Paul On Grace Paper

Early life and letters of paul | Paul on Grace | By Grace we are Saved | | | 8/7/2012 |

This research paper will discuss Paul and his reflections on grace. |

Abstract/Introduction: The purpose for this paper is to provide historical background on Paul and grace. I will also provide how it is applied to modern times, how it has changed my life as well as my learning goals from this paper on Paul and grace. Paul embraced God’s grace after his conversion and call and informed others about it. He expresses consistently how grace is the solitary reason that salvation is attained. Researches of articles of the subject as well as Paul’s epistles provide evidence of this. According to Paul, “by grace we are saved,” (Ephesians
Cornelius R. Stam a writer for www.bereanbiblesociety.org points out that Paul has more to say about grace than any other writers of the Bible. Stam says, “The Hebrew equivalent of Paul's word for grace is found only 68 times in the whole Old Testament (which is nearly twelve times the size of Paul's epistles) and then not always relating to God's grace, and never to the dispensation of Grace.” In the four Gospels (nearly twice the size of Paul's epistles) the word grace (Gr. charis) with its derivatives appears in the original only 13 times. Furthermore, in Paul's epistles the word grace is nearly always used in association with "the dispensation of the grace of
However, before his raising, the term was not used toward the dispensation of grace or toward salvation by grace. After his conversion is when the word is used often and toward the dispensation of grace and salvation by grace. According to www.gracepoints.com, “Paul was the first to refer by divine inspiration to “the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward” (Eph. 3:2), and to "the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).” Before Paul, no one had ever mentioned the dispensation or the gospel of the grace of God. Above all, Paul revealed the most important doctrine that concerns our salvation. And that is that “By grace we are saved” (Eph. 2:8). Ernest L. Martin, Ph.D., asserts in an article that Paul’s definition of grace can be found on II Timothy 2:15 which says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that neededth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In other words, we are to divide the Gospel rightly so that there is no confusion among those we teach. Martin, expresses that “Paul was speaking of the fact that only a remnant of Israelites were then accepting Christ in the proper manner and he said this remnant was by the “election of grace”. Martin also asserts that from Paul he understood that salvation requires no works of a man. This seems strange