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Saul Turned Paul: A Story of Holy Conversion

Today we will explore the captivating story of Saul's conversion to Christianity, marking his transformation into the renowned apostle Paul. Saul's journey is a testament to the boundless grace, profound forgiveness, and transformative power found in encountering Jesus Christ. His conversion serves as an inspiring and pivotal moment, reminding us that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and that even the hardest hearts can be softened and transformed by His divine intervention. Join us as we explore the incredible events that unfolded on the road to Damascus and uncover the profound lessons that Saul's conversion story holds for us today. Get ready to be energized as we delve into the life and ministry of Paul, an instrument of God's grace and truth, and discover how his story can impact our own faith journey.

Life and Background

In the tapestry of biblical history, few figures have experienced a transformation as profound as Saul of Tarsus. Born into a devout Jewish family, Saul grew up immersed in Judaism's traditions, rituals, and teachings. His early life was marked by a fervent dedication to the Pharisaic sect, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law. With an unyielding zeal for his faith, Saul was trained in the finest rabbinic schools, cultivating a deep knowledge of Scripture and the traditions of his people. His future seemed destined for greatness within the religious hierarchy of Judaism. However, his path would take an unforeseen turn, setting the stage for a remarkable encounter that would redefine his purpose and identity.

Saul's unwavering commitment to Judaism fueled his vehement opposition to the emerging Christian movement. As an ardent Pharisee, he viewed this new sect as a dangerous departure from the faith of his ancestors. He was blinded by his fierce convictions, seeing the followers of Jesus as heretics and a threat. So, he embarked on a crusade to stamp out this perceived deviation, becoming an active persecutor of early Christians. Saul's name quickly became synonymous with terror for those who embraced the message of Christ, as he relentlessly pursued believers, endorsed their imprisonment, and even condoned their executions. 

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Acts 8:3

He made it his mission to extinguish the flame of this burgeoning movement, unknowing that an encounter with the risen Christ would shatter his convictions and set him on a path toward a remarkable transformation.

A Divine Encounter

Very few moments rival the overpowering happenstance Saul of Tarsus experienced on the dusty road to Damascus. Intent on persecuting the followers of Jesus, Saul embarked on a journey that would alter the course of his life forever. 

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2

As he neared Damascus, a blinding light suddenly enveloped him, causing him to fall to the ground. In that moment of utter vulnerability, a voice, like thunder, resounded, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Trembling and astonished, Saul replied, "Who are you, Lord?" The response echoed with authority, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:3-6)

In an instant, Saul's world as he knew it was shattered, his convictions upended. The encounter with the risen Christ pierced the very core of his being, unveiling the truth he had ferociously opposed. The brilliant light that had blinded him externally was now illuminating his soul, exposing the darkness of his former ways. In that moment, Saul's heart was awakened to the reality of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The encounter laid bare the futility of his persecution and revealed the depth of God's mercy and grace.

Becoming Paul

The once fervent persecutor became a fervent believer. He arose from the ground with eyes that now beheld the truth, despite being physically blinded by the experience. Led by the hand into Damascus, he spent three days in solitude, prayer, and fasting, wrestling with the seismic shift in his understanding. Through the ministry of Ananias, a faithful disciple, Saul's sight was restored, symbolizing not only his physical healing but also the spiritual illumination that now guided his path.

Saul of Tarsus underwent an impenetrable transformation and embraced a new identity as Paul, the apostle. His life became a testament to God's redeeming power and the transformative nature of the Gospel. Paul's ministry was characterized by relentless dedication, fervent preaching, and remarkable journeys. He set off on multiple missionary voyages, traversing cities and regions to proclaim the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. In his tireless efforts, he faced numerous challenges, persecution, and hardships, yet his unwavering faith propelled him forward. Through his ministry, Paul became instrumental in the establishment of early Christian communities, nurturing believers, and guiding them in the ways of Christ.

Paul's contributions to Christianity extend far beyond his missionary endeavors. His epistles and letters hold a profound significance in shaping Christian theology and addressing various issues that arose within the early church. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul penned letters to churches and individuals, addressing theological matters, moral conduct, doctrinal clarification, and pastoral guidance. These epistles, such as Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and others, were not merely theological treatises but heartfelt communications aimed at encouraging, instructing, and strengthening believers in their faith journey. Paul's writings illuminated key aspects of Christian doctrine, including salvation by grace through faith, the unity of believers, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of love and righteousness.

