The Last Apostle
In our Christian subculture we have been trained to try and make the Bible applicable to our own lives. After I read Galatians 1:11-24, it occurred to me that to apply the words of Paul's biography to myself would minimize Paul's life, and the significance of him being an Apostle after the 12 from the Gospels.
Paul says this: "But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone" (Gal 1:15-16).
I can see how the idea of God knowing us and setting us apart before we were born relates to this passage (see Ephesians 1). But Paul is not trying to teach the church about their election here, even though he believes those who follow Christ to have been elected from eternity (Romans 8:28-30 and Ephesians 1:3-14). Rather, the Apostle is proving his authority and divine mission, quite apart from our more ordinary missionary callings to share the gospel. Paul the Apostle is proclaiming for the whole world that he received the one/same gospel preached to the 12 other apostles. In addition, he is situating himself in the company of the Old Testament prophets, who were, likewise, called for a special purpose before their birth. Think about Jeremiah or how God prophesies about the Servant of the Lord who will bring back Jacob (Jesus). Paul is thinking on the huge theological level here. And he doesn't want us to try to apply his calling to our lives. God wants us to know that there were special means of revelation and messengers who were on God's radar before there even was the idea of Paul.
And, yet, this non-applicable story is for us who believe. Paul's calling, while not a universal revelation on how we all are called to preach to the Gentiles, is part of our story on how we were called out of darkness and brought into the marvelous light of the gospel. Without Paul we would know very little about God and his love for us, sinners, redeemed and being molded by this life and world God has created and is recreating for his glory.
Once again, it is a challenge to get our attention off of ourselves and to think about God's plan and gospel, and the means by which that gospel comes to us. Maybe it was the Last Apostle, Paul, who drew attention to the rest of the Bible (think about all the quotations and illusions to the Old Testament in Paul's letters).
Paul says this: "But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone" (Gal 1:15-16).
I can see how the idea of God knowing us and setting us apart before we were born relates to this passage (see Ephesians 1). But Paul is not trying to teach the church about their election here, even though he believes those who follow Christ to have been elected from eternity (Romans 8:28-30 and Ephesians 1:3-14). Rather, the Apostle is proving his authority and divine mission, quite apart from our more ordinary missionary callings to share the gospel. Paul the Apostle is proclaiming for the whole world that he received the one/same gospel preached to the 12 other apostles. In addition, he is situating himself in the company of the Old Testament prophets, who were, likewise, called for a special purpose before their birth. Think about Jeremiah or how God prophesies about the Servant of the Lord who will bring back Jacob (Jesus). Paul is thinking on the huge theological level here. And he doesn't want us to try to apply his calling to our lives. God wants us to know that there were special means of revelation and messengers who were on God's radar before there even was the idea of Paul.
And, yet, this non-applicable story is for us who believe. Paul's calling, while not a universal revelation on how we all are called to preach to the Gentiles, is part of our story on how we were called out of darkness and brought into the marvelous light of the gospel. Without Paul we would know very little about God and his love for us, sinners, redeemed and being molded by this life and world God has created and is recreating for his glory.
Once again, it is a challenge to get our attention off of ourselves and to think about God's plan and gospel, and the means by which that gospel comes to us. Maybe it was the Last Apostle, Paul, who drew attention to the rest of the Bible (think about all the quotations and illusions to the Old Testament in Paul's letters).
posted by Dale at 9:13 PM
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