Who was Paul? We all know the story about Saul and His transformation into The Apostil Paul, but who was He really? Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Paul was a product of the Jewish diaspora and was born in the Cilician city of Tarsus in Asia Minor; unlike all the other earliest followers of Christianity, he was not a native of Palestine. As a citizen of Tarsus he was also officially a citizen of Rome. Raised in Greek culture and fluent in Greek. He was, however, also a member of the Pharisees, a zealous group of Jews that focused rigorously on Jewish Law and the strict adherence to that law. Many ministers say the gifts of the spirit were meant only for the early church and specifically for only the Jews. But as you see here, the mission of the Apostil Paul was to reach out to the gentile race. So the Idea that spiritual gifts were only meant for the Jews is a mistake. Their concept of who Paul was is partly mistaken. Paul taught the spiritual {things} gifts to the gentiles because the Jews rejected the word of God. The gentiles were then, as we are today, more receptive to change and enlightenment. We desire the things of God. The biggest problem today, is that many ministers have given up on the concept of being able to receive any gifts from God. As they believe this, therefore they teach this and many others fall into the same unbelief, which to me is a shame, that the gifts of God are unused in times of great distress and tribulations. The gifts of the spirit are free to all men, Jew or gentile, according to their faith, that these things are readily available, to all who believe. If we are to believe that spiritual gifts are no longer offered, {remember these are of the spirit} does that also mean that the Armour of God {which is Spiritual in Nature} is also unavailable? Many are teaching that we no longer can talk to God or receive a reply; gifts are being labeled as a thing of the past. If then what they are teaching is true, then how can we even pray to God, thru, Jesus, and expect our prayers to be answered. Doesn’t communication, even in the natural world, take place only where two or more people are involved? That which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit. Read the following closely, Author 1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,{who was Paul teaching?}
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Rom 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, a teacher of the gentiles in faith and verity.
2Ti 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles.
Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you {the jews}: but seeing ye {the Jews} put it {the Gospel} from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the gentiles {gentiles are people, NOT of Jewish heritage}. Act 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the gentiles. The Gospel of Jesus Christ will never be forced upon any one with the right of choice, henceforth, when one people or town refuses Christ, we are to shake the dust from the souls of our feet as a testimony against them and proceed to someone else. The blood {responsibility} becomes a show upon them as a freedom of choice that they have made. Here we see Paul, making it clear, whom he was to teach and convert. Gentiles at this time had no religion, they tried to imitate the Jews in their practices of worshiping God, but the Bible clearly states that the Gentiles who knew not God were worshiping devils. 1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils {this sacrificial right, was an imitation of the Jewish Law of Sacrifice}, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Act 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us {a man must be called, by God, to preach}, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Act 22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the gentiles.
In Romans, we see clearly, that Paul was, primarially a teacher and minister to the gentiles. Paul magnifying His office stated that he was {The Apostle} of the gentiles. What is an Apostle? {Messenger; one who has been sent, a teacher of the truth.}
Rom 11:13 For I speak to you gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the gentiles, I magnify mine office
Rom 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. What is being sanctified?
It Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom_6:13; 2Co_4:6; Col_3:10; 1Jo_4:7; 1Co_6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1Co_6:11; 2Th_2:13).
Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it
(1.) Secures union to Christ (Gal_2:20), and
(2.) Brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience “to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.”
Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (1Ki_8:46; Pro_20:9; Ecc_7:20; Jam_3:2;
Paul knew the Law and took advantage of it in many occasions. Act 22:25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? This was just a short lesson on whom, Paul was. Paul being lead by the spirit gave to us our lessons from God on who we are and how we can receive. Even as, Saul, persecuted the New Testament Church, He, in His own way, Loved God. He made many mistakes, but just as we are, learned of them from Jesus and made restitution. His renewal came with many persecutions and tribulations, as sometimes we are being persecuted for having a faith in the unseen. We worship an unseen God, a God whom the world does not and cannot see, a God of Light and Love, a God of Power and Majesty, a God of Creation. The world is at enmity with God and we as believers cannot be a part of the world. We cannot love the thing of the world, even thou we are in this world. Paul has shown us a new way, a way that he also had to learn; as he received freely he gives to us freely. In short, who was Paul, Paul was just a man of deep faith in God and Law, and He became a man of Faith and mercy. I hope this study is of help, God Bless. Ars.
