Apostle Paul

[Bjornke]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am curious what you guys know and think about the Apostle Paul and his early persecution of the church and how we should go about teaching this. I can't even imagine the reaction of the other Apostles when Saul now called Paul was brought forward to them wanting to serve Christ when before he was against Christ.

Thanks,

Brandon

 

[Resha Caner]

I am curious what you guys know and think about the Apostle Paul and his early persecution of the church and how we should go about teaching this. I can't even imagine the reaction of the other Apostles when Saul now called Paul was brought forward to them wanting to serve Christ when before he was against Christ.

I'm not aware of anything beyond what is said in Acts, and yes it seems the Apostles were skeptical in the beginning. It would be a hard thing to overcome, but I find it encouraging and a demonstration of the power of the Gospel that it happened.

 

[Bjornke]

I'm not aware of anything beyond what is said in Acts, and yes it seems the Apostles were skeptical in the beginning. It would be a hard thing to overcome, but I find it encouraging and a demonstration of the power of the Gospel that it happened.

Amen! I have always thought that it was a great showing of God's love and salvation and forgiveness even for those who persecuted Him directly in heinous ways. I also think it shows how God chooses those with a "limp" or are weak in some area. Moses couldn't speak, Paul was a murderer ( not by direct hand ) and was considered to be an "enemy" by the early church.

I think it goes to show that God can do anything and take someone who you'd never expect to be mighty and make them mighty!

 

[nChrist]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am curious what you guys know and think about the Apostle Paul and his early persecution of the church and how we should go about teaching this. I can't even imagine the reaction of the other Apostles when Saul now called Paul was brought forward to them wanting to serve Christ when before he was against Christ.

Thanks,

Brandon

Tell the raw truth, just like the Apostle Paul did. The rest can be explained by Paul's acceptance of Christ, The power of God, and the working of the Holy Spirit in and through Paul.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 KJV And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

[Gentlemantech48]

Yes, Paul is an example for all of us, not necessarily for ourselves but how we react to those who persecute Christianity. God knew Paul's heart and He knew that Paul was the kind of man who would put everything he had into what he believed as true. Once Jesus had appeared to him, blinded him, and then restored his sight, Paul turned 180 degrees and started using the same energy to promote Christianity that he had used to kill Christians. He thought he was doing the right thing when he killed Christians. When God showed him that it was wrong he repented.

Oh God, that more people who persecute Christians would have such a heart that they would put the same energy into promoting Christianity!!!

 

[Bjornke]

Thank you all for posting replies! It greatly appreciated and helps!

 

[MWood]

Have you ever considered that the Apostle Paul is the last person on Earth to see Jesus in His Glorified Body???

 

[JustAsIam77]

Paul's conversion was instant, in the blinking of an eye he was enlightened and persevered in his faith in Christ as his Savior in spite of great torment until the end of his life.

His writings have had a great impact on my exegesis of scripture.

"So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also".
Rom 1:15

And what a glorious gospel he preached!

 

[rockytopva]

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: - Acts 9:15


The Apostle Paul... Love him or hate him... He was hand picked by the Lord Jesus Christ to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles!

 

[Toynbee]

Amen!

 

[miamited]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am curious what you guys know and think about the Apostle Paul and his early persecution of the church and how we should go about teaching this. I can't even imagine the reaction of the other Apostles when Saul now called Paul was brought forward to them wanting to serve Christ when before he was against Christ.

Thanks,

Brandon

Hi Brandon,

I'm generally most comfortable with the truth. For me, the teaching to others of the life of Paul is a clear sign of God's desire and ability to forgive even the most grievous sinner. God took a man who was hell bent on persecuting and destroying the early 'church' and turned that man into a born again believer, who outside of His Son, was given the greatest responsibility of all the 12 to teach others the truth. Praise God!!

Paul is also a great example to the 'church' of how someone can think they are serving God in a most righteous way...and be wrong.

God bless you.
IN Christ, Ted

 

[ananda]

I cannot say!

 

[peterlindner]

The Good News tests your understanding of the first 39 books.
Why did Benjamin have multiple jackets when Christ said to only have one?
What false gift did Benjamin carry? How about Ehud?
Saul received a supernatural gift from God. It was soothed with music. Any Holy Rollers recognize this?
This same Saul didn't understand the real 7 days (timing) of Samuel.
God killeth, and God raiseth up from the dead.
God sends a good spirit and a spirit of confusion (Saul).
Just because a certain spirit praised God, doesn't mean it was the good spirit. Even satan appears before God (book of Job) as commanded.

 

[Bjornke]

Hi Brandon,

I'm generally most comfortable with the truth. For me, the teaching to others of the life of Paul is a clear sign of God's desire and ability to forgive even the most grievous sinner. God took a man who was hell bent on persecuting and destroying the early 'church' and turned that man into a born again believer, who outside of His Son, was given the greatest responsibility of all the 12 to teach others the truth. Praise God!!

Paul is also a great example to the 'church' of how someone can think they are serving God in a most righteous way...and be wrong.

God bless you.
IN Christ, Ted

Wow thank you ted. I agree with your post, and I find myself always in awe of what God did that day!