How Was Paul As Saul Called to be Saved?

[Garee]

LOL

What's so funny?

 

[PloughBoy]

Adding to the word to mean the entire Bible is another subject .

I should of put my comment in (parenthesis) but that does not mean by comment was a addition . It is still t

 

[Rhema]

I should of put my comment in (parenthesis) but that does not mean by comment was a addition . It is still true

Garee, it was an addition. You even said so yourself. Please. Seriously, if you don't even understand what you're doing. Well... Jesus will still ask forgiveness for you.

Rhema
(But that doesn't mean I have to read your stuff anymore.)

 

[PloughBoy]

Garee, it was an addition. You even said so yourself. Please. Seriously, if you don't even understand what you're doing. Well... Jesus will still ask forgiveness for you.

Rhema
(But that doesn't mean I have to read your stuff anymore.)

LOL, I cannot help it

 

[Garee]

Garee, it was an addition. You even said so yourself. Please. Seriously, if you don't even understand what you're doing. Well... Jesus will still ask forgiveness for you.

Rhema
(But that doesn't mean I have to read your stuff anymore.)

I did a say I added it .I usually put it in parentheses.

But as far adding to the word its a commentary or interpretation not a addition .

No one said you had to read.

 

[Garee]

When Paul used to be known as Saul, the persecutors of Christians, and he was on his way on the road to Damascus to arrest more Christians, what had happened while on that road still being an evil ungodly murderer?

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Do read the very account in Acts and point out where Ananias was to call Saul to repent from all sins before he could come to & believe in Jesus Christ. Ananias never challenged Saul to prove he had repented from killing Christians.

Acts 9:1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 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. 11 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, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 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: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 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. 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.

Can you see the call to repent from any sins here? All I see is a hearty rebuke from the Lord Jesus Christ for not believing in Him and it is by the grace of God that Saul was led to believe in Him to be saved..

I would think Paul was pricked by the thorns of the judgment of God's living word, or the letter of the law "death" . referred as thorns and thistles awaking the soul .

God set eternity in the hearts of all man as a law to prick the conscience(Ecclesiastes 3:11) yet they knew not the end of the matter .

Christ will come and leave like a thief in the night. Until he comes on the last day he will use the letter in that way opening the door or window of opportunity the gospel of Light

Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Better things accompany the salvation of Christians . God promises not to forget the good works we can offer according to His great name as power need to stay away form thorns and briers

Hebrew 6:7-10 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

 

[GodB4Us]

I would think Paul was pricked by the thorns of the judgment of God's living word, or the letter of the law "death" . referred as thorns and thistles awaking the soul .

Paul was not pricked when the Messenger of Satan was buffeting him in the flesh.

If Paul was pricked, then it would be to his good in the Lord, right? Paul knows this per Hebrews 12:1-11 KJV

But Paul had asked God to remove it. So it was not about pricking Paul to repentance but just plain suffering by what I believe that affliction to be is hearing voices accusing him in the mind.

Since this thorn in the flesh was given him to keep others from thinking too highly of Paul because of all the visions & revelations coming from him, I would say hearing accusing voices in his head would make believers not to think of him higher than they ought to think.

It's like... when they hear the word of God through Paul, the Holy Spirit in them confirms the word as from the Lord and see the Lord ministering thru Paul even though Paul is nothing and Paul testified to this too.

1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

2 Corinthians 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

So there you have it. God can use any one to minister to others as the Lord will confirm His words thru the Holy Spirit in other believers to know the Lord is ministering, not that person..

 

[Rhema]

Since this thorn in the flesh was given him to keep others from thinking too highly of Paul

Paul's thorn in the flesh was a pain in the neck. It's an idiom referring to the Judaizers that followed Paul around from city to city seeking to undo his work.

Rhema

 

[brighthouse98]

Let us take a close look at Paul's thorn in the flesh. (2 Cor 12:7-10) Verse 7 says exactly why Paul received this! Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. Then it describes exactly what that thorn is. " A messenger of Satan. Now one could consider an actual person around him, a messenger after all has to be a person to deliver a message, right? So!

Verse 8 is not a sickness of any kind, for the Word says Concerning this I implored the Lord 3 times, why 3 one may wonder, perhaps the same three times when Peter received a love motivation (John 21:15-17) but unknown for sure. Paul stated in 8 what he found out about a bit earlier!! (2 Cor 11:23-31!!)

