Paul: Background and Call

Paul's Conversion

But the Lord said to Ananias, Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name (Acts 9:15-16 NIV).

(Overview and commentary on: Paul: background and call - Lesson 11)

This lesson is for my Dad, a believer in Jesus, who aside from Him, really looks forward to joining the queue in meeting the apostle Paul.

Karakia Timatanga | Opening Prayer

He hōnore, he korōria ki te atua

All honour and glory to our maker

He maungārongo ki te whenua

Let there be peace and tranquillity on earth

He whakaaro pai ki ngā tangata katoa

Goodwill to mankind

Āmine.                                  

Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

Nero

The sufferings of Paul are well catalogued (2 Co 11:23-28) finally culminating in his execution by beheading under the emperor Nero (Janeway, 2009). Sometimes it seems that the amount of good we do in the world is in proportion to the hardships we endure. The memory verse also reminds us that as humans our judgment of others is often flawed (1 Sa 16:7) and that it is unwise to predict how God might use the most unlikely of characters.

Paul was not only one of the most central figures in the New Testament he was also one of the most controversial. First he killed Christians and then his conversion propels him into their greatest first century advocate. As a first century Christian you would be very glad that he made the change. Paul is thought (by conservative Christian scholars) (Robinson, 2011) to have written thirteen of the twenty seven New Testament books not including Hebrews. In actual text written this equates to thirty one percent of the New Testament that we accept as God’s inspired word to us.
At this point in history it was very unlikely that Paul had any intention of leaving Judaism. Paul was more interested in having Jews and Gentiles believe in Christ. His interest in reform and change ultimately lead to the schism in much the same way as Martin Luther left the Roman Catholic church. He didn't mean it to happen, he was kicked out (Harfield, n.d.).

Sunday | Rātapu

Saul of Tarsus

Tarsus

Sometimes there is a view amongst Christians that education is not a good thing. This view is ignorant and usually surfaces when the educated person gives a minority perspective that diverges from the widely accepted views of the majority. An educated Christian has their own sphere of influence and they can bring to God's cause skills and knowledge that are badly needed by the church in the furtherance of the gospel. Saul or Paul as he later becomes was well educated and he was the holder of a minority perspective. He was able to mix in the Jewish and Gentile worlds. As a Jew he was educated by the eminent first century rabbi Gamaliel who held quite moderate views about Christianity. It is interesting that Gamaliel figures in the New Testament at all. It appears that the early church recognised this rabbinic scholar as someone whose views were worthy of consideration. Gamaliel defended Christianity saying (Acts 5:34-39) that God can take care of it so don't worry about it. This is very good advice to give people who might swing towards more radical religious views. Let it go - if God is sovereign and omnipotent (which I believe) then He can judge when, and what action He will take, as He sees fit. The account in Genesis tells us that in the first instance God's inclination is to mercy.

Monday | Rāhina

Paul, the Man

Galations 1:14 tells us that Paul was a man on the way up in Judaism. Allan Hall (2013) says that the four ways to make progress in your career are: 1. being innovative, 2. making recommendations, 3. raising your hand and 4. supporting others. If you use these four concepts to look at Paul's life you will notice that he carried out these principles passionately both in his promotion of Judaism and then in his promotion of Jesus Christ. Most of us live quite passive lives compared to Paul. Good leadership will notice these actions - God certainly did.

Tuesday | Rātū

From Saul to Paul

In reading this section I thought that Schantz and Thompson (2015) have done a good job. What can be added to the story of Paul's conversion (Acts 9:1-22; 26:16-18). His conversion still reverbates around the world nearly two thousand years later.

The points that Schantz and Thompson (2015) make about the impact of missionary work are important and worth reiterating. When people understand the gospel they:

1. Have their eyes (spiritually) opened. God and Jesus become real, present, active, and appealing.

2. Move from darkness to light, ignorance to knowledge—a core gospel theme. (See Luke 1:78-79)

3. Turn from the power of Satan to God.

4. Receive forgiveness of sins. The problem of sin has a solution. This is the living, healing, core message of Christians.

5. Receive a place among the sanctified; this means membership in God’s church, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or nationality.

The last point is the ideal. Sometimes there is no church or fellowship, or the believer is not accepted. In Paul's case he was kicked out of the synagogue which in a way, from a mainstream Jewish perspective is entirely understandable.

Wednesday  | Rāapa

Paul in the Mission Field

In Romans 15:19 we see Paul engaged in the work of preaching the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit, and he knows it. The central message of Paul is the cross (1 Co 1:23; 1 Co 2:2; Gal 6:14). The most successful Adventist preachers have made this their focus.

