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When Paul Changed His Mind
What the Bible Really Shows Us About Faith
There’s a guy named Paul who wrote a good chunk of the New Testament. He’s fascinating. Sometimes grumpy, usually controversial. Tireless. Always on the move. Travelling the ancient world, moving among Jews, Greeks and Romans. Constantly finding fresh ways to talk about the reconciliation of all things in Jesus.
Also, he gets beaten up. A lot.
People want to kill him. His ship crashes. He goes hungry. He gets thrown in prison. And through it all, he keeps talking about joy. About rejoicing. It’s absurd how resilient he is.
In some of his earliest writings, Paul says things like:
- Jesus rescues us from the coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1)
- He rescues us from the present evil age (Galatians 1)
- There are those who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4)
- And Paul includes himself in those on whom the culmination of the ages has come (1 Corinthians 10)
Do you notice anything about these phrases?
They’re not just theological statements. They reflect a conviction that Jesus was going to return soon, like, in Paul’s own lifetime.