A Missionary with a Mission

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL, USA)

(The following paraphrased account of the Apostle Paul, is given for your edification and Christian growth. God Bless you all.)

Mr. Saul, Mr. Saul, do you have a brief minute to talk with me?”
Who are you young lady?” Saul asked.
Well, I represent the Tarsus Radio Station W.S.I.N. You can find us at 66.6 on your radio dial. I would like to briefly ask you a few questions about your trip to Damascus.

I understand you went to obtain legal papers to persecute those of us who now call ourselves 'disciples of the Lord' belonging to 'The Way' and who are spreading this new Jesus religion. You know about Jesus, I presume, the one who was put to death for heading up this new religion. Why, they even say He was raised from the dead."

Well then, young lady, I’ll be glad to talk with you, for you see this new found religion is causing quite a stir within our established religion. We have been trying to put a stop to it, but it just keeps spreading like wildfire.
Yes, I understand, Mr. Saul, our religion has been established for hundreds of years. Although, some in our religion are getting rather impatient, as we have been looking for God’s Messiah to come and rule us for some time now.

Well beloved, that conversation was a long time ago," said Paul. "But let’s get back up and let me finish my story, if I may. For you see, that very day, I was on my way to Damascus to obtain written authority to continue to persecute the followers of The Way, when I was suddenly struck blind as I fell from my horse. And, my life was instantly changed, when I met the very Jesus whom I had been persecuting. He was real."

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? And he said "Who art thou Lord?" And He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:4-5)"

Even though I was a Pharisee, well versed in the Law and the Prophets, I needed a crash course in the truths about God, so I stayed a little while in Damascus where I was taught the true way. And, Oh yes, I did receive my sight, three days after arriving in the city.

Furthermore, I was very hungry since I had not eaten nor had anything to drink for those three days. If it had not been for the prophet Ananias coming to my aid, I may still be blind. For you see Ananias was sent from the living God to restore my sight and help me in my new found faith in Jesus Christ.

I must say, Ananias was a little frightened at first, because he had heard of my past reputation (Acts 9:13). But you see, God is true to His word, as God assured Ananias that I was now one of them and that I would be used of God to spread the gospel to both the Gentiles and the Jews.

What gospel you may ask? Why, the faith in Jesus Christ by God’s Grace, plus nothing and minus nothing. That's why God instructed me to proclaim God's truths in the New Testament writings, which were all centered around the full gospel of Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection, which I wrote about in the 15th Chapter of I Corinthians. I didn't waste any time after my initial training as I had a message from the living God, and it needed to be told immediately.

"..and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying " Jesus is the Son of God" (Acts 9:20)

I don’t mind telling you it's been a rough road as those staunch religious leaders are tough. "More so, in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times, I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from his countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city and dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers from among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst , often without food, in cold and exposure"( 2 Corinthians 23:27). However, by God’s help I have been true to His teachings.

To make a long story short, I am forever thankful that God saw fit to use me in spreading the Gospel. As you see, I traveled around the world proclaiming the Gospel, including taking several missionary journeys. God was also true to his word, as I was able to turn to the Gentiles in my preaching, teaching and the writing of many Bible books given to me by the Holy Spirit.

"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved from the Holy Spirit spoke from God". (2 Peter 1:21).

Well, I guess it's time to end this conversation. I have had a long fulfilling life in Christ Jesus. I praise God for allowing me to pen His many truths found throughout the New Testament, for your edification and to pass on to other believers and non-believers alike. I have but one last testimony to give.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing" ( 2 Timothy 4:7-8).

So, the Apostle Paul was most definitely a "Missionary with a Mission". What about you? Can you stand with Paul in proclaiming God to the whole world? The last command given by Jesus just before being taken up into heaven was to spread His living word.

"....but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." ( Acts 1:8)

Remember what the Apostle Paul, through the Holy Spirit, taught us, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
Amen.

About the Author:
Charles Robey is a retired Church Lay Leader who specializes in freelance Christian writings, with a strong evangelistic message. Mr. Robey’s many publications center around the Lords Commissioning, as outlined in (Acts 1:8) and he feels strongly that in today’s hectic stressful environment, more than any other period of time, God's peace continues to ring true and is freely available to all.