In one of Paul’s teachings to the Corinthians, he invited them to be his followers as he himself was a follower of Christ (see
1 Corinthians 11:1). This is a sincere and valid invitation from Paul’s time until today: to be a follower of Christ.
yeah to follow Christ is what Peter, Paul , John , Mary , Priscilla and Aquila , barnabus ect it’s what it means to be a Christian
a “disciple “ of Jesus Christ and believer of the gospel he preached about his eternal kingdom , life after death , having no condemnation ect Paul is a witness that Jesus is the son of God.
“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And
straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”
Acts 9:18, 20
what Paul was testifying to is this he was saying Jesus is the son
“For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and
to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV
God had promised the birth of the messiah long before a man child born of a virgin
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14 KJV
So Paul is witnessing this
“And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:21-23 KJV
He testifies here under oath of what it is he preached and why the Jews wanted to kill him
“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed
first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea,
and then to the Gentiles, that
they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
For these causes
the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
Having therefore obtained help of God,
I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
That
Christ should suffer, and that he should
be the first that should rise from the dead,
and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”
Acts 26:19-23 KJV
even Moses and the prophets were preaching about the gospel Paul is witnessing the gospel of Jesus Christ in the prior scriptures of Moses and the prophets.
“
Search the scriptures; for in them
ye think ye have eternal life:
and
they are they which testify of me.
And ye will not
come to me, that ye might have life.”
John 5:39-40 KJV
The gospel is thier witness of faith about the messiah coming to Pass. Paul was saying Jesus is the messiah he died and rose like the scripture told us it’s him it’s the lord . So let us all follow him like he said to do.
and yes the apostles are all Perfect examples of how to follow
Christ but they are always saying “ it’s not about me the apostle , it’s all
About Jesus the lord “
there should t be any question of who a Christian is a disciple of Paul’s saying I’m following Jesus so follow my example. He says it a lot that his life was an example for the church but , his life was a constant struggle and accusation against him he wasn’t like us he had a life of suffering like Jesus did when he converted and was executed by Nero for his faith in Jesus
the apostles are special witnesses and elected judges by Jesus to carry out his earthly ministry and bring it to the world. Like Jesus they performed miracles Peter and Paul rose the dead John did healings ect . But also like Jesus they were persecuted and hated by jew and Roman and suffered greatly mostly dying terrible deaths
but they established the church and scripture
“…..And the
disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch.”
Acts 11:26 KJV
Jesus is the good teacher we’re all wanting to learn from him and follow his ways because as Paul makes clear
“For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
1 Corinthians 4:4-5
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
2 Corinthians 5:10
The resurrection as prophecied also means he’s the judge
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but
now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;
whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
Acts 17:30-31 KJV
Jesus death and resurrection was written but so was his everlasting word of life to at we have to accept his judgements ect
