It read: “This is not a risky act of self- indulgence by needy people, but a vital work of intercession, among other things, done with care, on behalf of a nation and a world under extra-ordinary pressure. In the past, this would have needed no explanation.”
I think that this is a beautiful summary of what the Church is about. One of the greatest missionaries of the Church was St Paul. His conversion was celebrated on Monday, January 25. He changed from someone who went about looking for Christians that he could imprison, to the greatest missionary. We often say that someone has had a ‘Damascus road experience.’ By this we mean that they have had a dramatic change in their lives due to a religious experience. Sometimes, it is those people who were strongly against God that become the strongest Christians. Paul was hugely responsible for taking the Christian message away from its Jewish roots and spreading it throughout the Roman Empire. It was the Pax Romana – the stability, peace, language and road network that helped him achieve this. Even so, he would always take the Gospel to his fellow Jews first before reaching out to the Gentiles or non-Jews. He engaged in three great missionary journeys around the Mediterranean. You can read about these in the book of Acts in the New Testament. I love the account in Acts chapter 27. He had been on trial for his faith and had appealed to Caesar. This was the right of every Roman citizen and it was a way of getting himself to Rome.
It meant that Caesar would have the last word concerning his fate. He was put on a ship going to Italy, but a great storm blew up as they sailed in the lee of Crete and the crew were in danger of losing their lives. Paul kept a cool head and stopped the crew from panicking. When they eventually neared land, the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners but the centurion prevented them because of his high regard for Paul. Although their ship sank, everyone came safely to shore thanks to Paul. The island on which they reached land was Malta. There are many wonderful accounts of Paul’s eventful life. He was eventually executed in Rome but not before he had greatly encouraged the Christian Church there. Paul’s letters are the earliest writings in the New Testament and paint a vivid picture of his life as a missionary, founding little communities, writing letters to encourage them and putting up with many dangers and much persecution. There are many churches in his honour. I think of St Paul’s Cathedral in London and St Paul’s Church, Craig y Don, in Llandudno.
Hymns:
We sing the glorious conquest
before Damascus gate,
when Saul, the Church’s spoiler,
came breathing threats and hate;
the ravening wolf rushed forward
full early on the prey;
but lo, the Shepherd met him,
and bound him fast to-day. (John Ellerton. 1826-93)
About The Author
Harrison Okafor
editor
Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
