UNIQUE APOSTLE CALLED TO SUFFER IN THE WILL OF GOD

Colossians 1:1

February 18, 25, 2024, Sunday - MBC

Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,”

Introduction:

We see the writer of this epistle introduces himself to the Colossian believers as Paul. The name Paul is the first word both in English and Greek. We can freely identify epistle human author of this epistle, for it says “Paul.” The name “Paul” is from Latin, “Paulos” meaning “little, small”. Before his personal experience of Paul in Damascus Road he was known by his Hebrew name “Saul” in Greek “Saulos” which means “desired” or “ask” that is derived from the Hebrew word for “ask.”

Notice the title Paul introduces himself of the title “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” Paul introduces himself of the title “servant” twice in Philippians 1:1 and Romans 1:1; introduces himself of the title “prisoner” once in Philemon 1:1; introduces himself with no title in I Thessalonians 1:1 and II Thessalonians 1:1; introduces himself both as an apostle and as servant once in Titus 1:1; and then introduces himself as an “apostle” seven times in I Corinthians 1:1 and II Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; I Timothy 1:1; II Timothy 1:1.

The term “apostle” in Greek “Apostolos” from “apostello” (“apo” means off from; “stello” means send). Apostle literally means “one sent from.” or “sent one”. Apostolos was a technical word designating an individual sent on a mission from someone else with the sender’s commission, the necessary credentials, with the sender’s authority as a representative or ambassador and the implicit responsibility to accomplish a mission or assignment.

1. Explained View of the Purpose of Apostle's ministry:

a. Apostles - foundation of the church

Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

b. Apostles – given revelation of the church

Ephesians 3:5 “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”

c. Apostles – sent by the risen Christ to minister to the early church.

Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

2. Esteemed View of the Position of an Apostle:

a. Paul’s Apostleship magnified office to the Gentiles

Romans 11:13 “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:” Paul held the position of being an Apostle in high esteem, only because the salvation of the believers magnified God.

b. Position of Apostleship set forth first in the church of God.

I Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

3. Expressed view of Paul about himself as an Apostle:

a. Worst Apostle

I Corinthians 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” Paul considered himself the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church.

b. Worthless Apostle

II Corinthians 12:1I “I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.” Paul considered his office that was something high esteem in his eyes but view himself as nothing.

4. Erroneous view of the world concerning Apostles

I Corinthians 4:9-13 "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. ¹⁰We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. ¹¹Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;” ¹²And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: ¹³Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Notice in verse 9, “God set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death:” Here we learned from Paul that the apostles were brought out to make the grand finale, they were the last ones brought out for the final slaughter before the bloodthirsty crowds. The Apostles were brought capture in the arena of this world as they were fighting to the death.

Notice in verse 10 “We are fools for Christ’s sake.” It is very important for God’s people to be wise fools, who are willing to be called “fools for Christ’s sake” so that Christ will receive all the glory. This world has always been moved not by cold Christianity but by fools setting fire by their faithfulness on Christ and His Words. God is looking for “fools for Christ’s sake.” We are not much use in the Lord’s service until we are willing to become fools for Christ.

The Apostles underwent all kinds of hardships in verses 11-13, they were being physically beaten and homeless. The Apostles experienced these hardships themselves to preach Christ was indeed foolishness in the eyes of the world.

In verse 12, we see that Paul did hard labor with his hands to help support himself in the ministry. For that was the work of a slave. Terrible things were said about and to the faces of the Apostles, yet they spoke well of their opponents, even giving a prayer for those who said evil things about them. When the Apostles were persecuted and beaten, they endured and persevered in silence, trusting God to deal with their persecutors. Apostles did not try to defend or justify their actions but committed the slanderers to God. When we bless, endure and answer kindly to our opponents, we are acting in the way Christ acted, they followed the example of Christ. We cannot control how people act towards us, but we can control how we react to people when they treat us badly.

In verse 13 “we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things,” It means the Apostles were considered the filth of society, the vilest of all men. Why would the world treat the Apostles like that? Because they found Christ, and while the world may have looked at the Apostles as dung, they had found the answer to life. Listen to Paul said in Philippians 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,” The same is true, when Christian is treated like junk, like garbage or like dung, we as believer in Christ should not try to get even, but should commit the situation to God. There is wrong attitude of today’s familiar saying “I don’t get mad; I just get even.” Committing the situation to God seems to be the true Christian lifestyle and response to bad treatment.

