CRK NOTE FOR JS2

THIRD TERM

Mr Matthew Joseph Inalegwu

&
UMAR Jude S. (JUMAR)

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WEEK TOPICS OBJECTIVES
1. Paul’s Early life and conversion -State the former name, nationality and religion
Paul’s Nativity and Education of Paul.
Paul’s Persecution of the Early -State the role played by Paul in the persecution
Church of the early Christians.
Paul’s conversion -Narrate the story of what happened to Paul on
the way to Damascus.
Reaction to Paul’s conversion -Describe the reaction of the Jews to the
conversion of Paul.
2. The Missionary Activities of Paul -Discuss the missionary church in Antioch in
The Missionary church in Antioch in Syria and the commissioning of Barnabas and
Syria Paul.
The Commissioning of Paul

3. Paul’s First Missionary Journey -Identify the towns visited by Paul and
Barnabas during their first missionary Journey.
-Narrate story of events that took place in these
places visited by Paul and Barnabas.
-Write moral lessons Christians can learn from
the story of Paul’s first missionary Journey.
4. The controversies among the early -State the difficulties arising from the growth of
Christians. the early Christian communities.
- Narrate the conflict over all the Gentile
The Church Council in Jerusalem Christians had to observe all the Jewish laws.
-Describe the controversy that arose in the
church in Antioch in Syria over admission of
gentiles into the church.
-Describe the process by which the Jerusalem
council was convened and its decision.
5. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey -Identify the importance of social, cultural and
economic situations into
Which Christian messages is brought (Paul at
Philippi)
Describe the local traditional religious beliefs
(Paul at Athens)
6. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey -Describe Paul’s experience in Ephesus with
the silversmiths
7. Some of Paul’s Teachings -Identify various types of work people do and
Dignity of Labour, Obedience to why they should do their work with honour.
Constituted Authority and Love -State why it is necessary to obey constituted
authority.
-Give reasons why we should show love to one
another and state the characteristic of love.
8. Paul and his Trials- Paul before the -State the accusation that led to Paul’s arrest.
Jewish Council and the plot to kill -Narrate the stories of Paul’s trials before the
him. Roman governors-Felix, Festus and his appeal
Paul before Roman Governors-Felix, to Caesar.
Festus and Agrippa and his appeal to
Rome
9. Exam

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 PAUL'S EARLY LIFE, PERSECUTION AND CONVERSION
ACTS 7:57-58, 8:1-3, 9:1-19, 22:1-30, 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21

PAUL’S NATIVITY- Saul of Tarsus who became Saint Paul the apostle was born in 4B.C.
in Tarsus in Cilicia the present day Turkey and died in AD64 in Rome. Paul was also a Roman
citizen who was born into a wealthy family. His father bought Roman citizenship that was sold to
foreigners. Paul was originally from the tribe of Benjamin. He enjoyed all the privileges of a Roman
citizen such as a fair trial. As other Roman citizens, Paul had two names, a Jewish name, Saul, and
a Roman name, Paulus or Paul which means small. Paul was from a family of tent makers and was
a tent -maker by profession. He could speak Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.

EDUCATION- At the young age of twelve, Paul was sent to Jerusalem to spend a year at the
synagogue where his father attended worship. Here, he was taught with other boys of his age by a
rabbi, lessons in the religion of Israel and read the scripture. He then became a full member of the
synagogue. Afterwards, he went to the Hillel school where he was taught classic literature,
philosophy, ethics and law by the most notable rabbi called Gamaliel. - Ben Torah meaning Son of
the Law.

RELIGION- Paul was an Orthodox Jew and a Pharisee. His family had a history of religious
piety. His parents concentrated on Jewish religious law and celebrated festivals such as the
Pentecost and Passover. Paul was brought up in the fear of the Lord. Paul’s father belonged to the
Pharisee’s party thus he trained his son to be a Pharisee. He was strict in the observation of the law.
He believed in life after death. Paul centred on the Law of Moses and was legalistic in nature. He
was a careful student of the Hebrew Bible.

PERSECUTION OF CHRISTAINS- Paul undertook the persecution of the nascent Christian

movement. The motivation seems to be connected with his Pharisaism. Paul’s persecution involved
going from one synagogue to another urging the punishment of Jews who accepted Jesus as their
Messiah. Disobedient members of the synagogue were punished by ostracism or light flogging. As
a staunch pharisee, Saul felt it is his duty to defend their faith or religion (Judaism) by stamping out
christianity which was a rival and threat to it.

