THE
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE WISE ARCHITECT
Pastor
J. C. O’Hair
When Jesus Christ was here on earth He
said, concerning John the Baptist, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are
born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Matthew 11:11.
John was filled with the Holy Spirit
from his birth. The wise architect for years was wise in his own conceit. His
name then was “Saul.” He became the most spiritual, fruitful Christian of all
times and wrote about one half of the Books of the New Testament Scriptures. I
believe, measured by true standards, he was the greatest man who ever lived on
this planet, after the fall of Adam, with the exception of the Man Christ
Jesus. I hope that you will read Paul’s autobiography with great interest. In
the first verse we quote the Greek word translated masterbuilder is “architekton”
from which we get our word “architect.” This word means really “chief builder.”
In this autobiography we are quoting
the very words of Saul, the Jew, who became Paul, the Christian.
ACCORDING TO THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS
GIVEN UNTO ME, AS A WISE MASTERBUILDER, I HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, AND ANOTHER
BUILDETH THEREON. BUT LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED HOW HE BUILDETH THEREUPON.
SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING
IN ME, WHICH TO YOUWARD IS NOT WEAK, BUT IS MIGHTY IN YOU.
I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST:
NEVERTHELESS I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: AND THE LIFE WHICH I
NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND
GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. I DO NOT FRUSTRATE THE GRACE OF GOD: FOR IF RIGHTEOUSNESS
COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN.
PARAGRAPH ONE
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of
Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle,
and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against
that day. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the
Gentiles, I magnify mine office. Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified
to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and
blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your
own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. I am debtor
both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at
Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek.
PARAGRAPH TWO
According to the glorious gospel of
the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our
Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the
ministry. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I
obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our
Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This
is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I
obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all
long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to
life everlasting. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of
due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an
apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am
what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I
labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which
was with me. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
PARAGRAPH THREE
PARAGRAPH FOUR
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s
judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as
thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing
worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things
whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day
before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which
are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of
life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem,
know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify,
that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now
I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope
to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why
should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the
dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to
the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of
the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief
priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I
punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and
being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief
priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the
brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and
saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard
for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for
I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a
witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the
which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the
Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith
that is in me. 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 Judea, 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 show light unto the people, and to the
Gentiles. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice,
Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I
am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and
soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak
freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for
this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?
I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest
me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but
also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am,
except these bonds. And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the
governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone
aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of
death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set
at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
PARAGRAPH FIVE
Though I might also have confidence in
the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the
flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe
of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in
the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for
Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Am I
not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not
ye my work in the Lord? For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to
please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not
after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by
the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time
past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of
God and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in
mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my
fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and
called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among
the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I
up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia,
and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem
to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I
none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write unto you,
behold, before God, I lie not. Afterward I came into the regions of Syria and
Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in
Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now
preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me. Then
fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus
with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that
gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of
reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither
Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: And
that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy
out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into
bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the
truth of the gospel might continue with you. But of these who seemed to be
somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no
man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing
to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision
was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For
he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision,
the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and
John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me,
they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go
unto the heathen; and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we
should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. But when
Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be
blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles:
but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which
were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him;
insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when
I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I
said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner
of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live
as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith
of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be
justified by the faith of Christ. My little children, of whom I travail in
birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now,
and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, ye that desire to
be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For sin shall not have dominion over
you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Stand fast therefore in the
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the
yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ
shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised,
that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto
you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Where
is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of
faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds
of the law.
PARAGRAPH SIX
For though I would desire to glory, I
shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man
should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of
me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought
the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am
weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me:
for I ought to have been commended of you; for in nothing am I behind the very
chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were
wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the
gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being
sanctified by the Holy . I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus
Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of
any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles
obedient by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of
the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I
have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the
gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s
foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see:
and they that have not heard shall understand. For which cause also I have been
much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts,
and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take
my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my
journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat
filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the
saints. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I
am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the
Lord Jesus. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to
them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are
under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without
law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are
without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am
made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do
for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not
that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run,
that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in
all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an
incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one
that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:
lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh
while the world standeth. lest I make my brother to offend. That I may know
Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
PARAGRAPH SEVEN
Woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my
will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward
then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ
without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free
from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the
more. Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I
have been with you at all seasons. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind,
and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of
the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, and have
showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying
both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto
Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the
Holy witnesseth in every city, saying
that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,
and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have
gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take
you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have
not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore
unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy hath made you overseers, to feed the church
of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after
my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three
years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now,
brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are
sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye
yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to
them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. For I think that God hath set
forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a
spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s
sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are
honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and
thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;
And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being
persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth
of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not
these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye
have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in
Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you,
be ye followers of me. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my
body the marks of the Lord Jesus. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now
at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also
careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both
how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. But my God shall
supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Are they
Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham?
so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in
labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in
deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice
was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night
and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters,
in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the
heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the
sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings
often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside
those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all
the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine
infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for
evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the
king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his
hands.
But I would ye should understand,
brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto
the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all
the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord,
waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without
fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife, and some also of good
will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add
affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the
defense of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in
pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and
will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your
prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest
expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether
it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall
choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart,
and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh
is more needful for you. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is
in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he
may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive
for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman
that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and
the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of
the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel: Wherein I
suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not
bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a
faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we
suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.
PARAGRAPH NINE
“FOR AS YE (GENTILES) IN TIMES PAST
HAVE NOT BELIEVED GOD, YET HAVE NOW OBTAINED MERCY THROUGH THEIR (THE JEWS’)
UNBELIEF” Romans 11:30.
THE CASTING AWAY OF ISRAEL—THE
RECONCILING OF THE WORLD (THE GENTILES)—Romans 11:15.
The dispensation of the Grace of God
for Gentiles was committed unto Paul, by a special revelation from Christ in
heaven. Ephesians 3:1 to 5. This dispensation was ushered in after Israel had
committed the second of the two great sins mentioned in Acts 7:51 to 58 - They
betrayed and murdered the Son of God and then they resisted the Holy Spirit’s
Witness of the resurrection of that Son of God. This is the message also of
Acts 5:29 to 32.
Every Jew and every Gentile during
this present Divine economy, or age of grace, must come as a condemned Child of
Adam to the Cross of Calvary to be saved by grace, apart from any of Moses’ law
program or any Christian religion, by faith in the eternal, omnipotent Christ
Who put away sin by His once-for-all sacrifice, but Who is now the living,
glorified Man in heaven.
How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Acts 16:31 Romans 1:16, and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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