Paul - Skilled and Educated

 

Bible character study - Paul

Paul - Skilled and educated

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 a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. [Phillipians 3:4-5]

When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. 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 today. [Acts 22:2-3]

Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. [Acts18:3]

 Paul - zeal and passion

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. [Acts 22:3]

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. [1corinthians 15:10]

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself [His] own special people, zealous for good works. [Titus 2:14]

Paul - Conversion

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."[Acts 9:3-6]

 

The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied. The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [Acts 9:10-11]

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight.[Acts 9:17-18]

 Paul - His call and commissioning

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. [Acts 13:2-3]

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."[Acts 9:15-16]

So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. [Acts 9:28]

Paul - submission to leadership

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. [Acts 15:4]

I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.[Galatians 2:2]

 Paul - knowledge in love

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. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. [1Corinthians 9:20-23]

So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge... Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.[1Corinthians 8:13]

 Paul - Grace revelation

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? [Romans 6:1-2]

 

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. [1corinthians 15:10]

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God [Titus 2:11]