3 Reasons Paul's Salvation was Significant

Look at what Jesus says about the Apostle Paul's salvation and ministry.

Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:    For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

That's was the purpose of why he was called personally by the ressurected Jesus Christ. Why would this be significant though? There are 3 HUGE REASONS.

1.) Paul wasn't seeking after Christ, but rather he was persecuting Him.

Acts 9:5
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.

2.) This is the first time that God offered salvation to someone who wasn't repenting or seeking salvation. God offered Him grace and longsuffering. This is so significant in Scripture, that Paul actually makes a earth shattering statement in 1 Timothy.

1 Timothy 1:15-16
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

3.) Starting with Paul, God began to offer salvation to Gentiles, without Israel. Why is this so important? Because it goes against prophecy. Prophetically, Israel was to be the avenue in which the rest of the world found salvation.

Zechariah 8:22-23
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord .  Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Most Bible teachers note that 2 of th biggest transitions in Scripture is with Matthew 1 and Acts 2. Would it not be important to note that the calling of the Apostle Paul is one of the biggest, most unique, transitions in the Bible? Paul's salvation is unique, but His message is what makes all the difference...

Free salvation by grace through faith can only be found in the epistles of Paul. There are definitely some distinctions that need to be made if we are to rightly divide the word or truth.