Testimony
To learn from Paul we must understand Saul.
“The gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jeus Christ….They were only hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.” Galatians 1:11-12,23-24
Who was Saul?
- Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia – and a Roman citizen.
- Educated as a Pharisee by Gamaliel – Paul knows OT scripture/Torah extremely well.
- Likely knows at least Greek and Hebrew (Acts 21:37, Acts 22:2)
- Educated in the strictest manner of the law of the fathers.
- Lived in the strictest terms as a Pharisee (Acts 26:4-6)
- Passionate and zealous for the Torah and the Traditions of Israel.
- Purposefully lived a life that did many things to oppose Jesus of Nazareth.
- Actively persecuted those of the Way – including death and imprisonment of those that followed Christ, both men and women.
A couple of other things to note:
- We read that Saul was at the stoning of Stephen, and he was pleased with his execution. Acts 7:58, 8:1, 22:20
- Saul ravaged the members of the church, entering their houses and putting them in prison. Acts 8:1-3, 22:4-5, 26:9-11
During this intense persecution, Saul asked the high priest for letters to the synagogues at Damascus authorizing Saul to bring Christians back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned. This is when Jesus broke through and revealed Himself to Saul.
“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:3-9
“But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”” Acts 9:13-15
Ananias very likely noticed the letters on Saul’s person that permitted Saul to arrest him and other Christians Ananias likely knew, perhaps even authorizing Saul to kill Ananias. But he acted in faith and obedience – Ananias went and laid hands on Saul and completely and accurately described Saul’s encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. Saul’s sight was immediately restored, and scales fell from his eyes.
The first thing Saul did after that was to be baptized, ate a meal, and proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues. All were amazed that Saul was proclaiming Christ when just days before he was permitted to enter Damascus to arrest Christians. The Jewish religious leaders (one of whom Saul used to be) plotted to kill him.
The result of Christ’s work in Saul was to build up the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria (Acts 9:31). The letters the Holy Spirit wrote through Paul still have incredible transformational power, even today. Barnabas heard of the buildup of the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria and sought Saul in Tarsus to bring him to the church in Antioch. Saul stayed in Antioch with Barnabas for a year teaching many. This is when the disciples were first called Christians. Prophets in the church of Antioch were fasting and praying and the Holy Spirit said to “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)
We first see that Saul is called Paul while Saul and Barnabas were in Cyprus. It is interesting to note that Saul in Greek = saulos which means “desired” and is his Jewish name and Paul in Greek = paulos which means “little or small.” Paul’s name change points us to ask, will we have a name change and what does a conquering lifestyle look like in order for Christ to give out this name? (Rev 3:12).
Paul was neither little nor small in our minds as he had a tremendous hand in being submitted to the Lord in God’s purpose for reaching the Gentiles by writing letters to the early church which composes much of our New Testament. But Paul had to come into his new identity fully and completely in order that Jesus could work through him fully and completely. Paul had to be little or small in his own mind in order that he would completely rely on Jesus for everything. Jesus had to be the source for Paul. Paul’s ministry is actually Jesus’ ministry. Do we operate in that way in our lives?
Paul had to kill his pride and his power of his old nature, his old man which was found in his identity as a Pharisee, being zealous toward the Torah and Tradition. He could not allow that old identity, the Pharisee to live. The Pharisee in Saul and everything that came with that (purposefully living a life that did everything to oppose Jesus of Nazareth) had to die in order that Christ could live in Paul. What do we allow to live in us that purposefully or inadvertently is in opposition to Christ?
He had tremendous educational knowledge of the Torah and Old Testament scriptures; God does not waste this as understanding of those Scriptures is vital in experiencing Jesus. Paul’s incredible transformation also speaks of how God will redeem all things for His purposes. The very man that was destroying the early church would be used to build the church up according to the plans and purposes of God. What has been redeemed in us for His purpose? Are there still areas we try to keep on life support in our old nature that Christ so desperately desires for us to give over to Him for His purpose?
We may think that our personal testimony is not powerful or meaningful as we compare it to those of the apostles and others in Scripture. I would argue that because Christ revealed Himself to you and gave you revelation into salvation by faith building into sanctification by faith, your testimony is just as powerful as those we read in scripture. Christ is still doing His miraculous in us; that is asking someone who opposed Him and then so beautifully molding us to be more like Him.
Ask God to reveal things in you that you are keeping on life support. Ask Him to reveal the reasons that we desire to keep our old nature living when Christ specifically asks us to forsake it when we follow Him. Then ask Him to take control over those areas in order for us to more faithfully and completely step out of opposition to Christ and come into a loving cooperation with Him.