Paul was chosen by God to receive special revelation about the gospel. Few of any have been given the grace of being “caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell” (2 Corinthians 12:14). He heard unfathomable things about paradise that he could not share with anyone.
- Paul is considered the greatest missionary ever, having obeyed the Great Commission very fruitfully, taking the gospel to the ends of the known world to make disciples and plant churches.
. - Paul’s ministry was also marked by miraculous signs and wonders, especially as compelling evidence to the Gentiles that Jesus Christ was in fact the Messiah—the only way to the One True God who created the universe.
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2 Corinthians 2:12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
. - Paul was totally committed to the Lord, even forsaking marriage for the sake of pleasing the Lord with undivided devotion.
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1 Corinthians 7:32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
. - Paul was very strict with his flesh, his old nature, and would “strike a blow” to it and keep it under his authority so that he would not sin against the Lord. He did not want to risk being disqualified for “the prize”—his eternal reward in heaven where he would reign with Jesus Christ.
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1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
. - Paul had set his heart and mind on heavenly things, and not earthly things. His heart was set on appearing with Christ in glory at His Second Coming.
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.
What would Paul be teaching if he were alive today?
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Among other things…
- Paul would teach us to preach the gospel of the kingdom, to plant churches and to make disciples in all nations in order to fulfill the Great Commission during these very Last Days.
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- Paul would teach us how to preach the gospel as he did, accompanied by the miraculous healing of the sick and the casting out of demons as compelling and irrefutable evidence for the gospel according to Jesus’ promise in John 14:12.
. - Paul would give little weight to teaching on being “successful” by the world’s standards in order to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilled life in this world. Instead Paul would emphasize devotion to the Lord.
. - Paul would teach us to live holy lives pleasing to the Lord in obedience to His holy commands. He would teach us to take authority over our flesh for it to obey us in all circumstances, so that we do not sin. He would teach us to lay down our lives for one another by serving one another in love. He would teach us to abound in the fruit of the Holy Spirit— love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
. - Paul would teach us to set our hearts and minds on things above, since we have died to earthly things. He would teach us to set our hope totally on appearing with Jesus Christ in glory at His Coming. This would be our primary perspective in whatever we invest our time and effort.
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Paul could teach such radical things since he had been to the Third Heaven and there in eternity had been shown things that are inconceivable—things which we must accept by faith alone.
Would Paul be a popular and sought-after preacher in contemporary culture today?