PAUL’S EXAMPLE

1Co 4:16  Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

1Co 11:1  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.—THAT IS THE LESSON!

2Pe 1:20 --no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,

Then, we are to understand prophecies through the word of God!

Reading the word of God through Paul’s epistles, we get much knowledge of JESUS CHRIST and His things.

Paul was taught directly by JESUS CHRIST, Gal 1: 1, 12, Paul’s ministry was magnified by the addition of gentiles to his ministry, (Ro 11:13  For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry), PAUL WORKED EFFECTIVELY TOWARDS GENTILES, AND AMONG THEM HE CONCENTRATED ON THE POOR, GAL 2: 8-10—THIS IS WHY GENTILES WHO HEAR THE LORD THROUGH PAUL, WERE MADE FIRSTBORN OF POOR, ISA 14: 30, AS THEY TRUST THE LORD, Isa 14: 32!—then the first born of poor have faith in JESUS CHRIST!

2Ti 1:13  Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me,

Tit 1: 3—preaching committed to Paul—and Paul is minister of gentiles, we are to imitate him, therefore,  WE of Isa 14: 30 TOO, ARE TO PREACH. ----Preaching is a commandment of God---Vs. 3--preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; everlasting gospel to be preached, among nations, tribe, tongue and people (who dwell on earth), Re 14:6.

PAUL AS APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST--

Ro 1:1  Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God—1Co 1:1  --2Co 1:1  -Ga 1:1  Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, ---)Eph 1:1  --Col 1:1 -- 1Ti 1:1 -- 2Ti 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

Tit 1:1  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,--the promise of life in JESUS CHRIST is attianed through Rom 6: 3-7,

We are to gain godliness, mystery of godliness preached among gentiles, 1Ti 3:16, women to profess godliness, 1Ti 2:10, exercise yourself toward godliness, 1Ti 4:7, doctrine accords with godliness, 1Ti 6:3, godliness with contentment is great gain, 1Ti 6:6, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness., 1Ti 6:11—we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness, 2Pe 3:11. Paul exhorted godliness!

PAUL EXHORTS IN Phip 4: 9,TO FOLLOW HIM FOR HE PRACTICES Phip 4: 8

Phi 4: 9--Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:----those things are what is written in vs. 8  - whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

CHRIST IS MAGNIFIED IN PAUL’S BODY—

Phi. 1: 20-- According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

PAUL WAS WILLING TO PUT AWAY ANYTHING TO WIN CHRIST, AND HE SOUGHT Righteousness THROUGH FAITH OF CHRIST--

Phi 3: 8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9-  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Righteousness of God comes through Rom 6: 3-6 (by JESUS CHRIST removing our sins)--

PAUL WAS RECEIEVED AS AN ANGEL—GAL 4: 14, Lu 20: 36

sons of Resurrection are equal to sons of God and angels, Lu 20:36—therefore as Paul was raised from dead, according to Rom 6: 3-7, to serve JESUS CHRIST, Rom 6: 19,22, Paul was as an angel.

PAUL EXPLAINS --

Paul was taught by JESUS CHRIST Himself, Gal 1: 11,12, he understood that he became the servant of JESUS CHRIST after he was taught , vs. 10 ,---- Paul was raised from dead, (Gal 4: 14, Lu 20: 36 )

--{we understand that Paul was raised to become an angel—that is ---he was not physically dead, but spiritually dead and JESUS CHRIST rose him according to Ro 6: 3-7, and thereafter Paul walked in newness of life, as Paul spiritually was buried with LORD, and died, he was freed from sin to serve the LORD, vs. 6,7, being a slave of JESUS CHRIST, vss.19-23,---having crucified lusts and passions, Gal 5: 24, honoring the law of loving brethren, Gal 5; 13-15, Rom 13: 8-10.---)

1Co 11:1  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.—THAT IS THE LESSON!—PAUL IMITATED CHRIST TO BE BAPTISED INTO HIS DEATH, ROM 6: 3-7.

Paul was spiritually discerned earlier, (as natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God---- for they are foolishness unto him---- because they are spiritually discerned., 1 Co 2: 14), and did not understand the word of God, therefore he worked against JESUS CHRIST, --BUT PAUL CHANGED, Ac 9:22

PAUL A MINISTER TO GENTILES—

Paul preached JESUS CHRIST among the gentiles, Gal 1: 16--That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and minister of them, Eph 3:6, 7—preaching the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, vs. 8, ---to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ, vs. 9---

THEREFORE, THE LORD CHOSE PAUL, TO PREACH “THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY” –which WAS HIDDEN from the beginning, IN THE LORD, ---AMONG gentiles,---And therefore the gentiles who were made to know these things are writing those.

THESE GENTILES TOO WERE RAISED FROM BEING DEAD TO SIN, Eph 2: 1, 5, --THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, Eph 2: 13 (which means they were buried through His death, Ro 6; 3-7, AND WERE GRAFTED TO ISRAEL, AS THEY WERE NOT OF ISRAEL, Eph. 2: 6-13.