Paul was the ringleader of the mob that stoned Stephen to death. As such, he consented to the
killing of many christians.

Saul stormed the houses of believers and dragged them out for imprisonment.

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 He also had some of the believers tortured so they could blaspheme and renounce their faith in
christ.

He claimed that he persecuted Christians with the witnesses of the high Priest and council of
elders: he even obtained letters from the high priest to bring the Christians that had escaped to
Damascus back to Jerusalem for prosecution. He was one of the greatest persecutors of the
Christians.

PAUL’S CONVERSION
Acts 8:1-3, 9

Saul, a zealous young Pharisee and brilliant student of the Jewish law had become a self-
righteous, murderous persecutor of the new movement which he believed threatened the Torah and
the religious life of the Jews. In his zeal he believed he was doing God's work, as he travelled to
Damascus to arrest the followers of Jesus and drag them back in chains to Jerusalem. Suddenly a
bright light flashed upon him, knocking him to the ground, and a voice said, "Saul, Saul, why do
persecute me?" "Who are you Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," the voice
replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do." The men who were
with him heard the voice but saw no one. They had to lead Paul into the city by hand because he
could no longer see.

In Damascus the Lord appeared to a disciple named Ananias and told him to go to the house
of Judas on the street called straight where he would meet a man from Tarsus named Saul who was
praying. Ananias protested, having had many report about Saul and his campaign to destroy the
church. "Go” the Lord said, "This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the people
of Israel I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. “When Ananias found Saul, he
placed his hands on him, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you
were coming here has sent me so that you might see again and be filled with Holy Spirit." He
regained his sight, got up and was baptized.

It is significant that the dramatic story of Saul's conversion is recounted in detail three times
in (Acts 22:1-16, 26:1-23) which shows the importance author Luke and the early church placed on
Saul’s remarkable transformation. Years later Saul, also called Paul, reflected on the transforming
power of the gospel.

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 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.( 2
Corinthians 5:17)

POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Saul before conversion (Acts 9:1-3, 22:2-5)

2. Born in Tarsus, raised in Jerusalem, trained in the law under Gamaliel, zealous for God.

3. Fervent persecutor of the church, arresting, imprisoning and murdering Christians.

4. Saul’s conversion (Acts 9: 4-19, 22:6-16...... please read)

5. God in conversion (2Cor. 5:16-21) God made Christ who had no sin to be sin for all. In
Christ all things are new, the sinner is the saint. Through Christ God reconciles fallen humanity to
himself.

LESSONS

1. Some become Christians in a dramatic fashion like Saul in the road to Damascus, for others
it is a slow deliberative process. Therefore, we must be tolerant with each other.

2. Christ chose us just as he did to Saul (Acts 9:15) as Christ chose Saul, he can choose any
one to do his work.

3. Ananias obeyed the lord’s call at the risk of his life; we must obey God no matter how
difficult.

4. The lord did not promise Saul a life of ease and prosperity, but through Ananias warned him
of the sufferings and hardship he would face as an ambassador for Christ. Therefore we should
realize that the life of service to God is not easy.

5. New Christians need tender loving care and training in discipline just as Ananias gave Saul.
We too should follow up new converts with care and encouragement.

6. As God changed the most violent persecutor of the early Christian into the greatest Christian
missionary and leader, it shows that God is able to change anyone…

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 REACTION TO PAUL'S CONVERSION
ACTS 9:20-30

Saul wasted no time in going to the synagogue of Damascus and preaching his new found faith,
that this Jesus whom he had hated, was none other than the son of God and was indeed the
Messiah. All who heard him was astonished and infuriated at the radical change. Saul was
powerful and persuasive, determined to show the people who knew him best why he had then
changed. The Jews regarded him as a traitor however and after sometime (possibly 3years, see
Gal 1: 11-18) they conspired to kill him. Paul learned of the plot and was able to escape at
night, lowered over the city wall in a basket.

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem all the believers were afraid and suspicious of him, finding it
impossible to believe that their bitter enemy was now their brother in Christ. Being rejected by
fellow believers must have been very hurtful for Saul. Barnabas, the “SON OF
ENCOURAGEMENT” (Acts 4:36) became the mediator taking him to the apostles and then
convincing the whole church that his amazing conversion was genuine. Saul preached boldly in
Jerusalem, debating with the Grecian Jews, again stirring up bitter opposition. When the believers
learned that Jews were trying to kill him, they sent Saul back to his hometown of Tarsus. Jewish
opposition to the gospel fills the book of acts.

