Topical Bible: Obedience to God: Paul

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The Apostle Paul stands as a profound example of obedience to God, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the divine call and the teachings of Jesus Christ. His life and epistles provide rich insights into the nature and importance of obedience in the Christian faith.

Conversion and Call to Obedience

Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, as recorded in Acts 9. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his obedience to God. The Lord Jesus appeared to him, saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4). Struck blind and led into the city, Saul received a vision of Ananias, who was sent by God to restore his sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit. This encounter transformed Saul from a persecutor of Christians into Paul, a devoted apostle of Christ.

Missionary Journeys and Apostolic Ministry

Paul's obedience is further exemplified through his missionary journeys, where he tirelessly spread the Gospel across the Roman Empire. In Acts 13:2-3, the Holy Spirit instructed the church at Antioch, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Paul’s response to this divine directive was immediate and wholehearted, embarking on journeys that would establish numerous churches and bring countless individuals to faith in Christ.

Throughout his ministry, Paul faced immense challenges, including persecution, imprisonment, and physical hardships. Yet, he remained steadfast in his obedience to God's call. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul recounts his sufferings for the sake of the Gospel, underscoring his unwavering commitment to the mission entrusted to him.

Teachings on Obedience

Paul's epistles are replete with teachings on the importance of obedience to God. In Romans 6:16, he writes, "Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?" Here, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of obedience, leading believers from sin to righteousness.

In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul exhorts the church to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This passage highlights the cooperative nature of obedience, where believers actively pursue God's will, empowered by His Spirit.

Obedience and Faith

For Paul, obedience is intrinsically linked to faith. In Romans 1:5, he speaks of receiving "grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake." Obedience is not merely a legalistic adherence to rules but a response of faith to the grace of God. It is an expression of trust and reliance on God's promises and commands.

The Ultimate Example of Christ

Paul consistently points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of obedience. In Philippians 2:8, he writes of Christ, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Christ's obedience unto death serves as the model for all believers, illustrating the depth of commitment and sacrifice required in following God's will.

Conclusion

Paul's life and teachings provide a compelling portrait of obedience to God. His conversion, missionary endeavors, and epistles reveal a man wholly devoted to the divine call, urging believers to live lives marked by faith and obedience. Through his example, Paul invites Christians to embrace the transformative power of obedience, leading to righteousness and deeper communion with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 26:19
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Paul's Last Letter
... of him is a frank, earnest concurrence in the expressed will of God. Obedience is
the highest dictate of reason as well as of conscience. Paul continued his ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 49 pauls last letter.htm

The Obedience of Christ.
... of our life"union to Christ, Paul, for the ... present yourselves unto God'; and then
immediately proceeds to teach how this means nothing but obedience: Know ye ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/ii the obedience of christ.htm

The School of Obedience
... taken, there may still be two sorts of obedience"that of ... are two styles of religion,
two ways of serving God. This is what Paul speaks of in Romans, when he ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/vii the school of obedience.htm

Paul a Prisoner
... example they were leading the people farther and farther from obedience to God"leading
them ... to the men of Nazareth applied, in the case of Paul, not only ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 38 paul a prisoner.htm

Three Tests of Love
... He offered him freely in obedience to God's command. Paul loved, and as a result
he counted not his life dear to himself so that he might do the work of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-three three tests of.htm

Obedience: Its Place in Holy Scripture.
... 3. In Paul's Epistle to the Romans, we have, in ... He speaks of what God had wrought
to make the Gentiles obedient.' He teaches that, as the obedience of Christ ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/i obedience its place in.htm

Third Mark of Inspiration, which is Holy Obedience to the Church ...
... When God puts inspirations into a heart, the first he gives is obedience. ... and
unmistakable inspiration than that which was given to the glorious S. Paul? ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii third mark of.htm

Knowledge and Obedience.
... V. KNOWLEDGE AND OBEDIENCE. ... 1:27), worthy of the saints (Romans 16:2), worthy of
God (1 Thess. ... We may be perfectly sure that Paul would not put such an ideal ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/v knowledge and obedience.htm

Paul Before Nero
... Paul before Nero"how striking the contrast! The haughty monarch before whom the
man of God was to answer for his ... Millions bowed in obedience to his mandates ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 48 paul before nero.htm

Christianity in Individuals.
... Upon Paul the Spirit of God came as an overwhelming storm ... virtue, of purity, tenderness,
simplicity, humility, perfect obedience to God, and unreserved ...
/.../section 46 christianity in individuals.htm