According to studies by Eckhard Schnabel, there were seven different characteristics of Paul’s missionary methods.
1. People needed to hear the news of Jesus Christ. All people, and by whatever means necessary.
2. In order for people to hear about Jesus, Paul realized that HE NEEDED TO TRAVEL TO THEM in their cities, towns, and communities.
3. In order to reach Mediterranean cities and towns, Paul realized that him and other apostles would have to travel in Roman provinces.
4. Paul realized that in order for people to hear the gospel of Christ, he needed to find people who were willing to listen and even engage in conversation. That means speaking in place where people were accustomed to hearing and listening to speeches and/or news.
5. Everyone was relevant to Paul and the apostles. Despite of ethnic identity, class, gender, culture, you needed to hear the news of Jesus. Wether you we’re Jew or even pagan didn’t matter. They realized that Jesus had come for the world.
6. Paul considered the rhetorical principles of each culture wen teaching about Jesus.
7. After groups of people accepted the news of Christ, the question of what made missionary work successful was then looked at.
This is a summary of the characteristics of Paul’s Methods from chp. 4 pg 61.
Paul is arguably the most effective missionary to ever live. I think the key characteristic that we all can learn from was his faithfulness to spreading this new and wonderful news of the Christ. Despite of his various trials,( time in prison, death threats, disagreements with brothers) he continued to fight with all that he was, for the work of carrying the Kingdom of God to others. If I learn anything from Paul then it is to focus on being faithful, despite of what trials we experience. When we faithfully look to Jesus, we find ourselves carrying the strength to move forward and to
reach the world around us.