EPH 3; 1 -  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

He extended his ministry to gentiles (magnified his office), Ro 11:13

Rom 15: 16-- That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.—THE MEAT GIVEN BY GOD THROUGH GENTILES SHOULD BE THANKFULLY RECEIVED AS THEY ARE SANCTIFIED BY WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER, 1 TIM 4: 3, --IF ANYONE FORBIDS TO EAT THOSE FOOD SANCTIFIED, IT IS AS YOU ARE FORBIDDING TO MARRY JESUS CHRIST, AS HE IS SENDING THIS FOOD.

PAUL SOUGHT THE POWER OF LORD’S RESURRECTION—

PHI 3: 10  That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;

11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

SIMILARLY WE ARE TO BE BAPTISED INTO HIS DEATH—TO BE RAISED IN THE LIKENNESS OF HIS Resurrection.

Rom 6: 3-  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:

WHEN RAISED UP FROM DEAD, WE ARE TO HOLD FAST THE WORDS OF LIFE, PHI 2: 16, JN 6: 63—and keep commandments of JESUS CHRIST, they are the laws of loving one another, Rom 13: 8-10 (ONE WOULD SEE THEY ARE THE LAWS OF EXE 20!)

PAUL COMPARED OUR LIVES AS A RACE-

2 Ti 2: 5  And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (therefore we should be obedient to His commands)

6  The hard–working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

7  Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8 - Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, (Paul preached the gospel of LORD’s cross, 1Co 1:17).

9  for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

10  Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.(elect are gentiles, Ro 11:5-7, 11---Rom 9: 29-31,

11  This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

( just as Rom 6: 3,4)

PAUL WON HIS RACE-

1Co 9:24  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

1Co 9:25  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Php 3:14  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

PAUL SAID HE IS THE CHIEF SINNER, BUT HE WAS SAVED BY THE LORD’S MERCY--

1 Tim 1:  15---Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. ----16-- for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.

Paul’s pattern of obtaining mercy from the LORD should be a pattern for all who seek everlasting life! Paul realised that he had to be longsuffering ---LORD IS LONGSUFFERING FOR ALL ISRAEL, OF ROM 9: 4,6!—believing gentiles too have to be long suffering.THEREFORE—

We should follow his example and listen to the gospel he preached--

PAUL SENT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST -

1 Co 1: 17- For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.(H.W.Armstrong said that cross is just a method of killing—IT IS FOOLISH TO HAVE SAID SO, WHEN PAUL PREACHED NOTHING BUT THE CROSS, 1 CO 2: 2. )

THEREFORE, PAUL WAS NOT TO BAPTIZE, BUT TO PREACH LORD’S CROSS BECAUSE ALL WHAT HAPPENED THROUGH LORD’S CROSS HELPS TO BE SAVED FOR ETERNITY--

1 Co 1: 17- For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Paul was to EMPHASIZE the LORD’s CROSS!

HOPE OF THE GOSPEL IS TO BE RAISED TO LIFE THROUGH CROSS OF THE LORD, RO 6: 3-7—WE SHOULD HAVE THAT FAITH--Col 1:23  if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

ROM 15: 16--That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God,----,

Col 1:27  To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.—THEREFORE IT IS GENTILES THAT WOULD KNOW THE GLORY OF THAT MYSTERY, WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU---therefore the light of JESUS CHRIST is being taught to ISRAEL by gentiles.—Isa 60: 3

PAUL BEARING THE CROSS DAILY—HE SETS AN EXAMPLE--

1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.---WE SEE PAUL FOLLOWING LU 14: 27, ---9: 23

Lu 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.---Lu 9:23  Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

(PAUL FOUGHT AGAINST BEING CARNAL---we should remember that Paul was carnal, just as humans, but he fought against it,  Ro 7:14 , we too are to strive against sin, Heb 12:4, and Paul did so, Col 1:29, Php 1:27, -- Paul won that spiritual race, 2Ti 4:7 and he encouraged all of us to fight this FIGHT OF FAITH, 1Ti 6:12).

1Co 15:31  - I die daily.

PAUL TAUGHT TO FOLLOW THOSE WHO HAVE THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL--

Phi.  3: 16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)—THAT IS A WARNING—WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL NOT TO MINGLE WITH THE ENEMIES OF CROSS, whose main concerns are food and earthly things!

20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:(this is speaking of those in heavenly places, Eph 2: 5,6, serving JESUS CHRIST, in heavenly places, Eph 1: 20.—(among them vs. 19 could happen!)

21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.—JESUS CHRIST CAN DO ALL THINGS, Lu 1:37.

ENEMIES OF CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST ARE THOSE WHO MIND ABOUT EARTHLY THINGS SUCH AS FOOD, DRINK, RISING TO PLAY, (abovse vs. 19, 1Co 10:7- As it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.)

PAUL WAS LAWFUL—HENCE HE COULD NOT BE JUDGED BY LAW--

Paul said---1Co 6:12  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

IN Rom 7.14-24- we see that Paul struggled with the law. In vs. 7-- he learnt sins through the laws.