Schantz and Thompson (2015) say: 

"we can see at least three central elements to Paul’s missionary activity: proclaiming Jesus, church planting, and nurturing established churches".

Going by church statistics (Tracy, 2013) the Adventist church does the first two reasonably well but it is absolutely lousy at nurturing its established members. The church needs to examine itself very closely in this matter because its mission is also 'to the house of Israel'. It needs to analyse the problem and come up with real solutions because this impacts heavily and negatively on the membership. In order to address this the church needs to look at the way it deals with relationships at a local level. It may mean further development and training of its ministers because it is the leaders of our churches who dictate the tone and culture of the church. In some cases we have ministers who should not be leading churches. There needs to be a major focus on getting to know, and caring in practical terms, for every member in every church. Retaining members should be easier than gaining new members - if this is not happening we have to be asking the question - if not why not?

Thursday | Rāpare

Mission and Multiculturalism

The Adventist church has done well generally and historically at connecting to other cultures because of the church's world-wide biblical vision (Rev 14:6-7). What we have not given a lot of thought to is the church's cultural roots to North America (Bull and Lockhart, 2006). Lockhart (2011) says that "Adventism always tracks developments in American society."

In New Zealand there has been a demographic shift from the 1960's and 70's from a european/polynesian church to more of a polynesian/multi-cultural conglomerate, especially in the cities. Besides the obvious changes in ethnic composition in New Zealand there are also distinct lines of Adventism emerging along lines of belief. Coffin (2011) suggests that there are broadly three 'cultural' groups of Adventists: first, the conservatives/traditionalists/fundamentalists, second, there are liberals/progressives/revisionists and then there are what he calls 'cultural' Adventists. These Adventists attend church and are happy to do so but may not be able to explain at any depth why they are members. Adventism therefore, must necessarily deal with ethnic and belief driven Adventists if it is to function effectively. Adventism almost has as many sub-groups as Judaism. The church needs all of these groups and they need to be able to talk to one another. It would be sensible in this area to take the perspective of Gamaliel and be respectful of one another. I am not sure that we are necessarily or easily able to separate the:

"timeless,unchanging divine absolutes on one hand and their temporary cultural and religious vehicles on the other" (Schantz & Thompson, 2015).

Schantz and Thompson (2015) in Friday presented this quote:

Modern missiology applies the term contextualization to Paul’s mission methods stated here. Contextualization is defined as attempts to communicate the Gospel in word and deed and to establish the church in ways that make sense to people within their local cultural context, presenting Christianity in such a way that it meets people’s deepest needs and penetrates their worldview, thus allowing them to follow Christ and remain within their own culture.— Note1 Darrell L. Whiteman,Contextualization: The Theory, the Gap, the Challenge, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, vol.21 (January, 1997), p. 2.

In New Zealand I want to draw attention to one of the things we as Adventists have not done well and that is the way we have engaged with Māori. We were doing better over one hundred years ago than we are today. From the period 1885 to 1902, 29 gospel tracts were published by the church in Māori. These tracts were called "Te Karere o te Rongo Pai", loosley translated 'the message of the gospel'. These tracts to my knowledge are not found in the National Library, National Archives or in Auckland University's archives. They are found in the National Library of Australia. This is very wrong and needs addressing.

Maui Pomare

What few New Zealand Adventists seem to know is that Maui Pomare, one of New Zealand's leading Māori figures and Minister of the crown studied to become the first Māori doctor at Battle Creek (Butterworth, 2012). He was sponsored by Ellen White.

Another prominent Māori figure and leader at Parihaka (Scott, 1975), Te Whiti, although not an Adventist, was a Sabbath keeper.

Alongside Adventists many Māori are unfamiliar with these stories.

So why haven't we as a church in New Zealand built on these cultural connections?

Considerations for practise

These questions from Schantz and Thompson (2015) are worth thinking about"

1. Which of our Christian beliefs seem to conflict most sharply with the surrounding culture? How do you deal with the conflict without compromising what must never be compromised?

2. None of us is immune to pride. How should focusing on the Cross, and what it means, cure anyone of that sin?

3. If someone were to ask you, What about your own experience with Jesus? What can you tell me about Him? what would you say?

4. Think about the last time you witnessed to someone, in whatever capacity. How central was Jesus to what you said? How can you make sure that you always keep Him central?

For New Zealand Adventists I think we really need to consider how we can better meet the needs of Māori.

