PAUL A LIFE RADICALLY CHANGED
Paul before his conversion to Jesus Christ
Paul was in charge of the murder of Stephen.
Then they cried out loudly, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one
accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the
witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named
Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying,
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt and cried out with a
loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he said
this, he fell asleep. Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that
time a great persecution arose against the church which was at
Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his
burial and made great lamentation over him. Acts 7:57-Acts 8:2
Paul was imprisoning and murdering Christians.
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and
dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Acts 8:3
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of
the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the
synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way,
whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2
“Indeed, I thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus
of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I
shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I
punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme;
and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to
foreign cities. Acts 26:9-11
If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:4-6
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: “I think
myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself
before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,
especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which
have to do with the Jews. Therefore, I beg you to hear me patiently. My
manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among
my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the
first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest
sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged
for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise
our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain.
For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Why
should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of
Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints
I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I
punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme;
and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to
foreign cities. Acts 26:1-11
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was
formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I
obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy
1:12-13
Paul during his conversion to Jesus Christ
Paul was knocked to the ground by a light from heaven.
As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone
around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice
saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said,
“Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Acts 9:3-5
“While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and
commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I
saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and
those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground,
I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language,
‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick
against the goads.’ So, I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 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 the things which
I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as
well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes,
in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an
inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts
26:12-14
Paul was astonished at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
So, he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to
do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you
will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:6
So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. 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 the things which I will yet reveal to
you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the
Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn
them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that
they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who
are sanctified by faith in Me.’” Acts 26:15-18
Paul was blinded for three days while fasting.
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice
but seeing no one. Then Saul rose from the ground, and when his eyes
were opened, he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought
him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate
nor drank. Acts 9:7-9
Jesus Christ sends Ananias to impart the Holy Spirit to Paul.
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him
the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
So, the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight,
and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for
behold, he is praying. And in a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias
coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his
sight.” Acts 9:10-12
Jesus Christ reassures Ananias about Paul.
Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man,
how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he
has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your
name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine
to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For
I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Acts 9:13-16
Paul receives the Holy Spirit and is baptized.
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on
him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the
road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be
filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes
something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose
and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18
Paul after his conversion to Jesus Christ
Paul fearlessly preached Jesus Christ.
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the
Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he
who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come
here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief
priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded
the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 9:20-22
And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples;
but they were all afraid of him and did not believe that he was a
disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he
declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had
spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name
of Jesus. So, he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.
And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against
the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found
out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Acts
9:26-30
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command
you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out
that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was
gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace
to the authorities. Acts 16:18-19
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens,
I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was
passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even
found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore,
the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God,
who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and
earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped
with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all
life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every
nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined
their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that
they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him
and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we
live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have
said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like
gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all
men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He
will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.
He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Acts 17:22-31
When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by
the Spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when
they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to
them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I
will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the
house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house
was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the
synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the
Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Acts 18:5-8
Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the
commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek? Are
you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led
the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?” But Paul said, “I
am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I
implore you, permit me to speak to the people.” So, when he had
given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his
hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to
them in the Hebrew language, saying, “Brethren and fathers, hear my
defense before you now.” And when they heard that he spoke to them in
the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: “I am
indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at
the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our
fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I
persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons
both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all
the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the
brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were
there to Jerusalem to be punished. Now it happened, as I journeyed and
came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven
shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to
me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are
You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are
persecuting.’ And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were
afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. So I
said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go
into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are
appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see for the glory of
that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came
into Damascus. Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the
law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to
me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’
And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, The God of our
fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just
One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to
all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of
the Lord.’ Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was
praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me,
Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive
your testimony concerning Me.’ So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in
every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And
when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by
consenting to his death and guarding the clothes of those who were
killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from
here to the Gentiles.’” Acts 21:37 - 22:21
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good
cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must
also bear witness at Rome.” Acts 23:11
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and
throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they
should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For
these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand,
witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those
which the prophets and Moses said would come— that the Christ would
suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would
proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:19-23
Paul was a principal teacher in the early church.
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he found him,
he took him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled
with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were
first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:25-26
And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months,
reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the
Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the
disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this
continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word
of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:8-10
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to
break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and
continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the
upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a
certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He
was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down
from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on
him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life
is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and
talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. Acts 20:7-11
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the
church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from
the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among
you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials
which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back
nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you
publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to
Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the
things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit
testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to
myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of
God. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone
preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore, I
testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For
I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God
which He purchased with His own blood. For I know that after my
departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things,
to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore, watch and
remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night
and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the
word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an
inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s
silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands
have provided for my needs, and for those who were with me. I have
shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support
the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It
is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:17-35
Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received
all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the
things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one
forbidding him. Acts 28:30-31
Paul was a designated missionary of the early church.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now
separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called
them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they
sent them away. Acts 13:2-3
And so, Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas
and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. Acts
15:39-40
Paul was given a glimpse of heaven.
Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the
multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing
him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he
rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with
Barnabas to Derbe. Acts 14:19-20
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions
and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years
ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do
not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I
know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know,
God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible
words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will
boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 2
Corinthians 12:1-5
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven,
and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a
sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne,
in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four
thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed
in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from
the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps
of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of
God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in
the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living
creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature
was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third
living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature
was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six
wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or
night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and
is to come!” Revelation 4:2-8
Paul was given a physical infirmity so that he would not be exalted.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I
pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He
said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,
in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have
not injured me at all. You know that because of physical infirmity I
preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my
flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of
God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For
I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your
own eyes and given them to me. Galatians 4:12-15
Paul confronted hypocrisy in the early church.
And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless
you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be
saved.” Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and
dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain
others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders,
about this question. Acts 15:1-2
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas
and took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation and communicated to
them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to
those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had
run, in vain. Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was
compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false
brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our
liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into
bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that
the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Galatians 2:1-5
Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face,
because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he
would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and
separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the
rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even
Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that
they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to
Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of
Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as
Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by
faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we
might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law;
for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Galatians
2:11-16
Paul suffered for Jesus Christ.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the
seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a
fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in
prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I
received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods;
once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I
have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in
perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the
Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils
in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in
sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold
and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my
deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who
is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 2 Corinthians
11:22-29
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of
evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
Paul wrote to churches and individuals.
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated
to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in
the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was
born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be
the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and
apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in
Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-7
Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only
that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual,
let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the
commandments of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:36-37
I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second
time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and
to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— since you seek
a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but
mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by
the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with
Him by the power of God toward you. 2 Corinthians 13:2-4
Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie. Galatians 1:20
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who
are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2
Finally, my brethren rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same
things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Philippians 3:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our
brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in
Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ. Colossians 1:1-2
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God
the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so, I write. 2 Thessalonians 3:17
These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but
if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct
yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-15
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the
promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a beloved son:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to
the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which
accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot
lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His
word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the
commandment of God our Savior; to Titus, a true son in our common
faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ our Savior. Titus 1:1-4
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you
will do even more than I say. But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room
for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to
you. Philemon 1:21-22