Paul : An Apostle for all Seasons Galatians 1:1-5

 Author of the 14 books of the New Testament  The book of Romans, I & II Corinthians, The Book of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, Philemon, I & II Timothy, Titus and the Book of Hebrews

 “show us his character with all its varied elements, his religious intensity, his originality, freshness and depth of thought, and his intellectual boldness and strength, while they reveal to us also his moral nature and human heart enlarged by the grace of Christ.” Robert Speer for Apostle Paul

 He was a man little of stature, partly bald, with crooked legs, of vigorous physique, with eyes set close together …  no dashing debonair, but a refined, genteel and urbane person  What Apostle Paul lack in physical attributes, he made up in his intellectual prowess and tenacious dedication to his mission of preaching and teaching the Word of God.

 Paul, an apostle (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Tarsus Cilicia Modern Turkey The City of Apostle Paul

 The crowd listened until Paul came to that word; then with one voice they shouted, “Away with such a fellow! Kill him! He isn’t fit to live!” They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air. The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. As they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”

 The officer went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman Citizen!” So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied. “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!” “But I am a citizen by birth!” The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped. (Acts 22:22-29, New Living Translation)

 Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were all my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!” This divided the council – Pharisees against the Sadducees – for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these. So a great clamor arose. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up to argue that Paul was all right.

 “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.” The shouting grew louder and louder, and the men were tugging at Paul from both sides, pulling him this way and that. Finally, the commander, fearing they would tear him apart, ordered his soldiers to take him away from them and bring him back to the fortress. (Acts 23:6-10, New Living Translation)

 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. (Acts 22:3, KJV) (Gamaliel - a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a teacher of the law)

 spent ten years of spiritual reflection and studies in Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and Cilicia.

 Paul is a Roman name  Paul’s Hebrew name is Saul  After Saul’s encounter with God on the road to Damascus, took Paul (Paulos) as his official name.  Roman citizen with a Jewish temper, discipline and zeal  Apostle Paul was not only a tireless missionary but a great church builder. His travels, trials and triumphs were characterized by a zealous, passionate, devoted, fervent, focused mission: “To do the will of Him that sent me.”

Paul Beheaded at the Appean Way

 True religion is not a matter of religious regulations and rules  To Apostle Paul, God does not keep His people on a puppet string  To Apostle Paul, people matter more than things.  To Apostle Paul, there is no race, class, sex discrimination

 “A life yielded to God, a restful trust in Him to supply your needs, a willingness to take a lowly place, adaptability toward circumstances, steadfastness in discouragement, love for prayer and the study of God’s word, some experience and blessing in the Lord’s work at home.”

Never tired in well - doing Imprisoned, tortured, forsaken, and finally executed stood pat on his promise to serve God by preaching, teaching, and writing his thoughts and wisdom

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.