Peter’s Vision

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Acts Chapter 10 verse 28.

Peter’s vision is instructive of how rigidity to certain belief systems can limit a person’s scope in about every area of life. As far as Peter was concerned, he had no business with unclean meat. But God had other plans for Peter, greater than his finite understanding of unclean meat and how unclean meat can be cleansed by God, and the ever cleansing and sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ.

Peter’s vision helped to expand Peter’s horizon of ministry which was hitherto exclusive and limited to a certain race. Peter did not realize that ministry for him as well as the other apostles was for all of humanity. But for the timely vision, Peter would not have accompanied the people Cornelius sent to him to meet with Cornelius and his household. The visit to Cornelius coupled with the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and members of his household stretched the scope of ministry for Peter. Additionally, Peter dropped his exclusionary practices to allow for inclusion of all people into the kingdom of God.

There are lessons worth learning from Peter’s vision. God’s love and salvation is for everybody irrespective of race and socio-economic backgrounds. It is not for specific families, communities, ethnic groups, race or nations. Therefore, stretch your borders beyond where you are now – extend the borders to accommodate God’s inclusion of other ethnic nationalities; expansion beyond your immediate environs and understanding. Discard orientation, belief systems and relationships which limit, resist inclusion and inclusionary practices which will bring about the expansion God is bringing your way.

Leadership is Service

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Jesus Christ spent three and a half years in ministry. It is interesting to note that apart from preaching, teaching the word of God, working miracles and bringing salvation to the world and eventually dying for the redemption of humanity, Jesus also raised leaders for the early Church. These were the people who succeeded Jesus in building the early Church. Severally and privately, outside of public glare, Jesus taught them great leadership principles. He made them understand that the primary responsibility of a leader is service. Please see Matthew Chapter 20 verses 20 to 28. The Apostles definitely internalized this principle as they also served the Church of God through prayer and the ministry of the word. Please see Acts Chapter 6 verses 1 to 7. They devoted themselves to this aspect of service; raised other leaders for administrative purposes. Quite significant is the fact that some of these leaders also served God and the early Church through prayer and the ministry of the word. No ministry gift or position supersedes the other therefore no one should lord it over other people in the name of special ministry gift or position by intimidating people with threats of curses, God not blessing them if they do not worship him and members of his family so to speak.

Jesus Christ showed the Church the perfect example of leadership. He served, preaching and teaching people, healing people, raising the dead and performing miracles. Jesus did not literally harass people to follow Him or worship Him. Worship belongs to God and not humans; therefore when fellow humans demand worship from other humans who work or partner with them; then there is a problem because a contrary spirit is at work. This is because a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit and is genuinely working with the Holy Spirit will always seek to serve and not to be served. Please see Luke Chapter 22 verses 24 to 27. Beloved, leadership is service.

A leader should therefore be tolerant, accommodating, focused, selfless, forgiving, and intuitive and be humble enough to accept corrections and rebuke. A leader should have a compelling vision of where s/he is headed otherwise; s/he is driven by personal desires and passions that have nothing to do with the global public good.

The Power of His Name

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king!  Answer us when we call! Psalm 20 verses 1 to 7.

The power of the name of Jesus Christ is great, in point of fact so great that the religious leaders of the day forbade the Apostles from ‘speaking to anyone or teaching anyone in the name of Jesus Christ’. Please see Acts Chapter 4 verse 1 to 31, 5 verses 27 to 42.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower where the righteous can actually run into and be safe. This implies that the name of the Lord is a strong and safe fortress, a refuge and a hiding place from trouble and all the evil darts of the enemy. Please see Proverbs Chapter 18 verse 10 and Psalm 31 verses 1 to 3.

The power of the name of Jesus Christ is great because God gave Him the name which is above every other name so that at the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee bows; whether they are knees in heaven, on earth and those under the earth.

Secondly, every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord at the mention of the name of Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

The name of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit bring healing, deliverance and miracles. Please see Acts Chapter 3 verses 6, 16; Mark Chapter 16 verses 16 to 20. David came up against Goliath in the name of the Lord and loud mouthed Goliath was destroyed alongside the fear he spouted which immobilized the army of God. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 17 verses 32 to 54.

