How
Paul lived and magnified Christ during his fourth ministry journey?
Acts
27:22-25 "Take courage! Not one of you will lose
your life... God's angel stood beside me... So take courage, men!"
Acts 27:22-25 "Not one of
you will lose your life... God has graciously given you all those who sail with
you"
Acts
28:7-9 "Publius' father was sick... Paul prayed
for him, laid his hands on him... healed him. The rest of the sick on the
island also came and were healed"
Philippians
1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ"
Acts 28:30-31 "Paul...
boldly proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ
with all boldness and without hindrance"
Philippians
1:20 "Being bold in everything, Christ will be
magnified in my body"
Ephesians 6:20 "I am an
ambassador in chains for this mystery... I may speak boldly"
Matthew
28:18-19 "All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. Therefore go..."
Philippians 3:14 "I press
on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus"
Philippians
1:21a "For to me, to live is Christ"
Philippians 4:13 "I can do
all things through him who gives me strength"
Revelation 21:2-3 "I saw
the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... God's
dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them"
|
Aspect |
Meaning |
Means |
Examples |
Application |
Related Scriptures |
|
Living in
Transcendence |
Paul transcends
environmental limitations, displaying Christ's dignity and victory |
The
all-sufficient supply of the Spirit of Christ, and believers' prayers |
During a long,
unfortunate imprisonment and journey, still living a life that transcends
worry and circumstances |
Believers can
rely on Christ to live a transcendent life in any environment |
Philippians 1:19-21 "Through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of
Jesus Christ... being bold in everything, Christ will be magnified in my
body, for to me, to live is Christ" |
|
Becoming the
Master and Guarantor of Companions |
Demonstrates
Christ as the Head and Life-supplier |
Complete trust
in Christ's lordship |
Becoming the
master, life guarantor, and comforter to those on the storm-tossed sea |
Becoming a
stabilizing force and life supply for others in crisis |
Acts 27:33-36 "Paul urged them all to take some food... This is for your
survival... Paul... gave thanks to God in front of them all... they were all
encouraged" |
|
Manifesting
Human Virtues and Divine Attributes |
Perfect
manifestation of Christ's divine-human nature |
Human nature
enriched by Christ's divinity |
Serving local
people with miracles on the island of Malta, being unharmed by a viper and
appearing divine |
Manifesting the
blending of divine attributes and human virtues in daily life |
Acts 28:3-6 "A viper... fastened itself on his hand... Paul shook the
snake off into the fire and suffered no harm... they changed their minds and
said he was a god" |
|
Living Out the
Life-giving Spirit |
Paul's living
was the manifestation of the life-giving Spirit |
The
all-inclusive Spirit, the ultimate consummation of Christ |
Healing the
sick on Malta, proclaiming Christ |
Letting the
Holy Spirit direct our words and actions, supplying life to others |
Acts 28:8-9 "Paul... prayed for him, laid hands on him... healed him.
The rest of the sick on the island also came and were healed" |
|
Enjoying the
Body Life |
Participating
in church life even in adversity |
The reality of
the Body of Christ |
Fellowship with
brothers in Puteoli and Rome |
Valuing and
participating in the Body of Christ regardless of circumstances |
Acts 28:13-15 "There we found brothers and were invited to stay with
them... the brothers from Rome... came as far as the Forum of Appius and the
Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and
was encouraged" |
|
Taking Courage
and Being Bold |
Not retreating
because of circumstances, boldly manifesting Christ |
Direct
encouragement from the Lord and support from brothers |
Still boldly
proclaiming the kingdom of God while imprisoned in Rome |
Testifying for
the Lord in various restrictions, unaffected by environment |
Acts 23:11 "The Lord stood near Paul and said: 'Take courage... you
must also testify in Rome'" |
|
Manifestation
of God's Kingdom |
Manifesting
God's kingdom in Satan's empire |
Christ's
authority |
Teaching about
God's kingdom while imprisoned in Rome |
Living out and
establishing the reality of God's kingdom in the world system |
Acts 28:31 "Boldly proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the
Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance" |
|
Pursuing Christ
as the Supreme Treasure |
Regarding
Christ as uniquely precious, willing to forsake all for Him |
Faith's vision
that recognizes Christ as the supreme treasure |
Willingly
accepting loss and imprisonment to gain Christ |
Making Christ
preeminent and central in all things |
Philippians 3:8-9 "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing
worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... I consider them garbage, that I may
gain Christ and be found in him" |
|
Relying on
Christ in Everything |
Acknowledging
one's own inability, completely relying on Christ's power |
Christ's
empowerment |
Still moving
forward in various difficult circumstances |
Experiencing
Christ's empowerment in daily life |
Acts 27:23-25 "The God to whom I belong and whom I serve... his angel
stood beside me last night... I have faith in God that it will happen just as
he told me" |
|
Ultimate Goal:
New Jerusalem |
Paul's ministry
ultimately points to God's eternal manifestation |
Revelation and
vision of God's eternal plan |
Proclaiming
God's kingdom and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without hindrance |
Integrating the
ultimate vision into daily gospel and truth proclamation |
Acts 28:31 "Boldly proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the
Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance" |
Summarize:
In the table, several important aspects are
particularly emphasized:
l Paul lived a life of transcendence, living out Christ even in
imprisonment and seafaring storms
l How he became the master and guarantor of his companions, providing
life in times of crisis
l l His human virtues and divine attributes demonstrated on the
island of Malta
l He lived out the expression of the life-giving Spirit
l l Enjoy the reality of physical life even in adversity
l l His courage and boldness, not backing down because of the
environment
l How He Demonstrates God’s Kingdom in Satan’s Empire
l His pursuit of and reliance on Christ
l The ultimate goal of his ministry is the New Jerusalem
*Please refer to the April 2025 International Elders
and Responsible Brothers Training General Topic: Oneness and the Vital Aspects
of Acts Chapter 1 The Continuation of Acts - The Continuation of the Christian
Community
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