Apostle Paul received his understanding of the scriptures from two sources. The first from Annanias who the Lord directed Paul (as Saul) to see when blinded, after meeting the Lord Jesus on the way to Damascus. At this point, S/Paul was water baptized. The second by revelation, as Paul openly admits himself. Acts 9 further elaborates:
"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, I [am] here, Lord." And the Lord [said] unto him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight."
Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name." But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My Name’s sake."
And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
But all that heard [him] were amazed, and said; "Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this Name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?" But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ." (Acts 9:10-22)
As Paul grew in the faith, he boldly proclaimed the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ wherever he went. Often, the first place Paul went when visiting a new place was to the saints in the synagogues so that they might hear the truth. As we read, "straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues." (Acts 9:20) This is important to understand because some within the modern day religious community would have us believe that apostle Paul first went to the government(s) and authorities of the day to ask if he could be permitted to preach within their communities. But what do the scriptures say?
When S/Paul was come to Jerusalem, "he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. [So] Barnabas took him, and brought [him] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the Name of Jesus." (Acts 9:26-27)
"And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him." (Acts 9:29)
"Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down." (Acts 13:13-14)
In terms of the Jews, Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said, "It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, "I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." (Acts 13:46-47)
"And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed." (Acts 14:1)
"And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the Word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." (Acts 14:24-27)
"And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the Word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." (Acts 14:24-27)
When the certain men came down from Judæa to teach the brethren, and said, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved" Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." (Acts 15:1-5)
Had Paul asked the authorities beforehand, there would not have been much disputation over this topic.
Moving forward, Paul and Timotheus went through the cities and delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem, and so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. (Acts 16:1-5)
When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews, wherein Paul reasoned for three sabbath days with them from the scriptures. (Acts 17:1-3)
The point being -- "And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. (Act 17:8)
Throughout Paul's journey, he disputed in the synagogues with the Jews and in the market s daily. Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill and declared to them the God that made the world -- who later willingly became our Saviour. In Ephesus, Paul entered into he synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. (Acts 18:19) In Ephesus, Paul found certain disciples who were baptized unto John's baptism. After hearing Paul, they were water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:1-5; Acts 8:12, 16)
In the same chapter, we see Paul in the synagogue body speaking for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8) Indeed, Paul was arrested when the seven days were almost ended, and the Jews of Asia were stirred up after seeing him in the temple.
The point is this. The apostles (Paul included) hazarded their lives for the Name of the Lord Jesus. Paul was beaten, imprisoned, left for dead on many occasion, for boldly proclaiming the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As Paul states, "whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. (Ephesians 3:1-21)
Stand in the offering plate.
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