We examine Paul’s (Saul) faith passions to save religion and souls – that is, faith expressions to ‘save’ his Jewish faith from the threat of Christianity; and the persecution of Paul for expressing his passion to save souls for Christ.
a) Paul’s Passion to Save Religion
Saul was a very strict Pharisee Jew, passionate about the Jewish faith (the laws of Mosses and the prophets) and zealous toward God to protect the religion (Act 13:9; 22:3 & 26:4-5). Saul’s challenge was how to deal with the Disciples of Christ and the growing body of believers in Jerusalem and foreign cities, who preached in the name of Jesus Christ (Act 6:7).
How did Saul express his faith to save the Jewish religion? He engaged in great persecution against the church, which was at Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2 &13). He wrought havoc of the church by haling men and women from every house and committed them to prison; and when they were put to death, he testified against them (Acts 8:1-4; 22:3-5 & 26:10). He also punished believers in every synagogue, compelled them to blaspheme, and was “exceedingly mad” against them (Acts 26:11).
b) Paul’s Passion to Save Souls
Paul gets converted while on mission to persecute Christians. A bright light from heaven shone about him blinding him and he heard a voice say “Saul… I am Jesus whom thou persecutest…” The Lord sent Ananias to Damascus to restore Paul’s sight, and he was filled with the Holy Ghost (Act 9:1-19). He was anointed as a “minister and a witness” of Jesus Christ, “a chosen vessel” to preach to the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel; “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God…” (Act 22:3-15; Act 9:15; 26:1-11 & 15-18).
But Paul’s new faith was challenged by a sustained campaign of persecution mainly from his Jewish brethren who sought to kill him (Act 21:21 & 30-35; Acts 22:22-25 & 23:2-3).
How did Paul express his new faith? He preached in the synagogues that Christ is the Son of God and argued the faith “IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS” (Act 9:20 &29). At every gathering, including with Jews in synagogues, with devout persons, in the market daily and in court Paul took opportunity to preach the gospel of Christ (Acts 13:16-43 ; 17:17 &:22-33 & Acts 26). He made himself a “servant unto all” and became “all things to all men” representing as a Jew; or as under the law; or as without law; or as weak that he might by all means save souls (1 Corinthians 9:19-22).
Paul’s faith would manifest in situations where one desires something but God brings it about in a way that one did not envision, because the desire was part of a bigger purpose of God. Paul had a passion to serve God and did so by a mission to protect the faith, but God will translate the passion to a mission that enlarges the faith.
4. BELIEVER’S GUIDE IN FIATH CHALLENGE
The faith expression of David seems to rest on faith in God derived from a personal relationship with God. Jehoshaphat expressed a “religious faith” through practices in the Judaic tradition. Paul expresses a “religious faith” in hope to save the Judaic tradition; the “born again” ‘gift of faith’ for salvation in conversion and a “spiritual faith” that gave him supernatural confidence in the POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS, the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4; 1 Corinthians 1:19-20).
Believers facing challenge should also identify the basis of your faith in order to withstand the challenge. The distance between your faith and the hope in God will determine the way you view your challenge and the course of action you may take to address it.
a) Challenge the Faith not the Adversary
It is common for people to focus on the situation that challenges you, but this course can only distract you from your faith, as was the case of Paul. Rather than trusting in the Jewish faith to survive because God was capable to protect his own, he chose to persecute Christians whom he perceived were the adversary. Believers should avoid this pitfall and instead challenge their faith not the adversary.
To do this, you must first locate the strength of your faith and sail in it: Believers could make a list of testimonies of previous mercies of God, and like David boast and trust in that confidence. He believed that, “the Lord that delivered [him] out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver [him] out of the hand of [the] Philistine”(1 Samuel 17:36-38).
One could also rely on “religious” tradition like Jehoshaphat in worship, fasting, prayers, and supplication, to present your case to the Lord. Or Like Paul, “born again” believers can trust in the power of word spoken “IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST” (Acts 9:29; 8:9-10). Like David, do not use an “armour” or “sword” you have not “proved”!
b) Align Faith Passions with God
Faith expressions usually evoke one’s passion when faced with a challenge. Be careful to ensure that your faith passion is devoid from sentiment and ensure to align it with God’s word and purpose. Saul had a faith passion to serve God, but the persecution and killing of Christians to protect the religious Jewish faith was not aligned with God’s purpose, therefore he was deemed to be persecuting Jesus (Acts 9:4).
However, through the revelation of Jesus and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s desire to serve is aligned with God’s purpose that yields in Paul, a passion to save souls in a bigger plan that Paul never envisioned.
