6. The Conversion of the Apostle Paul- Dispensationally Distinct

The conversion of Paul is recorded three times in the Acts of the Apostles. In Acts 9, Luke records for us the first account. Luke then records Paul's testimony before the crowd in Acts 22. He has been arrested during a riot caused by his presence the Temple, where it was thought that Paul had brought with him a Gentile. The last account is Paul's testimony and defense before King Agrippa, in Acts 26.

Paul's conversion is the beginning of a life that has contributed almost half of the writings of the so-called New Testament. It would be over half if Hebrews is counted as written by Paul. He, (Paul), who has so much to say, should be given time and attention that we may grasp the intent and purpose of God, when he moved to use Paul as the unfolder of his mercy and grace.

The Scofield Reference Bible ( 1917 Edition) states that Paul's epistles have a very distinctive character. ( page 1189) The New Scofield Reference Bible (1967 Edition) has rewritten the introduction to the Epistles of Paul and in some ways has toned down this distinctive character. They wrote out 'very' before distinctive character.(page 1209).

This old edition also uses these words, through Paul alone and through him alone three times to emphasize the unique contribution Paul makes concerning the revelation of the mystery of the church as the body of Christ, the nature, purpose and form of organization of local churches as well as the mystery of when the believer can expect a glorified body. This too was a mystery. I Cor. 15:51 On another page, this Bible states that "in his writings alone we find the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny of the church."(page 1252). The new edition states, "The details concerning the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny of the Church were committed to Paul and his fellow 'apostles and prophets by the spirit'(Eph. 3:5) . " The old edition speaks of written revelation. The new edition can only speak of oral revelation, for only the Apostle Paul's writings contain revelational truth concerning the church which is the Body of Christ.

William R. Newell in his book, Paul vs. Peter has this to say : "Take Romans to Philemon out of the Bible and you are bereft of Christian doctrine. For instance, if you were to take Paul's epistles out of the Bible, you cannot find anything about the Church, the Body of Christ , for no other apostle mentions the Body of Christ. You cannot find one of the great mysteries such as the Rapture of the Church ( I Thess. 4: and I Cor. 15) or the mystery of the present hardening of Israel ( Romans 11 ) for no other apostles speaks of any those mysteries. Paul alone reveals them." (page 6).

Paul states that he saw the Lord. " Have I not seen Jesus Christ, our Lord ?" I Cor. 9:1 He saw the Lord on the road to Damascus. This fact alone is distinctive for the following reasons:


*When our Lord began to unfold the facts concerning His death and departure, He emphasizes that the disciples will see him again but the unbeliever would not. It is in John 14:18-19 that this is made clear. He refers again to His going away and appearing again to them in John 14:28, 16:16-22. (cf. Matt. 23:38-39)

Peter states in Acts 10:40-41, that after the resurrection God showed Christ openly," not to all the people but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose from the dead." Yet, at the time Paul saw the Lord, he was an unbeliever. How gracious of the Lord. How distinct! This unique conversion was the initial movement in the revelation of the new dispensation of the Grace of God.


*Another significant fact is found in Paul's witness before King Agrippa. This concerns how Paul saw the Lord , as the Lord of Glory. I Cor. 2:7-8 When the apostles saw Him in His kingdom glory, at the mount of transfiguration, Matthew states His face did 'shine as the sun'. Matt. 17:2 When John speaks concerning Christ at the receiving of the truth given in the book of Revelation, John sees Him "as the sun shineth in his strength". Rev. 1:16 Malachi writes about Christ's coming as " the Sun of Righteousness". Mal. 4:2. When Christ is mentioned in relation to His Kingdom and the earth He has a glory above the earth like the "sun". But, when Paul saw the Lord of Glory, there began the first of a series of revelations concerning the Church and its place with Christ. So, when Paul saw Christ at his conversion, he saw Him as a light " ABOVE the brightness of the sun, shining round about me". Acts 26:13


*Lastly, Paul's conversion is distinct because it was a line of demarcation for the believer afterwards. Paul states in I Timothy 1:15-16, that he was the chief of sinners. So, there is hope for all of us. Paul has become a "pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to everlasting life". Paul as a sinner saw the Lord of Glory. In this experience Paul also tasted a manifestation of His wonderful, matchless grace. Paul was give the responsibility to dispense this grace. The good news he preached is called the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24. Paul called his ministry the "Dispensation of the Grace of God. Eph. 3:2

JERRY W. STERCHI

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