Be A Servant Of Jesus

Paul, originally called Saul, was an early missionary for the Christian church and an apostle of Christ. Thirteen New Testament letters are from Paul. He did not start out as a follower of Jesus, however. He first appears as a persecutor of the church. He was present when Stephen was martyred, and he approved of the killing.

Paul’s life took a dramatic turn when he traveled to Damascus. He intended to arrest any Christians he found there. On the way, he was stopped by a blinding light. Christ spoke to him from heaven, telling him to go into the city and wait further instruction. For three days Paul was blind until God sent Ananias to restore his sight.

Paul’s conversion to becoming a Jesus follower was immediate and complete. After he could see again, he began to preach about Christ in the synagogues, shocking those who heard. Some Jews plotted to kill him, but he escaped to Jerusalem. There, Barnabas took Paul to meet with the apostles. Later, Barnabas and Paul went on a missionary journey together. They returned to Jerusalem and told the believers how God was working powerfully among the Gentiles, which influenced the decision not to require Gentiles to be circumcised in order to become Christians. Paul then returned to missionary efforts alongside Silas.

Paul traveled widely and ministered effectively, planting many churches. He wrote letters to churches to encourage and correct them in certain matters. Eventually, Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and then transferred to Caesarea where he appealed as a Roman citizen to be tried by Caesar. He was sent to Rome, experiencing shipwrecks and danger on the way. In Rome, he was put under house arrest.

Acts ends with Paul under arrest in Rome, but details from Paul’s letters suggest he may have engaged in further missionary travels after this. We do know, from his extensive letters to the churches and to his trusted friends, that Paul followed his Lord and Savior for the rest of his life on earth.

When Christ calls us, he wants us to give our whole lives to him. Few have demonstrated this better than Paul. In the face of beatings, shipwrecks, slander and other attacks, Paul worked tirelessly to spread the gospel. Paul’s legacy is an example for all who serve Christ. Our highest goal should be to make Christ known in all we say and do.