Also, like David, believers should try not to view any challenge as a personal attack against you, but as against your God, who is able to fight for his own name and glory. As David resisted fighting Goliath ‘sword with sword’, resist from trading threat for threat, and instead pitch the battle “IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS” (1 Samuel 17:46). Do not let sentiment get in the way of your faith passion when you are challenged, as this may snare you to engage in unrighteous conduct.
c) Overcome Your Fears
Most challenging situations tend to instil fear in us such as when one feels they are in a disproportionately weaker stance in relation to the adversary as all the three faithful – David against the Giant Goliath; Jehoshaphat against three nations and Paul against the Jewish institutional order.
“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”(2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is a faith buster, so believers must endeavour to overcome fear. How can we do this?
Consider that when Jehoshaphat was told about the impending attack, though he “feared” yet, he “set himself to seek the Lord”(2 Chronicles 20:1-3). So the first thing one should do when the spirit of fear creeps in is to seek God. This step will remind you of the LOVE of God and his power made available to you by the Holy Spirit that should bring you composure or soundness of mind.
Also, one could rely on the encouraging words given to the three faithful: ” be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s … ” or ” be not afraid, but speak… no man shall set on thee to hurt thee” (2 Chronicles 20:17; 1 Samuel 17:46-47; Acts 18:9-10). The sense here is that there is no threat or adversary greater for God, who is in charge of your challenge or situation; and that regardless of what one physically perceives of the situation, trust that no one can hurt you when you “speak” for or to God.
d) Use Faith Tools: Prayer, Praise, Prophecy
David used the power of prophecy to overcome the challenge when he spoke to the end he desired before the battle. He prophesised against Goliath saying, “this day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee”, and so was it!
You can likewise change the dynamics of any challenge by unleashing the power of spoken words – calling things that were not as though they are – in JESUS name. Also, consider the effect of Jehoshaphat’s prayer and praise. It was after his prayer that he got revelation to be still and to see God’s salvation. Similarly, it was after his praise that the enemies destroyed themselves.
Believers should use the power of prayer, praise, and prophecy when faced with challenge. These not only help you to maintain a ‘sound mind’, but will also embolden your spirit, enhance your confidence, and trust in God’s power to deliver you. It could also help to overcome fear.
e) The Battle of Salvation is the Lord’s
People of God let us now consider the challenge of David, Jehoshaphat, and Paul within the purpose and plan of God for salvation. The main message in the faith expressions is that the battle of salvation is the Lord’s. Goliath had challenged king Saul of Israel, as the three nations challenged king Jehoshaphat and as Paul was challenged by the quest to save the Jewish faith from the tide of Christianity.
But King Saul and his namesake Saul (Paul) were dismayed and afraid of their challenge because they both did not believe in the power of the Lord to save ‘Israel’ – i.e. the people and the faith of God. Also, as King Saul was displeased and envious against David’s victory for winning God’s battle so also was Paul “exceedingly mad” and jealous against the believers because they were winning God’s battle in the name of Jesus Christ, as many people received salvation thereby (1 Samuel 18:7-8; Acts26:11 &18; Act 9:22; Act 21:19)
On the other hand, both David and King Jehoshaphat and the converted Paul, believed in God’s power to save Israel and therefore, relied not on their own ability and strength but on the name of the Lord. By their humility and willingness to submit themselves to the power of God, both David and Jehoshaphat were able to discern by revelation that “the battle is the Lord’s” (2 Chronicles 20:17; 1 Samuel 17:46-47). Thus the nature of the challenge and the victory is the symbolism that in the name of God alone is the power unto salvation, when one submits in humility to this faith.
This symbolism also reflects in Paul’s conversion and mission to save souls. When he was reproved for persecuting Jesus he willingly submitted to the Lord’s bidding (Acts 9:5-6). As, Jehoshaphat received revelation that “the battle is not [man’s], but God’s” so too, after fasting and prayers Paul was able to discern that the ultimate purpose of God for Israel was to win the battle of Salvation (2 Chronicles 20:17; Acts 9:9). And he was a “chosen vessel” unto Jesus Christ to save souls (Acts 9:15).
Brethren, the three faith expressions therefore symbolise the challenge of Salvation and the hope that the battle is the Lord’s. Israel’s Kings and their armies could not overcome this challenge against God’s people by their strength, including the observance of Judaic laws and traditions to obtain salvation. Likewise, the world cannot obtain salvation on own strength. It is a battle that is won not by might, nor by power (one’s wisdom ability or strength) but by GRACE through the gift of faith empowered by the Holy Spirit to make unbelievers confess Jesus as Lord as did Paul. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9; Zechariah 4:6-7).
PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank you for your word and your gift of faith to thy children.
Dear Holy Spirit, power of God, who raised Jesus Christ from the challenge of death, attend to every challenge that thy people face, succour them and replenish their weary faith.
Holy Father, align their faith passions in trials with your purpose and grant them victory over every trying situation. O our God, Judge thou their cause, for they have no might against the adversary that reproach them. We praise you O Lord for your mercies endureth forever.
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME. Have a blessed Sabbath!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 8 September 2017.
