If you know the story of Saul/Paul, then you know he was not a believer in Christ until after Jesus ascended to heaven. The record we have starts in Acts - which is widely believed to have been written by Luke. Acts 9 describes Saul's conversion. Luke would, of course, be saying what Paul related to him concerning the experience. This is what Paul says Jesus said to him:
Acts 9:5-6
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
We are also told the testimony of a man named Ananias who Jesus appeared to in a vision. He told Ananias:
Acts 9:11-12
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Anaias was worried about what he was being told to do since Saul was a known persecutor of Christians. The Lord then told Ananias:
Acts 9:15-16
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Barnabas was greatly impressed with the work Saul was doing in the name of Jesus and he personally brought him to the apostles to introduce him:
Acts 9:26-28
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Barnabus then worked together with Saul in Antioch:
Acts 11:25-26
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
When Paul and Barnabus were in Iconium they spoke boldly for the Lord, who "confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." Acts 14:3. This caused division among the people in that city who we are told, "Some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles." Acts 14:4. Paul was later referred to as an "apostle" in Acts 14:14. Paul and Barnabus also appointed elders in the churches.
When Paul was speaking to the crowd in Jerusalem and retold his experience on the road to Damascus, he said the Lord said to him:
Acts 22:21
21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
When Paul was testifying to King Agrippa, he said the Lord said to him:
Acts 26:15-18
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
So, we have the words of Luke, Saul/Paul, Barnabus, Peter, James and Jesus stating that Paul was sent by the Lord himself to the Gentiles. All the other disciples and Apostles were convinced, so I am, too. The Lord would not have allowed Paul's epistles to be included as Holy Scripture if he was a fake.
PS Long drawn out posts are usually passed by by me. You did good and I enjoyed it..
I spent more time on the gospels than I did over the Acts...Have read them but not as many times as the gospels..For me the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John gives us a pattern of Jesus beliefs on how one should live their lives, therefore I read them over many times, but I have not read cover to cover in many years...
Acts 1:21,22."Wherefore of these men which have companied with us ALL THE TIME that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. Beginning FROM THE BAPTISM of JOHN, UNTO THE SAME DAY THAT THE WAS TAKEN UP FROM US, MUST ONE BE ORDAINED TO BE A WITNESS WITH US OF HIS RESURRECTION." THis is the reason Paul could NOT have taken Judas' place. He was not one who had followed Jesus. And why Barsabas and Matthias were appointed to have lots cast.
Which also make Paul's apostleship more interesting.
"And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain u nto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James: then of all the apostles. And LAST OF ALL HE WAS SEEN OF ME ALSO, as one born out of due time." 1 Cor. 15:4-8.
Paul was the LAST person to see the risen Christ, both at the moment of his salvation, and the other revelations Christ revealed to him. Face to face, and mouth to mouth.
That Paul refers to himself as the apostle of the Gentiles is not being self-important or conceited. He was given this position and ministry by Christ.