See bulletin Why was the Apostle Paul such a “different” disciple? Was it because he had previously imprisoned and put to death many Christians before he himself became one? Was it because he had not walked with Jesus, but only seen the ascended Savior when He appeared to him on the road to Damascus? Or was it because Jesus used him more than the other disciples to speak through the Spirit of God to help bring a greater depth of understanding to all of Christendom? The answers are ‘yes’ to all! Paul wrote under divine inspiration to the Christians in Ephesus… Ephesians 4:7-12 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." 9 (Now this, "He ascended" -- what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Paul, claimed himself to be the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) –although every Christian’s personal list of sins could argue against that. In view of God’s perfect law, when you look at the number of your own sins, who could you list as having sinned more? The Spirit blessed Paul with the gift of a very firm grasp of the grace of Christ. He speaks of Christ’s ascension in the same way he speaks of Christ’s loving descent to earth to take on our flesh and give us (gift to us) the victory! What is also amazing is that Paul goes on to connect that we as believers are the “body of Christ.” “To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” He distinguishes the variety of gifts given to us as “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.” These are what we ALL are in word, action, or example! And Paul goes on to nail each one of us (members of Jesus body) to the cross – because “Christ crucified” is our message with which to teach, edify, and bring eternal peace to this world!!