Paul divorced? Lydia admired him? Speculations or really true?
If Paul is divorced, was he fit to be a pastor?
Ummmm
I let God pick who He wants as Pastor, Deacon, or elder. Human "rules" are really not relevant. And because of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit...
They do the job assigned to them whether the leadership recognizes them or not.
And Jewish "marriages" had several layers of being "married" or "divorced". All were covered in a ketubah as to how to dissolve the marriage. (We call it fiancé, engaged, or some other word that never existed in Hebrew vocabulary)
And really true about Paul.
His "coffin" was "re-discovered" with age appropriate writing and a piece of purple cloth inside.
About human leadership recognition...
Adoniram Judson was a Deist. Did not believe in any of the denominations that were having a guerrilla war with the other denominations. (Yes, blood was spilled and many people died) However....the Virginia Baptists converted Adoniram and sent him on a missionary journey to India and Burma...he FAILED miserably. His wife and kids died and he had one half believer at the end of 20 years. He is recognized as America's first missionary...churches are named after him.
Then there's George Lyle....
He started multiple churches here....mostly for the slave population. He taught mostly the ten commandments and living a holy lifestyle...he formed many churches. Literally thousands.
Then the Colonists decided they did not like him during the Revolutionary War....(George wasn't political but....funny how people make everything about politics isn't it?).
So they sought to enslave George Lyle and his wife and kids. George had never been a slave. He was born free. His wife was once a slave but had been freed. (Colonists were winning and British retreating)
So George needed to get a ride with the British and got a ride to Jamaica.(maybe Hati) Where he once again began making converts,disciples and churches....
Making George America's first true Missionary....despite the lack of hype.
So...using a better metric...Who really was America's first missionary? George or Adoniram?