Beyond Acts: Paul
Notes
Transcript
Writing History
Writing History
Writing History
How blessed are we to have the book of Acts? We get a first hand account of the early church. There are great church histories and writings from believers throughout the centuries. As Christians we rightly focus on the Word of God because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is in fact the very word of God. Paul writes to Timothy:
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Today we are going to look at an overlap in scripture and historical writings to see where Paul’s ministry likely went after the events of Acts chapter 28.
PRAY
First: Rome
The end of Acts 28
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,
31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
What do we see but the continuation of Paul’s ministry. Some have speculated that Acts ends abruptly because either Luke or Paul were Martyred at this point. This is highly unlikely. History and some of Paul’s own writings seem to indicate that Paul was set free.
Letters written while in prison in Rome:
imprisonment.
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
Philemon
These two scriptures point to this as they would have been written during his
22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Second: Spain!
Paul’s plan:
23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you,
24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.
25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.
26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.
29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
To see the fruition of this plan, Paul will endure 2 years imprisoned in Caesarea and 2 more imprisoned in Rome. Both imprisonments included lots of freedom to minister and meet with believers.
Did he make it?
We look to the writings of early church fathers for this answer.
The Apostolic Fathers in English §5 More Recent Examples: Peter and Paul
5 Because of jealousy and strife, Paul pointed the way to 4 the prize of endurance. 6 Having borne chains seven times, 5 having been exiled, having been stoned, 6 having been a preacher 7 in both the east and in the west, he received the noble fame of his faith. 7 Having taught righteousness to the whole world and having come to the limits of the west and having given his testimony before the rulers, thus he was set free from the world and was taken up to the holy place, having become the greatest example of endurance.
Who is Clement of Rome?
Lived Ad 30-100
3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Clement, the Third Bishop of Rome
IN the twelfth year of the same reign Clement succeeded Anencletus7 after the latter had been bishop of the church of Rome for twelve years. The apostle in his Epistle to the Philippians informs us that this Clement was his fellow-worker. His words are as follows:8 “With Clement and the rest of my fellow-laborers whose names are in the book of life.”
--Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.15
Third: Crete
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
Fourth: Ephesus
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,
Fifth: Problems and Supporters
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,
17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—
18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!
17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
Paul’s Death:
Eusibius (late 2nd century, c. 150-190) wrote, “Tradition has it that after defending himself the Apostle was again sent on the ministry of preaching, and coming a second time to the same city, suffered martyrdom under Nero.”
What will our history be?