Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 198

Scan transcription helps with searching and selection. Use the printed page above for exact spelling and punctuation.

PAUL REVISITS CORINTH . 191 distinction as an able and zealous defender of the Jewish faith. But when Christ was revealed tohim ,he atonce renouncedallhisprospective honors and advantages, and devoted his lifeto the preachingof the cross. He appealsto his brethren to decide whether in all this he could have been actuatedby any worldlyor selfish motive . He then shows them that after his conversionhe had no opportunitytoreceiveinstruc-tionfrom man . The doctrineswhich he preached had been revealedto him by the Lord Jesus Christ. After the vision at Damascus , Paul retiredinto Arabia , for communion with God . Itwas not untilthreeyearshad elapsedthathe went up to Jerusalem; and he then made a stay of but fifteendays,thencegoingout to preach thegospeltotheGentiles. He declaresthat he was "unknown by face unto the churchesof Judea which were in Christ. But they had heardonly,thathe which persecutedus in times past, now preacheththe faithwhich once he destroyed. And theyglorifiedGod inme ."In thusreviewinghishistory,theapostleseeks to make apparentto allthat by specialmanifestationof divinepower he had beenledtoperceiveand tograspthegreattruthsof thegospel, aspresentedin theOld Testamentscripturesand einbodied in the lifeof Christ on earth. It was theknowledgereceivedfrom God himselfwhich led Paul to warn and admonish the Galatians in thatsolemn and positivemanner. He did not presentthe gospelin hesitancyand doubt, but with the assurance of settled conviction and absoluteknowledge. In hisepistlehe clearly marks the contrastbetween being taught by man and receivinginstructiondirectfrom Christ.