This encounter on the road to Damascus marked the beginning of Saul's remarkable journey as the apostle Paul, an instrument of God's grace and truth. No longer driven by misguided fire, Paul became a passionate ambassador of the Gospel, devoting his life to sharing the message of Jesus Christ. The immediate impact with the risen Savior was evident in the pure eagerness with which he proclaimed the Good News. Through his writings, missionary journeys, and unwavering commitment, Paul would leave an indelible mark on the early Christian church and shape the course of Christianity for generations to come.

Lessons Within Saul’s Conversion

Saul's conversion story stands as a powerful testament to the boundless grace, unfathomable forgiveness, and transformative redemption found in the heart of God. Prior to his encounter with Jesus, Saul's life was marked by zealous persecution of the early Christians. He was a fierce opponent of the emerging Christian movement, seeking to extinguish its flame. Yet, in an extraordinary act of grace, Jesus intervened in Saul's life, extending an invitation to redemption rather than condemnation. In that moment, the same Savior whom Saul had persecuted revealed Himself as the embodiment of love and forgiveness. Through this encounter, Saul experienced firsthand the radical grace that surpasses human understanding, paving the way for his transformation and his future role as the apostle Paul.

Saul's spiritual rebirth exemplifies the boundless depth of God's forgiveness. Despite Saul's vehement opposition to the Gospel, Jesus did not respond with wrath or vengeance. Instead, He met Saul's hostility with mercy and forgiveness. This divine forgiveness shattered the chains of guilt and condemnation that bound Saul, offering him a fresh start and a new purpose. The redemptive power of God's forgiveness is vividly displayed as Saul, who once persecuted the followers of Christ, became an avid proclaimer of the very message he had sought to eradicate. His change of heart stands as a testament to the truth that no sin is too great, no past too dark, to be beyond the reach of God's forgiving grace. Saul's evolution into Paul unveils the transformative power of redemption, illustrating that through Christ, anyone can experience forgiveness, restoration, and a life renewed.

How This Applies to You

Saul's conversion story offers valuable lessons that can inspire and transform our own lives. First and foremost, his story reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Saul, once an enemy of Christ, received the unmerited favor and love of God, which radically changed the trajectory of his life. This serves as a powerful reminder that our past mistakes and shortcomings do not define us or limit God's ability to work in and through us.

Saul's conversion also teaches us the importance of humility and openness to God's leading. Despite his zealousness and strong convictions, Saul humbled himself before God and surrendered to His will. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and surrender our own agendas, allowing God to work in and through us. It reminds us that our journey with Christ is not about our own accomplishments or self-righteousness, but about yielding to God's purpose and relying on His strength.

Furthermore, Saul's transformation also highlights the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. As Paul, he extended grace to others, even to those who had previously persecuted him. His example compels us to seek forgiveness and extend it to others, recognizing that we have been recipients of God's abundant mercy. Saul's turnaround inspires us to be instruments of reconciliation, healing broken relationships, and spreading the message of love and forgiveness in a world that often craves such restoration.

The Verdict Is In

Saul's conversion story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that no matter how lost or broken we may feel, God's grace is always sufficient to bring about transformation. It calls us to embrace humility, remain open to God's leading, and extend forgiveness to others. His dramatic conversion not only altered his identity but also set in motion a remarkable journey that would shape the course of Christianity itself. Saul's transformation from persecutor to apostle stands as a powerful testament to the boundless grace, forgiveness, and redemptive power found in the Gospel. May Saul's journey from darkness to light inspire us to boldly pursue our own spiritual transformation and faithfully walk in the purpose God has for each of our lives.

- Torrance Church of Christ

Messages in the Parables of the Talents/Minas

The parables of the talents/minas/bags of gold/coins are technically two different parables with very similar settings and contexts. They have the same message held within them. Depending on the version of the Bible you are reading, the name of the parable changes. The Parables of the Talents/Minas/Bags of Gold/Coins can be found in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. Talents and minas are names used to represent a type of money used in ancient times. 

