13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.
14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.
15-16 But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.
vs.13 “For you have heard of my former way of life” - Paul is admitting, “My reputation precedes me.” An example from our time is Charles Colson. “Chuck” was President Nixon’s Chief of Staff during the embattled president’s ‘Watergate’ scandal. Nixon resigned in disgrace; Colson went to prison. There he accepted Christ as Savior. There was much doubt about his conversion and sincerity because of his reputation as an efficient and dirty dealer. He started a prison ministry, and became a powerful apologist for Christ! His life was turned around by the power of Christ.
This is Paul’s story also.“savagely persecuting the church” - This is an understatement. He hunted believers down, had them arrested and thrown in prison. He sought permission to leave Jerusalem on hunting expedition. See: Acts 7:57, 8:1-3, 9:1-2.
vs. 14 “advancing in Judaism” - Paul studied Judaism under the noted Pharisee Gamaliel (only mentioned two times in Acts. Historically, Gamaliel led the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem for about 18 years during the rule of three Roman Emperors, most probably well after the church dispersed into the surrounding nations and world. After Pentecost the council attempted to silence Peter and John. The reply from Peter and the apostles, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:31) The Sanhedrin wanted to stone them. Gamaliel warned the Jewish leaders they might be fighting against God. He noted, if the Christian movement was not from God, it would fail. But if the church was from God, the Sanhedrin would fail. In the long run, they did not listen to him. See: Acts 5:34-40.
“extremely zealous” - Are we surprised? When the persecution of the believers started, Paul was right there, fully involved. See: Acts 7:58, 8:1-3, 9:1. Paul describes his zealous work - See Acts 22:4-5.
vs. 15-16 “But” - In spite of Paul’s actions reputation …
“set me apart… called me by His grace… reveal his Son… preach Him” - Paul recognizes that God called him to this ministry to the Gentiles.
“Set me apart” shows that Paul realizes God had a higher purpose for him. Just as Jesus chose the twelve disciples to follow and learn from him, Paul was chosen. In a similar way, artisans were chosen by God to build the accoutrements of the tabernacle. A few were empowered by the Holy Spirit to make the Arc of the Covenant, the panels, the poles, the decorations, the altar for the tabernacle. These were given the ability to make it exactly as God intended. They were ‘set apart’.
“Called by His grace” - He was not chosen because of his good works. What part of killing Christians can be considered good? Paul says in 1 Tim. 1:15-16 it is was God’s mercy that saved him, even though he considered himself the worst of sinners. Grace is the demonstration of God’s mercy - in that we do not receive what we deserve.
“Reveal His Son” - Just as Moses was called to save the nation from Egypt, and the Judges were called to deliver the nation from oppression, Paul knew he was called to proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to the world. Paul understood that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which man may be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“Preach Him among the Gentiles” - See Acts 9:15-16 - Paul did not need to rely on his own testimony that his ministry was to non-Jews. God used a miracle, a vision to Ananias, that Paul was chosen for this specific ministry. Ananias was confused. How could God use a guy who has been persecuting believers, having them arrested and killed? God assures Ananias that Paul is the one, and he will not get off Scott-free. He will suffer for his ministry - not as a punishment for his previous actions (those have been forgiven!) - because Christ suffered and his disciples will also suffer the hate from the world.
Consider the miraculous nature of Paul being chosen as an apostle and a missionary. The other apostles were mostly Jewish fishermen, perhaps with a rudimentary education. Note how amazed the populace was at Pentecost when these ‘Galileans’ were speaking to the many nations assembled there. How could this be? “(See Acts 2:4-13) Maybe they are drunk! Maybe it’s a miracle! Peter and others could readily reach other Jews, they spoke the language, they identified the traditions and belief systems. I am not saying the apostles would not be able to go into all the world. Bible dictionaries and resources indicate that various apostle went beyond the boundaries of the Roman world.
Paul was a Roman citizen. (I don't know how being a Jew born in Jerusalem was different than a Jew born elsewhere in the Roman Empire. Evidently Paul’s father was a Roman citizen, and probably Jewish. Note: very little is known about his parents.) This provided a significant advantage in moving from area to area. It provided significant advantage when dealing with local authorities. When Paul would say, “I’m a Roman citizen”, a certain amount of panic, or deference, would be shown by the authorities holding Paul as hostage or prisoner. Paul was educated, and could speak the common languages - Greek and Latin. He understood logic, and apologetics. If Galilee was considered a backward and uneducated ghetto, then Greece and Rome were the penultimate educated and cosmopolitan society. Paul could relate to both.
“I did not go to ask advice” - Paul was a very type “A” personality. Once he committed, it was full speed ahead, no wavering, no second guessing. He was advanced in Judaism. He studied under the top scholars in Jerusalem. He was active in defending his faith (Judaism) and God. When he converted - seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus - he became extremely zealous for Christ and the church. He didn't ponder, “I am doing the right thing?” “Is this what God wants me to do?”
Now, take into consideration Paul talked with Jesus, was instructed by Jesus. Sometimes we ‘mere mortals’ rely on feelings, on confirmation from God in prayer, in scripture, in advice from fellow believers. Seldom do we get words from God directly into our minds. We rely on the Holy Spirit to inform and guide us. That process requires us to be controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, that relationship can be hampered by our sin and stubbornness. We can KNOW, deep within our soul what God wants to do, whether to be a missionary, or a Bible Study leader, or a pastor. We know because the Holy Spirit confirms it. I contend that Paul had this confirmation - in Spades.
vs. 17 “right away I departed to Arabia” - This bit of personal history is not clearly stated in Acts. When Paul has been healed from his blindness through the laying on of hands by Ananias, he begins preaching the Gospel. (See Acts 9:18-21) Paul’s preaching gets the Jewish leaders in an uproar. Some believers rescue Paul by sneaking him out of Damascus, though a window. The gates to the city were being watched and Paul could not exit without being caught. (Acts 9:25) His former allies were furious that Paul deserted them forJesus! Paul goes to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). [The next couple of chapters - Acts 10 & 11 - are about Peter and his ministry, and how he learns the Gospel is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews.] In Acts 11, Paul is in Jerusalem with other Jews, and is preaching the Gospel for the Gentiles and the Jews. Again, Jews are furious. Paul escapes Jerusalem for Tarsus (Acts 9:30). Barnabas goes to Tarsus to get Paul and takes him to Antioch. (Acts 11:25). Antioch is about 300 miles north of Jerusalem, near the western Mediterranian coast (now part of modern Syria).
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