The words of Paul in I Corinthians 4:9-13 mentioned the word “offscouring” in verse 13. Paul is saying the Apostles were view by the world as dirt, scum, garbage, dung. As we have discussed earlier, when Paul introduced himself with a title “apostle”, it was a title that would not make men stand up and give an applause, of course not in the world especially. Today it is getting closer and closer to offscouring that Paul mentioned. In spite of difficulties, hardships, intense persecutions, and unfair treatment, Paul was not ashamed of Christ or of the gospel of Christ or of his ministry as an apostle even though it was not highly esteemed in the world.

I – SOURCE OF PAUL’S CALLING

Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,”

Paul was saying that he was sent from Christ, with a message from Christ, as representative or ambassador of Christ, and taken upon his shoulder the full weight of the authority of Christ.

Although Paul was a sent one, an apostle of Jesus Christ, but the apostleship of Paul was a bit different from other twelve original apostles.

As an apostle, Paul was sent on a mission, but nothing was said what that mission was. The mission of Paul was a bit different than the mission of the other original twelve apostles. So, Paul’s apostleship and mission were different from the other original twelve apostles. This doctrinal truth is key in dispensational theology.

There are distinctions of dispensation.

1. Distinction in keeping Israel and the church

2. Distinction in keeping the gospels and the epistles.

3. Distinction in keeping law and grace.

The message of Paul, ministry of Paul and mission of Paul is different from the other apostles as we read of them in the gospels.

Acts 9:15 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”

Did you see the bit difference of Paul’s mission? The other twelve apostles were not called and sent to bear the name of Christ before the foreign kings and before the gentiles. The twelve apostles were sent to proclaim the name of Christ in Israel, but Paul was sent to proclaim the name of Christ before the world in an unusual way.

Read Galatians 1:1.15 “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) ¹⁵But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,”

The words “no of men”, The “of” is “apo” that means “from.” Paul was testifying that he was sent “not by men” or not of men, meaning he was not sent from men, but was sent through Jesus Christ. It was correctly translated “not sent from men” NASB; “not from men” ESV, NKJV.

Therefore, Paul did not come from men with a message to proclaim but come from Christ with a message of Christ. It is clear that men were not the source of the message of Paul, and the authority of Paul did not come from man, or the commission of Paul did not come from man. Paul is saying that he was an apostle not because he was sent out and ordained by the human leaders at the church at Jerusalem, Listen, man is not the source of Paul’s apostleship. Although there was laying hands of men on Paul but that laying on of hands made not Paul an apostle. That laying on of men hands was just acknowledging God’s choice but did not made Paul an apostle,

Acts 13:2-3 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.³And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

Notice Paul said about his calling in Galatians 1:1 “neither by man,”. The word “neither” in Greek “oude” means not even. The word “by” Paul is speaking of an intermediate agency or men’s association or missionary board. Paul’s is emphasizing that his apostleship did not originate with men. Speaking of God’s choice, Paul is God’s choice and men were not even used as the agents when God calls men. The apostleship of Paul came directly from the Lord because Paul testified in Galatians 1:16-17 “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: ¹⁷Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.” Paul is saying that his calling of apostleship came not of flesh and blood or from men and not even by men but from Christ in the Arabian desert.

Notice again in Galatians 1:1 “but by Jesus Christ.” The word “by” in Greek “dia” speaks of agency. So, Jesus Christ was the direct channel of the apostleship of Paul. Thus, Paul’s apostleship was not of human origin but divine, as Paul said that Jesus Christ being the divine agent in his calling of apostleship.

Notice again in Galatians 1:13 “and God the Father”. Truly, Paul’s apostleship was divine because his call came from God the Father and the Son, the mediate agents. Notice when Paul introduces himself in his epistle in I Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”

Therefore, the phrase in Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead; Again, the word “by” or “through” is the Greek preposition “dia” expressing the intermediate agent of an action, in this case the “intermediate agent” is the divine will of the Son and the Father and the “action” is Paul’s appointment as an apostle. The Father and the Son called Paul to be their apostle and they shared in this divine calling which is clear affirmation of Paul credentials to defend the Gospel of grace. Paul is saying “I am not kind of an apostle sent of men. Men had nothing to do with it. I am an apostle directly by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. The truth is human beings had nothing to do with Paul’s appointment as an apostle. God the Son and the Father called him to be an apostle. In his final letter Paul repeatedly said to Timothy that he was an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,”).

