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7th Retreat: You Shall Be Witnesses Session 5

19 May 2008

YAG 7th Retreat
Session #5
Monday, 19 May 2008
Afternoon session
THE RISING UP OF THE APOSTLE PAUL AS A SPECIAL WITNESS AND SERVANT OF THE LORD

1.The Jerusalem Church

a) An evaluation of its Ministries

b) An evaluation of its Leaders (Apostles and other Leaders)

c) Limitations must be recognised

i) Mostly to Jews

ii) Little or no development of Ministry to Gentiles

2. The Raising of the Apostle Paul as a Powerful Witness

a) Introduction of Saul Acts 8-9

b) Conversion of Saul Acts 9

c) Transformation of Saul/Paul Acts 9

d) An outstanding witness and minister for the Lord Jesus

3. Paul’s Testimony to the Multitudes in Jerusalem          (Acts 21:29-30; 22:1-21)

a) Ananias (the one who baptised Paul)

For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard

Acts 22:15

i) Baptised Paul

ii) Brought about Healing of Paul’s blindness

iii) Announced Paul’s special ministry as a witness

b) The Lord Jesus (special appearance to Paul when he was in prison)

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome

Acts 23:11

i) Bearing witness in Jerusalem

ii) Bearing witness in Rome

c) Recalling what the Lord Jesus said in a testimony before Paul

But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

Acts 26:16-17

i) Appointed a minister (a servant)

ii) Appointed a witness

4. Paul’s understanding of his life and ministry

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life

1 Timothy 1:15-16

I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles

2 Timothy 1:11

a) Admission of being a great sinner

b) Saved as a pattern to all who are going to believe

c) Appointments in ministry

i) Preacher

ii) Apostle

iii) Teacher to the Gentiles