We have a tremendous volume of Scripture that involves Paul. Because of that, his profile in the New Testament is second only to Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents him in three powerful ways:
1/ First of all, about half of the book of Acts is devoted to following Paul (chapters 13-28). It is actually impressive just how much we know and see of him in this valuable inspired history. We see his full conversion experience, involving his surrender to Christ on the Damascus Road and his reception of the tenets of salvation when attended by Ananias (Acts 9). Furthermore, we hear him recount his conversion experience twice (Acts 22, 26).
From these accounts, we can see that Paul received the Acts 2:38 salvation experience that began on the Day of Pentecost.
2/ Secondly, we observe his ministry practice, including three missionary journeys. As you would expect from his own conversion experience, he went on to preach the Acts 2:38 salvation message. This is evident in Acts 19:1-6, where he re-baptized “disciples” in Jesus’ name and laid hands on them to receive the Holy Ghost.
All of this specific history must, and does, reveal his position on salvation doctrine. The Acts record of him is, therefore, the hermeneutical basis for understanding his epistles. In other words, his actual experience explains his theology. Nothing is more sound than that.
3/ Thirdly, we have his epistles. In these, he states an important theological fact— that there is only one means of salvation (Ephesians 4:5; Galatians 1:8-9; 3:24-27; 1Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:5-7).
The history of Paul in Acts along with the epistles he wrote comprises about half of the New Testament. This gives us a larger picture of him than any other New Testament personality, save the Lord Himself. One would think that this large volume of material would ensure correct understanding of this great Apostle. But, instead, he is often misunderstood and misrepresented. The confusion chiefly stems from a misunderstanding of his epistles.
Source of misunderstanding regarding Paul
People often get confused about Paul’s teaching on salvation doctrine. This occurs because they do not interpret the theology of his epistles in light of his salvation experience and ministry practice seen in the book of Acts. Having this important background in mind is the correct way to approach Paul’s epistles. Incidentally, this is true of the non-Pauline epistles, too. All of the epistles in the New Testament must be understood in the light of the book of Acts, which records actual New Testament salvation. That is proper hermeneutics.
A profound fact that is often overlooked
We have pointed out that Paul’s conversion experience and ministry practice are covered in the book of Acts. This involves a 28 year history*. Here we see precisely that Paul received and preached the Acts 2:38 experience. This fact gets overlooked by persons who try to understand his epistles without consideration of this important background.
What’s really profound about all of this is that Paul was writing his epistles during his active ministry recorded in Acts**. And, there is no way he was writing something different than he was preaching. The only plausible conclusion to draw is that his writing was a theological reflection of what he was preaching. This is the only conclusion that is hermeneutically sound. Therefore, again, his epistles must be interpreted in the light of his salvation experience and ministry practice in Acts. They overlap on the timeline and, therefore, they must, likewise, overlap in theological content.
From these facts, we can draw three conclusions regarding Paul’s teaching about salvation doctrine:
1/ Paul’s salvation doctrine will be determined by his own salvation experience.
No rational person is going to teach something about salvation different from his own experience. He would be undermining or condemning himself. Every person promulgates what he has personally experienced.
2/ Paul’s salvation doctrine can be determined by what he preached to others.
What is evident in his actual preaching to others accurately represents what he believes about salvation doctrine and is what he will be theologizing about in his epistles.
3/ Paul’s salvation doctrine can be determined by what has been preached from the beginning of the Christian era.
This fact can be drawn from his epistles because he acknowledged one plan of salvation from the beginning (Ephesians 4:5; Galatians 1:8-9). Therefore, his salvation theology must identify with what was preached from the very Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-39). Correspondingly, theological references to Acts 2:38 are seen throughout his epistles. A couple of examples are 1Corinthians 6:9-11 and Titus 3:5-7.
Conclusion
Paul was in perfect synch with Peter, who introduced the Christian plan of salvation on the Day of Pentecost. He personally received and taught the Acts 2:38 salvation experience. And, in his epistles, he declared there is only one means of salvation (Ephesians 4:5). He also stated that no one had any authority to change it (Galatians 1:8-9). It’s significant that Galatians 1:8-9 was written the same year that Paul ministered in Ephesus, as referenced earlier, when he insisted on the Acts 2:38 tenets when he met “disciples” who had not yet received them (Acts 19:1-6)**. The Bible’s singular, coherent message of Christian salvation is partly how the Gospel is said by Paul to “shine” (2Corinthians 4:3-4).
*See the Bible Hub timeline.
**For example, the same year he ministered at Ephesus in Acts 19 (54 A.D.), he wrote the Galatian epistle.