The Heart of Paul
Overview (Part 1) | Overview (Part 2) | Early Paul | Mature Paul
The Missionary Heart of the Apostle Paul: The Mature Paul (#3)
compiled by Robert J. Young
Note: The three lessons in this series were developed for the Seminario Baxter during the spring of 2000. They were presented at the Baxter Institute in Tegucigalpa, Honduras during May, 2000. The three lessons treat the life of Paul through an overview, a survey of the early life of Paul, and conclusions from the later, more spiritually mature Paul. In reality, the first lesson was presented in two parts due to time constraints, and lessons #2 and #3 were presented in a single session. Thus lesson #1 has been divided into two parts.
Because of the context for which the lessons were prepared, the thrust is evangelistic and missionary, thus the specific title of the series. Paul's letters have served as a primary source of information, coupled with background knowledge of early Christianity, and selected missions resources.
Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free by F. F. Bruce has been helpful in determining the outline of this series and some of the content to be included.
Paul, the Old Man
The essential character and thinking of the apostle Paul. How can we adequately expose the thought and teaching of Paul? This session focuses on two of his epistles, both relatively late. Ephesians, included among the Prison Epistles is variously dated, but certainly is near the 7th decade A.D., regardless of the site of the imprisonment. The second letter to Timothy is generally regarded as his last.
When life is near the end, one generally finds maturity, growth, and development. In the texts before us are some of the great Christological and ecclesiological passages of the New Testament.
Salvation, experienced by both Jews and Gentiles, comes to those formerly dead, through the lavish love of Christ, changing our nature, changing our relationship with God, changing our purpose, changing our relationship with one another. All of this is by grace through faith, God working within us so we are his workmanship and we are ourselves doers of good works.
AT THE END OF ONE'S LIFE, ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT REALLY MATTERS.
I. The GLORY of God
Christ's work is to bring us to glory without spot or blemish (Eph. 5:26), and he is the savior of the body. Here is no cheap salvation, but a salvation so broad in its scope that any narrow treatment misses it entirely.
II. HEAVEN--Sharing the glory
The heavenly ascent, heavenlies, Eph. 4:7ff.
III. HOLY SPIRIT--The power of the glory
The HS, the seal, the promise, the earnest, the source of our unity, the foundation of our togetherness in the body. This spirit makes unity possible.
IV. Seeking RECONCILIATION and UNITY
The broken wall.
The one new building in which the Spirit dwells.
The divine mystery, Eph. 3, togetherness, God at work in us...
V. Experiencing NEWNESS
The new life, the new man, Eph. 4:11ff, full grown; 4:17ff, with Christlikeness, living in love, light, wisdom.
VI. Understanding SUFFERING
Life's ebb and flow brings one from darkness to light.
Conclusion
So, Paul comes to Rome, likely from whence the prison epistles were written, and then, if tradition can be believed, was released, and perhaps went to Spain, and comes again in the late 7th decade under Roman condemnation.
We can confidently accept that Paul's life was brought to an end in Rome by the executioner's designs.
General agreement places as his last writing that labeled 2 Timothy.
Here is the mature Paul.
http://www.bobyoungresources.com/resources/paul3.htm
Last updated February 23, 2005.