Just how firm was Paul's faith in his message? It was firm enough to stand against almost constant persecution, mostly by religious leaders: the Jewish Pharisees, the Sanhedrin, the priests and the rabbis.
The secular Greeks did not attack him for his message in Athens, they enjoyed the debate, even though they only considered his arguments sophomoric and not very convincing.
It was after that experience that Paul proclaimed that he would never preach anything but Christ crucified, and he never did.
Here are some of the circumstances recorded in Acts in which Paul was persecuted. Through them all, he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 9:23 – The Jews conspired to kill him. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel..
Acts 13:45 & 50 – The jealous Jewish leaders stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 14:5 –The Jews plot with some gentiles to stone Paul. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 14: 19 – Jews from Antioch stoned Paul and believed him dead. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 16:22-24 – Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 17:13 – Jewish leaders from Thessalonica agitate the crowds against Paul. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 18:6 – The Jewish leaders opposed Paul and became abusive. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 18:12 – Paul was taken to court. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 19:8-9 – Paul maligned by the Jewish leaders. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 19:23-40 – A riot ensues over Paul’s ministry. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 20:3 – The Jewish leaders made a plot against Paul. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 21:10-14 – A Prophet predicts Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem.Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 21:27 – Jewish leaders in Jerusalem stirred up the crowd, which seized Paul.Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 22:23 –The Roman centurion arrested Paul.Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 22:30-23:8 – Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin.Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 23:12-15 – The Jewish leaders formed a conspiracy to kill Paul. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 23:23-35 – Paul was escorted to Antipatris, where detained him while he awaited trial. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 24:1-21 – Paul was taken by the high priest, Ananias to Felix to stand trial. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 24:22 – Paul was kept in prison by Felix. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 25:1-12 – Paul is tried by Festus. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 25:23-26:27 – Paul testifies before King Agrippa (almost persuading him to become a Christian). Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 27:1-12 – Paul kept prisoner on a ship. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 27:13-26 – Paul is allowed to get help from friends, but then must continue to be held prisoner on the ship. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 27:42-44 – Paul is threatened with death. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 28:11-16 Paul is kept under house arrest. Yet he remained steadfast in his proclamation of the gospel and nothing else but the gospel.
Acts 28:17-31 Paul is kept under Roman guard, but allowed to preach his message: the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some "Christians," some pastors and some theologians think the gospel is enhanced by their deep insights into human psychology and spirituality. Others think the preaching of the gospel boring, or at least secondary to what "the Holy Spirit has led them to preach today."
The idea of "just preaching the gospel" seems monotonous to them. So, they embark on forays into social evils and political happenings.
Yet Paul said, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:2).
I guess he did not find it boring at all...sometimes dangerous, but never boring.
I wonder. Could we ever stay as stuck on the gospel as Paul did?
We need to realize the truth of the line from the hymn: "I love to tell the story, for those who love it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest."
The gospel boring? You had better think that one over again.
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