Much of the Apostle Paul’s inspired writings build the foundation of our Christian faith. His letters remind believers of the promise of God’s grace and give us hope for an abundant life in Christ Jesus. Despite the trials and difficulties he experienced, Paul’s focus in the epistles remained on encouraging Christians to follow Jesus and find joy in Him.
In Philippians 1:12-14, the Apostle Paul says, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
The Apostle Paul had a victorious attitude despite his circumstances. His example shows us how we should live when we encounter trials and challenges.
Paul's Dramatic Conversion
Before his conversion, the Apostle Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus. He was a Jew, born in the Roman city of Tarsus, and was proud of his Jewish heritage (Philippians 3:5). As a zealous Pharisee, his goal was to silence any followers of The Way. He was present and watched approvingly as Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death because of his faith in Jesus (Acts 7:54-8:3). Saul began to persecute the church after Stephen’s stoning until God appeared to him on the road to Damascus. While Saul intended to arrest believers in Damascus and bring them back to Jerusalem, God had a plan to intercept and redirect him.
“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’” —Acts 9:3-6
The encounter left Saul blind, and his companions led him to Damascus by the hand. He remained blind for three days and did not eat or drink. As he prayed, he saw a vision of a man named Ananias coming and laying hands on him to restore his sight.
God's Transformative Power
God asked Ananias, a disciple of Christ in Damascus, to lay hands on Saul’s eyes to bring healing. Ananias questioned his understanding of the vision, knowing that Saul had been persecuting the Christians. Despite Ananias’s concerns, God told him,
“‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.’” —Acts 9:15-18
The Apostle Paul’s experience shows the forgiveness, grace, and power of Jesus’ blood, which is stronger than any of our sins.
Saul the Pharisee Becomes the Apostle Paul
In Acts 13:9, we see the first mention of Saul’s Roman name, Paul. God called him to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), so his Roman name allowed him to approach and speak to them in their own language. This name change also allowed him to become “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul began ministering to Gentiles and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul's Missionary Journeys and Ministry Impact
The Bible records three separate missionary journeys the Apostle Paul took. His first missionary journey after his conversion took him to Antioch, Cyprus, Pisidia, and Galatia, where he faced much opposition, but persisted in sharing the good news and encouraging the establishment of churches in those cities. It would have been during this time that the Apostle Paul followed God’s call to spread the message, not just to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.
- “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”—Acts 13:47
During his second missionary journey, Paul and Silas traveled to regions of Syria, Cilicia, and Lystra. On this trip, Paul met young Timothy, who continued the journey with them and became a beloved servant of God. Paul planted many churches and saw many lives changed on this trip.
The Apostle Paul’s third missionary journey allowed him to revisit many of the churches he had previously ministered to, and then extended his ministry in Ephesus, where he continued with miracles and teaching (Acts 18:23-21:17).
Letters Written by the Apostle Paul
As the Apostle Paul continued his life of purpose, he authored letters to the churches he planted. In these letters, he addressed conflict, gave challenges and commands, prayed, and called them to be faithful followers of Christ. He penned or dictated many of his letters while imprisoned. Despite his personal suffering, he maintained confidence in the Lord and interceded in prayer for other believers. The epistles he authored include:
- Romans
- 1 & 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
Victory and Confidence in Jesus
Paul’s attitude was not defined by his situation, but by his purpose in Christ. He chose, even when suffering, to rejoice and give thanks. Paul believed the truth that to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21), and his life demonstrated that truth.
The Apostle Paul is an example of how to live the abundant life in Christ, regardless of your circumstances. His life shows how, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have:
- Joy in adversity
- Confidence in God’s sovereignty
- An attitude of submission
- Faith in finding God’s purposes, regardless of our circumstances
- Concern for the spiritual progress of others
Take Away
We can learn much from the Apostle Paul’s example as a forgiven sinner whose past did not define him. He was a powerful vessel God used to advance His Kingdom and proclaim salvation to mankind.
This was Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi and for Christians today. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”—Philippians 1:9-11
May we be followers of Jesus who abound in love and trust God’s purposes despite our circumstances, just like the Apostle Paul!