THE BEGINNING OF THE MISSIONARY CHURCH

Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 11:19-30, Acts 13:1-3, Galatians 4:4

POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Jesus missionary in Matt. 28: 18-20, …has given all authority to his disciples to make
disciples of all nations;

(i)Baptize them.

(ii)Teach them to obey everything I taught you.

2. Gentile mission, convert in Antioch (Acts 11:19-30).

(i) Those scattered by the Jerusalem persecution travelled to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch

(ii) A great number of Gentiles turned to the Lord.

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(iii) The Jerusalem church dispatched Barnabas to verify the report of the Gentile conversion
in Antioch.

(iv) Barnabas brought Saul from Tarsus to help the disciples with so many new converts, they taught
for a year. Barnabas and Saul took famine relief from Antioch in Syria where the followers of Jesus
were first called Christians, to the mother church in Jerusalem.

3. Missionary origin (Acts13:1-3) At Antioch the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to
go out as missionaries. The church ordained them and sent them off.

4. Conditions of the Roman Empire facilitate the spread of the gospel during this period. This
for example good road, common language (Greek) spoken throughout the empire.

THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Acts 13:4-15, 42-52, 14:1-28

After the blessing of the church in Antioch in Syria and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
Paul and Barnabas left on their first missionary journey. They visited Paphos, Perga in Pamphilia,
Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra and Derbe.

Paul in Paphos: Paul and Barnabas sailed from Seleucia to Salamis on the Island of Cyprus.
In n Salamis John Mark joined them as an assistant preacher. They proclaimed the word of God in
the synagogue of Salamis and traversed the Island to Paphos, where the proconsul Sergius Paulus
the ruler of the Island wanted to hear the gospel. His attendant a Jewish sorcerer named Bar-Jesus
or Elymas opposed Saul and Barnabas. Paul told the sorcerer ‘he was a child of the devil and an
enemy of all that is good. You are trying to stop the work of God. Now God will punish you and you
will be blind for a time’. The proconsul saw what happened Elymas, he believed what Paul had told
him and about Jesus and he was converted to Christianity.

From Paphos they sailed to Perga in Pamphilia on the south coast of present day Turkey, where
John Mark left them, returning to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas journeyed north to Pisidia in
Antioch, and on the Sabbath, went to Jewish synagogue, where they were invited to speak. Paul
delivered a sermon which was Paul’s first sermon is recorded in Acts 13:16-41. The next Sabbath,
almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowd they
were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. Paul and Barnabas

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responded boldly “we had to speak the word of God to you first since you reject it do not consider
yourself worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”The Gentiles were glad and honored
the word of the Lord, which spread through the whole region. But the Jews stirred up persecution,
so Paul and Barnabas moved on to Iconium, where the same pattern developed.

In Iconium, they began in the synagogue and spoke so effectively, a great number of Jews and
Gentiles believed. Finally, Paul and Barnabas learned of a plot to stone them so they fled to Lystra
and Derbe.

In Lystra Paul healed a man crippled from birth. When the crowd saw this they shouted, “The
gods have come down to us.” They called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. The priest of Zeus
brought bulls and wreaths to offer sacrifices to them. They shouted “men, why are you doing this?
We are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these
worthless things to the living God.” Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and turned the
crowd against them. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the place thinking he was dead.
Finally, he regained consciousness, and the next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

In Derbe they won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and
Pisidian Antioch, strengthening and encouraging the new believers. Finally, they returned home to
(Syria) Antioch and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door
to the Gentiles.

MAP OF PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

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 CONTROVERSIES AMONG THE EARLY CHRISTIANS
ACTS 15:1-6, GALATIANS 2:1-16,1CORINTHIANS 1:10-15

OBJECTIVES
1.To identify the difficulties arising from the growth of the early Christian communities
2. To describe the conflict over all the Gentile Christians had to observe all the Jewish laws
POINTS TO REMEMBER IN THE TOPIC;

3.Conflict over whether gentile Christians had to observe the Jewish laws (Acts 15:1-6, Gal
2:1-16)

Jewish Christians came to Antioch teaching Gentile believers that unless they were circumcised
according to the Law of Moses, they could not be saved.
FAITH+CIRCUMCISION=SALVATION.