Closing Prayer - Karakia Whakamutunga

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Kia tau ki a tātou katoa te atawhai o tō tātou Ariki, a Ihu Karaiti me te aroha o te Atua, me te whiwhingatahitanga ki te wairua tapu, ake, ake, ake, āmine.


See you next week. The following lesson is also on the apostle Paul.



References

Bull, M. & Lockhart, K. (2006). Seeking a Sanctuary: Seventh-day Adventism and the American Dream. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.


Butterworth, G. (2012, Oct 30). 'Pomare, Maui Wiremu Piti Naera', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3p30/pomare-maui-wiremu-piti-naera

Coffin, J. (2011, May 15). Who Are the Real "Cultural Adventists"? Retrieved from http://spectrummagazine.org/article/james-coffin/2011/05/15/who-are-real-cultural-adventists

Hall, A. (2013, April 12). Get Noticed! Four Easy Steps to Climbing the Corporate Ladder. In Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/alanhall/2013/04/11/get-noticed-four-easy-steps-to-climbing-the-corporate-ladder/

Harfield, D. (n.d.)  Did Martin Luther want to leave the Catholic Church? Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/Q/Did_Martin_Luther_want_to_leave_the_Catholic_Church

Janeway, B. (2009, October 8) New discoveries relating to the Apostle Paul. In Associates for Biblical Research. Retrieved from http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2009/10/08/New-Discoveries-Relating-to-the-Apostle-Paul.aspx#Article

Paul: At the feet of Gamaliel? (2011, September 7). In Reading Acts:Some Thoughts on the Book of Acts and Pauline Theology. Retrieved from http://readingacts.com/2011/09/07/paul-at-the-feet-of-gamaliel/

Robinson, B. (2011, September 5). The Christian scriptures: The 13 Pauline epistles. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_ntb3.htm

Schantz, B. & Thompson, S. (2015). Biblical Missionaries. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 3Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.

Tarsus. (n.d.). In Bibleplaces.com. Retrieved from http://www.bibleplaces.com/tarsus.htm

Nam, J. (2011, March 21) An Interview with Keith Lockhart -Seeking a Sanctuary. Retrieved from http://spectrummagazine.org/article/interviews/2011/03/21/interview-keith-lockhart-seeking-sanctuary

Scott, D. (1975). Ask that mountain: The story of Parihaka. Auckland: Reed Books.

Tracy, K. (2013, September 9) Adventists assess why 1 in 3 members leave the church. In Christianity Today. Retrieved from http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2013/december/seventh-day-adventists-assess-why-1-in-3-members-leave-sda.html

Following Jesus in Everyday Life

Overview of Lesson 10: Following Jesus in Every Day Life

(Following this link will allow you to view the lesson in more detail. For an alternative view you can go to: Sabbath School Org. Lesson 10)

Karakia Timatanga             Opening Prayer

E te Atua                              Lord

He mihi tēnei ki a koe            This is a greeting to you

Mo au painga ki a mātou        For your kindness to us

I tēnei wā                             At this time

Amine                                  Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

Fowler is right in his opening comments about Jesus primary purpose in coming to seek and to save the lost (Lk 19:10). Jesus also came to reveal what God was like (Jn 14:8-9). However, the redeemed community appears to me to be problematic. God's communities whether in the Old Testament or New always have problems. Ever since the New Testament was written churches have been schismatic, argumentative and neglectful of Jesus words in Jn 13:35. As Christians we have been saved by His life and death (Rom 5:10) and yet collectively we fail miserably at practising Paul's teaching in Phil 3:15-16. Some how we either get caught up in doctrinal squabbles or relationship issues. Ghandi is attributed to saying: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” He may not have said this. Ghandi was apparently questioned by the missionary Stanley Jones on why he quoted Christ yet didn't become His follower. Ghandi replied: "Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ." The wording is subtly different but the intent is the same. We Christians (Seventh-day Adventists included) don't model Jesus life and teachings very well.

How are the relationships going in your redeemed community? Would a skeptic or atheist be convinced that your community is different or if they dug just a little would they see no difference from organisations they are already a part of?

Sunday | Rātapu - Flee Pharisaism

The title for today's lesson grabs your attention but it may be a little over the top. We know that Paul was a pharisee (Ac. 23:6) and that one of the prominent pharisees Gamaliel (Acts 5:34) gave wise advice which protected the early Christians. Jesus in a number of his doctrinal teachings was more in line with the Pharisees than the Sadducees who had no belief in the resurrection.

