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Chapter 42—Paul’s Years of Ministry
Paul was an unwearied worker. He traveled constantly from
place to place, sometimes through inhospitable regions, sometimes
on the water, through storm and tempest. He allowed nothing to
hinder him from doing his work. He was the servant of God and
must carry out His will. By word of mouth and by letter he bore a
message that ever since has brought help and strength to the church
of God. To us, living at the close of this earth’s history, the message
that he bore speaks plainly of the dangers that will threaten the
church, and of the false doctrines that the people of God will have
to meet.
From country to country and from city to city Paul went, preach-
ing of Christ and establishing churches. Wherever he could find
a hearing, he labored to counterwork error and to turn the feet of
men and women into the path of right. Those who by his labors
in any place were led to accept Christ, he organized into a church.
No matter how few in number they might be, this was done. And
Paul did not forget the churches thus established. However small a
church might be, it was the object of his care and interest.
Paul’s calling demanded of him service of varied kinds—
working with his hands to earn his living, establishing churches,
writing letters to the churches already established. Yet in the midst
of these varied labors he declared, “This one thing I do.” (
Philippians
[311]
3:13
.) One aim he kept steadfastly before him in all his work—to
be faithful to Christ, who, when he was blaspheming His name and
using every means in his power to make others blaspheme it, had
revealed Himself to him. The one great purpose of his life was to
serve and honor Him whose name had once filled him with contempt.
His one desire was to win souls to the Saviour. Jew and Gentile
might oppose and persecute him, but nothing could turn him from
his purpose.
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