The Apostle
Paul from time to time vindicated his ministry.
Paul says that his ministry is God given because of the Damascus Road
experience. Some said Paul learned the
message from the church leaders in Jerusalem but Paul states in Galatians that
his mission was God given.
There was traditionalist
in the church who question his ministry.
He had received his call from Jesus Christ, and a fellow name Ananias confirmed
it. Paul also points out that a mark of
true Christian is the lifestyle that follows.
Paul said before his conversion he was persecuting the church now he
advances the message and the cause. Paul
had been the top of his class and a hater of the early church. Paul also reveals that salvation has always
been in the mind of God for mankind.
That is why Jesus Christ came because we could not save ourselves.
Paul in
Galatians says that he was formed to be an apostle even though he did not know
it. Paul was called by grace and grace
alone and that the church in Galatia were fruits of his call. Paul when he was called did not consult other
apostles but went into Arabia to get further revelation. He only went to Jerusalem three years later
to meet with the apostles. He only spent
fifteen days with them
Paul went to
Syria and Cilicia, but he was unknown and any reputation he had was as a persecutor. As Paul preached people began to appreciate what
he had to say and eventually he got some recognition, but then dramatic
persecution followed and he then was sent back to Tarsus for 10 years. It was only when Barnabus came to get him did
he get a second chance.
Paul was a man
who was given a second chance and an opportunity to rebuild his life we can do
the same if we fail and fall. It is
never over. Also remember that you
personal testimony is tied to what he did not just what you say. We are called to be light and salt that is
done by how we live.
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