Romans: The Identity of God's Servant

Paul got a new name.

His name was not changed by Jesus on the Damascus Road.

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.Acts 9:4-5

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.Acts 9:10-12

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.Acts 13:2

Saul was a Hebrew name with a historic, cultural connection to Israel’s first king.

Paul was a Gentile name meaning “little” or “small”.

While the Bible isn’t clear for the reason behind the name change, we can confidently say that Paul wanted less concern about himself and more of Jesus.

He must increase, but I must decrease.John 3:30

Paul knew his place. (Slave)

Two Greek Words for Servant

Diakonos: servant, minister, messenger, waitingman Doulos: slave, bondslave

We are called to be slaves to Jesus.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.Galatians 1:10

Slaves have no rights or will of their own.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.John 5:30

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.John 6:38

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.John 4:34

We are either slaves to Jesus or slaves to our sin, but never free to ourselves.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?Romans 6:16

Paul’s identification as an apostle was to convey his authority in addressing the church.

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:2 Peter 3:1-2

There are no biblical qualifications given for apostles and no succession plan outlined in Scripture. No apostles are identified after Paul and the apostles ceased to exist upon the death of the fourteen.

Paul followed the process. (Separation)

For God to do a work in your life requires a process of separation.

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.Luke 6:22

We are always separated from something or someone to something or someone else.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Holiness is separation from sin to God.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.Romans 6:22

The separation work that God wants to do is part of our life’s journey.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,Galatians 1:15

Paul was crystal clear on his purpose. (The Gospel)

We must be all about the Gospel.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.Romans 1:16

The Gospel proves that God keeps His promises. (v.2)

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;Titus 1:2

The Gospel tells of the power of Jesus over sin, death and the grave. (v.4)

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.Acts 2:22-24