Blessed & Bearded's Biblical Blog

 A Persecutor of Christians Was Made An Apostle/ Colossians 1:1-2/ Pt 1. Paul (Acts 22:3, Phil 3:4-7) was a Jew of Jew.  Paul's conversation, the will of God in action, Acts 9:3-16. The will of God was planned, and active in Paul before his birth Gal. 1:14-16. Creation of the apostleship Mark 3:13-14. They extended the ministry of Jesus. Church is founded on them/their teachings Eph. 219-20. The Relational Authenticity and Wisdom of Paul/ Pt 2.  Timothy is listed with Paul as a sender of this letter. He is the only one in the NT to be a sender and a receiver of letters (Colossians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Philemon).  Meet Timothy in Acts 16:1-3. See his character in Philippians 2:19-24.  Paul knew that his apostolic authority should not be the only thing driving the people to obedience; relational authority was also necessary (Philemon 8-10). Timothy is the kind of Christian he wants Christians to be; therefore he is included as a sender of these letter

 Who Was the Man Named Paul?/ Ephesians 1:1-2/ Pt 1.  Acts 13:9; he had 2 names.  Saul-Jewish name. Paul-Gentile name. Paul's autobiography: Phil. 3:4-6. Phariess, supernatural convert, an apostle of Christ.  What Does It Mean To Be an Apostle?/ Pt 2. Orgianl apostles in Mark 3:13-15. Disciple: one who humbly loves and submits to the teaching of Christ. Apostles: sent out ones who preach and teach with authority from God; one sent by Christ with His authority; one who saw the face of Christ Acts 1:21, 1 Cor. 14:37-38, 2 Peter 3:15. What Are the Two Wills of God?/ Pt 3. Will of Command or will of decree in 1:1? Will of Command: commanded of you; can be broken. Will of Decree: can not be successfully resisted. When your will is in line with God's will it is in line with the will of command. Because you can't do ALL that God does/is doing.  God sovereignty made Paul an apostle Gal. 1:15-16. This matters because Paul is writing/teaching us in Ephesians by the will of God and th