Paul was an apostle because he was chosen by Jesus Christ Himself and commissioned to spread the gospel among the Gentiles. He had a unique encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, which transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a devout follower and messenger of the faith.
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Paul, originally known as Saul, was an apostle who played a crucial role in the early development of Christianity. He was not one of the original twelve disciples chosen by Jesus during his earthly ministry, but he became an apostle through a remarkable encounter with Jesus Himself. This encounter on the road to Damascus was a pivotal moment for Paul and transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower and messenger of the faith.
According to the biblical account in the Acts of the Apostles, Saul, a zealous Pharisee, was on his way to Damascus to persecute followers of Jesus when suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around him. He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul, trembling and astonished, asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” This encounter left Saul blind for three days and marked the beginning of his transformation.
During these days, Saul received the visit of Ananias, a disciple of Jesus, who laid his hands on him, and scales fell from Saul’s eyes, restoring his sight. Ananias informed him that Jesus had chosen him to be His instrument, saying, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15). From this moment, Saul, now known as Paul, dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Jesus among the Gentiles.
Paul’s apostleship was rooted in the direct commissioning by Jesus Himself. As he wrote in his letter to the Galatians, “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being” (Galatians 1:15-16). This divine calling bestowed upon Paul the authority and legitimacy to be recognized as an apostle.
To appreciate the significance of Paul’s apostleship, it is vital to consider a quote from the renowned theologian and writer, C.S. Lewis. He aptly noted, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.” Paul’s role as an apostle was of immense significance in spreading Christianity to the Gentiles, shaping early Christian theology through his letters, and establishing numerous churches through his missionary journeys.
Interesting facts about Paul and his apostleship:
- Paul, before his conversion, was a vehement persecutor of Christians, instrumental in the imprisonment and execution of followers of Jesus.
- His encounter on the road to Damascus is considered a pivotal event in Christian history.
- Paul’s transformation led to a complete change in his beliefs and his approach to ministry.
- He authored thirteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament, known as the Pauline Epistles.
- Paul’s missionary journeys covered vast distances throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the message of Christ to diverse communities.
- Paul faced significant opposition and hardships in his ministry, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks.
- The teachings of Paul had a profound impact on the formation of Christian theology, particularly in areas such as grace, faith, and justification.
In conclusion, Paul’s apostleship was not a result of being one of the original twelve disciples but stemmed from a direct encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. This encounter transformed Paul’s life, leading him to become an ardent follower and messenger of the faith. Through his tireless efforts, he played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity among the Gentiles and shaping early Christian theology. As theologian C.S. Lewis reminds us, the importance of Christianity cannot be understated, and Paul’s apostleship contributed significantly to its growth and establishment.
Video related “How was Paul an apostle?”
“The Complete Story of Paul: The Apostle to the Gentiles” is a YouTube video that details the life and journey of Paul, from his early days as a persecutor of Christians to his transformation into one of the most influential figures in early Christianity. The video covers his upbringing in Tarsus, his conversion experience on the road to Damascus, his missionary journeys, and his teachings on salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It provides a thorough overview of Paul’s life and his profound impact on spreading the message of Christianity to non-Jewish communities.
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Likewise, the apostle Paul was directly called and appointed by Christ himself. On the road to Damascus, Christ called to Paul, “But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what to do” (Acts 9:6), and Paul received those instructions from Christ through Ananias in Damascus.
Paul became an apostle because he fulfilled the same three basic requirements the specially selected twelve disciples met. These requirements were: being a witness of the resurrected Jesus, being chosen by Jesus or the Holy Spirit, and performing signs and wonders. Paul also said he received a vision of the resurrected Jesus, who commissioned him to be the Apostle to the gentiles. This was crucial for Paul in terms of his authority.
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Similarly one may ask, How did Paul become an apostle?
Answer to this: In the very midst of his sinful career grace called to Saul to stop, and changed his heart so completely that the bitter enemy of Jesus Christ was transformed into an apostle, all aglow with love; and the persecutor of the Christian faith became its indefatigable defender and advocate.
Similarly, What makes someone an apostle? Answer will be: A modern-day Apostle in the tradition of the Apostolic-Prophetic movement is one who is "called and sent by Christ to have the spiritual authority, character, gifts and abilities to successfully reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially through founding and overseeing local churches”, according
Then, Is Paul one of the 12 apostles? In his writings, Paul, although not one of the original twelve, described himself as an apostle. He was called by the resurrected Jesus himself during his Road to Damascus event. With Barnabas, he was allotted the role of apostle in the church.
Beside this, What is an apostle according to Paul? The response is: Paul himself claimed the title of Apostle, apparently on the grounds that he had seen the Lord and received a commission directly from him. This appears to be in agreement with the condition in Acts that a newly appointed Apostle should be capable of giving eyewitness testimony to the Lord’s Resurrection.
Was Paul a true apostle? Answer will be: Paul ministered much to the gentiles. No reference to Paul as false because Paul was one of the true Apostles of Jesus Christ unlike prophets of other religions that came later on. The false prophets are those that deny that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus came in the flesh and that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Saviour.
Why did Jesus choose Paul?
The reason for Jesus choosing Paul is given in Acts 9:15–16 where Jesus is instructing Ananias to go to Paul and heal him of his blindness. “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.’”
Likewise, Did the Apostle Paul meet Jesus?
The answer is: There’s no indication from Scripture that Paul and Jesus ever met before the Damascus Road incident. And Acts 9:4-7 doesn’t specify whether the Lord’s encounter with Paul was physical or not. It only says Paul saw a bright light and heard a voice. The men with him heard a loud sound but didn’t see anything.
Besides, Was Paul the best Apostle? Some even say he “invented” Christianity just to get even with the Jews who rejected his teaching. As far as the impact the disciples had in the world, many people believe Paul was the most effective, but he called himself the least of all the apostles ( 1 Cor. 15:9 ).