Day: June 3, 2024

Monday, June 3, 2024

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him” (Acts 13:9 KJV).

How is the Apostle Paul connected to the pause of prophecy?

Our Authorized Version King James Bible refers to “Saul” (of Tarsus) 22 times—and only in Acts (Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1,3; Acts 9:1,4,8,11,17,19,22,24,26; Acts 11:25,30; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1,2,7,9; Acts 22:7,13; Acts 26:14). From today’s Scripture onward, the Bible begins designating him “Paul”  (158 times total). Interestingly, the Apostle Paul never refers to himself as “Saul” in any of his writings, Romans through Philemon; he always uses “Paul.” Why?

Remember, he was both a Hebrew citizen (Acts 26:4; Philippians 3:5) and a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37,38; Acts 22:25-27,29; Acts 23:27). Thus, he was given two names at his birth. “Saul” is Hebrew (meaning “asked, desired, wished”), whereas “Paul” is Latin or Roman. You can see the Greek form of his name “Paulus” in Acts 13:7—although this was the deputy or governor of the island of Cyprus. From the time of Acts 13:9 (today’s Scripture), the Apostle’s Gentile (Roman/Latin/Greek) name begins to take preeminence in the Bible record and “Saul,” his Jewish name, becomes less used.

In the context of today’s Scripture, we find the first miracle of Saul/Paul as documented in the Bible. This miracle illustrates his ministry. Re-read Acts 13:1-12. A Gentile (Sergius Paulus) expresses desire to hear the Word of God from Barnabas and Saul/Paul, but an unbelieving Jew (Elymas/Barjesus) interferes by refusing them entrance. Elymas/Barjesus represents his apostate nation Israel under Satan’s influence, obstructing Paul’s apostleship from reaching the nations of the world (check 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). Responding to Elymas/Barjesus, Paul curses him with temporary physical blindness—which corresponds to Israel’s momentary spiritual blindness as Paul’s ministry converts the Gentiles (Romans 11:7-14,25-27). Observe it well: it is in this setting that the Bible begins switching his name from “Saul” to “Paul” (Acts 13:9).

Doing a little research, we gather that “Paul” in Greek is “Paulos” (meaning “little”). It is closely related to “pauo,” which is defined as “to pause, stop, desist, cease.” God the Holy Spirit is communicating through the miracle of Acts 13:1-12 that He has paused Israel’s prophetic program to begin our mystery program….