Paul not only an apostle of Jesus Christ and God the Father but he was also an apostle by the Holy Spirit according to Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” In this verse, it was the Spirit who sent Saul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. It was the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, as God doing all the way. It was God who called Paul, so he said in I Corinthians 15:9-10 “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

God appointed, called, chose Paul and God gave Paul the gift of ministry and being an apostle. In order to become an apostle, Paul did not win a contest, he did not beat out the competition, he did not have showmanship performance, he did not exhibit his talents and speaking skills to the public audience. In other words, Paul was not chosen because he was a talented man, but was chosen by the grace, the underserved favor, Paul was not chosen by God as a called apostle because he was gifted, but Paul was gifted because he was a called an apostle by God.

Paul’s call to the ministry was divine, for he was called, chosen not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ. So, Paul strongly defends himself against those who doubt and question his apostleship when he said in I Corinthians 9:1-2 “Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? ²If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.”

As we have studied, Paul’s call was not of men, the same is true to the call to the ministry today. It is not necessary that the Lord appear visibly, or the Lord will speak from heaven audibly or will have a supernatural call. To avoid being misled, we carefully recommend for any young men not to go or enter the ministry unless they are sure that it was the LORD who called them to go and surrender into the ministry and be a missionary or Pastor. If a man is called by men, either by their parents, friends, churchmates, it is very deceiving, dangerous because it would end up serving men, and serving men aim to please men. But we should walk and serve to please the Lord, Paul said in Colossians 1:10 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,” Paul serves the Lord Christ and not serve heartily to please men, Paul writes in Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” This truth about call of God aim to serve and please God has been lost in the sight of today church leaders that is why the call of God have become man centered. The ministry unfortunately is seen as a job like in job fairs. Certain local church hires a missionary and Pastor, or a Pastor and Missionary applied to a local church mission and have that mentality and feel obligated to do what the organizational leaders say or wants, which is not right, instead they should do what God wants and what God wants him to do.

Wrong qualities in calling a Pastor:

1. Looking for the most talented man (Moses was not a gifted or eloquent speaker).

2. Looking for the most popular man or crowd favorite (Jeremiah was called a weeping prophet who spent more than 40 years delivering God's messages to Judah).

3. Looking for who wins the most souls (Noah preach righteousness, people did not repent but rebelled against the truth).

4. Looking for who the most extremely zealous about performing duties (Jonah was reluctant prophet).

5. Looking for who has the best commanding presence (David was too weak to control the behavior of his army commanders and of his sons).

Today men look after the outer appearance, who is the tallest, strongest, smartest, and most talented man who was most successful and best looking. These are all wrong ways of choosing men. God choice is always the best and right choice.

II – SOVEREIGN WILL OF GOD IN PAUL'S CALLING

Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,”

Notice the words “by the will of God”. Every Christian should consider this as the watchword in their daily lives, in all their daily activities, in all their goals in life, and as their aspirations in life. The phrase “by the will of God occurs 8 times in the New Testament and all uses are by Paul (Romans 1:10; Romans 15:32; II Corinthians 1:1; II Corinthians 1:1; II Corinthians 8:5; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; II Timothy 1:1).

The word “will” in Greek “thelema”. Here God’s will signifies His gracious disposition toward something, what God Himself does of His own good pleasure. The point is that Paul was not a self-made minister but one called by God because that is what God determined should come to pass. The “thelema” of God here expresses God’s gracious design where His will has reference to the lives and conduct of believers. “Will” is the term speaks of God’s plan, purposes and intentions.

God does a will, a purpose and a plan for the life of Paul and for our life as well. So, Paul was an apostle because of the will of God. God’s plan, God’s intention and God’s purpose for the life of Paul is to be an Apostle. The desire of God’s heart for Paul is to be an Apostle. It is God’s sovereign will and not God’s permissive will (something that God permits to occur but does not desire, like sin).

Paul was a Pharisee, but God saved him, and God did not want Paul to be a Pharisee anymore, because of God’s plan, intention and purpose for Paul, he called him to be an Apostle. It is God’s will for Paul to be an Apostle.

I Timothy 2:7 “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” Paul was ordained by God to be a preacher and an apostle.

