; 2 Cor. 11: 23-26. These at times caused him bodily suffering. 2 Tim. 3:10-12. (Cf. Acts 14:19-20.)
K. He was an incessant toiler. 2 Cor. 11:23; 1 Cor, 15:10.
L. He supported himself financially. Acts 18:2, 3; 1 Cor. 4:12; Acts 20:34.
M. Paul's message was universal and his field coextensive with the human race. Rom. 1:14.
N. It was Paul's plan to labor where others had not gone. Rom. 15: 20, 21.
O. He was an indefatigable student of the word of God to the very last. 2 Tim. 4:13, (Cf. his deep interpretations of the Old Testament Scriptures in his epistles and observe Peter's remark. 2 Peter 3:15, 16.)
P. Jesus Christ was Paul's great theme, the cross held the central place in his ministry (1 Cor. 2:2), and the Holy Spirit was his power. Verse 4.
College View, Nebr.
