A HeartCry conference was recently held in North India with the theme, “The Life and Doctrine of the Apostle Paul.” Many times in Scripture the Apostle Paul exhorted believers in ways such as, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Consider some of the following passages:
I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. (1 Corinthians 4:14-16)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. (Philippians 3:14-17)
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)
…knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit… (1 Thessalonians 1:4-6)
…nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9)
Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! (2 Timothy 3:10-11)
In last month’s conference, the life of the Apostle Paul was covered in order to give ministers a practical example to aim for, and the doctrine of the Apostle Paul was surveyed in order to show which doctrines in the Bible should receive our greatest attention. Below is the list of messages given, and the audio is available online.
- Paul’s Background & Conversion
- Paul’s Life & Character, Part 1: Holiness, Purity & Conscience
- Paul’s Life & Character, Part 2: Love, Compassion, Sacrifice, Labor & Self-Denial
- Paul’s Life & Character, Part 3: Suffering, Faithfulness & Endurance
- Paul’s Life & Character, Part 4: Faithfulness, Endurance, Humility & Meekness
- Paul’s Life & Character, Part 5: Gentleness, Meekness, Boldness & Courage
- Paul’s Motives & Goals, Part 1: Glory of God, Please God, Fear of God & Love of Christ
- Paul’s Motives & Goals, Part 2: Salvation of Sinners & Purity/Unity of the Church
- Paul’s Main Doctrinal Themes, Part 1: God, Evil, Sin & Christ
- Paul’s Main Doctrinal Themes, Part 2: Cross, Union with Christ, New Creation, Church, Kingdom of God & Second Coming