Now why was he chosen, because there is no doubt, he was one of the chosen ones, and the smartest of all the disciples! Paul knew the law very well, and the Lord knew he was the right man for the job!! After all he wrote three quarters of the New Testament! I have found in my own personal life, not to add or subtract from what the Word says, that is how man-made doctrine started in the first place!

To me the scripture says what it means, and means what it says, and the Lord has really blessed me preaching in his light. This is not a rebuke to anyone!! Just something I have learned and for those who consider this is fine with me, one does not have to agree!! Just a different thought upon the truth of God's Word.

 

[GodB4Us]

Let us take a close look at Paul's thorn in the flesh. (2 Cor 12:7-10) Verse 7 says exactly why Paul received this! Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. Then it describes exactly what that thorn is. " A messenger of Satan. Now one could consider an actual person around him, a messenger after all has to be a person to deliver a message, right? So!

I can consider that application but then how would Paul's prayer for God to have that person remove & yet He deemed it as necessary as His grace was sufficient for Paul to continue with having this thorn?

Verse 8 is not a sickness of any kind, for the Word says Concerning this I implored the Lord 3 times, why 3 one may wonder, perhaps the same three times when Peter received a love motivation (John 21:15-17) but unknown for sure. Paul stated in 8 what he found out about a bit earlier!! (2 Cor 11:23-31!!)

If it was a person, how would having that person keep others from thinking higher of Paul than any one should ought to think & yet this was a person he seem to be not able to get rid of, let alone ask God to get rid of?

So kind of think it was a mental sickness for how that would make people not think of him than they ought to think.

One said an injury that Paul had suffered while another said it was his eyesight. I can consider it but in truth, I do not see how either one would prevent any one from thinking higher of him than they ought to think. Hearing voices, however...

Now why was he chosen, because there is no doubt, he was one of the chosen ones, and the smartest of all the disciples! Paul knew the law very well, and the Lord knew he was the right man for the job!! After all he wrote three quarters of the New Testament! I have found in my own personal life, not to add or subtract from what the Word says, that is how man-made doctrine started in the first place!

To me the scripture says what it means, and means what it says, and the Lord has really blessed me preaching in his light. This is not a rebuke to anyone!! Just something I have learned and for those who consider this is fine with me, one does not have to agree!! Just a different thought upon the truth of God's Word.

I appreciate sharing the different thought. It adds one more element to discerning this thorn in the flesh for other believers to weigh in on and have the Lord confirm the truth in His words with them on their own what that thorn actually is.

 

[Garee]

Paul was not pricked when the Messenger of Satan was buffeting him in the flesh.

If Paul was pricked, then it would be to his good in the Lord, right? Paul knows this per Hebrews 12:1-11 KJV

Having his dead conscience awakened by the power of God word. It was a good sign to Paul . A bad sign or terrible tribulation to the law of the fathers (I I heard it through the grapevine as a oral tradition of men) .They experienced the light of the gospel the Shekinah glory but heard no voice as the law of God to prick or awake their own conscience .

Not sure what Hebrews 12:1-11 KJV would have to do with it?

Acts 22: 8 -9And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

Faith comes by hearing not seeing.

 

[Garee]

Since this thorn in the flesh was given him to keep others from thinking too highly of Paul because of all the visions & revelations coming from him, I would say hearing accusing voices in his head would make believers not to think of him higher than they ought to think.

It was in respect to Paul the Spirit of Christ humbling Paul .Not from other thinking too highly of Paul. But from any man that puffs up themselves above all things written in the law and prophets .

 

[GodB4Us]

Having his dead conscience awakened by the power of God word. It was a good sign to Paul . A bad sign or terrible tribulation to the law of the fathers (I I heard it through the grapevine as a oral tradition of men) .They experienced the light of the gospel the Shekinah glory but heard no voice as the law of God to prick or awake their own conscience .

But Paul was not pricked but buffeted in the flesh by that Messenger of Satan. And to had to deal with an infirmity in his flesh that would cause believers not to think of Paul higher than they ought to think.

Not sure what Hebrews 12:1-11 KJV would have to do with it?

The example of chastening starts in verse 3 which is hardly what Paul was going through with his thorn in the flesh.

Acts 22: 8 -9And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

Faith comes by hearing not seeing.

As far as his conversion goes but his thorn in the flesh happened later in life in the ministry after having so many visions and revelations coming through him and yet he rather glory in his infirmity; that thorn in the flesh for where he is weak, God is strong.

 

[GodB4Us]

It was in respect to Paul the Spirit of Christ humbling Paul .Not from other thinking too highly of Paul. But from any man that puffs up themselves above all things written in the law and prophets .