4.Seeking a resolution Acts 15:1-6, as a result, Paul, Barnabas and others were sent to
Jerusalem to resolve the matter. Four apostles and elders met to consider the issue. They believe
strongly that justification is not by observing the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. (Galatians
2:15-16)

The following are some of the problems in the early church (Acts 15:1-6, Gal 2:1-16,1Cor
1:10-15)

(i) False teachers and false teachings (Gal 2:4-5)

(ii) Leadership hypocrisy (Gal 2:11-14)

(iii) Religious fanaticism (Acts 15:1-6, Gal 2:4)

(iv) Division and quarrels (1Cor 1:10-15)

(v) Partisan mentality: some Christians to follow Paul, some Apollo’s, some Peter, some
Christ.

LESSONS TO LEARN

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 1. Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection has done everything necessary for salvation.
We are saved by God’s grace alone and not even partly by our good works or religious performance.
Christians should therefore no longer be enslaved to traditions and human made laws.

2. Christians today must guard against the same “Judaizing Pharisee” attitude, judging
other Christians who don’t meet certain standards which are more cultural than biblical.

3. God loves us just as we are, Christians must therefore love and accept other people
unconditionally.

4. A church ceases to be Christian if it contains class or ethnic or tribal distinction. In

God’s presence people are neither Jews or Gentiles, rich or poor, male or female, white or black,
Yoruba or Igbo, all are sinners for whom Christ died. Churches must avoid discrimination.

THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL

ACTS 15:5-36

while Paul and Barnabas were still in Antioch of Syria, some pro-circumcision Christians from
Judea came down to the Antioch and were preaching that unless one is circumcised according to
the law of Moses and keeps the Mosaic law, he cannot be saved. Paul disputed with them that it is
not so, people are saved by virtue of their faith. But since he and the pro-circumcision team could
not reach a compromise, the matter had to be referred to the church elders in Jerusalem to decide
as to whether the gentile converts were to be circumcised. this led to the first Synod or council
meeting in Jerusalem.

After much discussion, Peter spoke, reminding them of his experience with Cornelius over ten
years before, how God had confirmed that the gospel was for the Gentiles by giving them the Holy
Spirit. Now then why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yolk that
neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ that we are saved, just as they are.”

After Paul and Barnabas spoke, James, Jesus' brother, showed how the Old Testament prophets
were in agreement. He agreed that they should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who were
turning to God, and proposed writing a letter explaining their decision. The letter was addressed to
the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, and was sent with Judas and Silas, two of their
members along with Paul and Barnabas, to confirm by word of mouth what they had written. “It

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seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you anything beyond the following
requirement:

I. You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols

II. Abstain from blood

III. Abstain from meat of strangled animals.

IV. Abstain from sexual immorality.

Although circumcision was not addressed in the letter, by implication the council had agreed
with Peter, that salvation was only through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and not by any good
work or trying to observe the law. The simple dietary requirements were evident so that Jews and
Gentile Christians could eat together without offending the Jewish sensitivities, and the reminder
of biblical moral standard was probably because the Gentile world had such a reputation for
immorality. The Antioch church received the emissaries and encouraging letter with gladness.

PAUL’S 2ND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

ACTS15:36-41, 18-22, Matt 5:9, 1Peter 3:8-12, Phil2:1-5, 4:2-3, Rom12:14-21, 1Cor6:1-8

The unity of the Antioch church, so recently filled with joy over the victory at Jerusalem, was
disturb by a sharp disagreement between its two outstanding leaders. Paul wanted to go back
and visit all the churches that had been started on the first missionary journey. Barnabas wanted
to take John Mark, but Paul said no, because Mark had deserted them in the middle if their
previous journey; Barnabas was John Mark’s cousin (Col. 4: 10), and evidently saw a change
in the young man and wanted to give him a second chance. Paul do not want to risk it, the
disagreement was so sharp that the parted company, Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, and
Paul taking Silas to Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. This is just what happened,
however, whatever the motivation of the missionaries may have been, there were two good
results.

First, Mark got another chance and did proved himself faithful in the end. Even Paul
acknowledged it (2 Tim 4:11). Second, instead of there being only on a missionary team therefore
were two. Disagreements are an aspect of human life that every person has to face, even Christian

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leaders. The bible has many passages giving important counsel in law to resolve difficulties.
‘’Blessed are the peacemaker, for they will be called the sons of God.’’ Said Jesus (Matt5:9) Peter
counsel us to live in harmony with one another, not to repay evil with evil, “Who is going to harm
you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed”
(1Pet3:8-12).

