Posted on 08/01/2019 9:03:46 AM PDT by Salvation
For many years, the image I had of St. Paul was that of a bold evangelist who went from town to town teaching and preaching powerfully about Christ. I envisioned his audience mesmerized as he preached and took on his opponents.
I ultimately altered my view a bit based on scriptural descriptions, some of which we are currently reading in the Office of Readings. I have no doubt that he was a brilliant theologian. Paul was reputed to have been one of the greatest students of one of the greatest rabbis of the time, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). I also do not question his zeal for Christ, and I can picture that fervor reflected on his face as he preached and taught. However, it would seem that Paul was not in fact recognized as a particularly gifted preacher. Consider the following texts from Scripture:
The key element to glean from this passage is that people regarded Paul as rather humble in person but in contrast quite bold and assertive in his letters. This does not paint the picture of a bold, fearsome preacher.
Here is even clearer evidence that some (though surely not all or even most) thought of Paul’s presence and preaching as weak and of no account. The Greek phrase λόγος ἐξουθενημένος (logos exouthenhmenos), translated here as “speech contemptible,” can also be translated as “words or speech of no account,” or “words or speech to be despised.” Of course, because Paul himself is reporting this, he may well be exaggerating the perception of his preaching out of a kind of humility. However, this is further evidence that Paul may not have been a highly gifted or bold preacher, at least from a worldly perspective.
The identity of the “superapostles” is debated, but there is wide agreement that it does not refer to the twelve apostles chosen by Christ. Rather, Paul is likely alluding to itinerant preachers of the time, most of whom were well known for their oratorical skills. Some of them may have been Judaizers who opposed Paul, but it would seem that they could draw a crowd. Perhaps they are somewhat like the revivalists of today. Paul seems to acknowledge that he is not a great speaker but refuses to concede that he is inferior to anyone in knowledge of the faith.
Paul claims no “clever” oratorical skill; rather, he underscores his lack of eloquence to emphasize that the power is in the cross of Christ.
Luke describes Paul as talking “on and on.” The sermon seems to have put the young Eutychus right to sleep, and results in his falling three flights to his death. Paul runs down and raises him from the dead. (All in a night’s work, I guess!) Paul then goes back upstairs to complete the Mass. It is a humorous and touching anecdote in many ways, but it is also a story that illustrates the somewhat soporific effect of Paul’s preaching.
So, it would seem that Paul did not possess great oratorical. This is somewhat surprising given his astonishing missionary accomplishments, but we must avoid superficiality in understanding the power of God’s Word. The power is in God; the battle is His. We may prefer to listen to skilled speakers, but God can write straight with crooked lines and make a way out of no way. If God could speak through Balaam’s donkey (see Num 22:21), He can speak through us, too.
Avoiding Superficiality – As a priest, I work hard to develop my preaching skills because I think the people of God deserve this. In the end, though, none of us should ignore the fact that God can speak in and through the humblest of people and in the most unlikely circumstances. Paul may not have had the rhetorical skills we think he should have had, but he was blessed with many other gifts. He was a brilliant theologian, had amazing zeal and energy, and was committed enough to walk thousands of miles and endure horrible sufferings so that he could proclaim Christ crucified and risen. Paul was also a natural leader and one of the most fruitful evangelizers the Church has ever known. We tend to prize oratorical skill and force of personality, but there is obviously more to evangelizing effectively than eloquence and charisma.
Our culture—particularly since the advent of television, radio, and the Internet—has come to focus primarily on personal magnetism and the ability to “turn a phrase.” The ability to communicate well is surely a great gift, but there are many others as well. In valuing certain gifts over others, we risk injustice and superficiality. The Church needs all our gifts.
What gifts do you have? God can use them!
** not stuff the RCC made up**
So what did the Catholic Church make up?
BTW, the Latin Rite (Roman Catholic) is only one of 22 rites of Catholicism.
Please educate yourself.
Altruistic from it’s beginnings, Jewdaism always made the bridge for me.
The rules were violated, in numerous ways.
To perform a marriage legally in the states You must be ordained by a recognized church/religion
I have never done so but it is also a measure of my faith and what I do
Returning to the tree to which we are grafted your Church has created it;s own rituals that differ from those of the Hebrew faith, The Olive Tree mentioned into the bible that we are grafted on to
So reflect to me the basis for all of the stuff that are procedures for this and that and when they originated
So under false pretenses, you claimed a "religion" that you now disclaim?
Paul was not a trained speech maker like the Obolas of his day. He just preached Jesus. That sounds like a good thing to me.
Christian, and they did not ask which one and they are the same and non denominational. I attended such a church for years.
You seem to bear the same attitude of the RCC, that somehow God put you here to measure everyone according to your standards
Got news for ya, I answer to Him alone, get over yourself
The Mass originated with Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.
Is there some reason you do not believe the Bible’s story of the Last Supper?
Remember Christ said to the Apostles present at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
Or did Luther take that out of your Bible?
“It was full context. Just like the Bible was full context before Luther tossed out books he didn’t like.”
Give me and example of the books tossed and what sin or salvation did it or not agree with the kept 66 books.
“The “breaking of bread” IS the Mass, PERIOD.”
Sorry, but nowhere in Holy Scripture is communion the
re-crucifixion of Jesus Christ. That was the invention of Satan and his roman church.
You might want to revisit John 6:51-56, The Last Supper (several Gospels), and 1 Cor 11:27 among others.
Not the re-crucifixion, but a re-presentation.
The Catholic Church is not a Satan Church. Where did you get that idea? From a minister who hates Catholics or what?
YES....Do this in remembrance of me.
Participating in the Lord's Supper is a result of salvation, not a means of salvation.
We proclaim His death until He comes.
Context is your friend in understanding the Scriptures.
23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NASB
You embarrass yourself with this false charge. It has been debunked so many times on FR.
For you to continue to advance this falsehood surely is a mortal sin on your part.
Per Roman Catholicism, though not the NT, you are without benefit of Heaven until you can get to a priest, confess, do penance.
That is a terrible way to live.
See my post to salvation on this falsehood. You too have committed a mortal sin by advancing this falsehood.
is not the Last Supper.
Context is your friend in understanding the New Testament.
Do you wear the Scapular and/or the Miraculous Medal?
is not the Last Supper.
lt was Jesus *foretelling* the Last Supper. Skip ahead a few verses to 6:61-62 where He then foretells His Ascension.
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