Paul's Peace

The Apostle Paul was absolutely fearless when it came to conducting his ministry. He frequently seized evangelistic opportunities without regarding the life-threatening dangers encompassing them. When faced with a riotous crowd he was eager to meet the challenge head-on. In Ephesus, where the populous stirred to anarchy because of the greed of one silversmith, the Apostle was barely restrained by his friends from entering the theater to address the crowds (Acts 19:20). Later, when prejudice would be used to stir up angry opposition among worshippers in the Jerusalem Temple, after being carried to relative safety, Paul begged for and received the opportunity to preach to the mob (21:35; 22:1-ff.).New Testament records reveal his reluctant catalog of suffering (2 COR. 11:23-27). So convinced was he of the veracity of the message he preached, Paul on a number of occasions emphasized his willingness to give up his own life, if need be, in the course of fulfilling his obligation as an apostle of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ (Acts 21:13; 25:12). Although not specifically attributed to Paul, the sentiment presented of the anonymous Hebrew writer effectively captures his attitude towards life and death: “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6).David Bragg