Mysteries of God's Grace Revealed to Apostle Paul Part II

"Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? Job 11:7 We can as we walk in the Spirit as you draw nearer to Him he will reveal things to you just like He did to Paul. 

 

In Ephesian chapter 3 Paul talks about the Mysteries of God. You can naturally read the scriptures, but without God’s Spirit you would never learn the mysteries that His word contains as it is hidden from the natural eye. You must first experience being born again with the Holy Ghost & Fire.  As you walk in the Spirit God will start revealing himself to you just as he did Paul.  Paul was not taught by the other disciples who walked with Jesus for 3 1/2 years.  Paul was given instruction by Jesus himself on the road to Damascus in a vision as described from Paul's own testimony in Acts 9 this was after Jesus ascension into heaven.  In verse 6 Paul asked Jesus what he should do in which Jesus instructed him to go into the city and he will be told what he must do.  Once Paul reached the city he was there three days without his sight and had not eaten or drank anything. There are several instances in the bible where people had to wait for three days.  Here Paul had to wait for Ananias to come with an answer for him.   In verse 11 also states that Paul was also praying.  Jesus sent Ananias to search for Paul because Paul was a chosen vessel to bear the name of Jesus before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. Ananias entered in the house where Paul was 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 mightiest receive they sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19) And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20) And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.  Everyone had heard of Saul of Tarsus and the evil he hath done to the saints at Jerusalem and the authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Jesus, but to the peoples amazement Paul for many days grew in strength so much that the Jews dwelling in Damascus took counsel to kill him. In understanding that before the call on the road to Damascus, Saul was a very religious man and thought he was doing good by persecuting this new movement that threatened his Jewish beliefs. Jesus knew the zeal that Saul put forth towards his beliefs and he was going to use that characteristic trait as Jesus told Ananias that Saul was his chosen vessel to bear his name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. We thought Peter's call was amazing as Jesus entered into Peter's boat to preach to the multitude and how Jesus had Peter to go out a little further and to cast his nets and he caught so many fish it almost capsized his boat.  Here we have Saul who was notorious for heavily persecuting Jesus followers when all of a sudden a Light shined from heaven that spoke to Saul asking him why he is persecuting him, that was a forever life changing moment for Saul.  He was in the presence of the Almighty and was willing to listen and do what he was told.  This is why I believe that Apostle Paul is the twelve apostle as Jesus himself called him just as he did the other disciples. Apostle Paul from the moment he was able to see as he received the Holy Ghost and Fire did not hesitate to spread the gospel like none other before him.  Jesus had told Peter that he has sheep that Peter knows not.  Jesus needed someone with a zeal to preach to the Gentile nations.  

After Paul received the Holy Ghost and begin preaching in the streets people tried to take hold of him.  The disciples helped him escape by night down the wall in a basket and he went to Jerusalem where the disciples were but all were afraid of him. They did not believe that he was now a disciple.  Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles and told them his story and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in Jesus name and how he disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.  When the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Acts 22:18 Paul tells us why he went back to his hometown.  17) And it came to pass, that , when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; 18) And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me (Jesus).  19) And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20) And when the blood of the martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. 21) And he said unto, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. Then in a letter to the Galatia's Apostle Paul gives us more information in Galatians 1:17) Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18) Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.  19) But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.  21) Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 

In the very next chapter after Paul's rebirth into the kingdom of God.  Jesus gave Peter a vision regarding the unclean but Jesus told him what he has cleansed to not call common or unclean, just then men from Cornelius house came calling for him to come back with them.  Peter went to Cornelius house and as he was preaching to them all that were there received the Holy Ghost & fire just like on the Day of Pentecost.  Peter went back to Jerusalem telling the others what had happened when they heard it they held their peace and glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles.  Peter said Who am I to withstand God? Peter was called back to Jerusalem and questioned why he had entered into a gentile's house in which he explain all that had happen from the beginning with his vision, but there is never another mention of Peter preaching to any other Gentiles after this.  Paul's ministry really starts taking place in Acts 11; verse 19 tells us that followers had scattered abroad during the persecution that arose about and Stephen who travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20) And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  Being scattered abroad seemed to have help the gospel message spread even faster as the next verse says a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.  Barnabas was sent to Antioch after hearing what was happening there with the Gentiles.  Barnabas seen many added unto the church left seeking for Saul in Tarsus. When he found him they went back to Antioch.  They assembled themselves there a whole year and this was the first place saints of the Lord Jesus were called Christians.  

