51.
Paul, in his Christian walk had established a strong spiritual goal. It became the drive of his life. His single minded aim was to know Christ Jesus. This was not a casual desire but a burning drive in his pursuit of a deeper, more personal knowledge of the Lord. It was a gnawing hunger deep within his spirit nature. To become better acquainted with the Lord and His ways and will should always be foremost in the heart of every child of God. Phil. 3:10a
Astonishingly, what he was seeking after was to know, in this life the power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. That seems to be an extreme goal, but why settle for less, when we can have the fullness of His blessing and power. It would appear that Paul had already reached, at least a measure of that resurrection power, if not it’s completeness. Phil. 3:10b
His personal testimony, among other things, is that he was in deaths often. One instance is most impressive. When he was stoned at Lycaonia, his carcass drug out of the city and left for dead. The disciples gathered around him, no doubt praying, and the power of resurrection was manifest. He got up. Boldly, went back into town and the next day continued his journey. His body should have been broken and smashed by the stones but the power of the resurrection of Christ was at work and he was perfectly whole. Acts 14:19-20.
He also had, what to many would be a strange desire, almost a mental illness, to be one with Christ in His sufferings. Who would want to experience the horrible things which Christ suffered in His three and one half year ministry. Paul did, for he realized its tremendous value. Writing to the Romans, Paul stated that water baptism was a step in being identified with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We are to be baptized into His death, that we might be raised to walk in the power of a new life. Water baptism is vital to every believer. It is also necessary that it be recognized as a spiritual step identifying us with the Lord Jesus. It is a part of the spiritual process of riding ourselves of the old carnal nature, called by Paul, the old man. Rom. 6:3-6 When we are fully aware of its purpose and value in our spiritual life its benefits are great. Ananias, encouraged Saul/Paul to be baptized and showed that there was an element of cleansing, washing away of the sins of the past. Baptism will not save, but the body of sin needs to be cleansed from the sins of the past. Acts 22:16.