Summaries and Differences

In Matthew and Luke, Jesus tells a parable of a man who goes on a journey. Before leaving, the man entrusts his servants with some money and instructs them to invest and manage the money while he is absent. In each account, some of the servants invest the money and gain an income, some more than others. However, there is one servant in each story that hides away the money given to them and keeps it safely tucked away until the man comes back. When the man returns, the servants are to report back on how well they managed the money. The man is very pleased with the servants who have multiplied their money, yet he gets very upset with the men who did nothing with what he had given them. 

The two accounts of this parable are very similar with only minor differences. One of the differences between the parables is in Luke, the man who went on a journey was of noble birth and we went on a journey to be appointed king. Another major difference is the amount of money the man gives his servants. In Matthew, one servant receives 5 bags of gold, another 2 bags, and the third gets 1 bag. In Luke, 10 servants each received 10 minas. The last difference is Jesus told the parables on two separate occasions. The parable in Matthew is a part of the lessons taught by Jesus on the Mount of Olives, whereas the parable in Luke is following the incident with Zacchaeus the tax collector. 

Symbolism

The man who goes on a journey is Jesus

The servants are His Disciples (us)

The journey is the ascension of Christ

The return is the return of Christ

Lessons in the Parables

We are His Servants

We are God’s servants, and with that comes the responsibility of growing our faith by allowing Him to use us for His work. To help us get His work done…

God Provides Each of Us with Gifts

Everything we have in life is a gift from God. Each of our gifts can be vastly different. Maybe someone has a beautiful singing voice, and someone else is exceptionally skilled with numbers. Some people have been blessed with great financial wealth, others with physical health. No matter what you or someone else has, it has all been provided by God. It is important to remember that… 

We are not all created equally

God has given each of us different skills, talents, expertise, monetary advantages, and experiences and each manifests with varying extents and degrees. God does this because we are each unique and not created equally. Which is why…

God will not give us more than we can handle

Because our gifts are different and distinct from one another, God will not give us more than we can handle. Our gifts from God will help us get through any specific hardships we will endure in life. And…

We are Expected to Use What We Have Been Given to the Best of our Abilities

God expects us all to use our gifts from Him to contribute to the good of mankind, and we all have something to contribute. Yet, because our gifts are catered to fit the individual, God doesn’t expect perfection. He recognizes that someone may technically do better at something than another. He wants us to use our gifts to the best of our ability. Which is why… 

Your faith is proven by your works, not by your accomplishments 

Attending worship, prayer, and studying your Bible are all excellent examples of habits Christians should incorporate into their life. But that isn’t all. Being a Christian involves constantly growing in your faith, living humbly, caring and helping those in need, and working toward living a Christlike life. Utilizing your gifts to help you stay on the path of living righteously will help you grow closer to Him. That is why…

The righteous will be greatly rewarded

When we use our gifts for good, God will continue to bless us. It is important to remember that…

When more is given more is expected

As we continue to use our gifts and strengthen our relationship with God, we are entrusted with more. As we are given more, God expects us to continue to use the added blessings to further our work in Him. Remember…

You are responsible for your inaction

Through each gift, God has provided us with a way to grow ourselves. It is up to us to decide how we use our gifts if we use our gifts, and when we use our gifts. All too often it can be easier to blame others for our lack of inaction. Making excuses and putting the blame elsewhere does not slide with God. He is all-knowing and…

We will be held accountable

Fear, laziness, and lack of preparedness are not viable reasons to neglect using what God has given us. God doesn’t want us to hide away, misuse, or neglect our gifts. He gave them to us for a reason. He knows that we can use them for growing our faith and living a more Christlike life. If we don’t, we will be held accountable. And there will be consequences…

God Will Take Back our Gifts

If we don’t use our blessings to do His work, we have proven to be untrustworthy. He will take back what He has given us. 

Evidently…

The parables of the Talents/Minas/Bags of Gold/Coins show us that God expects us to use and grow our blessings for His Glory. The more we use our gifts, the more God blesses us. Be sure to use your gifts wisely!

- Torrance Church of Christ

The Parables in Full:

Matthew 25:14-30:

 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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Luke 19:11-27:

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

The Word of God is Revealed to Those Who Know Him

In last week's post (that you can read here), we established that those who are faithful and whose hearts are founded in God’s Words are able to decipher and understand His messages. We shared the following scriptures from the Parable of the Sower that emphasized this point: 

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“Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Matthew 13:11-12

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“But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Matthew 13:16-17

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He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables”

Mark 4:11

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He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others, I speak in parables”

Luke 8:10

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To further highlight that Jesus used parables as a way to conceal and reveal:

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Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Matthew 13:34-35 

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Jesus is referring to: 

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I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

Psalm 78:2

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This week, we will expand on the mysteries of God’s Word being unearthed.