Paul and Silas travelled through Syria, Cilicia, Derbe and Lystra. At Lystra, Paul made Timothy
his disciple after he had circumcised him. The people spoke well of Timothy, his father was a Greek;
hence he was circumcised by Paul to avoid discrimination. His mother was Eunice and
Grandmother Lois (2 Timothy1:5)

2 Missionary Journey- Paul did work in European cities of

nd
PHILIPPI, ATHANS
and Corinth. At Troas, Paul had a vision called the Macedonian vision. A man appeared to him
saying “Come over to Macedonia and help us”

Philippi was founded by Philip of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great.
It was here that Octoavian defeated Mark Anthony, after the defeat, Philippi became a Roman
colony. Caesar Augustus settled a large number of veteran soldiers there. Many Philippians
became Roman citizens. Philippi was an important as a gold mining centre, an agricultural
region. It was a typical Roman town with an amphitheatre and temple dedicated to the Greek
god. They practiced magic and fortune telling. There were few Jews in Philippi

PAUL AT PHILIPPI ACT16:11-40

OBJECTIVES:

To describe Paul and Silas experiences in Philippi, how Lydia and the jailer became believers
and how the slave girl was delivered.

To recognize the need to take the gospel to all People despite the difficulties and that gospel is
relevant to all people regardless of race, social class, age etc.

Points to remember

-Lydia, an European business woman was the first to convert in Philippi, she was
converted with her household and the evangelists stayed at Lydia’s house (act16:14-15) She was a
seller of purple goods from the city of Thyatria.

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 -A slave girl was delivered and converted (act16:16-18) a spirit possessed fortuneteller
recognized the evangelists as servant of the most high God.

-Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave her and the spirit obeyed and the girl was delivered.

-The girl’s masters realized that their hope of making money was gone (act16:19-40) they
dragged, the evangelists before the magistrate and charged them with:

I. Throwing the city into an uproar.

II. Advocating unlawful custom.

- The evangelist were flogged and jailed.

-The jailer and his household(family) were converted. In the jail, Paul and Silas sang hymns,
at midnight a violent earthquake opened the prison door for them, when the jailer saw this, he
believed in the power of God in the evangelist, and the evangelist baptized the jailer and his house
hold.

LESSONS

As through the power of the Holy Spirit Paul and Silas could pray and sing hymns instead of
complaining in anger and bitterness at the injustice of their treatment, so should every Christian
rejoice when persecuted or mistreated for the sake of the gospel.

Hospitality is one of the most effective gifts in serving the cause of Christ, as demonstrated by
Lydia’s example. It is therefore required of Christian to be hospitable.

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 MAP OF PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
https://freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bj-paul-maps/

PAUL IN ATHENS
Acts17:16-34

Athens was the greatest university in the world and the home of learning and philosophy.
Paul did not intend to stay long here, but was only waiting for Timothy to rejoin him. But Paul
could never keep silent if there was an opportunity to share the gospel of Christ. Not only did
he reason in the synagogue with the Jews and God fearing Greeks, but daily he went to the
market place where he gathered a crowd with his preaching of the good news about Jesus and
the resurrection. There he encountered the two predominant Greek philosophies: the
Epicureans who believed the goal in life was to attain the maximum amount of pleasure and

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the minimum amount of pain and there was no after life, and the Stoics who tried any emotion
and live with apathy and detachment-fatalistic resignation.
The Athenians invited Paul to address the Areopagus, a council of philosophers and city
leaders; meeting on a hill named after the god of war (Mars in Latin).These Greeks knew
nothing of the Jewish Old Testament, so instead Paul quoted two of their Greek poets as the
basis for his argument. He did not condemn them for all the idols that filled their city, but
complimented them. “I see that in every way you are very religious.” His introduction was
brilliant, as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an
altar with his inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD, now what you worship as something
unknown I am going to proclaim to you”. This was followed by four clear points:
(i) God is the creator of all things.
(ii) God is the sustainer of all things.
(iii) God is the ordainer of all things.
(iv) We should seek him.
Paul concludes that we should repent since we have not sought God as we should.
When Paul mentioned the resurrection, his sophisticated hearers interrupted him, because
according to both Epicurean and Stoic philosophy there could not be a resurrection of the dead.
If there was an after-life, it certainly would not involve the resurrection of the body like Paul
was proclaiming. Some sneered but others expressed interest in hearing more. Dionysius, a
council member, a woman named Damaris and several others became believers.