2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Paul gave an indirect testimony about the apostle John and the Book of Revelations. Of him, he would glory, but not of himself but glory in his infirmity, that thorn in the flesh he was about to talk about so the power of Christ rests on him.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

 

[Garee]

But Paul was not pricked but buffeted in the flesh by that Messenger of Satan. And to had to deal with an infirmity in his flesh that would cause believers not to think of Paul higher than they ought to think.

Buffeted / pricked six of one a half dozen of another . Satan the accuser of the brethren accusing Paul day and night . . .humbling Paul not to go above all things written in the law and the prophets or the law and its testimony .(let there be and it was good. )the testimony of faith.

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 

[GodB4Us]

Buffeted / pricked six of one a half dozen of another . Satan the accuser of the brethren accusing Paul day and night . . .humbling Paul not to go above all things written in the law and the prophets or the law and its testimony .(let there be and it was good. )the testimony of faith.

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

I am not sure how you can apply it towards this "not to go above all things written in the law and the prophets or the law and its testimony .(let there be and it was good. )the testimony of faith. " when it was written why he was given that thorn in the flesh.

2 Corinthians 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

But, yes, I agree with you what Satan as the accuser of our brethren was doing to Paul with those voices he hears in his head and as the power of Christ cast it down as he lives with it so will in the end at the rapture event when Paul nor any of our other brethren will no longer hear Satan any more because after the rapture event for sitting down at the Marriage Supper table in Heaven, Satan is not invited but kicked out for why Satan knows he has little time left.

 

[Garee]

But Paul was not pricked but buffeted in the flesh by that Messenger of Satan. And to had to deal with an infirmity in his flesh that would cause believers not to think of Paul higher than they ought to think.

Again it caused Paul not think of his own self above that which is written. Not us not to think of Paul higher. We already are aware not to think of any man above all things written in the law and prophets to include the apostle , prophet Paul.

 

[GodB4Us]

Again it caused Paul not think of his own self above that which is written. Not us not to think of Paul higher. We already are aware not to think of any man above all things written in the law and prophets to include the apostle , prophet Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

Still see the purpose of this thorn in the flesh is to prevent others from thinking higher of Paul than they ought to think.

Thank you for sharing, brother.

 

[Rhema]

So kind of think it was a mental sickness

Paul suffered from mental illness ??

Interesting assertion.

Rhema

 

[God's Truth]

Let us take a close look at Paul's thorn in the flesh. (2 Cor 12:7-10) Verse 7 says exactly why Paul received this! Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. Then it describes exactly what that thorn is. " A messenger of Satan. Now one could consider an actual person around him, a messenger after all has to be a person to deliver a message, right? So!

Verse 8 is not a sickness of any kind, for the Word says Concerning this I implored the Lord 3 times, why 3 one may wonder, perhaps the same three times when Peter received a love motivation (John 21:15-17) but unknown for sure. Paul stated in 8 what he found out about a bit earlier!! (2 Cor 11:23-31!!)

Now why was he chosen, because there is no doubt, he was one of the chosen ones, and the smartest of all the disciples! Paul knew the law very well, and the Lord knew he was the right man for the job!! After all he wrote three quarters of the New Testament! I have found in my own personal life, not to add or subtract from what the Word says, that is how man-made doctrine started in the first place!

To me the scripture says what it means, and means what it says, and the Lord has really blessed me preaching in his light. This is not a rebuke to anyone!! Just something I have learned and for those who consider this is fine with me, one does not have to agree!! Just a different thought upon the truth of God's Word.

@GodB4Us

There are a lot of people who claim the thorn was sin. There are also people who think Paul had a lot of illnesses and that God wouldn't heal him of them. The scriptures show that Paul's thorn is from people mistreating him for his preaching the gospel.

The scriptures say that people who cause you trouble are as thorns in your flesh. See Numbers 33:55, Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 28:24, Matthew 7:16, Matthew 13:22, Luke 8:7, Luke 8:14.


Paul says Satan sent a messenger to constantly cause him trouble, no doubt through the people and life’s hardships.
Just read a few scriptures down in Corinthians where Paul speaks of the thorn in his flesh and it will tell you what Paul was talking about.


10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.


See 2 Corinthians 12:10. NOT A SINGLE WORD ABOUT HIM SINNING.


So you see it is all the trouble wherever he went.

It was in infirmities when he was sick and abused and treated badly by other people, from being persecuted, his beatings and being hungry and in need of other life necessities, like clothes and shelter. It was all because he preached the gospel.