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Why You Need to Encourage Your Church to See Paul, Apostle of Christ

See Paul, Apostle of Christ

The Apostle Paul has been lauded as the most important early convert to following Christ and the first missionary to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people. But he has also been accused of making “Christianity the religion of Paul, not of Christ” by distinguished scholars such as Kierkegaard. Who is this man of controversy?

Just in time for Easter 2018, Sony Pictures’ film. Paul, Apostle of Christ will shed light on who the Apostle Paul was–and what his role in the early church really was. (Release date is March 23, 2018.)

Why a movie about the Apostle Paul? Why now?

T.J. Berden, the producer of Paul, Apostle of Christ, explains, “Paul went from being the biggest persecutor of Christians to becoming the leader of a church community…I think the modern way of looking at people is that once you do something, that really defines your life. And I think Paul helps us show that no one is beyond God’s grace. That there’s always a chance.”

What Is the Movie Paul, Apostle of Christ About?

The story takes place at the end of Paul’s life…he’s in prison in Rome. He’s alone and in the dark. Paul, Apostle of Christ is the story of two men. Luke, as a friend and physician, risks his life every time he ventures into the city of Rome to visit Paul, who is held captive in Nero’s darkest, bleakest prison cell. Before Paul’s death sentence can be enacted, Luke resolves to write another book, one that details the beginnings of “The Way” and the birth of what will come to be known as the church. But Nero is determined to rid Rome of Christians, and does not flinch from executing them in the grisliest ways possible.

Bound in chains, Paul’s struggle is internal. He has survived so much—floggings, shipwreck, starvation, stoning, hunger and thirst, cold and exposure—yet as he waits for his appointment with death, he is haunted by the shadows of his past misdeeds. Alone in the dark, he wonders if he has been forgotten . . . and if he has the strength to finish well.

Two men struggle against a determined emperor and the frailties of the human spirit in order to bequeath the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Paul and Luke together write the Book of Acts.

3 Strong Reasons to Encourage Your Church to See Paul, Apostle of Christ

No one is beyond God’s grace! There’s always a chance. For life change. For turning around. For coming to Christ.

That’s what captured producer David Zelon’s imagination for makingPaul, Apostle of Christ. He says, “The notion that someone could make a radical change in their life. That could go from being a thug to being one of the most important people in religious history intrigued me.”

For these three strong reasons, take your church to see Paul, Apostle of Christ.

1. See Paul, Apostle of Christ to give your church a strong dose of courage.

The movie will challenge your church to take another look at this Jesus whom Paul lived for and preached about. And it will give them courage to leave everything on the playing field for Jesus.

Actor James Faulkner who playsthe Apostle Paul in the movie, says, “This is Paul’s last few moments to convey the message of hope and love and forgiveness to the community and that they must hold fast to the faith no matter what dangers they face. I was amazed at the survival of Christianity rests with just a couple people.

2. See Paul, Apostle of Christ to give your church a strong dose of confidence.

Imagine a world once again transformed by people living boldly for Jesus! Paul’s confidence in the light of adversity will strengthen Christians’ hearts. Rich Peluso, Executive Vice President of Affirm Films (a Sony company), says of Paul: “This old beaten, worn-down old man who had left everything on the playing field for Jesus…to see this frail old man and think that the emperor of the largest kingdom in the world was fearful of this broken man shows the power of Christ through his followers–through his believers.”

When we stop to contextualize who Paul was in the days of the early church compared to who he would be today, Producer T.J. Berden says it most powerfully about Paul’s transformation from persecutor to preacher: “I thought do we really think that that’s possible today–that a person can change? I think the modern way of looking at people is that like once you do something, that really defines your life. And I think Paul helps us show that no one is beyond God’s grace. That there’s always a chance.”

3. See Paul, Apostle of Christ to give your church a strong dose of hope.

The movie will also encourage every Christian to see that God can use everyday people like them–just as He used everyday people like Paul.

Jim Caviezel plays the physician Luke. “This film to me is one that goes out to the world,” Caviezel says. “It goes out to this is what these guys were. And the people that are going to watch it are going to say, ‘wow! They’re a sinner like me.’ “

Eric Groth, Executive Producer of the film expresses that “we have a tendency to put people like that on a pedestal. And there almost comes this disconnect like I’m not as holy as they are. You know, God set them apart in a unique way, in a special way. It’s not the same as me. But the reality is they were just like us. They weren’t born with halos around their head.”

Church, don’t miss this powerful movie that will strengthen your courage, confidence, and hope.

Sign up today for the free simulcast event, available from March 4-25, 2018. Learn about the ministry of Paul with David Nasser, Dr. Monica Brennan, Dr. Ed Hindson, and Dr. Michael Easley. Jim Caviezel—who stars as Luke in AFFIRM Films’ upcoming film PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST—will make a guest appearance. Bring your entire church together for a theological discussion and exclusive viewing of scenes from the upcoming PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST motion picture.

Sign up for the free simulcast here.