God desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth — 1 Tim. 2:4
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Completing Ministry of Paul, The

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Catalog No 04-002-001
Author Witness Lee
Publisher Living Stream Ministry

THE NEED FOR PAUL’S MINISTRY

Without Paul’s completing ministry, there is no way for Christ’s heavenly ministry to be carried out. Of course, without Christ’s heavenly ministry Paul’s ministry would have no ground. These two ministries work together—the one in the heavens and the other within us. Paul’s ministry reflected what Christ was ministering in the heavens.

Christ’s heavenly ministry began in Acts 2. Between chapters two and nine Christ’s ministry was proceeding, but Paul’s had not yet begun. Something was missing. Yes, Peter was ministering, but if we compare his ministry with Paul’s, we shall sense a lack. In Acts 9 the story of Paul’s momentous conversion is recorded, a conversion that was brought about, not by any human being, but by the direct intervention of the Lord Jesus from the heavens.

A CALLING FROM THE HEAVENS

In Hebrews 3:1 Paul calls the Hebrews to whom he was writing “partakers of a heavenly calling.” The word heavenly shows that Paul’s calling was specific. Those Hebrews were companions in receiving the heavenly calling.

This was not a calling on earth. Consider, in contrast to Paul, how Peter was called. Peter was at the Sea of Galilee, fishing with his brother, when a Man from Nazareth came by and called them. “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” the Lord Jesus told them (Matt. 4:18-19). How much I loved this story when I was young! I longed also to be a fisher of men. How much better to be a fisher of men rather than a fisher of fish!

After we consider Paul’s calling, however, we shall see that there is no comparison between the two. Peter’s calling was marvelous, but it was simple and from this earth. Peter was called by the Lord Jesus in His incarnation. That call is easy to understand. Paul’s calling, on the other hand, is beyond our comprehension. The call to Saul of Tarsus came from the heavens, not from the Jesus on this earth, but from the ascended, glorified One in the heavens.

Saul of Tarsus was one of a strong character. He was happily nearing the end of his journey from Jerusalem to Damascus, eager to arrive and fulfill his task of arresting all those who believed in Jesus. It was midday as he approached Damascus. Suddenly “there shone from heaven a great light round about” him (Acts 22:6). He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (v. 7). He must have thought, “What do you mean? I have been persecuting Peter, and John, and Stephen. But all those whom I have persecuted were on the earth. I have never harmed anyone in the heavens. Who can this be, saying that I am persecuting him?”

So he asked. Calling this unseen One Lord, he said, “Who art thou, Lord?” (v. 8). The answer came, “I am Jesus!” Saul must have been filled with consternation. Jesus was crucified and buried. How could He be speaking from the heavens? How could He be alive?

Such was the calling of Paul. All mysterious!

This book is composed of messages given by Brother Witness Lee in Stuttgart, Germany from April 5 through 13, 1980 and Anaheim, California from April 17 through 18, 1981.

CONTENTS

  1. The Heavenly Calling of Paul
  2. Christ Living in Me
  3. The All-inclusive Christ (1)
  4. The All-inclusive Christ (2)
  5. The Church (1)
  6. The Church (2)
  7. The Spirit and Our Spirit
  8. Transformation for God’s Building
  9. Growth in Life through the Transformation of Our Soul for the Building Up of the Body
  10. The Central Vision (1)
  11. The Central Vision (2)
  12. The Central Vision (3)
Author Witness Lee
Publisher Living Stream Ministry
Format Paperback
Catalog No04-002-001
ISBN9780870834530
Pages107
Dimension216mm X 141mm
Language English
Original LanguageEnglish
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