Worship Series - Interview with Paul 1

Interviewer (I): I have an historic guest with me today! This man is one of the most influential figures in the birth and history of the Church. It is my privilege to be able to ask him some questions about his life and work.

Saul - er, Paul - Let's begin with your name. Which would you prefer that we use to address you: Saul or Paul?

Paul (P): I prefer "Paul," thank you.

I: Originally, your name was Saul. Why did you change? Is Paul a stage name?

P: To answer your second question first, yes - sort of. Much as a stage name suggests a different identity, my new name reflects the fact that I am a different person than I was earlier. In a sense, I am a new creation.

I: I see. So you are into reincarnation...?

P: No; I'm glad you asked! This body is the same one I used to have, it's the only one (as we know them) that I'll ever have, and it's wearing out rather quickly - I've put a lot of kilometers on it in a very short time.

I: So.what IS new?

P: What's new is a part of me that people can't see. God is in my heart, and I am in Christ through faith in Him and commitment to Him. He radically changed my life, He made old things pass away - although I still do battle with the world, the flesh and the devil - and all things become new. He renewed my mind, transforming my perspective about everything that has to do with this world - and life hereafter.

I: Paul, your encounter with Christ was dramatic. As you reflect on that experience, what thoughts come to mind?

P: Well, the details of that event are well documented in Acts, a book written by my personal friend and physician, Dr. Luke. However, taking a step back and looking at the broader picture, I'd have to say that God dealt with me as my personality required.

I've always been a fairly focused, energetic, determined person. When I decide what I need to do, I ignore everything else and zero in on it, and it gets done - well done, in fact, since I'm the type of person who is driven to achieve. Woe to anyone who gets in my way when I'm trying to achieve something!

I was in that mode while on my way to Damascus pursuing Christians. As far as I was concerned, they were the rogues of the religious world. I was determined to hunt them down and crush them permanently for the havoc they were creating within my religious system.

With me in that mindset, God did what He needed to do to get my attention. And believe me, He got it!

I: And promptly after your encounter with Jesus Christ came a flurry of seminars in every major city, the publication of several books, and a burst of successful church plants, with royalties rolling into your pockets and royalty rolling out their red carpets, with a house in every country and two chariots in every courtyard, and a partridge in a pear tree....

P: Stop! I know you're kidding, but the truth is that those days were rather difficult at times.

I: Can I assume, then, that you are not a disciple of Prosperity Theology?

P: I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. God the Son loves us so much that He didn't grasp for the status and privileges to which He was entitled as God. Instead, He made Himself nothing; He set aside the glory and high position of deity and took the form of a servant. He was even crucified on a wooden cross like a common crook.

"No," to answer your question, His example turns Christians 180 degrees away from the lifestyle promoted by Prosperity Preachers who parade around their circuit - or is it that they parade around their circus? Whichever word you choose, the prosperity that counts with Christ is spiritual prosperity. He wants us to accumulate heavenly treasures!

Come back and join us tomorrow, as the apostle Paul tells us what happened to him for a number of years following his conversion to Jesus Christ. You may be surprised!

© 2007 John Garmo. If you would be interested in using this article, please contact us at Info@MissionToChildren.org.