PAUL AT CORINTH
ACTS 18:1-17,1COR 1:13-25, 2COR 11:7-11
The Corinth of A.D 51 was enough to discourage anyone who had the slightest sense of
decency. It was a vast, teeming, thoroughly immoral place. If Athens represents the sins of the
mind and intellect, Corinth exemplified the corruption of the flesh. Situated there was the
temple of Venus with its thousands of prostitutes.
On arrival in Corinth, Paul met a Jewish couple Priscilla and Aquila, fellow tentmakers, and
earned his living making tents with them. Priscilla and Aquila became believers and co-
labourers, providing hospitality and leadership in the ministry. Every Sabbath Paul evangelized
in the synagogue.
When Silas and Timothy finally arrived, evidently with some financial support from the
churches of Macedonia, Paul was able to devote full time to preaching. He reminded the

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Corinthians later that he had not been a burden to anyone and had preached the gospel to them
free of charge, (2 cor. 11:7-11) but the Jews opposed Paul and become so abusive that he shook
out his cloths in protest and moved his ministry next door to the synagogue to the home of
Titus Justus, interestingly, the ruler of the synagogue Crispus, and his entire household became
believers and were baptized. The Jews made a united attack against Paul and dragged him
before Gallio the proconsul. Gallio threw them out of court as there was no crime. “Since it
involves questions about words and names and your own law-settle the matter yourselves”.
Outside the court the new synagogue ruler, Sosthenes, was given the beating he had intended
for Paul, probably by an anti-Jewish mob. The Corinthian church, established by Paul during
the year and half he spent there, became one of the most prominent of the early New Testament
churches because of Paul's two long letters addressing some of their many problems.

3RD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

PAUL AT EPHESUS
ACTS 19:1-41, 20:17-38

Ephesus was at the height of its glory as a large port city, home of the magnificent temple of
Artemis, or Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was the home of much
superstitious religion and cult prostitution. Arriving in Ephesus Paul met twelve men who had
received John’s baptism, but knew little about Jesus Christ, and had never heard of the Holy
Spirit. Paul baptized them in the name of the lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon them and
they spoke in tongues and prophesied, for three months Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue,
but the opposition became strong he moved to a lecture hall where he spoke daily for two years.
Paul’s power to heal and cast out demons must have seemed magical to the Asians. Exorcism
–casting out unclean spirits was tempted widely by magicians of that day, who used
incantations or “spells” to drive the demons out. Ephesus was a centre for this, and books of
Ephesian “spells were sold all over the world. Some professional exorcist came to Ephesus,
claiming to be sons of the high priest. These fakers heard Paul exorcised an evil spirit in the
name of Jesus, understanding this as a “spell” they repeated the name. The results were tragic
and also ridiculous, the demon possessed man beat up the exorcists. As word of this spread,
many of the believers who had been deeply infected by magic and superstition, and were
secretly holding on to their charms and books, now made a clean break and burn the relics of

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their superstition. This same struggle and victory and can be witnessed on the mission fields
even today.
Demetrius, a silversmith, angry that his lucrative business making silver shrines of Artemis
for the visitors to the temple was being threatened, stirred up his fellow craft men against Paul.
“This fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large number of people here in Ephesus and in
practically the whole province of Asia. He says that “man-made gods are no gods at all.” The
whole city was soon in an uproar and rushed into the amphitheatre shouting, “Great is Artemis
of the Ephesians”. They continued shouting for about two hours. In confusion, the crowd
rushed into the theatre dragging along with them two of Paul’s companion, Gaius and
Aristarchus. Paul wanted to appear before the mob, but Asiarchs wisely restrained him.
Alexander, a Jew, tried to defend Paul, but the crowd did not allow him to do so. Finally, the
town clerk came and quieted the crowd, warning them they might be arrested and sent them
home.
Paul visited in Macedonia when he was sent to travel to Jerusalem; he addressed the Ephesian
believers, and prayed for them. They wept as they embraced him, knowing they would never
see him again.

