As we look over the lives recorded in the pages of the Bible many of them stick out. One that often captivates me as I read through the Bible is that of the Apostle Paul. As he was a man of intense faith and trust in God. Willing to truly do, face, and overcome anything to serve the Lord. As we study his faith journey it is able to speak to any of us in an edifying way. Teaching us just what God is able to do if we will only place all our faith in Him. No matter what our past or present looks like.
The Apostle Paul is an interesting example in the New Testament as he started off completely opposed to the Christian faith. Living a passionate Jewish life and even persecuting the early Christian church. Because of this, he was a sinner in the eyes of God. Persecuting believers and doing many wicked things. He even referred to himself as the chief most among sinners and an example that anyone can be redeemed by God. No matter what lies in their even very recent past.
Galatians 1:13–14 (ESV)
13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Not only that but we can even relate more to Paul than we can to the other Apostles. Because Paul did not live with Jesus as He operated His public ministry. Like us, Paul did not come to faith in Christ until after He had already died and rose again. Paul shows us that our faith can be firmly planted without sharing in the amazing events the other Apostles were blessed to witness.
Galatians 1:15–16 (ESV)
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 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;
Many Christians today would be unable to face all that the Apostle Paul did and retain their faith. For most the first signs of pressure would have caused them to give up. To question if God was even real or with them because their life wasn’t looking like they thought it would after salvation. It wasn’t a life of simplicity and ease. With no more trouble or worry. Which isn’t what the Bible promises to those who believe no matter how many false teachers want to claim it is.
Unlike that of the modern church, the faith of Paul was unshakable. Even when facing the most severe persecution imaginable. It was his strong faith in God and His promises that kept him moving forward. He gave all he had in order to further the Gospel message and save as many souls as he could. Truly believing his message in Jesus Christ was right and the only thing that could save the lost.
Acts 4:12 (ESV)
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 20:20–21 (ESV)
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible records many of the horrible things the Apostle Paul went through. From verbal abuse to being whipped until bloody. Time and time again he was locked away in prison. All this and more for simply sharing the Gospel. This would destroy the faith of so many of us today. Causing us to cry out questions to God. Yet, Paul’s faith never wavered through any of it. In fact, it only seems to have strengthened him and caused him to push harder. As he was able to see his chains act as a testimony and grow the faith of many. All the while trusting and knowing that none of the sufferings would be able to compare with the glory of Heaven.
2 Corinthians 11:22–28 (ESV)
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
Philippians 1:12–14 (ESV)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Even death, which often shakes the faith of so many believers today, was unable to have an effect on the Apostles’ intense faith. Unlike most, Paul didn’t look at death with worry or fear but with eager expectation. Through faith in God’s word, he knew assuredly what waited on the other side and longed to be home with Jesus. Stating that for him living meant living for Christ and to die was gain. His faith allowed him to view death as every Christian should. As the reward it is and nothing to be feared.
Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
As we study the faith of Paul though one thing really stands out above the rest. God points us to follow the example of Paul. Instructing us to imitate both his life and faith. While Paul may have pinned such passages we know that the words belong to God. As all scripture comes from the inspiration of God and no word of prophecy ever came from the prophet.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:20 (ESV)
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.
Meaning God saw it right to call every believer to strive to live a life of faith like that of Paul. An honor that no one else other than Jesus personally receives in the Bible. It stands as a testament to the amazing life of faith Paul lived. One that we should do our best to follow after just as we are instructed to in God’s very own word.
1 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)
16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Philippians 4:9 (ESV)
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Studying the faith that the Apostle Paul is able to provide richly in our lives. Teaching us many lessons and showing us the way every believer should strive to live. Above all teaching us that we too can possess this same faith no matter who we are or what our background was. Faith is something we grow in our life just as Paul did. If we will only trust in God more and more then we too will be able to walk through this life with unwavering faith just as Paul did.
Please don’t stop by just reading this brief look into the faith of the Apostle Paul. The Bible contains so much more information that shows just how deep his faith ran that simply can’t fit into a single article. Start here but take the time to study Paul’s life on your own. Allow him to be the example in your life that God set him to be. Inspiring you to go deeper with God and really trust Him with your whole heart.
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