Paul Takes the Gospel to the Gentiles

AD 46

Books of Acts, Romans, Galatians & Ephesians (reflected in his other letters)

~ Before Paul encountered Jesus, he was a well-known Pharisee. He hated and persecuted Christians. He even received permission from the Jewish religious leaders to hunt them down outside Jerusalem.

When Saul suddenly encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, He was knocked from his horse and struck blind by the glory of Jesus.

The Lord sent a disciple named Ananias to lay hands on him so that he might regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15).

Saul was transformed into Paul, no longer an enemy of Christ but His bold witness.

Years later, as leaders in Antioch church prayed and fasted, the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul for the work of carrying the Gospel to the Gentile nations (Acts 13:1–3). Empowered by the Spirit, Paul embarked on missionary journeys that carried the message of Jesus beyond Israel, planting churches, writing letters, and proclaiming the good news of salvation to Jew and Gentile alike.

~ After Paul’s conversion, he went into the Arabian desert for a season and then returned to Damascus. It was three years before he traveled to Jerusalem where he met the Apostle Peter and James the brother of Jesus. (Gal. 1:15–19)

Significance

• When Jesus called Paul, He opened the Gospel to the Gentiles—that’s you and me!
• Paul, a brilliant student, had studied under Gamaliel, a famous Pharisee of the day. He was also a Roman citizen by birth. God used all of Paul’s experience in his ministry. The same is true for every disciple of Jesus. God wastes nothing.
• At first, the Apostles (Jesus’ twelve disciples) struggled to understand that God was giving His Spirit to the Gentiles. Peter had to be shown the truth in a vivid vision. Others were finally convinced after hearing Paul’s testimonies about the Holy Spirit’s manifestations among Gentiles. The Church still struggles with change. Sometimes the very thing we do not equate with a movement of God is a part of His will for us.