II Timothy 1:11 “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” Paul was appointed by God to be a preacher and an apostle.

The phrase “by the will of God” appears in other four epistles of Paul:

1. “through the will of God” (I Corinthians 1:1 “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God”)

2. “by the will of God” (II Corinthians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”)

3. “by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”)

4. “by the will of God” (II Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”)

Notice the word “by” in Greek preposition “dia” means “through,” or because of or by means of.

In this context describes that which intervenes between the act of the will and the effect and through which the effect proceeds.

The God’s will is the channel and the appointment of Paul as an apostle is the act. So, the will of God is the means by which Paul had become an apostle.

Paul become an apostle not because of following reasons:

1. Career change – from being a pharisee to being an apostle.

2. Great need – to fill up the need for his daily living.

3. Men convinced him – people persuade him in the ministry because he has the potential

4. Family prepared him – love ones encouraged him to be in that position

5. Position more lucrative – more profitable job than being a pharisee.

6. Degree was in – that is what his degree was in.

7. Personal ambition – his dream that for so long

8. Grown disenchanted with his last position – he wants to change of pace and scenery

9. Lost the fire – he feels weary and exasperated for his last job.

The true reason for Paul on becoming an apostle is because it was God’s will. Paul lived by the will of God. God’ will merged together with his will that is why God’s will become his will. May God give us the heart that obey and lived in the will of God.

Paul wants these Colossians brethren to know that he is what he is because of God and because of God’s will. Hopingly, all of us believers can say that we are what we are because of God’s will.

In our passage Colossians 1:1, Paul wants these Colossians brethren to know that he is what he is because of God and because of God's will. Hopingly all of us believers can say that we re what we are because of God's will.

The will of God led us, guided us, and confirmed to us our job, our ministry in the local church, whether being called as a Pastor, missionaries, Sunday school teachers, bible school students, etc.

Living and serving in the will of God is the happiest, holiest, highest calling to experience as long as we live. Paul is called as an apostle by the will of God.

III – SUFFERING IN THE WILL OF GOD OF PAUL'S CALLING

Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,”

Read Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: ¹⁶ For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

For Paul being “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,” meant a life of suffering for righteousness' sake. For Paul his calling was to suffer in the will of God not a calling to be in status of a celebrity. Paul telling us in I Corinthians 4:13, that his calling viewed and treated by the world as filth and offscouring.

I Corinthians 4:13 “Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.”

After God called Paul as an apostle, he suffered the rest of his life because he experienced being whipped, beaten, humiliated, imprisoned, stoned, slandered, and many hurtful and harmful treatment for the gospel’s sake and for Christ name's sake. Since Paul was called an apostle by Jesus Christ after the Lord ascended into heaven, that is why Paul never had the opportunity to walk side by side with Jesus on this earth, he did even see Jesus performs various miracles and did not have opportunity to listen to the preaching of the Lord Jesus on the multitudes several times in various towns, but when Paul became an apostle, for him apostleship meant suffering, facing opposition like his Lord who sacrifices Himself to suffer and died for the sins of the whole world.

II Corinthians 11:23-28 “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: ²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. ²⁶For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. ²⁷Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

Paul always remembered how Jesus suffered in His crucified body and shed His blood then died for the redemption of our soul and forgiveness of our sin, so he is fully aware that his life as an apostle suffered many things in his life.

Although it is true that living inside the will of God is the happiest place to live in this earth, but walking in the will of God does not mean that we live happily ever after. Sometimes we suffer according to the will of God, sometimes God allows us to suffer in the will of God. For Paul, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, for Daneil, for Joseph and even for the Lord Jesus Christ, walking in the will of God did not mean living happily forever.

It does not matter whatever happened to us, we are what we are. God allows in His will somethings that we do not expect that you have broken your leg, you attained awful cancer, you are included to those employees laid off from your occupation, or you have a child who got an accident, or a mother suffers many times a miscarriage and does not have a child or your house got burned. Now, we read in I Kings 12:24, God said “this thing is from me.”