Moral lessons
1- The silversmith opposed Christianity for economic reasons, while worshippers of
Artemis opposed it for cultural reasons. So, missionaries and evangelists must take these factors
into consideration in their attempt to spread the gospel.
2- The conversion of the magicians and the burning of their magical books demonstrate
clearly that magic or any other works of darkness cannot save people. Only Jesus can save.
3- We should always know when to avoid debate and argument in order to prevent
fighting.
4- We should always help to warn people against riots. Christians should be
peacemakers.

DIGNITY OF LABOUR
1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thess 3:6-15, Colossians 3:23-25, Ephesians 6:5-8, Titus 3-1
The dignity of labour is the philosophy that all types of legitimate jobs are respected and
honourable, and no occupation is inferior or superior therefore, none of the jobs should be
discriminated against n or looked down on (underrated) on any basis. Regardless of whether

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one's occupation involves physical work or mental labour; it is held that the job deserves
respect. Therefore, dignity of labour refers to respect for all types of decent work.
Every honest worker such as a farmer, messenger, mechanic, carpenter or teacher provides very
important goods and services for the society. Every worker must therefore perform this
function well. Paul admonished that every worker should obey his earthly master with respect
and fear, and with sincerity of heart. He should serve whole heartedly and work with all his
energy.
The reasons for admonishing workers to work hard and wholeheartedly are as follows:
 so as not to be a burden to others.
 so as to become a model or an example to others.
 so as not to become a busy body.
-To cater for one’s necessities of life.
-To give to those who have needs.
-To please the Lord.
- To promise and ensure a healthy, responsible and meaningful relationship with the other
members of the body of Christ.
PAUL’S LETTERS ON DUTIFULNESS (2Thes3:6-15,Col3:23-25, Eph6:5-6, Titus 3:1)
In 2Thes 3:6-15, Paul enjoined the believers to shun idleness and work for their upkeep just
like they did when they were with them. Paul said “Whoever will not work, let him not eat.”
He advised the believers to keep away from lazy and idle people but should advise them in
a brotherly way to change rather than as enemies.
In Colossians, Paul charged the believers to always be diligent in carrying out their duties and
God will reward them.
In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, Paul admonished the Christian slaves to shun pretense
and eye service by being sincere in their obedience and submissiveness to their masters for the
sake of Christ and God will reward them.
Finally, Paul called on the believers to be submissive to those in authority and to willingly do
honest
works/tasks entrusted to them.
SIGNIFICANCE AND MORAL LESSONS.
1. God ordained labour therefore, every legitimate labour is godly.
2. We must desist from idleness and laziness.
3. We should be diligent in all our endeavours.
4. We must be sincere in all we do and shun pretence or eye-service.

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5. We must never encourage idle/lazy people by not condoning them.
6. God rewards human efforts.
7. We should be proud of the jobs we do to earn a living.
8. Every legitimate job/labour is respectful and should be respected.
9. We should never underrate or look down on any job.

PAUL’S MESSAGE ON CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

(Rom13:1-7)
Paul pointed out that, all power, leadership, governance or authority come from God. Leaders
of
representatives of God to commend those who do right and punish those who do wrong/evil
for they bear the sword not in vain. One who opposes the leaders is opposing what God has put
in place.
Therefore, all believers must be subject and obedient to those in authority by always doing the
right thing so as to avoid God’s wrath and to have a clear conscience.
As such, believers should always pay their taxes, dues, revenues and also honour or respect
whoever
honour or respect is due.
SIGNIFICANCE AND MORAL LESSONS.
1. ALL authority come from God.
2. Leaders are God’s representatives on earth to commend good conduct and punish evildoers.
3. We should thrive to be responsible and reliable.
4. We should know our rights and obligations and stick to them.
5. We should be law-abiding.
6. We should always pay our taxes, dues and revenues.
7. We should learn to honour and respect others.

PAUL BEFORE FELIX

ACTS 24:1-27, LK 12:11-12, 1 PETER 3:13-18

OBJECTIVES
1-Enumerate what Christians should do when confronted with opposition from authorities.
2-Realize that it’s important to do the right thing even if it’s costly.

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3-Appreciate that Christ is our example in facing unjust suffering.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
1- The lawyer Tertullus brought the charges of the high priest Ananias and elders against
Paul (Acts 24: 1-9) the charges:
a -That Paul was a troublemaker and rioter all over the world.
b -He was a ring leader of the Nazarene sect.
c -That he was trying to desecrate the temple.
d -The Jews also accused Paul and confirmed the charges.

