Paul’s fivefold strategy for world evangelism

Paul’s fivefold strategy for

world evangelism

1. Research: (Acts 17:16-34) Paul acted on strategic information resulting in systematic and rapid expansion of the church. In Athens Paul collected:

(a) Harvest field data about the demographic structure of Jews, Greeks, Stoics and Epicureans. v.18

(b) Harvest force data about Messianic Jews and their proselytes. He also visited heathen temples. v. 17

(c) Spiritual mapping of the idolatrous city. v. 23

(d) Worldview, culture, and scriptures. vs. 22, 28

(e) Redemptive history related to an “Unknown God.” v.23

Thus, Paul’s talk at the Mars Hill forum proved to be a masterpiece of cultural, historical, social and missiological research based, contextualized message. He left Athens only after planting a church. v. 34

2. Spiritual Warfare: Wherever Paul went he was confronted with the strongholds, which he assaulted. He invaded the synagogues and released Jews to build his harvest force. In Cyprus he blinded Elymas the sorcerer. In Ephesus it was the spirit of Diana. In Philippi it was the Python spirit and so on. Plundering the house of the strongman, helped him find the ‘persons of peace’ and churches being planted in their homes. (Acts 13: 6-12, 43; 19: 24-41;16:16-34; Matt. 12: 29,30)

3. Prayer Saturation: Paul prayed in spirit but also ‘informed prayer’ with his mind, relentlessly night and day, often with tears, for his disciples. He solicited prayers for effective doors to be opened. (1 Cor. 14:14,15; Col.1:9;4:3; 1Thes.5:17)

4. Discipleship Chain: Setting up multi-generational discipleship chains was a passion with Paul. He told Timothy, ‘The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also’ (2Tim 2:2).  Paul set up a four-level discipleship chain - Paul being the first,   second (Col. 4:12), ‘faithful men’ (Archippus Col. 4:17) 

Being the third and ‘others’ (Nympha; Col.4:15) being the fourth. Through encouraging and identifying with young leaders; “My brothers and fellow-workers and fellow-soldiers, Paul turned the world upside down. (Phil. 2:25; Acts 17:6)

5. Church Planting Movement (CPM): Paul made it his aim to preach the gospel through signs and wonders, wherever Christ had not been preached before. He reached three continents, from Jerusalem in Asia through Illyricum in Europe, on to Melita in the vicinity of Africa. (2 Tim. 4:2; Rom. 15:19; Acts 28:1-10) 

He and his disciples went from house to house sharing the whole wisdom of God resulting in the whole Mediterranean area being saturated with house churches. Along with his disciples, Paul appointed elders, bishops and deacons in the churches. His ministry resulted in the churches being strengthened in faith and grew in numbers daily. Thus there was both qualitative and quantitative growth and multiplication of the churches a true CPM. (Tit. 1:5; 1Thes.1:8;  Acts 16:5; 20:20,27,28)