PAUL IN HIS EPISTLES
Seventh in A Series of Studies by the late Dr. Henry Grube

The Crisis Periods in the Life of Paul

The Word of God always takes precedent over experience, yet it is necessary sometimes to illustrate truth by personal experience. Many basic and fundamental truths, and eternal principles may be seen by noticing the crisis periods in the life of Paul.

HE HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH CHRIST : (Acts 9 ) He met the Lord Met him personally. Talked with him. His was no taking "second hand" what others had said. Like the woman who touch the Lord. The crowd surged around, but she touched Him. Read what Paul says in I Corinthians 15 in the words "last of all, seen of me." etc.

HE HAD A CRISIS IN THE SPIRIT: ( Romans 7-8 ) Paul here learns that The Lord Jesus takes our place rather than just takes our part. That he is more than a "helper", he himself, is our Help….He is the Way !

HE ENCOUNTERED CONTENTION IN THE CHURCH :(Acts 15; I & II Corinthians).
The problems of "what to do?" How to untie the knots? How to meet the opposition, were continuous experiences of this man of God.

HE EXPERIENCED A CLASH WITH PERSONALITIES : ( Acts 15) One of the tragedies of Christian circles is broken fellowship…collisions with the brethren. If we don't break each others heads, we do break hearts. Toplady spoke of wanting to "tar and feather John Wesley", George Fox and Roger Williams were continuously in heated debates…..Roland Hill spoke of Wesley and his "lay lubbers", and Paul had troubles of a similar nature. This does not give you license to act in a like manner, but it may keep you from getting under the juniper tree.

HIS CONFLICT IN THE FLESH : ( ii Corinthians 12:1-7; Philippians 3) He could boast of a wonderful ancestry….could glory in his citizenship….be proud of his adaptability…Boast of his scholarship… and point with pride to his integrity. He could claim a divine call, he carried a great responsibility, and his word was authoritative. He actually visited heaven( II Cor. 12:1).. then GOD GAVE HIM A THORN IN THE FLESH !

THEN CAME THE CLIMAX IN OLD AGE : ( II Timothy 4 ). God does not promise us rewards in old age, but in Heaven.

HIS LIFE BECOMES A PATTERN : ( II Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; I Thess. 1:6). He becomes a pattern for Present Day Salvation ( I Timothy 1:13-16 ) and a pattern of Present Day Service ( Ephesians 3:8-9 ; Phil. 3:12-17 ) and a pattern of Salvation of Israel, in that they too, will be saved as a nation by personal appearance of the Son of God, while they are in open rebellion, etc.

PAUL LEARNED TO TAKE WHAT GOD GAVE.
FROM HIM WE MIGHT LEARN THE LESSONS OF
RECEIVING WHAT GOD GIVES,
RELINQUISHING WHAT GOD TAKES,
SURRENDERING WHAT GOD CLAIMS,
SUFFERING WHAT GOD ORDAINS, AND
DOING WHAT GOD DEMANDS.

The Lord may not bless us exactly as he did Paul….
but he will bless if we do what Paul did.
He may not use us in the same way he used Paul….
But if we will but be willing to be used,
He will use us,
He will use us for his glory.

THE PRAYERS OF PAUL

Eighth in a Series by the late Dr. Henry Grube

A man can be judged by "How he prays". Paul's prayers are different from the prayers of the Old Testament saints, as his preaching. In every phase of his life we see the distinctive ministry of the Apostle Paul. It is significant that the book of Acts does not record any prayers of the Apostles. The reason is that Acts is historical and not devotional. We see the public deeds of the men of God, but know nothing of their private exercises. It is also significant that the majority of recorded prayers in the New Testament are made by Paul. This is to be expected because Paul being the Apostle to the Gentiles ( Romans 15:16 ), was ministering to people who had come out of Heathenism and needed prayer, and needed to be taught to pray. Whereas Peter, James and John ministered to people with religious background, etc.

It is also significant that the first act of Paul after his conversion was to PRAY, ( Acts 9:11), and a study of Paul's prayer life will reveal prayer to be :

A Christian Duty – Colossians 4:12 There are three things that make a successful Christian life : Supplication- Meditation- Tribulation. Paul continually prayed for his brothers in Christ, a practice which few of us today hold to and a privilege which few of us enjoy.

His requests were made to God, the Father of the Lord Jesus – II Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3.

His recorded prayers are brief- We are not heard by our much praying…not because of our long praying. A successful prayer life depends on to whom you pray and how you pray. Wordy prayers are usually windy and lengthy prayers are often lifeless.

His prayers were direct and definite- Romans 1:9-11; Eph. 1:15-21. Most of us are guilty of indirectly preaching in our public prayers.

Paul was burdened- A careful reading of Eph. 1:17-19; 3:16-19 and Col. 1:9, will show that Paul prayed because of a burdened heart. His was no formal prayer life, praying just because it was the hour of prayer or just because he had a set time to pray, but he had a concern and a love and burden for his people.

His prayers were inclusive- Eph. 6:18

He left the answer and the results with the Lord- Phil. 4:7-9.

Here again we find a basic principle of New Testament prayer. God has never promised to answer every prayer which the Christian prays. The unconditional prayer promises made to the followers of Christ, which will be in effect during the reign of Christ on earth, are not to be applied to The Church Age in which we now live. Romans 8:26-28 sets forth the procedure of prayer for members of The Body of Christ. We do not know how to pray… but the Holy Spirit takes our prayers, presents to God that which is in the accord with his will, and then we know that all he does and the answers he gives, are for our own good.

The child of God who understands the teaching of the New Testament praying, will from the depth of his heart, thank God for unanswered prayer.

THE GOLDEN RULE OF BIBLE STUDY CONCERNING PRAYER

When reading prayer promises… always ask :
WHO IS PRAYING….
TO WHOM IS THE PRAYER BEING MADE……
TO WHOM IS THE PROMISE BEING GIVEN….

REMEMBER, GOD DOES NOT AND HAS NOT MADE THE SAME PROMISES TO ALL HIS PEOPLE. His promises to Israel may be quite different from the promises he has made to the Christian in The Body of Christ.

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