Paul was given these revelations by Jesus himself as part of the new dispensation of grace found in Galatians 3:3 and has everything to do with the mystery of God hidden from the beginning until Paul. 

Galatians 3:1) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2) If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3) How that by revelation he (Jesus) made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6) That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7) 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. 8) 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; 

What are the three revelations Jesus gave to Paul? 

1. Gentiles will be part of the same body of Christ and partakers of his promise. This was never prophesied in the Old Testament, although Jesus told Peter that he has sheep that Peter did not know of.  Colossians 1:25 Wherefore I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. 

2. Paul was made a minister by the gift of grace Acts 22:15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard 1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the Gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. II Timothy 1 7) For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8) 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; 9) 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, 10) 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: 11) Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 

3. Paul should preach among the Gentiles.  Paul preached to the Gentiles exactly what Jesus told him, "Arise and be baptized and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16 Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

From the world's point of view Paul should not have been given grace for his part in the persecution of the Saints and would easily marked him as unforgiveable. However, God will use the most unlikely person to do His will. The bible says that God uses the foolish to confound the wise.  He is God the Creator and he can do anything.  There are many things that like to put their mark on you from this world whether it is abuse of any kind, alcohol, or drugs. I personally thank my God for putting his mark and his grace upon me before anything else had a chance to. Do you know when you were marked by the Almighty? I do! Before the foundations of the world.  As I grew up I never fit in with my surroundings or even my family. I know that when I was five years old we lived in a big house on Second Street right off Hwy 141 in Jonesboro near the new overpass. We had a big back yard and during the spring my dad planted a garden in the back. It was a huge garden to me as I was so little. 
One night I had a dream that never left my memory even today. My little sister and I were playing by the heads of lettuce in the backyard garden when all of a sudden Jesus appeared beside us. He talked for a little bit and then asked if I wanted to go to Heaven with him and I said yes. I truly wished I could remember what all He told me.  He told me to hang on to his garment and I did. I also told my little sister to hold on too. We started rising up towards the clouds, Jesus whole upper body was not visible any longer and I got scared and told my sister to let go. I woke up as we were coming back to this earth. Many bad things has happened to me in my life since then, but I know that night in my dreams God put a protection over my mind so that when the time came I would be a witness for him. I belong to him and always have.  

One of my most favorite songs to sing is “Hymn of His Garment” and now everyone knows why. He told me many years ago to hang on to him, well I did then and I will continue to do so now. I don’t even think about where I might be if He hadn’t chose me as I know I would not be here at all. God does give each of us a measure of faith what you do with yours is up to you. I know for myself so many years have passed and my faith has been a great gift from God it doesn’t stop the enemy from trying all he knows but it does stop him from succeeding!!!!

In conclusion scriptures sum it up the best.
Ephesians 3:11-21 (The Message Version of these scriptures I like, you can look it up on KJV)
11-13 All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus. When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don’t let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!
14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Through Paul's ministry God made a way for all men to come to him, that included the Gentiles. I am a Gentile and Joint Heirs with Christ with the promise of a home in the kingdom of God not made of this world. I feel much like Paul being the least. I am so glad that my Jesus rescued me and gave me the gift of Grace.  That Grace still abounds at this time, but time is running shorter each moment that is passing.  I am reaching out to any and all as Paul's testimony from the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, "Arise and be baptized, and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Have you experience the New Birth experience and being filled with the Holy Ghost & Fire?  If you are not sure what this is then read the Acts of the Apostles chapter 1 and 2 is a great start and John 3:1-5 as the Acts of the Apostles is fulfilling that which Jesus spoke of in John 3. There are more studies on this in my blog. 

  

God bless!!

Next Study: The Rise and Fall of a Chosen Earthy Nation of Abraham Sands of the Sea

The Rise and Fall of a Chosen Earthly Nation of Abraham (sylviasjournalandthouhts.blogspot.com)