Paul, the Apostle, and His Awesome Experience with Jesus
Jesus was The Greatest Teacher and He taught His disciples many principles. However, there was a man named Paul who was given so much that the church is being tremendously blessed through his books (epistles/letters). No one in history was more widely known for such exhaustive writing.
Paul also had a different experience with Jesus than the disciples did. He did not physically walk with Jesus, but his spiritual encounter with Jesus was absolutely mind-boggling. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and remained with him fifteen days (Galatians 1:15-18).
Before I go any further, I want to interject that this man considered himself the chief of sinners. Paul writes, The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).
I believe Paul felt that was because he persecuted the church (Acts 8:3). As a matter of fact, Paul held someone’s coat as Stephen was being stoned to death (Acts 8:1-2). To all the readers- God used Paul who was a bad man; He can use you too!
I need to say this also, there has been some discrepancies as to whether Paul authored the book of Hebrews. So many scholars debate about who authored the book, and some say the author is unknown.
To me, that is a minor thing, but the major thing is, Paul authored the book of Hebrews, although his ministry was to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1), his writings were to the church which included both Jew and Gentile – all one in Christ.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27-28).
Another thing, who could be more familiar with the Hebrews/Jews than Paul himself. After all he was a Jew - circumcised on the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5).
Jesus is the perfect example of being sent to His own people, the Jews first. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name (John 1:11-12).
Getting back to the minor thing about who authored the book of Hebrews debate; if the people of God would allow their intellect to connect with the Spirit of God, they would not come up with all their personal beliefs. In fact, debating on who authored the book of Hebrews is senseless, because all they have to do is think about it and see if it makes sense. In most of Paul’s thirteen letters, his salutation, Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, was mentioned in eight of his books.
Romans is commonly considered the greatest exposition of Christian doctrine anywhere in scripture. NKJV Study Bible Comments
More than any other individual, Paul was responsible for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Comments - John McArthur Study Bible.
Paul was the master builder because all of his books were foundational books for the church. According to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it (1 Corinthians 3:10).
Be careful how you build, and make sure your foundation is built on the tools Jesus gave to Paul for the church.
~ Betty A. Burnett ~
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