The name of the Lord brings salvation. Please see Acts Chapter 4 verse 12, Luke Chapter 24 verses 46 to 47.

Prophetic Declarations and Actions

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Prophetic declarations and actions are divine activities prompted and directed by the Holy Spirit to achieve divine purposes that bring glory to God. A number of Biblical examples attest to this. Significantly, about every prophetic declaration and action births miracles which bring about deliverance, healing, financial breakthroughs, salvation, expansion, abundance and victory in warfare.

Prophetic declarations as well as prophetic actions are proactive measures, preparatory activities to breakthroughs and miracles. For example, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’. They are usually specific, easy to understand instructions and when obeyed often bring about instant results (fill up the water pots with water and the water became very sweet wine; the man who had been ill for thirty eight years who became whole after Jesus made the pronouncement) though in some cases, results are progressive or set to a particular timeline, for instance the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

They may not sound reasonable, logical, and plausible but they usually hold the very much required key to the sometimes urgently desired, awaited, and longed for miracle or blessing. They may not even have a connection to the desired miracle, for instance how do you speak to or make a rock to produce water? How does a cripple or paralytic person rise to take up a bed s/he has always laid on when the ailment is still there? How does the filling up of water pots with water solve the issue of finished wine at a wedding ceremony? How does dipping in a river seven times cleanse leprosy? How does going to show oneself to a priest when one is still leprous translate to cleansing from leprosy? How does borrowing jars and filling them up with a little jar of oil translate to financial freedom?

Prophetic declarations most often do not make sense. Elisha was told that he would receive double portion unction if he saw Elijah being taken up to glory. That was exactly what happened.

Women in Nation Building

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Women are relevant to God in diverse ways. This is because God also uses women as vessels of honor in nation building as well as healing the nations. However, for any woman to be relevant in God’s scheme of affairs, that woman has to be relevant to God in His own ways and timing. Significantly, you and I can become such women, vessels in the hands of God for nation building and healing the nations. How, you may ask? By possibly taking a cue from some of the women of relevance in the Bible; the women who were strategically positioned to fulfill purpose so that you and I are relevant in nation building and healing the nations as the world celebrates Mother’s Day on Sunday, 11^th March 2018..

By being Prayerful

Prophetess Anna was both prayerful and kingdom minded. After being widowed at an early age, Prophetess Anna spent her entire life working with God for the manifestation of God’s plans and purposes for humanity. She did this faithfully for about seventy years. After setting her eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ, she willingly departed the earth for greater glories. Please see Luke Chapter 2 verses 36 to 37. Other women who were prayerful and in the process birthed divine destinies include Hannah the mother of Prophet Samuel, the mother of John Mark whose house was a house of prayer where constant prayer was made for Peter and he escaped the death trap of King Herod who killed believers for the fun of it. These women prayed down God’s plans and purposes. They were not asking God for the latest designs from the luxury designers of the world; neither were they asking for luxury homes. They were concerned with the will of God and were praying down the will of God, warring in the heavenlies against forces opposed to the will of God for humanity and His saints.

Consecrate Yourself to God

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

A consecrated person is more likely to be used of God to bring healing to the nations. Consecration means usable by the Master. It is one thing to be used by God to do things in the house of God without sanctification and another to be used by God, which is to minister to God and minister the grace of God to the people of God. It is impossible to be consecrated without being sanctified. You should therefore ensure that you do not serve around the temple but in the temple. The prophet Samuel was both sanctified and consecrated. If Jesus sanctified himself, then you should also sanctify yourself. Let this be your desire and commitment. Please see Romans Chapter 6 verse 22, John Chapter 17 verse 19. 

