"Pauls Revelation"

 

 

When a believer becomes aligned with the word of God he begins an adventure that is like no other. In the Bible we are aware of a man named Saul of Tarsus, he was a good man, a well-intentioned man, but of course he was out of the will of God. Saul was a master of Old Testament Theology, but he was not aware that the Old Covenant had become annulled.

 

When Saul became aware of this new way called the Christian faith, he was outraged and he began to harass these new believers. In (Acts 9:1) it says that Saul had a threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord. Here was a very zealous man who, for whatever reason, had a strong desire to put a stop to what he thought was an ungodly teaching.

 

Low and behold the Lord looked down and said, there’s my man. He has a lot of theology, his heart is in the right place and he is the one I have chosen. All he needs is a spiritual awakening, maybe a flash of light and a new Voice to show him the way.

 

Well we all know what happened, Saul became Paul the apostle and eventually one of the great writers of the New Testament.

 

But, let us back up just a little here and really see what took place. Remember Saul was there when Stephen gave his theological treatise in Acts chapter seven. Stephen quoted many scriptures from the Old Testament of which Saul was very aware. Let me ask you this, why was Saul not converted by Stephens testimony?

 

Let’s look at Stephens words and see what he had to say. You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathenish and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers were, so you are and so you do.

Now upon hearing these things, they (the Jews) were cut to the heart and infuriated, and they ground their teeth at Stephen.                        Acts 7:51 & 54.

 

Once again, Saul was there, he was a Jew, and he reacted the very same as the rest, he was cut to the heart and infuriated. When your heart or spirit man is not open to the truth you will not receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:7)  Now we know why it took a flash of light and an audible Voice.

 

Saul of Tarsus was a chosen man; hand picked by God Himself for a specific purpose. God spoke these words concerning Saul, “This man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel.” Acts 9:15

 

Now we know that Saul became Paul and he carried out his mission for the Lord until his last breath was taken, but he did not begin his adventure immediately, because he had to learn some things first.

 

Let me stress one more time, Paul was chosen and converted by the Lord Himself and not by any other. After his conversion he was also taught by the Lord. Can you think of a better teacher than Jesus of Nazareth?

 

Listen to Paul once again, “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel, which was preached by me, is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12) Paul goes on to say that after his conversion he had no contact with any of the other apostles for a period of three years.

 

We can see from Paul’s own words that he received no other teaching or instruction from anyone other than the Lord. And in his own words he tells us that what he did receive from Christ was not of this world but was in fact revealed knowledge from on high. If this were so then this information that Paul calls the revelation of Jesus Christ was all “new word of God” that no one had heard before.

 

All of us who believe the whole Bible is the word of God would have to agree that this revelation that Paul received was not just for him alone but for all believers past, present and future.

 

I have a question: In his letters that Paul wrote to the church, did he in fact share with the church everything that Christ revealed to him, or did he hold something back?

 

Let’s let Paul answer this question himself.

 

Here he makes an outstanding statement, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the gospel message might be “fully” proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the jaws of the lion.” (Satan)

“And indeed the Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever.” Amen, so be it. 2 Timothy 4:17-18.

 

Just so we are positive and leave no room for argument that Paul means exactly what he says, look at this, “I have “fully” preached the Gospel –faithfully executing, accomplishing, carrying out to the full the good news – of Christ the Messiah, in its entirety.” (Romans 15:19b) This to me is enough proof to make the statement that Paul was a full gospel preacher.

 

We have seen that Paul the apostle began his adventure with the Lord and he ended with the Lord, notice his confidence when he said, the Lord will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. It is my prayer that each and every one of us can learn through Paul’s revelation from Christ that we too can someday make such a bold statement.

 

How do we as true believers begin our personal adventure with the Lord?

 

I have a suggestion, why don’t we start where Paul started, with the word.

 

Let’s read, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.   John 1:1-2.

 

Next, Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment, which you have heard from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning. 1 John 2:7.

 

I’m sure that we all agree in John 1, when he is talking about the Word that he is referring to Jesus the Christ. Therefore, undoubtedly we are instructed to start exactly where Paul started, with the Lord, who is in fact the true Word of God.

 

I have referred to myself for many years as a full gospel man, not knowing at the beginning exactly what it meant. But I stayed with the word and allowed the Spirit of God to reveal to me who I was in Christ and what my New Covenant entails. I have learned that if the New Testament makes a promise or states a fact pertaining to me as a believer that I can use my faith and make it a reality in my life.

 

I have found out that the word of God is in fact spiritual seed, and in order for me to receive the promises of God then I have to do something with this seed.

 

Enter into My Adventure.

 

First, who does the word say that I am?

 

Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away behold all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

 

As a new creation what am I required to do?

 

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7.

 

How do I become rooted and built up in Him?

 

As new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2.

 

Let me insert a small bit of wisdom here if I may. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that God the Father will take us by the scruff of the neck and force us to feed our spirit with the pure milk of the word. O no my friends, we may begin our new life as babes in Christ but He will not force feed us.

 

Why?

 

Because the free will principle that we were created with is still in effect, and the Holy Spirit who is our teacher and guide and the power of God, is also a gentleman, and just as He did not force Jesus of Nazareth to do His will, He will not force any other person to do His will either. He will just wait patiently for us to say, not my will but Thine be done.

 

Here’s a thought, what happens if we say not my will, but your will be done?

 

For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. (1John 5:4)

Then we have (Romans 10:17) So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

 

It would appear that we have come full circle. It seems to me that the revelation of Jesus Christ that was given to Paul by the Lord Himself, and which caused him to be victorious to the end, is now available to us as well. Amen.

 

Written by: R W Nagle.