2-Paul’s response before Felix (Acts 24: 10-21). Paul pleaded innocent of the charges against
him and put the case in proper perspective. He said, he was accused for worshipping God and
believing in resurrection. He challenged his accusers to state exactly his crime.
3 -Felix adjourned the proceedings, but had frequent discourses with Paul, hoping for a bribe
(Acts 24: 22-27) Felix left Paul in jail as a favour to the Jews, on Porcius Festus succeeded him
as governor.
4-What to do when confronted with opposition from authorities (Luke 12: 11-12, 1Peter 3:
13-18)
(i) Do not worry about how to defend yourself, the Holy Spirit will teach you what to say.
(ii) Do not be frightened (1Pet 3: 13-14)
(iii) Set your mind on Christ (1Pet 3:15-18)
(iv) Be prepared to use every opportunity as occasion to witness to Christ (1Pet 3: 15-18)
(v) Realize that sometimes it might be God’s will for you to suffer for doing what is
good.(1Pet 3:17)

PAUL BEFORE FESTUS AND AGRIPPA

ACTS 25:1-27, 26:1-32
The Jewish leaders were angry that for two years Felix had done nothing with Paul, urgently
requested the new governor Festus transfer Paul to Jerusalem. They planned to ambush and kill
him on the way. Festus wisely told them he would hold a hearing in Caesarea. The Jewish
leaders brought many charges but had no proof.
After Paul’s defense before Festus, the governor wanted to please the Jews by having Paul’s
consent to going to Jerusalem to stand trial. Paul said in his trial before Festus, “I am now
standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the

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Jews, as you yourself know very well. If the charges brought against me are not true, no one
has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” appealing directly to the emperor
was the right of a Roman citizen, if he was not getting justice in the Provincial courts.
When King Agrippa and Bernice came to visit the new governor, Festus did not know what to
write in his report to send with Paul in Rome. Agrippa said he would like to hear Paul himself,
so a hearing was arranged, to enable Festus have something to write to Caesar. When Paul
entered the hall, King Agrippa gave him permission to speak. Paul laid down his credentials,
his background, and the story of his conversion read, (Acts 26: 1-32) when Paul was speaking,
the governor was listening with ever increasing astonishment. The intensity and passion of Paul
were plain to see. Festus said that Paul was mad for saying that Jesus Christ resurrected from
the dead. ‘You are mad; your great learning is turning you mad’. But the King was impressed
by what Paul said concerning the resurrection, and confessed: “In a short time you think to
make me a Christian.” Paul replied “Whether short or long, I would say to God that not only
you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am- except for the chains.
After Paul had finished his defense, the king and the governor and their counselors withdrew
to confer among themselves. They agreed that Paul had done nothing wrong. He did not deserve
to be put in prison. The king said to the governor. “This man could have been set free if he had
not appealed to Caesar.”

LESSONS
1-Festus was more interested in pleasing people than in doing what was right. God’s concern
for justice means we must do what is right even if it means offending important people or losing
popularity.
2-Paul the prisoner, in danger of his life, was the only one who emerged victorious, because he
depended on God. We are constantly pressurized to compromise or deny our faith. Knowing
God is sovereign overall circumstances. He gives us power to resist pressure and face
persecution.
3-Paul used every civil right afforded him by Roman law. He challenged the civil authorities
to be “God’s servant to do good” (Rom. 13-14) we need to hold those in authority accountable,
to judge righteously.
4-The pageantry of official Rome looked so powerful at Paul’s trial before Agrippa, but today
the great Roman Empire is just a memory. We can be encouraged that the humble truth of Jesus
Christ not only prevailed that day, but lives on in every greater power 2000 years later. Always
realize that the truth of God will always remain permanent.

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5-Festus thought Paul was insane, but history has shown that true sanity belongs to those who
build their lives on Christ, not on those who find ultimate reality only in what they can see,
touch, reason, possess or achieve. Even if others think you are crazy, keep on serving Christ.

REFERENCE
A.J.V.Obinna et al (2010), Living As God’s Children, Christian Religious Education And
Moral
Instructions, Ibadan: African Universities Press.

I.C.Okonkwo et al (2009), New Age Christian Religious Studies For Junior Secondary
School, Ibadan: New Age Press.

O.J.E .Olive et al(2011) Christian Religious Knowledge For Junior Secondary

School, Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.

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