Evangelist, Pastor And Teacher

by J.D. Terrell, Carlisle | Category: The Life And Work Of Paul | Mar 1971

The range of spiritual gift which Paul received was extraordinarily full, if not unique. Unique certainly was his role in the fulfilment of the divine purpose "unto the building up of the Body of Christ". Yet the day by day unfolding of Paul's service as revealed in the Word holds out to us infinite instruction and encouragement. The three avenues of service which we are now specifically considering, evangelist, pastor, teacher, represent the three main areas of responsibility in spiritual leadership which are directly applicable to ourselves today, namely, outreach in the gospel, personal spiritual care of the children of God, and their edification by sound doctrinal instruction. These are the principal elements of spiritual activity for those who lead God's people today, each one and all together, vital for healthy growth of a "people for God's own possession". We shall try to relate these strands of the threefold cord of Paul's life-work to show that spiritual service and life is a unity in both individual and collective spheres.

The Evangelist

This Paul was first and foremost. To be the bearer of the life-giving name of Christ in all its redeeming power is the work of an evangelist. To Agrippa Paul summed up his evangelical commission thus, "... the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:17,18). Paul's career as an evangelist started with obedience-" I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision". So must that of every other man putting a hand to the same plough. For Paul, and for many more, other aspects of service must follow and complement soul-winning, but the latter was always nearest to his heart, and represented the spearhead of all his labour. The worthy characteristics of Paul's evangelism are too numerous to deal with here, but some stand out and demand the attention of all who would be imitators of the apostle as he was of Christ.

Paul's dedication to the "evangel" was complete. It is highly significant that it was in the context of his exhortation to Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist", that Paul declares, "I am already being offered ... I have fought the good fight ..." (2 Tim. 4:5-7). This total commitment to the gospel of Christ is reflected in many ways, including the painstaking character of the unremitting labour offered to the city of Ephesus in the name of Christ (Acts 19:9-10); in the thoroughly fearless approach which we observe in the same city before the deafening chant of "Great is Diana"; and in the truly spiritual flexibility seen in his witness in the situation which Athens presented (Acts 17). This great steward of the grace of God was also faithful, not only in the manner of his ministry but also in its content. No claim of Paul can be more arresting and sobering than this, that he was "pure from the blood of all men" (Acts 20:26). Here is a testimony to stand in awe of, and to fill every Christian's spiritual vision. Yet, withal, he shrank not from declaring "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). This expression "shrank not" is surely greatly endearing in its candour. Only subjection to the unerring direction of the Holy Spirit could overcome a certain natural reticence to declare "the whole counsel of God", with all the implications of a separated position. Paul's deep sensitivity to, and complete dependence on the divine Spirit's leadership compelled a gospel ministry which followed closely the Master's own commission, "Go ye therefore and make disciples ... " (Matt. 28:19). Let us note, however, the unmistakable primary motive-power of all Paul's evangelism. To the Corinthians he speaks frankly of the fact that "the love of Christ constraineth us", yet Paul writes little on the theme of his love for Christ. He is vastly more taken up with Christ's love for him, than with his own little response to the Master whose service and gospel had become his consuming passion (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:37-39).

The Pastor

What is probably the most vivid portrayal of Paul's shepherd heart is provided in Acts 14:19-23. Having restrained the men of Lystra from mistakenly offering worship, some clearly were won for Christ before the multitudes were incited to stone the apostle. But the day soon came when the pastoral stirrings in that great caring heart led him back to the place of his stoning. Back to Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, confirming, exhorting, appointing elders, praying, fasting, commending them to the Lord on whom they had believed. This aspect of Paul's service lacked nothing of the intensity and dedication of his primary evangelism. Indeed it followed on this with a compelling inevitability. In 1 Thess. 2:1-12 we have a passage of great tenderness as the apostle confesses, "ye were become very dear to us" (v.8). Again, "we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children" (v.7), and, "as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you ..." (v.11). The bond of care between Paul and his converts was a real and secure one.

Yet the evidence of his pastoral concern for the churches of God, and those in them, reaches its loftiest peak, we suggest, in the agony of spirit revealed in the second epistle to the Corinthians. In certain respects, diligent and conscientious pastoral care is the most personally exacting of all forms of service to the Lord's people. The three closing chapters of this epistle uncover a profound longing on Paul's part to break through a dense barrier of misunderstanding and criticism in order that the saints in Corinth may once again be exposed to a shepherd care from which they had withdrawn themselves by their cynical attitude. It is deeply moving to find the servant of God who could write to the Philippians, "In nothing be anxious", confessing to "that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches" (11:28). The pastors among God's people today, when faced with similar situations, may take great encouragement from such a revelation of Paul's experience. So also may the saints in a church of God beware of such beguiling by the Accuser of the brethren in relation to them that "watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account" (Heb. 13:17).

We cannot stay to speak of the manifold expression, in other parts of his writings, of Paul's wisdom in caring for the saints. Not without cause have his communications to Timothy and Titus earned the description of "pastoral epistles". The concentrated counsel there enshrined is the gift of the Spirit Himself to all who are called upon to fill "the office of bishop... a good work" (1 Tim. 3:1). Paul's fellow-worker Peter summed up the rightful expectation of them both, "And when the Chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Pet. 5:4).

The Teacher

The body of doctrine committed to the people of God in this dispensation is contained in very large measure in the words which came from the pen of this same extraordinary man of God. It would be foolish to suggest that God required the tutorial skills of Paul's mentors in Tarsus and Jerusalem, but there is no doubt that in His sovereignty He sanctified and used to the full the apostle's very considerable intellectual powers. The truth is that Paul was used by God to propound in Holy Writ all of the major New Testament truths which are the basis of the Faith once for all delivered to the saints. The range of his understanding of the will of God, and the breadth and scope of his teaching thereon, leave Paul without peers. His teaching role was integral with his evangelism and his pastoral ministry. This we have already observed in connexion with the work in Ephesus and the follow through of gospel truth to encompass the whole counsel of God. So Timothy's pastoral service had no foundation apart from "a pattern of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13). Again, "These things command and teach" (1 Tim. 4:11).

The substance of Paul's teaching contains, at numerous points, striking and direct claim to divine -authority: "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord" (1 Thess. 4.15). Similarly, to Timothy the same note of authoritative confidence is struck, "But the Spirit saith expressly ..." (1 Tim. 4:1). In this we readily see a ministry which transcends that of the teacher today. Paul established doctrine, but in addition had a keen sense of the essential continuity of healthful teaching if the truth of God was not to be submerged in a flood of error. Thus, to Timothy again, "And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). "For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3,4). Need anything further be added to strengthen the believer's resolve today to be soundly instructed in all aspects of the doctrine of the Lord?

Again space forbids treatment of many of the general characteristics and methods of the Pauline teaching ministry. We do well, however, to note Paul's fine sense of balance and values in such matters as the exercise of spiritual gifts (1. Cor. 12-14); the attitude of the Thessalonians to the Lord's return (2 Thess. 2:1-2); or the relations of parents, children, servants, masters (Eph. 6). In defence of principle and proper divine standards he was totally uncompromising; fearless, yet flexible in a truly godly sense: "I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22). Evangelist, pastor, teacher-a man of well nigh incredible gift and capacity - yet how transparently human; how utterly consumed by the cause of Christ. Lest his towering stature overawe us into discouragement, let us note that it was the transformed Pharisee from Tarsus who added so preciously, in writing of the crown of righteousness, "... not only to me, but also to all them that have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).

J.D. Terrell, Carlisle | Mar 1971
The Life And Work Of Paul