“be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12v2 NIV

“fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out”

Romans 12v2 Message

A new understanding of Salvation

Before Saul is: Super religious with reliance on rules to obtain a rightness with

God. Justified himself as a “Hebrew among Hebrews” Phil 3v4-6 Showed no mercy

Then he meets Jesus

After Paul is: Converted to the Way of Jesus. Justified by faith through the death of Jesus Phil 3v7-9 Experienced grace and then lived out a life worthy of his calling

“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 13v14

A new understanding of AuthorityBefore Saul is: Uses the “authority” of the religious leaders to pursue his aims Believes he is doing God’s will. Acts 26v 8-11 Sent to persecute believers and destroy the church

Then he meets Jesus

After Paul is: Writes over half New Testament Sent to the Gentiles and to strengthen the Church Lives under the authority of Jesus. Rom 10v 9-12

A new way of lifeBefore Saul is: Well trained and self assured Religiously pure and morally good by Jewish standards First amongst his equals Gal 1v 13-14

Then he meets Jesus

After Paul is: Is a changed man Phil 1v21 Serves the purposes of God as he builds his new Kingdom Faces many trials and is persecuted 2Cor 11v 21-28

A new certaintyBefore Saul is: Was the one giving the orders Self confident Missing the point Acts 9v 4-6

Then he meets Jesus

After Paul is: Living under a new certainty through Jesus Faces many challenges Finds true contentment Phil 4v 11-13

?