Sanctification is to be set apart by God for God unto a holy life. Sanctification is separation from an unholy life. Sanctification is a purging process that is facilitated by the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer filled with the Holy Spirit and is submissive to the Holy Spirit at all times. Please see Romans Chapter 15 verse 16. Sanctification is your conscious effort to please God. It is your progressive growth to conform to Jesus Christ. Please see Philippians Chapter 2 verse 12, Acts Chapter 13 verses 2 and 3 and John Chapter 17 verse 17. Sanctification is progressive and it is your responsibility. Sanctification in speech is also important. A call to sanctification is a call to promotion. Salvation motivates sanctification. There can be no sanctification if there is no salvation. It is therefore important not to underscore salvation. Please see 2^nd Timothy Chapter 2 verses 20 to 22. Salvation is not a feeling because feelings change. You don’t feel salvation; you know it and you must have the assurance. A Christian life should consist of salvation, sanctification and consecration.

Schools of belief and opinions differ on sanctification and salvation. Please see 1^st Corinthians Chapter 6 verse 11 and James Chapter 1 verses 22 to 25. Sanctification begins with salvation and is progressive based on James Chapter 1 verses 22 to 25. The motivation for sanctification and consecration is salvation.  A life that is not saved cannot be sanctified and cannot be consecrated.

Have the Eyes of Faith

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Bible defines faith as the evidence of things not seen. Please see Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 1. Faith should be in God. Please see Mark Chapter 11 verses 22 to 24 and Acts Chapter 3 verse 16. Faith is not static which explains why the Bible instructs believers to grow in faith. Please see 2^nd Thessalonians Chapter 1 verse 3.

There are dimensions of faith such as great faith, little faith and zero faith.

The Centurion in Capernaum demonstrated great faith when he requested that Jesus should simply speak the word so that his sick servant at home would be healed. Please see Matthew Chapter 8 verses 5 to 13. So also did the woman with the issue of blood recorded in Luke Chapter 8 verses 43 to 48 and Mark Chapter 5 verses 25 to 34. The exploits of King David also speak of someone who always exercised great faith. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 17. The Syro Phoenician woman who requested healing for her daughter despite being referred to as a dog (Matthew Chapter 15 verses 22 to 28) demonstrated great faith as she kept asking to receive. The friends of the paralytic took faith to another level when they decided to bring their sick friend to Jesus through the roof. Please see Luke Chapter 5 verses 17 to 20. They had absolute confidence that Jesus would heal their friend and Jesus did.

The Sacrifice of Praise for Healing the Nations 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Do not take what belongs to God and use for yourself. Praise belongs to God and should be given to God alone. He deserves all our praise. The praise due to God should not be given to anyone else. Please see Psalm 47 verses 6 to 7, 69 verse 30.  Praising God goes beyond singing to sharing testimonies of God’s goodness. Your utterances should also glorify God. Praise shortens your journey to the top. If you are not praising God, you are not fulfilling the purpose for which God created you. Carefully choose songs of praise and minister quality praise to God.

God created us to be agents of praise. God is looking for people that will glorify Him. God does not share His glory with anyone, Praise goes directly to God. Intermediaries are not required. Praise should come from the depths of your heart to God.

Why Praise God?

He is the Creator, He commands and they are created, He establishes them forever – Psalm 148 verses 5 to 6; God is good and His name is pleasant– Psalm 135 verse 3; God is worthy to be praised – Psalm 18 verse 3, 48 verse 1; He does wonderful things - Isaiah Chapter 25 verses 1 to 4; He gives rain for the earth so that food grows for all of creation ; His merciful kindness – Psalm 117 verse 2; His mighty acts and greatness – Psalm 150 verse 2; His truth endures forever – Psalm 117 verse 2; Answered prayers – Psalm 118 verse 21; His name is good – Psalm 54 verse 6 ; He strengthened the bars of the gates of Jerusalem and blessed the children – Psalm 147 verses 12 to 13; Praise is good and beautiful – Psalm 147 verse 1, 7 to 8, ; He gives righteous judgments – psalm 119 verse 164.

