Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, Acts 13:9
This verse illustrates one of the most amazing and wonderful works of God in all of history. Saul, the blasphemer, becoming Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles marked a distinct change in God’s dealings with man. In considering Paul’s own statements as recorded in his epistles and by Luke in the book of Acts we will learn more about this marvelous truth.
An Hebrew of the Hebrews
In order to fully appreciate the change that took place in his life, we must understand who Saul was. Paul gave a glimpse into his background in a message he preached to the Jews in Jerusalem.
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. Acts 22:1-3
In addition to reiterating his Jewish heritage, Paul gives some specific information about that heritage. Notice that he was from Tarsus in Cilicia and that he was brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel.
The reference to Gamaliel tells us about Saul’s education.
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; Acts 5:34
Being brought up at the feet of Gamaliel would be the equivalent of a Harvard Law School degree in our culture. Saul had been trained by the finest legal minds of his time in the finest tradition of the Law of Moses.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. Acts 6:8,9
Not only did Saul have the finest training, but he also was in the right place at the right time to greatly influence events in early Acts. Notice that some of the people who were opposing Steven and the rest of the little flock in Israel were from Cilicia. This is the home province of Saul. This intimate involvement of Saul in the events of early Acts is further seen in Steven’s martyrdom.
And cast him [Steven] out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. Acts 7:58-8:1a
Paul explains his impeccable Jewish heritage and zeal to the Body of Christ in his letter to the Philippians.
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:4-6
Even with a proper background and timing, success can only come with hard, dedicated effort. This element was not a problem for Saul. He was a classic overachiever and approached his task with great zeal.
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:4-6
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Galatians 1:13,14
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Acts 26:9-11
No one could ever have accused Saul of not being wholly committed to his work. He was an important man in the Jew’s religion and his great zeal made him the leader of the persecution of the little flock in Israel.
Saving the Chief of Sinners
It was into Saul’s prosperous, powerful life that God intervened. God’s power and purpose fell upon Saul of Tarsus and changed the destiny of his life, the world, and the entire universe forever. Luke records Paul’s description of that event in the book of Acts.
At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Acts 26:13-15
God did not intervene in Saul’s life just to save him from Hell. He had a much larger purpose. Jesus Christ went on to reveal that purpose to Paul on the road to Damascus.
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:16-18
God saved Saul so that He could send him out to the nations with a message of forgiveness and inheritance. As the recipient and dispenser of that message Paul became the Apostle of the Gentiles and the masterbuilder of the Body of Christ.
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Romans 11:13
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. I Corinthians 3:10
In Paul’s new role as the Apostle of the Gentiles he was privileged to receive and dispense a brand new body of truth that had never before been revealed to man, the revelation of the mystery.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Ephesians 3:1-9
Saul’s salvation and ministry mark a radical change, not only in his life, but in God’s dealings with all men. Saul serves as a pattern for all that would believe in the Age of Grace. Without the mystery message committed to and through him there would be no Dispensation of the Grace of God.
Turning the World Upside Down
Once Paul had received his history making commission and message from Christ, he set about to carry out God’s purpose. His entire life after his salvation was dedicated to his new purpose. Paul applied the same zeal to the propagation of the Gospel that he had once applied to the persecution of the Kingdom Church. His hearts desire became the propagation of God’s message of grace.
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:15-17
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. II Timothy 2:8-12
The man that had once worked zealously to thwart God’s purpose was now working just as zealously to carry out God’s purpose. This newfound direction of Paul’s zeal brought him much suffering and tribulation.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. II Corinthians 11:23-28
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. II Timothy 3:10-12
In spite of all the tribulation that Paul suffered in his service for Christ, he as not deterred from his mission.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. II Corinthians 12:7-10
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:6-8
Paul looked at his sufferings as just another opportunity to put the grace of God into action. Because of this he led a victorious life. Paul’s desires, hopes, and dreams were completely transformed by his salvation and commission to the work of the ministry. From that point on he committed his life to keeping the faith that was delivered to him.
Follow Me As I Follow Christ
As the Apostle of the Gentiles and dispenser of the mystery Paul stands as the pattern that we should follow in our walk as believers.
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. I Corinthians 4:15-17
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. I Corinthians 11:1
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Philippians 3:17
Believers in the Age of Grace are to follow Paul as our pattern. The question that we should be asking today is not, “What would Jesus do”? It is, “What would Paul do”? Paul serves as our pattern in at least two ways.
Paul serves as our pattern for doctrine. It is in his epistles alone that we find the mystery truth concerning the Church, the Body of Christ. Paul’s epistles are the final authority on doctrine in the Age of Grace.
Paul also serves as our pattern for ministry. In his transformed life we see a shining example of what God’s grace can do. Fighting the good fight of faith, as Paul did, should be the goal of every believer in the Age of Grace.
We must add that none of what we have written in any way is for the purpose of elevating Paul. All that Paul did was for the purpose of elevating Christ. Paul is not our Savior, but he does reveal to us the glorious truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Paul is not our foundation, but he did lay the foundation, Jesus Christ. Paul is not our head but he does show us how to properly follow our head, Jesus Christ.
Saul, Who Is Called Paul
Much of the disagreement and division that exists in the Body of Christ today could be eliminated if believers would simply follow the admonition of Paul.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9
Peace and unity in the Body of Christ can only come when we recognize Paul’s position as our Apostle and masterbuilder of the Body of Christ. We must follow Paul for our pattern of salvation and service if we are to be workmen approved of God.