Saul of Tarsus was chosen by the risen Lord Jesus Christ to be the Apostle Paul,

instructing and entrusting to him two commissions. During Paul's time of ministry there

was to be a change of administration by God. God's purpose to use the Jewish nation to

disciple the world was suspended and the gospel was to go out to the Gentiles. The

believer in Christ was to be accepted by God without regard to Israel.

We today can never appreciate the astonishment with which this news was received by

the Jews who for centuries had been the dispensers of the oracles of God. In Eph. 4: 12

Paul describes the work of his disciples as being "For the perfecting (or better, the

readjusting) of the saints" (which work was to explain and teach the carry over from one

divine administration (or dispensation) to another. The calling of the church of the One

Body was a further exclusive administration depending on revelation, knowledge and

understanding of that calling with the required response in faith and acknowledgment in

daily living. The R.V. (Eph. 3: 9) expresses it "to make all men see what is the

dispensation of the Mystery which from all ages has been (until then) hid in God".

The fact revealed by Paul in his letters included the being and nature of God; God

manifest in the flesh; the full interpretation of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, death,

burial, resurrection and ascension; the all-sufficiency of His sacrifice; the full inspiration

of the Scriptures; the essential work of the Holy Spirit illuminating the Word to the

believer; the right division of the Word; the hope of those believing in the Name of the

Son of God and the hope of those elected to the church of the One Body; the hope of the

overcomers of Israel.

It is this body of truth revealed to him that Paul was vehemently insistent on being

kept and defended, for he knew that his death was imminent and that afterwards his

message would be attacked on all sides as indeed it was. Today sees a rescue and revival

of these truths amongst, alas, so very few people. To those privileged to hear, receive

and understand Paul's ministry there are unimaginable riches in heavenly places

awaiting, but which carry with them the responsibility to obey the commands of these

basic doctrines, and to spread their good news.

The Scriptures are the only source to give us the knowledge of God and His purposes

for us. How important do we think is the acquisition of this knowledge? The woman of

Samaria wanted to discuss with our Lord where those in her day should worship God.

Christ's reply was:

again He says: