Here is a question I might ask to get a Sabbath School class started:

How was Paul and his talents uniquely fitted for his role as apostle to the Gentiles?

Its to bad we couldn't choose two answers. I pick #2, but I think #1 would've been a good secondary chose.

pkrause

Actually, if you look at the question carefully, No. 2 could be said to include No. 1.

I don't see Saul/Paul having any good qualities. First, he was an evil man. Second, he never met Jesus nor knew what Jesus said or taught. Third, he fought with the pillers (Peter, James and John) and said he learned nothing from them. Fourth, he said he had a demon in him that God put there. Fifth, he did not like women and put them down. Sixth, he didn't know the difference between 'justification' and 'sanctification'. Seventh, he didn't understand the difference between the laws and the covenant. Anyway, you get the picture. So why didn't Jesus personally appear to John to tell him the revelation He received from His Father as Paul allegedly says Jesus did to him?

One thing Paul had going for him was his enthusiasm. Read Acts 22:3 NIV ". . . and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today." He was a great missionary spreading the Good News far and wide. Few people had as much going for them as for Paul. Maybe not the best theologian, but certainly a good missionary. Oh for half his energy!

None of the above. I agree with Dr. Rich. Your sabbath class would be better off hearing the words of Jesus than the lies spouted by Paul. Jesus said anyone who is of the truth hears my
voice. I choose to hear the voice of Jesus, not the words of Paul.
By the way, Paul's greatest talent was distorting the word of God.
"Narrow is the way and few there be that find it."

Now, now, that is being a little harsh on Paul. You cannot deny that Paul was a great missionary, and his writings are included in the Bible. God speaks through the Bible to each of us. There are many good things about Paul's writings.

Why discredit Paul? He had a great conversion, and was an eager missionary.

Quote:

So why didn't Jesus personally appear to John to tell him the revelation He received from His Father as Paul allegedly says Jesus did to him?

(1) Yes, Paul WAS an evil man -- just as evil as anyone of us WITHOUT CHRIST would be. Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, he confessed his sins, they were forgiven him -- and he was henceforth no more evil than any one of us.

(2) Because God knew that Paul had such a knowledge of the Jewish teachings, and the way the hierachy thought, that he was the right one to meet these learned men on their own ground. God knew what He was doing.

(3) True, Paul had learned nothing from the disciples. God Himself was Paul's teacher during the 3 years he had spent in Arabia (Galatians 1:11-17). Just remember to read these things in their context and all will be clear.

(4)Sorry, but I looked up the concordance to find out where Paul said that God put a demon in him. I could not find it. Would you be so kind as to tell me where it is? Thanks. And if God allowed an evil spirit to take control of Paul for a while, then He must have had a very good reason for it.

6. "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy[teaching] of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 120, 21.

7. Why didn't Jesus bring the revelation of Jesus to John? HE DID! John had spent 3 1/2 years living with Jesus, knowing Him intimately. Read the writings of John and you will see that. However, Paul had spent that same time fighting against the thought of Jesus being the Messiah, so it was proper that Jesus spend that time with him in the wilderness filling in the gaps, and preparing him for that great work that Jesus had planned for him, that none of the disciples were qualified to do.

God works in the same way today. HE chooses the workers that He wants, because He knows the spiritual gifts that He has planned to fit that person's personality. God had plannned a great work for Paul. Doubtless the devil tried to get in the way -- but, as always, God's plans prevailed.

God bless,

Beryl

You make it sound like we have no choice in the matter . . . God chooses the workers he wants.

The story of Saul/Paul very clearly shows that even though God chooses who he wants to work for him, Saul/Paul made a very conscious decision to do the work of God.

Remember, Paul stated, "God what would you have me to do?" He made a clear decision to work for God. The same with us, God might choose us to work for him in some way, but we need to make a conscious decision to work for God.

Good show, Beryl. One thing many don't seem to realize is that when they attack the servants of God, they actually are attacking God Himself.

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." John 15:16 NASB

It is not a matter of whether we must choose God as much as it is a matter that we cannot choose Him without His intervention as long as we are still in bondage to the prince of darkness.

"The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." Luke 10:16 NASB

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NASB
God bless!