Paul, the Apostle of Christ has captivated cinema audiences in the USA and the UK.It is now available for purchase on Blu-Ray Combo Pack and Digital. Buy Now. American minister, Rev Michael Layne shares his thoughts on the film.
After viewing the new movie, Paul, Apostle of Christ, I was moved by not only the scenes but, the message that came to life. The writer of this film, Andrew Hyatt, says a lot of Bible study went into the making of the film and it appears that is correct.
In PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST, Luke risks his life to visit Paul, who is held captive in a Roman prison under Nero’s rule. Together, they struggle against a determined emperor and the frailties of the human spirit in order to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and spread their message to the world. Seasoned actor, James Faulkner plays Paul and we get a very good glimpse of this Apostle who began his journey as Saul who was a great persecutor of the Church.
Here’s an interesting point about the name Saul… it means large. Saul becomes Paul and the name Paul means small. We see the need for humanity to become small in God’s eyes to do His work. John the Baptist made it clear in John 3:30 that “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Saul had to decrease to Paul to become the Apostle of Christ and look at the work he accomplished.
The actor who portrayed Jesus Christ in the movie “The Passion of the Christ,” (2004) Jim Caviezel plays Luke the physician who visits Paul in prison which gives us an opportunity to ask ourselves, “Would we visit someone who is in prison?”
Paul wrote much of the New Testament and in his letters to the churches, he gives some clear directives as to how things should be. As we read those letters in today’s setting, are we paying attention to what he is saying? After all, the Bible is alive with how humanity should live and how that humanity in the Church should strive to live for Christ.
When watching this movie I hope you will take it personally. In other words, Paul is talking to each of us because what you will see and hear correlates with the Bible. Go and see this movie. These actors have done a great job in portraying the people of that era and bringing it forward to the 21st Century has been no small endeavor.
Here’s a video that I think you will find helpful. It features the producers, writer and actors.
https://youtu.be/-qyulENuDQg
This article was written by Dr Michael Layne who serves as an Archbishop in the Lutheran Orthodox Church and is pastor of FaithPoints Lutheran Church in Greensburg, IN.