Mysteries In The Old Testament 

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Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise

Proverbs 1:5-6

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Throughout the Old Testament, God reveals His mysteries to those who follow His law. Only His most righteous followers were granted special authority to receive revelation so that they could teach and spread His word. 

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Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

Amos 3:7

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The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29

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The individuals who hardened their hearts toward God were unable to comprehend the vital implications of the law. 

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Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.

Ezekiel 12:2

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They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,

    and their minds closed so they cannot understand.

Isaiah 44:18

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Chapter two in the Book of Daniel provides an instance where God revealed Himself.  During his second year of reign, King Nebuchadnezzar began having dreams that left him to endure fitful sleep. He reached out to magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers in hopes that they could interpret his dreams. The men were unable to interpret the dreams, and the king wanted Daniel and his friends to execute the men. Daniel couldn’t understand the harsh punishment that the king had issued, so he went to the king and offered to interpret the dreams. Daniel was fearful that if he could not interpret the dreams, he and his friends might also be ordered to be executed. So Daniel did what he thought best, and reached out to God:

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He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:

You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Daniel 2:18-23

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Because of Daniel’s faith, God revealed the meaning of the dreams to him. Daniel went forth to the king and gave an interpretation. 

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Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:

“As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

Daniel 2:27-30

Afterward, the king was so pleased with Daniel and declared:

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The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

Daniel 2:47

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Daniel’s faithfulness, righteousness, and willingness to turn toward God permitted God to reveal Himself to Daniel. Daniel’s account is just one of many within the Old Testament. 

Mysteries In The New Testament

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For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.

Mark 4:22

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The promise that everything hidden will be unveiled is all throughout the New Testament (example: Matthew 10:26-27, Luke 8:17).

But as the hour of His death neared, Jesus began to speak plainly to His disciples. 

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Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

John 16:25

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He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

Mark 8:31-32

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Christ taught His disciples so that when His time on Earth came to an end, the Word of God would continue to be taught. 

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At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Matthew 11:25-27

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After Christ’s death, the disciples built up churches and the Christian faith. They revealed the mysteries Jesus had bestowed to all who would listen (also see Ephesians 3:3-6, Romans 16:25-26, Titus 1:1-3, Ephesians 3:8-9, Colossians 2:2-3).

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He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Ephesians 1:9-10

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I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 

Colossians 1:25-26

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Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20-21

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Through Christ, We Can Know the Truth

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“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

“I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

“But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

John 5:36-47

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Those who followed the law in the Old Testament were able to receive revelation through God. But once Christ came to Earth, faith in Him and His teachings became the pivotal condition to unlocking the meaning of the scriptures and heavenly mysteries. Christ became the Word, and through Him, we will know the truth. 

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-14

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This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 

1 Timothy 2:3-6

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No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:7-16

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But Sometimes, We May Need Some Additional Support

Even today, God’s messages are concealed. Sometimes, you may have difficulty understanding a certain chapter in the Bible, or you might struggle with relating and connecting to a Biblical event. Don’t let that deter you. Even Christ’s twelve disciples needed some extra explanation to help them discern His messages. 

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With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Mark 4:33-34

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It is important to note that despite requiring supplemental clarification, the disciples were privileged to receive it. In contrast to those who couldn’t comprehend Christ’s messages, His disciples were able to be taught and understand. In fact, they were eager to understand and learn. There are multiple instances where once in private, the disciples inquired of Jesus to further explain His messages (Mark 10:10, Mark 9:28, Luke 8:9, Matthew 13:36, just to name a few). His disciples needing further explanation emphasize the point that man is imperfect, and we need to lean on God. 

Even after His time on Earth, His disciples continued to seek His guidance.

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Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

Ephesians 6:19

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Wrapping Up

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Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on earth will be lost in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Matthew 16:16-20

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Christ is the fundamental panacea to obtaining insight into God’s mysteries. Continue to read your scriptures, attend worship, and pray for the ability to understand. Build your relationship with God, and He will unveil His sacred mysteries to you.