How does Ephesians 3:7 connect with Paul's transformation in Acts 9? Verse in Focus “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.” Backdrop: Saul the Persecutor • Acts 9:1-2 paints Saul “still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” armed with authority to arrest believers. • Humanly speaking, he is the last man anyone would expect to become a servant of the gospel. Encounter on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:3-6) • A light from heaven flashes; Saul falls to the ground. • He hears: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” • Jesus identifies Himself and issues the life-altering command: “Get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you must do.” • From that moment, Saul’s story moves from self-powered zeal to Spirit-powered service. From Persecutor to Servant: How Acts 9 Fulfills Ephesians 3:7 • “I became” – Acts 9 records the moment of becoming, when grace redirected Saul’s path. • “a servant of this gospel” – The persecutor is appointed a herald (Acts 9:15: “he is a chosen vessel of Mine to carry My Name”). • “by the gift of God’s grace” – Nothing in Saul deserved it; everything sprang from unmerited favor (cf. Acts 9:17, “the Lord Jesus… has sent me”). • “given me through the working of His power” – Power is evident: – Blinding light, physical blindness, supernatural vision restored (Acts 9:8-18). – Immediate bold preaching in Damascus (Acts 9:20-22). – Lifelong endurance and fruitfulness (Ephesians 3:8: “to me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given”). Echoes in Paul’s Later Testimony • 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am… His grace to me was not in vain.” • Galatians 1:13-16 – God “was pleased to reveal His Son in me.” • 1 Timothy 1:12-14 – “I was shown mercy… and the grace of our Lord overflowed.” These passages mirror the same three notes: grace received, power displayed, ministry assigned. Power That Keeps Working • Acts 9 shows initial power; Ephesians 3:7 recognizes ongoing power. • Ephesians 3:20 promises that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us.” The Damascus Road power keeps fueling Paul’s apostleship and every believer’s service. Living the Connection Today • Conversion is a miracle of grace, not self-improvement. • Ministry flows from gift, not résumé. • The same resurrection power that turned Saul into Paul energizes servants now (Romans 8:11). |
    |