PAUL'S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

It is now around 48 A.D. Fourteen years have passed since Paul's conversion. After being three years in the Arabian desert, seven years back home in Tarsus, and another four years functioning in the Church of Antioch, he is now ready to be launched into his life's work. It is one thing to be called, but quite another thing to be chosen. Then we must be faithful (cf. Rev.17:14). After we are called of God, then we must be trained in order to be prepared for our calling. We can never be installed into a position of authority until we have become qualified for that position. This is where many Christians fail. They receive a call from God to do a specific task. Then the training and proving period begins, and often this is very difficult. Here is where many give up. Many are called but few are chosen. Actually, our earthly task is fitting us for our heavenly calling. Paul had passed through fourteen years of training. He was not only called of God to be that special messenger to the Gentiles, now he was being chosen and set on his course.

Remember the three phases:

• Called - on the Damascus Road (34 A.D.) Acts 9:3-16
• Chosen - after fourteen years of training (48 A.D.). Acts 13:2
• Faithful - declared near the end of his life (68 A.D.) “I have finished my course” (2 Tim. 4:7).

Created 4 months ago