I’m studying the Book of Acts and a number of Pauline Epistles this semester and I came upon a little fact about Paul and his work which floored me when I first realized it.
It’s insanely fascinating that Luke, the author of Acts, spends only 16 verses (Acts 9:19-30; 11:25-26, 30; 12:25) describing the first 14 years of Paul’s work in ministry after his conversion and then spends 16 chapters detailing the next 10 years of his life starting with the first missionary journey!
Are you kidding me?!?
I was astounded that I had never noticed this.
Essentially, one could read this most simply as this: The first 14 years of ministry that Paul did after his conversion, although formative and necessary, were not as nearly important (especially to the writer, Luke) as years 15-25 and that God, through His infinite wisdom, was preparing Paul in the first 14 years for even greater things.
I wonder if Paul knew what was up during those first 14.
I’ve been a Christ-follower my entire life but didn’t take it seriously until right after my senior year in High School and into College. I didn’t really start doing any ministry seriously until then either, which means that I’m technically still within that 14 year period.
(You can do the math a number of different ways and a little of this depends on your theological bend, but take it at face value and don’t think too hard.)
This means, of course, if I were to take Paul’s life as a model to be followed (or to consider God’s model for Paul’s life and work as significantly similar to mine) then my best and most important work has yet to come and that God is preparing me for even greater things.
*Floored.*
I don’t pretend to have the awesomesauce that Paul does but it’s just something that captured my attention and made me sit and think for more than just a little while.
Only God knows, ultimately, what His plans are for me and it could be shorter or longer than that of Pauls’.
Another lesson on patience, right?
So how are you being prepared by God? Or, what’s your “first missionary journey”?
Good question (and thanks for sharing your seminary smarts)
I definitely feel like I’m in the preparation stage. I haven’t been given clear direction on my first mission, but I’m learning a lot about ministry, humility and human imperfection.
At the same time I don’t know that I have fourteen years. I don’t even know if I’ll be around next week, so I do feel a sense of urgency to fulfill the great commission now and not wait around hoping for a special revelation.
I wonder if Paul knew he would have that long to prepare. Probably not.
Great discussion topic.
Maybe the first 14 years are described so quickly because the author, Luke, didn’t actually witness those years, but the following 10 he was following Paul around on the journeys.
that is a great point!
I think that is likely true in part. But if you read the progression, Paul is the assistant at the beginning of the story and then Barnabas is the assistant and then Barnabas is out of the story. So I think the 14 years is about preparation, not just ministry that was unrecorded.
If you look at some others, then Paul is even on the short side. Moses was 80. Noah 500. Jesus was 30 (an clearly understood his role from at least the time he was 12 (so he had about 18 years).
There are some that are fairly young, Samuel is one example. But they seem to be the exception more than the rule. I am quickly moving to 40 and have to say I am not anywhere close to where I want to be.
Side story: I was reading an article the other day about the issues of younger pastors and lay people not going to SBC annual meetings. The author of the article said one of the rays of hope was that some younger pastors had been invited to speak. Andy Stanley was specifically mentioned as being one of those younger pastors that was invited to speak at the Pastor’s conference. Andy is 52. But still considered one of the younger pastors in SBC, at least according to this person (he was a higher up in SBC life.) My guess is that he just did realize that Andy is as old as he is. He certainly looks fairly young.
Wow. Nice catch – I’d never really noticed that.
I had to stop and think, but I ended up at about 16 years now for doing ministry. Wow. Thats a long time.
I don’t feel prepared for what’s next. But part of me doesn’t want to be prepared. I feel more comfortable with naievity and an honest belief that God can pull it off – whatever *it* is that He’s asking me to do.
I do think that no matter how long we’ve been following Christ/involved with ministry, each previous experience was a preparation step or rest for what we’re about to do with God’s help.
How do we know when the shift occurs? Where our preparation ends and our “important” ministry begins?
Is there an importance shift or would it be more like a coming-of-age shift – where we’re finally growing into the ministry God designed us for?
I think it’s interesting, from a strictly human perspective, that many “great” people (composers, artists, inventors, scientists, etc) didn’t achieve their greatest and most significant accomplishments until their later years…even into their 70s and 80s. That dynamic should challenge us to always consider that the future can hold many adventures and achievements that will honor God as we continue to be faithful. No matter where I find myself in the journey, it is always a preparation for something that still lies ahead…and…ultimately, life is a rehearsal for eternity. I guess we should be spending as much time as possible in praise and bringing glory to our God!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I wonder how many people would leave the ministry if they had 14 years of prep time.
BTW, I’m about to start a ministry a mere 23 years after I heard God tell me that He wanted me to do it when He told me.
Paul