I Kings 12:24 “Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the Lord, and returned to depart, according to the word of the Lord.” Rehoboam saw with his eyes that he just lost his kingdom and his kingdom was torn in half. A civil was occurred, battling brethren against brethren. So, Rehoboam tried his very best effort and, in any way, to fight to get back and reverse the horrible circumstances, but God said “no, this thing is from me.” The point that we need to see here is that Rehoboam tried to fight against God’s will, but the Lord made him to learn to accept the challenge, submit to the will of God. And Rehoboam now ruled over a portion of a divided kingdom, and because this was happened by the will of God. It seems it is too hard for Rehoboam to swallow that kind of capsule, and Rehoboam knew that the word “this thing is from me” in verse 24 is the will of God. The division of the land is hurtful, painful but it was “by the will of God.” This violence, destruction, conflicts, and a nation broken up and divided kingdom, was God’s will.

Truly, we realized that sometimes it is very difficult to shallow or accept the will of God in our lives. If Rehoboam will be given a chance to choose the things, he wants most, the will of God would be the most difficult and last thing to accept in his life. The will of God in Paul’s life as an apostle included many sorrows, difficulties that filled days and nights of his life. But in spite of that, Paul finds comfort and rest in the fact that he was aware and convinced that all of those hardship and struggles he faced was the will of God.

Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: ¹⁶For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” With all these discouraging and frightening words of Jesus, Paul did not fight or flee from this calling, instead Paul submitted to it, because the was aware that God’s call for him included much and many suffering as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Let us listen to what Peter said in I Peter 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

According to this verse, those who suffer while doing the will of God, shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. Peter wants to say, our soul needs comfort when God’s will for our lives turn into a tragedy. The One and True Living God is the God of all Comfort. Peter is saying that the God of all comforts is the God that comforts not for the world but for those believers who suffer according to His will for righteousness’ sake, for Christ’s sake. Peter is not referring to suffering in general as experienced by all of mankind, but to suffering because one is a "Christian," a Christ follower.

When you faithfully obeyed God’s Word then men do evil, say bad words, mocks and slanders against you, then it means you are suffering according to the will of God. So, it means, we will either become holy or bitter, depending on our response to undeserved suffering. So here we are told that those who suffer "according to the will of God" are not to be resentful but rather are to "commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." Peter teaches us God is true to Himself, to His people, and to His promises. Suffering simply calls us to new commitment to Him and His way of life.

Their suffering was "according to God's will," "because of the name of Christ" (I Peter 4:14 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ”), and as a Christian do not be ashamed when you suffer (I Peter 4:16 “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.’). Christians were assured that their suffering was in harmony with the divine will for them, they were not to quarrel with that wise and gracious will; neither let them be discouraged or grow faint and weary in their Christian course. Peter instructed his suffering readers to refrain from doubting God's interest in or His ability to help them. A willingness to do God's will, whatever the cost, is the only ultimate way to face the problem of unexplained suffering. That will of God is not something new. It is the Creator's eternal purpose.

It would be better to suffer in God’s will that out of God’s will. Peter said in I Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” Behind the vicious, cruelty, pitiless deeds of their enemies, stood the wise will of God. Peter assures us that Christian suffering does not come of chance but as a divine discipline.

Now, when Jesus giving exhortation to His disciples regarding if they are going to follow Him, the Lord Jesus said they need to be ready to pick-up a cross. Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Listen and think, if you are going to follow the One who carried the heavy burden and weight of the sins of the whole world, then we must also be willing to carry a burden, a weight! Do you still want to follow Jesus Christ? Are you willing to suffer in His will?

As we have previously discussed in our second main point that Paul was an apostle by the will of God, his apostleship would prove to be a most difficult task as we discussed in our third main point about the suffering that Paul experienced imaginably because he was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Of course, Paul also experience God’s comforting assistance and unspeakable joy on many times of his life. Paul lived obediently, served faithfully and died unselfishly by the will of God. Paul learned that the purpose of his life was to live out the will of God and that is his calling as an apostle which covered much unimaginable, unmeasurable sufferings and difficulties.

