AmI not free?AmI not an apostle?Have I not seenJesusour Lord?Are you not my workin the Lord?
While they were ministeringto the Lordand fasting,the HolySpiritsaid,"Set apartfor Me Barnabasand Saulfor the workto whichI have calledthem."
But when the apostlesBarnabasand Paulheardof it, they toretheir robesand rushedout into the crowd,cryingout
But the peopleof the citywere divided;and somesidedwith the Jews,and somewith the apostles.
But on the night[immediately] following,the Lordstoodat his side and said,"Take courage;for as you have solemnly witnessedto My causeat Jerusalem,soyou mustwitnessat Romealso."
But the Lordsaidto him, "Go,for he is a choseninstrumentof Mine,to bearMy namebeforethe Gentilesand kingsand the sonsof Israel;
SoAnaniasdepartedand enteredthe house,and after layinghis handson him said,"BrotherSaul,the LordJesus,who appearedto you on the roadby whichyou were coming,has sentme sothat you may regain your sightand be filledwith the HolySpirit."
As he was traveling,it happenedthat he was approachingDamascus,and suddenlya lightfrom heavenflashed aroundhim;
And he said,"Whoare You, Lord?"And He [said], "I amJesuswhomyou are persecuting,
Paul,a bond-servantof ChristJesus,called[as] an apostle,set apartfor the gospelof God,
throughwhomwe have receivedgraceand apostleshipto bring about[the] obedienceof faithamongallthe Gentilesfor His name'ssake,
But I am speakingto you who are Gentiles.Inasmuchthenas I aman apostleof Gentiles,I magnifymy ministry,
Paul,called[as] an apostleof JesusChristby the willof God,and Sosthenesour brother,
I meannot your ownconscience,but the other[man's]; for whyis my freedomjudgedby another'sconscience?
IfI partakewith thankfulness,whyam I slanderedconcerningthat for whichI give thanks?
But ifoneis inclinedto be contentious,we havenootherpractice,norhave the churchesof God.
I planted,Apolloswatered,but Godwas causing the growth.
For though I amfreefrom all[men], I have mademyselfa slaveto all,sothat I may winmore.
You are lookingat things as they are outwardly.Ifanyoneis confidentin himselfthat he is Christ's,let him considerthisagainwithinhimself,that justas he is Christ's,soalsoare we.
For I considermyself not in the leastinferiorto the most eminentapostles.
And working together[with Him], we alsourgeyou not to receivethe graceof Godin vain--
Paul,an apostle(not [sent] from mennorthroughthe agencyof man,but throughJesusChristand Godthe Father,who raisedHim from the dead),
It was for freedomthat Christset us free;thereforekeep standing firmand do not be subjectagainto a yokeof slavery.
nordid we seekgloryfrom men,eitherfrom you orfrom others,even though as apostlesof Christwe might have assertedour authority.
For thisI was appointeda preacherand an apostle(I am tellingthe truth,I am not lying)as a teacherof the Gentilesin faithand truth.
for whichI was appointeda preacherand an apostleand a teacher.