"And last of all He [Jesus] was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (I Corinthians 15:8-10)
As I read these scriptures, a question came to me. That is, if apostle Paul (formerly Saul) as he admits, is the "least" of all apostles, where are we (who profess to believe) at in our own lives? For those who may not know, Saul persecuted the believing body of Christ church of God. Indeed, Saul made persecuting believers his life mission. But on the road to Damascus, Saul was blinded by a bright light. Falling to his knees, Saul asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" Jesus said, "I AM JESUS, who ye persecute." (Acts 9:5)
From Acts 9: " ... and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" And he said, "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecute: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And he trembling and astonished said, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" And the Lord [said] unto him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." (Acts 9:4-6)
As we know, the renamed Saul went on to write the majority of the new testament scriptures we know today. Paul also preached the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ while fulfilling his tent-making obligations. Paul traveled for days on end, sharing his testimony with others, and telling of the goodness and grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prior to his conversion, Saul was known among peers as the Pharisee of Pharisees, being very well educated. After his encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul was instructed to visit with Ananias, who later led him forward in the Word, baptizing him in the Name of the Lord Jesus. In his writings, apostle Paul speaks of the many types of persecution he faced.
"... but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned ..." (II Corinthians 6:4-6)
Indeed, apostle Paul knew the manifold mercies of the Lord Jesus. From his writings, we know that he was forever faithful in His mission. For example, when the priest of Jupiter was before the city, preparing to make a sacrifice. Paul (with Barnabas) rent his clothes, asking the people, "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein ..." (Acts 14:13-16)
When there was no small dissension about the subject of circumcision, the people determined that they should send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, to respond to the question. (Acts 15:1-3)
Indeed, one of the attributes we should know about Paul is that he was not only called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, but also a "servant of God" separated unto the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1; I Corinthians 1:1; II Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1;1; Colossians 1:1)
"Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour ..." (Titus 1:1-3)
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope ..." (I Timothy 1:1) And according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 1:1)
You see, in all things, apostle Paul praised his Saviour Jesus the Christ, including the time he and Silas sang praised to God in prison. (Acts 16:25-27; Acts 23:18: Acts 25:27) In references, Paul calls himself a willing prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1; II Timothy 1:9; Philemon 1:9)
But in all things, Paul was also humble, having repeatedly considered himself a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philemon 1:1; Philemon 1:9)
So, the original question is this. We understand why Paul considered himself the "least" of the apostles -- because before he met Jesus (as both Lord and Christ!), he persecuted the believing saints and body of Christ church. To the natural way of thinking, Saul would be saved for his heart conversion, and for knowing who the Lord Jesus was, but herein, as we are witnesses, this same Saul, now Paul was also called to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How can this be? Because God ordained Paul from the beginning to preach the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ -- the Word of God -- to the Gentiles. (Acts 11:1) Never did Paul waver in his calling, nor did he deny the Lord. In fact, Paul preached boldly at Damascus in the Name of Jesus Christ, having gladly received the Word, as the first 3,000 did on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 9:27) Although I am not ready to formulate an answer to the question, I firmly believe the following scriptures offer valuable insights that can't be cast aside, for we know apostle Paul was diligent in becoming all things in this world -- that he might save some.
"Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." (Acts 2:36-47)
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold ..." (Acts 4:32-34)
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:1-8)
To the churches in Corinth, Paul writes, "Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We [are] fools for Christ’s sake, but [ye are] wise in Christ; we [are] weak, but ye [are] strong; ye [are] honourable, but we [are] despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and [are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn [you].For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church." (I Corinthians 4:8-17)
The answer may be in Paul's further response: "Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord ..." (I Corinthians 9:1-3)
" ... for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord!"
In other words, there was fruit being brought forward -- because ye are in the Lord.
"Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds." (II Corinthians 12:12)
"For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children ..." (I Thessalonians 2:5-7)
And finally, Paul encourages us to "be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: where unto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." (II Timothy 1:6-12)
More to come on this subject, but for now, meditate on these scriptures. Stand in the offering plate.
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