To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God’s will even if it means suffering, is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. Perhaps, it would be very possible that Paul would not accept the position as an apostle if he knew everything that God had in store for him? If Paul already knew all the suffering that he would undergo, all the extreme sorrow, shame or embarrassment, the heavy loads that were part being an apostle, Paul might have said, “No thanks, I will remain in my job as tent making.” However, God did not reveal all of the suffering to Paul. The same is true with us as Christian, God does not reveal all of His will for our lives that includes all the sufferings that we are going to experience when we are new believers. It might scare us away. God would made us aware of it in His perfect time. God waits the chosen time, until we grow and spiritual mature, and are capable to manage the suffering that God permits. Just by our own wisdom, strength, we cannot handle alone the sufferings that God had given us. But thank God, He gives us His grace for each part of His will, God give us strength for each day we walk in His will. So Paul said in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”; I Corinthians 10:13 “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

IV – SPECIFIC UNIQUENESS OF PAUL’S CALLING

There are Uniqueness in Paul’s Apostleship:

A. Paul was called by God through supernatural appearance of the Glorified God man.

Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”

Paul introduces himself as a bond servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle sent out to preach the good news of God.

The word here “called” in Greek “kletos” from “kaleo” that is “call”, which means invited or welcome and was originally used to designate those invited to a banquet. In the New Testament “kletos” is generally used of one who has accepted a calling or an invitation to become a guest or member of a select group. We believers of Christ have been invited by God in the proclamation of the Gospel to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom through faith in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The verbal adjective “kletos” with this ending usually has a passive sense, “be called.”

When the word “called” or “kletos” used in our subject of emphasis about Paul’s calling as an apostle it means invited, divinely selected and appointed. The term “called” or “kletos” is used in Romans 8:28 “the called according to His purpose.” So, Paul was chosen by God, was handpicked by God. Paul was an apostle by the will of God, and by the call of God, by divine appointment, that is divine choice. Paul was elected or selected to the position of an apostle by God.

The Unique calling of Paul is different from other twelve apostles of Christ:

1. The other twelve original apostles were chosen by Jesus Christ during the Lord period of humiliation.

2. The other twelve original apostles were called to be with Jesus in earthly ministry to Israel (Mark 3:14).

3. The other twelve original apostles walked with Christ and listened to the Lord Jesus teach.

4. The other twelve original apostles ministered with Jesus in multitude of people in different villages.

5. Paul had never met the Lord Jesus in His period of humiliation.

We read in the gospels that the twelve original apostles were called one by one in different ways in different times and different places when Jesus was in His earthly body walked up and passing by to these men.

On the other hand, that God’s calling to Paul was unique in Acts 9:3-6 "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: ⁴And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ⁵And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. ⁶And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Paul experienced God’s calling in a very special and unique encounter with a supernatural appearance of the glorified, eternal Son of God in power and great glory. Saul (Paul) who was a persecutor of Christians fell to the ground, heard a voice, he was trembling and astonished but was blinded by the sight of Jesus. That sudden shined round light from heaven is a call from heaven.

So, we see that Paul’s calling was unique because of the supernatural appearance of the glorified God.

B. Paul was sent to the Gentiles to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Matthew 10:5-6 “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ⁶But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

The other twelve apostles were sent forth by Jesus to the lost sheep of the tribes of Israel exclusively and were instructed by Jesus not to go to the Gentiles.

The same with Jesus who was also sent exclusively to the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:24 “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Paul’s call is different from the twelve because he was an apostle sent on a mission to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:8-9 “(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) ⁹And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”

Romans 11:13 “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”

God’s call on Paul merely recognized by men in Antioch church who fasted and were faithfully ministering to the Lord, prayed and laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them away for missionary journey as the Holy Spirit called them and sent them.

Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” So, we see Paul was sent out as an apostle in a unique way.

C. Paul knew Christ not in His earthly ministry as King, but in His heavenly ministry as Head of the Body.

Acts 9:3-6 “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: ⁴And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ⁵And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. ⁶And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Paul (Saul) only met Jesus Christ near Damascus after the Lord’s resurrection, glorification and ascension to heaven. Paul was converted only after Christ’s suffered at the cross, died, and risen. Different with the twelve who met Christ before the Lord was crucified, died and risen form the dead.

II Corinthians 5:15-16 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. ¹⁶Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”

After the church age started at Pentecost and Christ was no longer in his flesh, and never thought of Jesus as a carpenter from Galilee, as a frail human being. Paul only knew Christ as the God-Man in glory, that Jesus was the risen glorified Savior, as the Great Hight Priest in heaven, the Head of the new creation, the Church which is His body. Paul always thought of Christ in His radiant glory as John saw Jesus fell at his feet as dead man, Revelation 1:17 “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. “God’s choosing of Paul was unique and different with the twelve who met Jesus and walked with Jesus while the Lord was still on his earthly ministry.

