He claimed to be an Apostle of equal rank and authority
with the other Apostles (2 Cor 11:5 Gal 2:8, etc.) (1)
because Christ had appeared to him as to the others (I Cor 15:8, 9:1), and (2)
because Christ had appointed him an Apostle just as He had appointed the others
(Ac 22:21, etc.). For confirmation of the truth of this he appealed to
‘the sign of an apostle’ (miracles, conversions, etc.) which accompanied his
ministry (2 Cor 12:12).
Dummelow says of Paul: “He perceived that the ceremonial
Law was no longer binding, and his perception of this fact enabled him to
preach Christianity as a universal religion. The twelve already held this
view in principle, but to Saul belongs the credit of acting upon it with
energy, and of carrying it out to its logical results.’ (My
emphasis – I am reminded that this is the book of the Acts of the
Apostles.)
Joyce Voysey
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