Topical Bible: God: Preserver: Paul

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The concept of God as the Preserver is vividly illustrated in the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. Throughout his missionary journeys and epistles, Paul experienced numerous instances where God's preserving power was evident, safeguarding him for the fulfillment of his divine mission.

Divine Protection and Deliverance

Paul's life is a testament to God's preserving hand, as seen in his numerous escapes from danger. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, Paul recounts the hardships he endured, including beatings, shipwrecks, and dangers from various sources. Despite these trials, God preserved him, enabling him to continue his apostolic work. In Acts 23:11, the Lord stood by Paul and assured him, "Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome." This divine assurance highlights God's role as Preserver, ensuring Paul's mission would continue despite opposition.

Preservation through Persecution

Paul's experiences of persecution further underscore God's preserving power. In Acts 14:19-20, after being stoned and left for dead in Lystra, Paul miraculously rose and continued his ministry. This incident exemplifies how God preserved Paul physically and spiritually, empowering him to persevere in his calling. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:17-18, Paul acknowledges God's deliverance, stating, "But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed... The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom."

Preservation for Purpose

God's preservation of Paul was not merely for his personal safety but for the greater purpose of spreading the Gospel. In Acts 9:15-16, God reveals to Ananias that Paul is a "chosen instrument" to carry His name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. This divine selection underscores the intentionality behind God's preservation of Paul, ensuring that he could fulfill his unique role in the early Church.

Spiritual Preservation

Beyond physical protection, God also preserved Paul spiritually. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul speaks of the sufficiency of God's grace, stating, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." This assurance of divine grace highlights how God preserved Paul's faith and spiritual strength, enabling him to endure hardships and remain steadfast in his mission.

Conclusion

The life of Paul serves as a powerful example of God as Preserver. Through divine protection, deliverance from persecution, and spiritual sustenance, God ensured that Paul could fulfill his apostolic calling. This preservation was not only for Paul's benefit but for the advancement of the Gospel and the establishment of the early Church.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 27:24
Saying, Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and, see, God has given you all them that sail with you.
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Acts 28:5,6
And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
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Mark 16:18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
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Library

The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.
... "As we are the offspring of God," said he, "we ... of the I am that I am, and asserted
His authority as the Maker and Preserver of the world, Paul proceeded to ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vii the ministry of.htm

God Justified, Though Man Believes Not
... Paul next uses a Scriptural argument ... battle cannot end well for you unless you yield
yourself to God. He is your Maker and Preserver; every argument we can use ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/god justified though man believes.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... that he is also a Governor and Preserver, and that ... the world are invigorated by the
secret inspiration of God. ... they subscribe to the sentiment of Paul, that in ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

The Supremacy of Christ
... image of the invisible God, Creator and Preserver of all ... The Colossians were reconciled
to God through the mediation ... It is the earnest desire of Paul that the ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study ix the supremacy of.htm

The Opinion of the Stoics Concerning God; of his Anger and ...
... else remains, except that He is mild, calm, propitious, beneficent, the preserver. ...
But since the question as to whether God is angry is more ... Paul, Acts 17:18.]. ...
/.../chap v the opinion of the.htm

God in the Covenant
... Paul once quoted a heathen poet, who said that we are his offspring; and it is true
in some sense that we are ... He will have God to be his preserver, to take ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

The Rock of Ages
... Paul turns into an allegory, to teach, as by a ... Christ the creator, the preserver,
the inspirer, the light, the ... Christ they owed their knowledge of God, and of ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xiv the rock of.htm

The Antiquity of the Doctrine
... God himself be discovered as the propagator, preserver, and defender ... And by this
means Samaria received the word of God. ... Paul also says, "But I would ye should ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/5 the antiquity of the.htm

General Consistency of the Apostle.
... Recognise, too, in what follows, Paul (in the character of ... about the Lord, how they
may please God; the married ... 882] Thus he pronounces that the "preserver of a ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xvi general consistency of the.htm

Chapter iv.
... become the sons of God." [274] The Apostle Paul, again, says ... In the first petition
of each group, God is referred to as Creator and Preserver; in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter iv 2.htm