In Rom 8.1-2 –THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST MADE PAUL FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. This happened when he got the baptism of JESUS CHRIST, Rom 6: 3-5 and then learnt to depart from iniquity, 2 Tim 2: 19, and learnt to to walk according to the spirit and THUS, such would not be condemned---vs. 3-4--- WE SEE JESUS CHRIST CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH AND THEREFORE WHEN THE LORD COULD NOT JUSTIFY THE BELIEVERS THROUGH THE MOSAIC LAW, HE JUSTIFIED THEM THROUGH  HIS GRACE, TAKING THEIR SINS UPON HIM ON THE CROSS, Isa 53: 10.

Purpose of the law IS TO KNOW HOW ONE COULD SIN, Gal 3.19, BUT LIFE CANNOT BE GIVEN THROUGH LAW VS. 21.  ONE COULD BE ALIVE TO GOD ONLY THROUGH BAPTISM INTO HIS DEATH AND BEING SET FREE FROM SIN , ROM 6: 3-7, 19,22.

2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith-PAUL CHANGED COMPLETELY –GAL 2.20—He said it is no longer he who lives, BUT JESUS CHRIST LIVES IN HIM—

When JESUS CHRIST lived in Paul, PAUL WOULD DO AS CHRIST DOES!

HE HAD FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

Paul would have LEARNT TO LOVE AS JESUS CHRIST --

PAUL WOULD HAVE LEARNT TO BE HOLY AND PERFECT AS CHRIST IS. PAUL HAD PUT ON JESUS CHRIST—PAUL HAD THE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST.

PAUL CRUCIFIED ALL LUSTS, GAL 2.20 AND THUS HE OVERCAME—

PAUL ENCOURAGED US TOO TO BECOME LIKE THAT-1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called,   

PAUL SAID BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST WHO WAS CRUCIFIED, do he believed words of JESUS CHRIST .Mt 23:23---JESUS CHRIST said---“the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone”.

1.Cor 3.10-LORD requires each man to be careful how he builds upon HIS foundation.

Gal 5.18 because Paul walked according to SPIRIT, Rom 8.4, (spirit is the word of God, Jn 6: 63) PAUL WAS NOT CONDEMENED WHEN HE WALKED IN SPIRIT, AS EVERYTHING WAS LAWFUL TO HIM, 1 Cor 6.12.- Paul became a doer of the word of God!-Then purpose of the law IS TO KNOW HOW ONE COULD SIN, Gal 3.19,

Therefore just as Paul, WE OUGHT TO BE LAWFUL-1 Jn 2.7,8

Vs. 8 says”JESUS CHRIST’s  light is shining”.

EPH 5.11-21 Christ the light of the world bringing to light the hidden things of darkness. THAT MEANS SINS WOULD BE MADE KNOWN.

Eph 5:13  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Joh 14:21  "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. 1Jo 3:5  And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

1 Co 2;2-we should KNOW CRUCIFIED JESUS CHRIST,--Paul taught us two things, JESUS CHRIST, and Him crucified--1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.--Ga 6:14  But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

WE SHOULD BOAST IN THE CROSS ONLY! (what a disgrace, when H.W.Armstrong taught differently!)

(Fruits of the spirit could be produced if you crucify lusts of the flesh, Gal 5: 24)—THEREFORE THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST IS VERY NECESSARY FOR BECOMING ALIVE TO GOD!

Why should we know and BOAST in the cross—

We should crucify our lusts of flesh in the cross, Gal 5: 24, THEREFORE the benefits through THE blood shed on the CROSS OF JESUS, THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, THE POWER OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT given after His resurrection, HELP US TO KNOW HIS WONDERFUL WORKS FOR US, THROUGH HIS CROSS. IF HE HAD NOT GIVEN THOSE BENEFITS THROUGH THE CROSS, WE FAIL THROUGH LAW---THEREFORE THE LORD’S CROSS IS A GREAT HELP TO ISRAEL AND ALL BELIEVERS.

Then when we think of His death we ought to think on these things!—THAT IS TRUE PASSOVER, AND THAT IS WHY THE LORD EXPECTS ISRAEL TO KEEP A TRUE PASSOVER AND EVEN THE Feast of Tabernacles AS THE PASSOVER, Eze. 45: 21-25.

Paul preached the gospel of LORD’s cross, and we should know this gospel of the cross to get the benefits ----of His death on the cross, --the benefits of His blood of the covenant, --the blessings of His Resurrection, and the blessings of the Helper, the Holy Spirit, given after His death, --HE HAD EVEN HELPED US TO KEEP HIS LAWS OF LOVE THROUGH HIS SPIRIT--- He had shed abroad His love when He poured His spirit on us, Rom 5: 5.—such are the blessings through His death on the cross!

ALL PRAISE BE TO JESUS CHRIST, THE HELPER AND REDEEMER OF ISRAEL, Isa 54: 5. Amen.

Gentile witness 2

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