“And last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also, as of one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:8 (KJV)

Below we have the account of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

The eleven Apostles first chose two candidates to replace Judas, the betrayer, then asking God which of these two He would have to fill the vacant position due to Judas' betrayal… they drew lots and “the lot fell on Mathias.”

Some Christians teach that the Lord’s 11 Apostles acted arbitrarily by choosing Matthias to take Judas’ place; saying, “Well, actually, Paul was God's choice for Judas' place.” But this is not so, according to the Biblical record.

Let’s now examine the facts.

Few Christians today realize that Jesus’ Twelve Apostles were ignorant of the scope and vital significance of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Just consider all the verses referenced and the comments for each.

1. Matthew 16:21-22 – When Jesus first began to tell them of His death, Peter tried to prevent it.

2. Mark 8:31-32 – In another account Peter rebuked the Lord for speaking about His death.

A friend asks: “Have you heard the good news?” and you reply: “What good news?” Naturally! Not all good news is the same. The word “Gospel” simply means “the good news.”

Yet today, few people ask this question, “What gospel” when they read in the Bible the phrase “the gospel.”

In charging Timothy to “preach the Word,” the Apostle does not mean, as some have supposed, that the pastor should draw his sermon material equally from all parts of the Bible. Yes, “all Scripture” is given so that the “man of God” may be fully equipped for his life and ministry. But in this same letter the Apostle Paul indicates that the Scriptures must be “rightly divided” (2 Tim. 2:15) and that his own God-given message is “the Word of God” in particular for the present age of “the dispensation of the grace of God” (See Eph 3:2; 2 Tim.

In comparing the ministry of the twelve apostles with that of the Apostle Paul, we must observe carefully these significant contrasts.

1. "The Twelve" were sent to Israel exclusively, and specifically NOT to the Gentiles.

Sadly, Paul's place in the plan of God as being ‘the Moses of the age of grace’ to "the body of Christ" is not known by many. The confusion in the Church today is basically the result of her rebellion against the authority of Paul as the Lord’s one divinely-appointed Apostle for the present "dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:1-3). Thus Paul has largely been marginalized in the church at large today.

No conversion in history is given so much attention as that of the Apostle Paul. Besides the many references to it, we find three detailed accounts of it in the book of Acts. As Saul of Tarsus, the learned Pharisee, he had led his nation and the world in rebellion against God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke wrote: “As for Saul, he made havock of the church” (Acts 8:3).

The believers at Damascus feared Saul’s presence among them, saying: “Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem?” (Acts 9:21).

Now, as we continue our search for “hope for the Gentiles,” we come to the very last book of the Bible the Book of Revelation. 

AT LAST, WE NOW FIND SOME HOPE FOR THE GENTILES in Rev 6 and 7.

BUT WAIT, look at what it takes for Gentiles to be saved.

This Scripture is describing the Tribulation period, where “a third part” of all mankind will die (Rev 9:18). All” means even a third part of believing Israel will die. Only a remnant will be saved to live on, into the Millennium.