I don't think that Fowler is right that the Pharisees believed in grace. They believed in God and the God of Israel but grace? There certainly was an emphasis on obeying the law but this was more in line with custom. Jesus wasn't against custom for the sake of it either. What Jesus was against, was those things which undermined man's relationship to man, or man's relationship to God. As a group the pharisees had a culture that did get in the road of the priority Jesus held, which was on people's physical and spiritual health and well being. After Jesus death and resurrection many of the pharisees became believers including Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. The warning John gave the pharisees was not to flee pharisaism but to flee from the coming wrath (Lk 3:7).

No one wants to be called a pharisee today, but we need to ask who was this group, why was Jesus so scathing of them, and who today would be this groups equivalent? (We also need to identify those things in our own practises that are pharisaical - easier said than done I suspect.)

Monday | Rāhina - Fear God 

If your an older Adventist it is likely that you know someone, who if they weren't afraid of God because of the judgment, was afraid of what would happen because of Adventist eschatology. Today there is a tendency to tone the fear side of things down in a verse like Revelation 14:7 and talk about respect. Well, although I don't mind the emphasis on the word respect and reverence - the Greek word for fear in this text is the word from which we get phobia. I think Jesus puts it pretty well in Lk 12:4-12. He is telling us that we need to get our priorities straight in terms of eternal destiny. In this regard many of us should be far more concerned than what we are.

Tuesday | Rātū - Be Prepared and Watchful 

Mt. 24:42 reads "Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." This is a big deal for all Christians not just Seventh day Adventists. All Christians since the time of Paul have believed in the imminent return of Christ - it is important because having this belief keeps us from losing sight of those things that God considers to be important while we wait. It is difficult to be precise in what God expects from anyone in particular, but we do know from the parable of the ten virgins (Mt. 25) that those saved need both God's Word and the Holy Spirit. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus rebuked His disciples for not keeping watch with Him (Mt. 26:38). By this he was reminding them that they needed to pray (c.f. Lk 22). Sometimes praying can be pretty tough but it is something that is a help to us all.

Wednesday | Rāapa - Be a fruitful witness

This can be a challenge for many of us when we don't find it easy in a world that by and large doesn't even think there is a God or that the resurrection of Jesus happened. My view on this is that we should, as Christians, be where God wants us to be. He doesn't want people banging people on the head with their Bibles but nor does he want a totally silent witness. What God does need is a consistent witness. What we say, should match up with how we live (Gal. 5:22-23). If your not doing this be quiet. A Christian who is inconsistent, proud, boastful, opinionated or arrogant even if unwittingly, alienates those who don't believe. When God wants you to say something you will know providing you are prepared and keeping watch.

Thursday | Rāpare - Be a Servant Leader

This idea of servant leadership is one that has really developed now into many western organisations. It is a productive way of working, particularly in service organisations. Sadly, from my observations and experience I would say that this idea of servant leadership is least understood by the church and its ministers. Ministers are trained in the Bible but they may not necessarily have the spiritual gifting of leadership and in the majority of cases have not received the type of leadership training that equips them for leading a church organisation in the 21st century. Too many ministers see themselves as 'God's anointed' not in the sense of servant-hood but rather in being in authority and in telling others what should be done. Ministers need to remember they leave a legacy of memory. Church members clearly know when they have been blessed with an effective minister, and when they haven't. There is a real need for ministers to understand leadership and leadership processes. In order to be servant leaders, ministers must know their congregations and listen to them. Church members all have a story, and all need to be heard, not just those who already hold positions of authority, but also the weak, the disenfranchised and the oppositional. If minister's understood the strengths, needs and aspirations of their worshipers they would be so much better equipped to the task that the Lord has given them. If servant leadership really was understood fewer people would leave churches.

A good blog on leadership that also includes servant leadership is Dan Rockwell's Leadership Freak.

Points for Christians to consider and practise

1. How well are we modelling the example of Jesus in our lives?
2. Is there a coming wrath? (Jesus and John the Baptist thought so). What implications are there in this for you?
3. Are you praying, reading the Bible and being filled with God's Spirit?
4. Is your mouth and life consistent?
5. If you are a minister of the gospel - Do you know your church members and are you really listening to the needs of your community?

Closing Prayer - Karakia Whakamutunga

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Kia tau ki a tātou katoa te atawhai o tō tātou Ariki, a Ihu Karaiti me te aroha o te Atua, me te whiwhingatahitanga ki te wairua tapu, ake, ake, ake, amine.

Reference

Fowler, J. (2015). The Book of Luke. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 2Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.