At the time of Paul’s conversion, Jesus was the Head of the Body, the Church, seen by Paul as of one born out of due time because he alone among the hand-chosen apostles as the only one chosen after Christ’s resurrection.

I Corinthians 15:8 “After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ⁸And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

D. Paul was sent to preach the gospel of the grace of God unlike the twelve apostles.

The Apostle Paul never preached what the other twelve apostles preach “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 10:5-7 “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ⁶But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

According to Jesus the twelve have to preach the message of “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

On the other hand, when Jesus sent forth the twelve original apostles, they never preached what Paul delivered that “Jesus died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again the third day.”

I Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

The twelve apostles were reluctant to believe that Jesus will die for all our sins, buried and will be risen from the dead after three days not until Jesus risen from the dead. Actually, Peter outright denied the gospel.

Matthew 16:21-22 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. ²²Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” However, after Jesus risen from the dead, the original apostles believe and preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15).

Paul the apostle message was unique because he was the only apostle that preaches the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Since, Paul did not walk with Jesus while the Lord was on his earthly body. So, from where Paul received his message? Paul received his message from Jesus from heaven not when Jesus was still upon the earth. Paul did not receive an earthly message for Christ’s earthly people of Israel, which was a message of an earthly kingdom concerning the Messiah, the King of the Jews. In fact, the message that Paul received is the message from Jesus from heaven, a message to proclaim for the heavenly people of God, the church. Christ is the Head of the new creation, of the new man, that is the church, that has a unique place in God’s program. Paul’s message was unique which is the gospel of the grace of God that is “Jesus died for all our sins, buried, and was risen from the dead”, which is bit different from the message of other twelve apostles which is “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

E. Paul used by the Lord to reveal the mystery of the Body of Christ (Jew and Gentile in one Body)

Ephesians 3:2-6 “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ³How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”

Paul used as God’s instrument in revealing the mystery of Christ, His body the Church which made the Gentiles become fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel. That is Paul unique revelation.

F. Paul was sent by God not just to preach Christ but to manifest the life of the indwelling Christ to the world.

Galatians 6:16 “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”

Paul preached the hope of glory of the mystery of Christ would be in the believing Gentiles.

Colossians 1:27 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Notice the words “Christ in you,” that is the mystery of the indwelling Christ among the Gentiles.

Now, the fact that God would be with His believing Jewish people and His disciples was no mystery. The other apostles knew that fact during the earthly ministry of Jesus. John 14:17 “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” However, the apostle Paul revealed that Jesus Christ would be in the believing Gentiles. That is mystery that now revealed, Christ dwelleth in the believing Gentiles, that is the glory of this church age. Paul has this unique ministry.

God worked through Paul for his apostolic ministry to the Gentiles as God worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised Jews.

Galatians 2:8 “(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)”

Paul has this unique apostolic ministry because God worked in Paul.

As Paul worked in Paul, God also working in every believer of Christ both to will and to do of His good will.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

The book of Hebrews ended with those words, that God in Hebrews 13:21 “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ;”

Paul had written the book of Colossians as a reflection of his unique calling of his apostolic ministry.

Does Paul’s calling as an apostle have an effect on your life? We are called saint (Colossians 1:2), we are called not only to believe but to suffer for Christ’s sake (Philippians 1:29); we are called to be Christ’s witnesses (Acts 1:8), we are called to bear the name of Christ, to represent Him as an ambassador of Christ (II Corinthians 5:20-21). We are called to proclaim the gospel to others (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15). We are called to manifest the indwelling life of Christ to a blinded world that needs a clear witness of who Christ is, that they might attracted to our Savior Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:15; Colossians 4:5-6), we are called to be a savour of life unto life (II Corinthians 2:16).

When we suffer for righteousness’ sake it means we suffer for being like Christ. We need to know and experience the unsearchable riches of Christ which are the value and worth of Christ Himself, who is the manifestations of God and the Savior. We need know more of Christ resurrection power and the life of the indwelling Christ in us. The life of the indwelling Christ is the only way we will be able to continue on, the only way we can lift up the burdens and suffering that God allows us to face. Christ is not only with us but also is in us. We need to be dead in our old self and walk in the newness of life. If we have fully known and trust in Christ indwelling life and power, the more we are equipped to face the challenge that God permits us to suffer of His glory.