See part #4 in this series for the next point of credibility regarding Paul's bold
and assertive claims in his writings.
Credibility Point #3: The ascended Lord chose Paul for this ministry
Paul wrote many times in his epistles that he was an apostle, appointed by the Lord, and that he had authority to speak in His name. We read often how Paul had to defend his credibility when we read statements or personal testimony as follows,
Acts 22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
——( testimony before a Jewish crowd)
Acts 26:15-17 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
——(testimony before Festus and King Agrippa)
Paul mentions his position and title in many of his epistles,
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
One might argue that all these statements came from Paul himself. Yes, that is the case, but there is one instance where another person confirms Paul's claims and provides us the proff that Paul was true to his position. After Paul was blinded on the Damascus road, he was lead into the city and at this time God appeared to Ananias to instruct him to pray for Paul's sight. The Lord told Ananias the following in a vision,
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him (Ananias), Go! For this one is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. (See also Galatians 1:1)
Transliteration: eklogḗ; Definition (Strongs Lex G1589): a divine selection; Usage: a choosing out, selecting, choice by God.
[1589 /eklogḗ ("divine selection")] occurs seven times in the Greek NT; once for "chosen" (Paul) Acts 9:15, six times for "elect" in reference to the body of Christ.
The word "chosen" in this verse is translated as, "divine selection". This is not just a position ordained by man. Paul was not voted into a position by a selection panel. No! Paul was selected by the Lord Himself, to fulfil a specific and special purpose in His divine plan to redeem humanity; to reach the Gentiles with a new Gospel message and a new Grace doctrine, given by the glorified Lord Himself.
Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in (not to or on) me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,
Acts 26:15 And I said, Who are you, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. 16 But rise and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of those things in which I will yet reveal unto you;
So in the above we can prove the credibility of Paul from a positional stance. He was called of the Lord to be an apostle with a ministry specific to the Gentiles, providing them with a new gospel and doctrine based on the dispensation of grace.
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