Acts 13:9 (KJV)
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Little details can make some of the biggest impacts in the Word of God. Here is a small, five-word parenthesis that practically changed the world. Saul of Tarsus, once a feared enemy of the faith of Christ, was converted, called, and commissioned to preach the Word to the Gentiles. In a simple five-word parenthesis, he is renamed Paul.
With the change comes another subtle but obvious shift—the team moves from Barnabas and Saul to Paul and Barnabas. Just as John the Baptist decreased and Jesus increased, Barnabas—so instrumental in introducing Saul of Tarsus to the believers—fades behind Paul, the apostle born out of due season.
The name Saul literally means desired. That was certainly true of the most famous Saul—the king the people desired for themselves. Saul of Tarsus was an up-and-coming leader among the Pharisees, desired for his zeal and promise. Yet Saul became Paul, a name that literally means small or little.
Saul of Tarsus gave up all that he possessed in the world to become little—without worth among his former peers. He was never fully accepted among the believing Jews. He spent perhaps the most significant portion of his ministry in prison. By becoming little in the eyes of the world, Paul became arguably the most influential man (excepting, of course, Jesus) this world has ever known.
He testified of himself, perhaps reflecting upon that name change, in Philippians 3:7–10 (KJV):
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
There is nothing this world has to offer that is truly sacrificed that we may know HIM.
#FromSaulToPaul #FilledWithTheHolyGhost #DecreaseThatHeMayIncrease #ThatIMayKnowHim #ChangedByGrace
When God Makes a Man Small: Five Words That Reshaped History
Searching for clear Bible answers in a confusing world? 📖
God often changes history through the smallest details—just like the five-word parenthesis in Acts 13:9 that marked the rise of the Apostle Paul. If you’re asking what the Bible really teaches about calling, humility, and knowing Christ, this lesson is for you.
👉 Question for the comments:
What “small” change has God used to make a big difference in your walk with Him?
If you’re hungry for plain Bible teaching, KJV Scripture, and thoughtful answers from God’s Word, I invite you to explore more resources at marvinmckenzie.org 🌐
You’ll find studies, devotionals, and encouragement designed to help you know Him and walk faithfully.
To my readers:
For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.
If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.
My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org
Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/
Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more
Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give.
No comments:
Post a Comment