40/40 day 34 No Ordinary Man

Something was said at church tonight that I have heard before and partially agreed with, but through careful consideration I have changed my opinion about.  The statement was along the lines that the Apostles were ordinary men from ordinary circumstances who did extraordinary.  I agree with this idea in most cases.  Then they added Paul into this mix and called him ordinary.  This is where I have to steer away from the agreement factor.

Paul was no ordinary man.  He was primed and ready to reach multiple people on multiple levels.  He was a person with connection points to all aspects of the world of that time.  He was able to speak Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic.  He was a Pharisee who was taught by Gamaliel who was one of the most respected people and teachers in the Pharisaic tradition.  He was keenly aware of his surroundings, could use aspects of other cultures, Greek poetry, philosophy, and culture to preach in any situation the Gospel of Christ.  He was allowed in synagogues, he was a practicing Jew who followed Jewish purification rights and rituals, and he was natural born Roman citizen.  He made friends of business people, religious people, and politicians.  He was able to cause a riot with only a few words and calm an angry crowd with a wave of his hand.  He commanded respect by his person, and contempt by the power in his words. He understood the freedom from the law in Christ, and the personal social and cultural restrictions people must place on themselves.  He knew what it was to hate Christians then Love all people.  

Reading through the book of Acts one cannot say that Paul was ordinary.  He was anything but.  He was extraordinary and perfectly designed to reach the people of the world in which he lived.  It is almost like God knew what He was doing when He chose Paul to change the world.  There was no better candidate.

If you don't believe me read the book of Acts.

Shalom

Hair the Theolobster