Men and Women of the Bible
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proclaimed the things that had been revealed to him. He was able to
speak with power and authority, for he frequently received instruction
from God in vision.—
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1084
.
Good Reasoning Powers—He could reason with extraordinary
clearness, and by his withering sarcasm could place an opponent in no
enviable light ... An eloquent speaker and a severe critic, Paul, with his
stern purpose and undaunted courage, possessed the very qualifications
needed in the early church.—
The Acts of the Apostles, 124
.
His Life an Example—Paul carried with him the atmosphere
of heaven. All who associated with him felt the influence of his
union with Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified the truth
he proclaimed, gave convincing power to his preaching. Here lies
the power of the truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a
holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor
of Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke
only opposition; but a godly example has a power that it is impossible
wholly to resist.—
Gospel Workers, 59
.
Sensible, Intelligent Appeals—His toil-worn hands, as he pre-
sented them before the people, bore testimony that he was not charge-
able to any man for his support. They detracted nothing, he deemed,
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from the force of his pathetic appeals, sensible, intelligent, and elo-
quent beyond those of any other man who had acted a part in the
Christian ministry.—
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1064
.
Step-by-Step Approach—Paul did not approach the Jews in such
a way as to arouse their prejudices. He did not at first tell them that
they must believe in Jesus of Nazareth; but dwelt upon the prophecies
that spoke of Christ, His mission and His work. Step by step he led
his hearers on, showing the importance of honoring the law of God.
He gave due honor to the ceremonial law, showing that it was Christ
who instituted the Jewish economy and the sacrificial service. Then he
brought them down to the first advent of the Redeemer, and showed
that in the life and death of Christ every specification of the sacrificial
service had been fulfilled.
The Gentiles, Paul approached by exalting Christ, and then present-
ing the binding claims of the law. He showed how the light reflected by
the cross of Calvary gave significance and glory to the whole Jewish
economy.