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“ be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12v2 NIV. “fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out” Romans 12v2 Message. A new understanding of Salvation. Before Saul is: Super religious with reliance on rules to obtain a rightness with God.
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“be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12v2 NIV “fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out” Romans 12v2 Message
A new understanding of Salvation Before Saul is: • Super religious with reliance on rules to obtain a rightness with God. • Justified himself as a “Hebrew among Hebrews” Phil 3v4-6 • Showed no mercy Then he meets Jesus After Paul is: • Converted to the Way of Jesus. • Justified by faith through the death of Jesus Phil 3v7-9 • Experienced grace and then lived out a life worthy of his calling “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 13v14
A new understanding of Authority Before Saul is: • Uses the “authority” of the religious leaders to pursue his aims • Believes he is doing God’s will. Acts 26v 8-11 • Sent to persecute believers and destroy the church Then he meets Jesus After Paul is: • Writes over half New Testament • Sent to the Gentiles and to strengthen the Church • Lives under the authority of Jesus. Rom 10v 9-12
A new way of life Before Saul is: • Well trained and self assured • Religiously pure and morally good by Jewish standards • First amongst his equals Gal 1v 13-14 Then he meets Jesus After Paul is: • Is a changed man Phil 1v21 • Serves the purposes of God as he builds his new Kingdom • Faces many trials and is persecuted 2Cor 11v 21-28
A new certainty Before Saul is: • Was the one giving the orders • Self confident • Missing the point Acts 9v 4-6 Then he meets Jesus After Paul is: • Living under a new certainty through Jesus • Faces many challenges • Finds true contentment Phil 4v 11-13