Lessons

Let’s be honest. Who knew Christ better than the Apostle Paul? Yet, why does Paul in Philippians 3:10 say “That I may know Him…”? Look at the 14 New Testament books God used Paul to write which include Hebrews, Romans, and Galatians. These books demonstrate a very deep understanding by Paul of the salvation that is in Christ. Paul knew Christ better than anyone for he knew Him for over 30 years. So then what was Paul referring to in Philippians 3:10? The word that had been given to Israel was now being followed by a new calling given specifically to Paul by direct revelation from God. Paul calls it “The Mystery” in Ephesians 3:9 and Colossians 1:25-26. This body of truth is specific for our faith obedience today. Consequently, when Paul talked about “getting to know Him”, he wasn’t talking about salvation or any other core fundamental truth in scripture, but rather, getting to know the God-man Christ Jesus. After all, the greatest question of the ages is “who is God?” Paul was given the responsibility of delivering this calling to whosoever will listen. With this calling, there are specific rewards and inheritances seperate from those promised to Israel. We find some of these to be a seperate resurrection as stated in Philippians 3:11 (also known as the out-resurrection). This resurrection has the living rise before the dead whereas in 1 Thes 4:16-18 and 1 Cor 15:22, the dead rise first. The Mystery is a calling into the “Kingdom of His Dear Son” vs the “Kingdom of Heaven” on earth. These differences (as well as many others) all are set forth by Paul. This is what Paul was saying… that he might know God and His highest calling. In the end, he states in 2 Tim 4:7-8 (KJV) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” Click here to listen to the lesson on 04-07-2002.