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Preparing Paul to Preach the Gospel
Preparing Paul to Preach the Gospel
Paul’s Time in the Wilderness
Paul spent three years in the Arabian desert after the Damascus road experience being training by Christ to present the gospel to the Gentiles. He then returns to Damascus where he proclaim Jesus is the Son of God.
Acts 9:1-17
9.1 And Saul yet breathing a threat and murder unto the disciples of the Lord, after going to the high priest, 9.2 asked from him a letter unto Damascus towards the synagogues so that if perhaps he found some of the way being both men and women, after binding them, he should lead them to Jerusalem. 9.3 And in the journey, he came near to Damascus and suddenly shining around him a light from the heaven. 9.4 And after falling upon the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” 9.5 And he said, “Who are you sir?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you persecute.” 9.6 But you stand and enter into the city and I will speak with you, what it is necessary for you to do. 9.7 And the men, the ones journeying with him stood speechless, on the one hand hearing a sound, on the other hand not watching anyone. 9.8 And Saul rose up from the ground, after opening his eyes he saw no one, And while they led him by the hand they entered into Damascus. 9.9 And he was three days without seeing and he did not eat nor drink. 9.10 And there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Look […]
Shaken (σαλεύω)
“Shaken” (σαλεύω) denotes causing something to move to and fro or waver. The term “shaken” can refer to both physical objects (e.g., the foundations of the heavens) and psychological states (e.g., a person’s mental state).
During the tribulation period, after the sun has been darkened and the moon ceases to give light, the inherent abilities of the heavens will be shaken, causing the stars to appear as if they are falling (Matthew 24:29). Then the sign of the coming of Christ will be seen (Matthew 24:30). When the heavens are shaken, the hearts of men will fail them out of fear. They will see the coming of the Lord (Luke 21:25-26). In Christ’s second coming, only the things that cannot be shaken will remain (Hebrews 12:27).
The foundation we build upon is crucial. The man who builds his house on a foundation rock ensures that when the storm comes the house will not be shaken (Luke 6:48). This principle also applies to the foundation of our work. Paul, as a master builder, laid down a foundation for the Church based on the doctrine he receive from God. There is no other foundation that can be laid (1 Corinthians 3:11). Our salvation rests upon the belief in the death of Jesus Christ on behalf of our sins and His resurrection three days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is a salvation by grace through faith, not by any quality of law (Ephesians 2:8). When we stand before Christ at the Bema seat, let our works be found to be of good quality by using what we have been given in salvation to live out the righteousness we have in Christ so that they stand approved when tested (1 Corinthians […]
Begotten (γεννάω)
Begotten (γεννάω) is predominately used regarding birth; however, it is not restricted in use to only producing a child. It is used in genealogies to connect the father with his children. Abraham begot Isaac, Matthew 1:2, and the results of an action. Paul begot the Corinthian saints, 1 Corinthians 4:15, and became a parent to Onesimus, Philemon 10. Therefore, begotten (γεννάω) is not limited to a birthing term. Its root meaning expresses producing something, hence, bringing forth.
While Joseph was considering how to deal with his fiancé who had become pregnant before he knew her, an angel appeared to him in a dream informing him that the thing that is begotten in Mary’s womb is from the Holy Spirit, Matthew 1:20. Although Christ had not been born at this time, God the Father and the Holy Spirit brought forth a body that was being developed in Mary’s womb. Around two years after Jesus’ birth (when he was begotten from the womb), three wisemen from the east came looking for Him because of the star that was prophesied about through Daniel, Matthew 2:1. Therefore, because of its underlying meaning, begotten (γεννάω) can relate to a child in the womb along with one who has been born.
Begotten (γεννάω) is also used for the condition in which a person is born along with how their birth came about. Some eunuchs are begotten, brought forth as a eunuch, from their mother’s womb, Matthew 19:12. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of being born out of fornication, John 8:41. They also accuse a man who was born blind of being begotten in sin due to his birth defect, John 9:34. Paul’s Roman citizenship was brought forth because of where and to […]
Abstain (ἀπέχω)
Abstain (ἀπέχω) comes from the root “to have or hold (εχω)”, expressing the concepts of paid in full or sufficiency. In its general use it may also conveying the idea of deliberately avoiding or refraining from something; hence, abstain. Therefore, not holding onto something.
In expressing the concept of sufficiency, Paul uses ἀπέχω in Philippians 4:18 concerning the support he received from Epaphroditus, who was sent by the assembly to fulfill Paul’s physical needs. He conveys to them that he has no need for more, or they may abstain from sending more, because they have met the need.
The village of Emmaus is fully sixty stadia, approximately seven miles, from Jerusalem, Luke 24:13. ἀπέχω (apecho) is used to express its full distance being sufficiently completed by sixty stadia.
When speaking to the Jews about their righteous acts, Jesus warns them to not do them with the intent for others to see them. The one who does work in this manner receives in full what he deserves by the glory he acquired from men, Matthew 6:2, and, therefore, will not be rewarded by God.
In these latter times that we live in, we have many who have departed from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons. These are the pastors that in hypocrisy speak lies, having their own conscience seared, forbidding marriage and teaching abstaining from food, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth, 1 Timothy 4:3.
An aspect of the desirous will of God is for the saint to abstain from fornication, 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Each of us is to know how to possess his own body in sanctification and honor, not in the […]