In the Footsteps of Saint Paul

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 

1 Peter 2:21

Although these words are attributed to St. Peter, they certainly do reflect the life of St. Paul. On his four missionary journeys, including his imprisonment in Rome, Paul travelled nearly 10,000 miles over 14 years. The majority of this was by foot. His willingness to travel great distances to preach of Christ helped establish Christianity across the Mediterranean.

Throughout the summer in our sermon series, we have been reminded that Paul’s challenges, however, were not merely the distances. He faced significant resistance, both from Jewish and Gentile believers. It is a courageous and inspiring testimony of faith. In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.” He was also arrested and imprisoned three times. In spite of it all, Paul could dare write to the Church in Philippi Rejoice! And again, I say, rejoice!

In the last Sunday of summer, we will continue to follow in Paul’s footsteps as he completes his work in Greece and returns to Asia Minor and the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. Today, Ephesus is only ruins in modern day Turkey, but it was once the most important Greek city on the eastern side of the Aegean. It was home to a large Jewish community, as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Paul spent three years in Ephesus, the longest time he spent in any one place. From there he wrote many of his letters to the churches he established in Greece, including his letter to the Philippians, Thessalonians the Corinthians, as

well as his personal pastor letters. As was his usual pattern, Paul began his ministry in the synagogue, and then his presentation moved into the great city library. Finally, the discussions moved into the outdoor theatre where it ended in a riot with the worshipers of Artemis. This time Paul walked away unscathed.

Although, Saint Paul, was never as revered as the Apostle Peter and James, through his missionary journeys and his letters, Paul’s role was solidified as the Apostle to the Gentiles, the primary theologian of the Christian Church and the founder of the Church in Europe.

Peace, Pastor Arden Haug