Leading Change: Paul, Change, and the Mission

We find a great model of adaptability while holding fast to the core in the Apostle Paul. His life story is one of significant change, starting out as a fierce opponent to the good news and becoming one of its strongest advancers. He went from a Pharisee who scrupulously kept the Law and the traditions of the elders to someone who instructed Gentiles not to get circumcised (Gal. 5:3-4) and to follow their conscience with regard to the Sabbath (Rom. 14:5-6; Col. 2:16).

At the same time, Paul clearly did not compromise on the supremacy of God the Father or the Lordship of Jesus Christ (e.g., 1 Cor. 8:6). He never compromised on the ethic of loving your neighbor as yourself (e.g., Rom. 13:9). He never compromised on the fundamentals on how this ethic plays out in our lives (e.g, 1 Cor. 6:9-10).

Paul's Method of Evangelism: Adapting without Compromising

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul articulates his method of evangelism:

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel… 1 Cor. 9:19-23

Here, Paul is not endorsing a form of moral relativism or suggesting that he is compromising core beliefs. Instead, he highlights the necessity of understanding and empathizing with various cultural and individual contexts to communicate the gospel message effectively. By “becoming all things to all people,” Paul is making the good news accessible and understandable, removing cultural barriers, and focusing on the universality of Christ’s message.

Cultural and Contextual Challenges: The Antioch Debate

At Antioch, this philosophy led to a heated debate within the church. Some from James in Jerusalem wanted the Jews at Antioch to separate themselves from Gentiles to eat and have the Lord’s Supper separately (Gal. 2:11-13). For Paul, such scrupulous Law- and tradition-keeping had to take second seat to the more fundamental fact that Gentiles were full participants in the Church. Their salvation was more important than “works of Law” like the purity rules and holiness codes of Leviticus as his opponents understood them.

Guidance on Personal Convictions: Unity over Division

Similarly, in Romans 14 Paul provided guidance on disagreements over convictions like these within the Christian community:

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters... Each one should be fully convinced in their own mind... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
Romans 14:1, 5, 22

Paul addresses issues like food laws and the observance of the Jewish Sabbath and other Jewish days. These were contentious in certain parts of the early Christian community. His counsel is clear. While some practices and beliefs may differ among believers, what is paramount is the shared faith in Christ. He advocates for mutual respect and tolerance in areas of personal conviction, emphasizing unity over division in such matters.

Unchanging Core Ethical Principles

However, this adaptability certainly did not mean that Paul compromised on core ethical beliefs. While he promoted understanding and empathy in the areas he considered to be on the margins, he remained steadfast in areas he perceives as universal moral principles, such as sexual ethics. In various epistles, Paul elucidates on sexual immorality, emphasizing its incongruence with Christian living. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, he advises believers to "flee from sexual immorality," reinforcing the idea that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

This tension in Paul’s writings—adapting to context while holding onto core beliefs—reflects the larger Christian doctrine of being “in the world but not of the world.” It recognizes the need for Christians to engage with diverse cultural, societal, and individual contexts, but without compromising the central tenets of our faith.

Navigating Change without Compromising Faith

There are many aspects to Christian faith and practice that cannot and must not change. However, change in general is constant and inevitable. Paul modeled for us how to change with context, circumstances, and individual convictions without compromising on the core beliefs and ethics of the faith. He did this because of his commitment to the Great Commission, to see the good news spread through all the world to all peoples.