Paul's calling

“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.’” Acts 9:15-16
In Acts 9 we have the conversion of Saul of Tarsus (who was later called Paul). Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, in a light so bright that he was blinded for a few days. At the same time, God spoke to a disciple called Ananias and told him to go and find Saul and pray for him. Initially Ananias was reluctant, but God told him again to go. In today’s verse we see the calling of God that was upon Paul’s life: to carry His name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel, and to suffer for His name. As we read the rest of the book of Acts, and secular history, we see the extent of Paul’s missionary ministry through Asia Minor, Greece, and ultimately to Rome; preaching to Gentiles, Jews, and Gentile leaders (including Felix and Festus, governors in Judea (Acts 24-25); King Agrippa (Acts 25-26), and Caesar Nero).
But Paul’s calling started even from before he was a believer. He was in a rather unique and remarkable position, which we can see was due to the hand of God being upon his life, even before he was saved. Here was a man who was born a Roman citizen. This gave him rights and privileges in society that allowed his travels to be possible, and offered him protection by the Roman authorities (see Acts 22:25-29, Acts 23:27). He had grown up in Tarsus, so he had an excellent Grecian education. This allowed him to engage in debate with those of a Grecian worldview (see Acts 17:16ff). He was also trained in Jerusalem as a Pharisee, so he knew the law of God back-to-front and inside-out. Although Paul initially used his position and abilities to persecute the church, God turned it around and used him for His kingdom. And He does the same with us.