Right from conversion, there had been a divine mandate on Paul's life but he still needed to submit himself to the learning of Christ. And at the set time, his commissioning came right in the place of service.
Beloved, that you saw a vision of yourself doing ministry does not mean it is time to launch out. Go and submit yourself to build character and capacity. When it is time to start, you, your pastor and the brethren will know it clearly.
One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."
So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. #Paul
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The majority of what the body of Christ knows about grace is as a result of Paul's revelation. He expounded on the difference between law and grace as revealed by the spirit. We are saved by grace devoid of works.
He also showed what a life of grace is; continuously receiving grace to do more both in terms of work (job, career) and living right. We are saved by grace and we live by grace.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Knowledge puffs up and often, knowledgeable persons repel people. Paul used love to balance his knowledge to great effects. He was all things to all people so he could connect with them.
Beloved, your knowledge must be mixed with love to produce result, talking above people never works. Come down to their level.
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one 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 ... so as to win those not having the law.
We learn from Paul the right perspective to Christian leadership. Jesus is the head and we are all his body thus every Christian must have someone that can call him/her to order. Even though he received his revelation directly from heaven..
.. Paul still submitted it to the apostles.
And Peter in his letter conferred legitimacy on Paul's epistle. Beloved, you need a pastor /father/mentor that can correct you, you are not the Lord Jesus.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them.
Paul had a most dramatic conversion experience, it was the Lord Jesus himself appearing to him. He repented in a hurry. But God still used a man to complete the work.
Beloved, God loves even the most hardened of sinners and he needs you to reach out to them.
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied..
.. "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Pre and post salvation, Paul was consistent in his zeal and passion for whatever he did. He was not given to half measures. Whether it was in persecuting the church or spreading the gospel, he gave his all and the result is there for all to see.
Beloved, give your whole heart to what you are doing, it is the least you can do to honour God.
Then Paul said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you
Saul as he was initially called, was an urbane, upwardly mobile guy, probably would have been a PhD holder in our contemporary world. He was different from majority of the disciples. Some might even call him over-qualified (lawyer, teacher, builder).
Beloved, your qualifications does not scare God, in fact he wants to use you with them as there are places only that qualification can help gain access to for the gospel. Be the best you can be.
though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin ..