Paul knew that the news he’d received by divine intervention was too good to keep to himself! He began immediately spreading the word to the Gentiles that this Jesus character was actually the Son of God.
16 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. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles – only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing is no lie.
21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judaea that are in Christ. 2 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.
Galatians 1: 16-24
People who knew of Paul’s past as a crusader who killed every Christian he met were baffled by this change in Paul’s behavior. What could have changed his demeanor so quickly? He was now preaching their Gospel of Jesus!
Paul did not immediately seek out the other apostles. But after 3 years he went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter and James. Most of Paul’s ministry was in Asia-Minor.
As we consider the passion that Paul must have had as he shared the gospel with others, let’s consider our own urge to share the gospel. Do you tell others how Jesus came to be your Savior and how he could be their’s also? If not, why not? Wouldn’t you want everyone to know how they could receive eternal life in heaven with the Father if you could save them eternal damnation in hell?
This is all a lot to consider, I know. But I think it’s time that we realize it’s up to us to do our part. I can’t imagine preaching to the great numbers of people that the apostles spoke to. However, I can speak to others one at a time. This is how the average person can share our faith in Jesus. When we model a life after Jesus, people will wonder why we have the hope that we have. They will know it by the way we live and they will ask us why we have that hope.
We’ll look at chapter 2 in my next post on Galatians. Thanks for reading.
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 