The AHAs Have It: Life-Altering Revelations for Guidance and Growth
Paul the apostle had expanded the church far and wide, flinging open the doors to Gentiles, strenuously fighting for his conviction that the gospel was for all people and that no barriers should be put in the way of Gentiles. Paul the theologian was the first to work through many of the intriguing questions that Jesus' life, death and resurrection had thrown up. And Paul the letter-writer gave us not only some of the profoundest pieces of early Christian theological reflection, but also some of the finest, most poignant writing in history.
At the end of the Bible, though, lies not Paul but Revelation, a book that at first sight looks like the black sheep in the New Testament family. With its fantastic visions of heaven, its gory stories of the future, its impenetrable signs and symbols, many a reader has given up in exasperation in the attempt to fathom out its mysteries. Some Christians have struggled with Revelation; Luther wished it was not in the New Testament at all.
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Yet at heart, Revelation is a profoundly Christian book. Its central message is that in spite of any appearance to the contrary, God is still Lord and King over the universe. It is a vision of God's kingdom, his judgement but most importantly his sovereignty over everything. Where there is injustice in the world, this will be rectified. Where there is sin, sickness, disease and the devil, these will be eradicated.
John, [its author] is a seer and has been given a revelation of what is going on in heaven. He is able to see God's perspective. And the message he hears there is that after all, God is indeed in control, through Jesus his Son, who has conquered death through his own victory over death. Paul was born in Tarsu now in the south east of Turkey to a Jewish family. He had a dual identity as lots of Jews did in antiquity. He had a Jewish education, a Jewish way of life and abided by the Law of Moses. But was brought up outside of the homeland and was also at home in Greek culture, fluent in Greek, and had at least some understanding of the Greek or Roman cultural traditions.
He was a Pharisee, one of a group of Jews who policed the boundary of the law and made sure that they and others were faithful to the law of Moses. Paul was an extremely passionate Jew and he often uses the word 'zeal' of himself. One of the most fascinating stories about Paul is his incredible transformation on the Damascus road but one thing that doesn't change in this transformation is his passion.
He just becomes passionate for a different cause.
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Paul gives us a brief description of what happens after his experience on the Damascus road. He says that he didn't go to Jerusalem immediately but that he went off to Arabia. Arabia would be quite close to the northern part of Damascus, so he could have gone to reflect on what had happened. When he goes to Jerusalem, it appears that he is accepted and is instructed in the basics of Christianity.
He stays with Peter for two weeks and presumably learns a little about Jesus from him. Paul then disappears for a period and later reemerges in Antioch. Antioch in Syria which was the third biggest city in the Roman empire and becomes the center of the movement to expand this new Christian sect - this sect of Jesus the Nazarene. There are many different accounts of what happened when Paul was called back to Jerusalem.
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But it seems that there was a very strong movement amongt the followers of Jesus to convert Gentiles [non-Jews] into Jews. Following Christ was a Jewish movement; he was a Jewish Messiah. But Paul believed that the Gentiles were alive with the new life of forgiveness, acceptance and transformation and that that they didn't need to be circumcised. So he brought this idea to the leaders in Jerusalem and the Jerusalem council agreed that Gentiles could become Christians without becoming Jews first. You can get some idea of Paul's passion when you read the letter in Galatians.
A group of his converts had decided that they want to be circumcised and Paul is absolutely furious about this because he feels it compromises their very nature as Christians. You can almost feel him banging on the table or pacing round the room as he dictates the letter. At one stage right towards the end of the letter he grabs the pen out of the scribe's hand and he says 'see with what large letters I am writing in my own hand'.
Paul never shied away from conflict. Paul was a tough cookie. He could take all kinds of controversy and suffering. He has, in one or two of his letters, long lists of the things that he has endured. He writes about the number of times he's been beaten, the number of times he's been put in prison, the number of shipwrecks he's endured and he seems proud of them. He was physically quite weak but he always attributed his staying power to the grace of God or the power of God. He had a strong sense of experiencing the power of God through suffering.
The tradition is that women were submissive but at the end of Romans a letter of Paul's tells a different story. The letter is to be delivered by Phoebe, the first deacon we know of in the Christian church. She is also a benefactor or patron and very significant figure. Paul also talks about Aquilla and Priscilla.
Priscilla is usually named first when he mentions the couple which implies that she is the head of the household. He also talks about Andronicus and Juniar, one of whom may have been a female apostle. In fact we may have a situation where the apostle, the church founder, perhaps even the founder of the church of Rome, included a woman and the main leadership in Rome was by women.
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Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus is believed to have happened in 36 AD. St Paul's Day is not a major feast day. The Catholic Encyclopaedia describes it as of comparatively recent origin and notes that it may have been observed originally to mark the transfer of his remains to their resting place in Rome.
It is celebrated alongside the martyrdom of St Peter and is one of the oldest saints days in the Christian calendar. In mediaeval times, people believed the weather on this day like that on St Swithin's Day to be an indicator of their fortune in the months to come. If Saint Paul's day be fair and clear, It doth betide a happy year; If blustering winds do blow aloft, Then wars will trouble our realm full oft, If clouds or mist do dark the sky, Great store of birds and beasts shall die; And if by chance to snow or rain, Then will be dear all sorts of grain.
The first urban Christians: What Saint Paul really said: Was Paul of Tarsus the real founder of Christianity? This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets CSS enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets CSS if you are able to do so.
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This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving. Paul Last updated Map of the locations in Paul's story However one explains the phenomenon, there is little doubt that the events of the first Easter, sometime in the early 30s of the first century, made a powerful impact on the first followers of Jesus. When I recently faced the daunting task of choosing two counselors, I wondered how I could possibly choose just two from twelve men whom I love and respect.
Because I know that good inspiration is based upon good information, I prayerfully met one-on-one with each Apostle. Eyring to serve as my counselors in the First Presidency. I and we welcome them to this unique brotherhood of service. When we convene as a Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, our meeting rooms become rooms of revelation. The Spirit is palpably present.
As we wrestle with complex matters, a thrilling process unfolds as each Apostle freely expresses his thoughts and point of view. Though we may differ in our initial perspectives, the love we feel for each other is constant. In our meetings, the majority never rules! We listen prayerfully to one another and talk with each other until we are united. Then when we have reached complete accord, the unifying influence of the Holy Ghost is spine-tingling! Brothers and sisters, how can we become the men and women—the Christlike servants—the Lord needs us to be?
How can we find answers to questions that perplex us? The Prophet Joseph Smith set a pattern for us to follow in resolving our questions. Drawn to the promise of James that if we lack wisdom we may ask of God, 8 the boy Joseph took his question directly to Heavenly Father.
He sought personal revelation, and his seeking opened this last dispensation. In like manner, what will your seeking open for you? What wisdom do you lack?
What do you feel an urgent need to know or understand? Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort. Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. Does God really want to speak to you?
Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.
Bible Verses About Vision
Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, 14 and regular time committed to temple and family history work. To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow.
That is what personal revelation will do for you.
I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.
We are followers of Jesus Christ. The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is our Advocate with the Father, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer. I so testify, with my expression of love for each of you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. October April October April All conferences Russell Ballard All speakers Atonement Jesus Christ plan of salvation Sabbath All topics Your browser does not support the audio element.
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