God inhabits the praises of His people.  Please see 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 5 verses 12 to 14, 20 verses 19 to 25. Besides, praise is a good weapon of warfare. `

The Significance of Light in Healing the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

In the creation story, the earth lacked form; there was chaos, lack of order, total disorder, and lack of direction. There was no clear cut direction, everything was done haphazardly; void and darkness was on the face of the deep. To give the earth form and fill the void, light was required to take away the darkness and give direction to the creation process. So God created light first. In like manner, light is required to bring order out of chaos and that light is the word of God, which comes through salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. Darkness symbolizes ignorance, absence of light, lack of understanding, lack of wisdom, foolishness, rebellion, confusion, unbelief, lack of direction.

Righteousness symbolizes light, right direction, clear cut specific direction, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and obedience. It is only the righteousness of God that exalts a nation. Please see Proverbs Chapter 14 verse 34, Romans Chapters 3 verse 21 to 22; 10 verses 1 to 13; 9 verses 27 to 33 and 1^st Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 30. The morality of a person or persons in a nation/s cannot exalt the nation; neither does the supposed righteousness of the nation established outside of the righteousness of God. This is because the righteousness of man is like filthy rags.

Light represents clarity, knowledge, and understanding. That is why light excels darkness – Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 verse 13. Visibility and clarity is enhanced with light and greater mobility is assured in the presence of light. Light gives speed, leverage, an edge or edges over your competition. Light causes you to excel as you will have greater understanding of what to do, how to do it better; when to do it to achieve greater and better results – Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verses 1 to 11, 17, 1^st Chronicles Chapter 12 verse 32 and where to do it.

The Place of Knowledge in the Healing of the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God is the author of knowledge. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 2 verse 3, Proverbs Chapter 2 verses 1 to 5.

Ask God for the grace to proclaim the good tidings of His knowledge that dispels darkness and brings good news, peace, expansion, salvation, deliverance, et all to humanity. Please see Isaiah Chapter 52 verse 7, 61 verses 1 to 4, Luke Chapter 4 verses 18 to 19.

Pray that you will always be willing to proclaim the word. Please see Psalm 68 verse 11.

Pray that believers and disciples will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as stated in 2^nd Peter Chapter 3 verse 18.

Pray that God in His infinite mercy will destroy whatever is blinding the minds of people held in satanic captivity of mental and spiritual strongholds in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Pray that God will show them mercy and open their hearts to receive and believe the gospel so that they will be saved and become children of God  in the mighty name of Jesus Christ – John Chapter 3 verses 16 to 18, 1 verse 12.

Pray that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ in the image of God should shine on them to eliminate every form of spiritual darkness in their lives in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Please see 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4.

Pray that God in His infinite mercy will build and plant salvation by faith in Christ Jesus – the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus so that Christ will dwell in their hearts by faith, the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened to know their inheritance in Christ Jesus.

Pray that they will have definite life transforming encounters with the word of God and if need be encounter Jesus just as Saul did and he became Paul – missionary  extraordinaire.

Pray that every satanic veil blocking their eyes of understanding should be destroyed so that all the lies, deceit, ignorance orchestrated by the enemy will be destroyed even as the veil was torn when Jesus paid the supreme price for the redemption of man. Please see Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 16 to 25, 3 verses 16 to 19, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 10 verses 3 to 6, Jeremiah Chapter 1 verse 10, Luke Chapter 2 verse 45, Psalm 2, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 3 verses 14, 4 verses 3 to 4, Ephesians Chapter 6 verses 12 to 1, Ezekiel Chapter 13 verses 17 to 23.

The Place of Knowledge in the Healing of the Nations 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Bible records that the people of God perished for lack of knowledge. Please see Hosea Chapter 4 verse 6, Isaiah Chapter 5 verse 13, Malachi Chapter 2 verses 1 to 8, note verse 7, Ezra Chapter 7 verses 6, 10 to 11, Nehemiah Chapter 8 verses 1 to 18, Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 2.

Knowledge, the right and accurate information anyone requires to make informed choices is also a critical determinant in the healing of the nations. This is because ignorance of God’s ways will make peoples and nations live contrary to God’s ways. But with the right information about God and salvation as well as the benefits of salvation, peoples and nations will have a choice – whether to live for God or walk in their own ways. Knowledge therefore enlightens and empowers to transform. Please see Proverbs Chapters 24 verses 4 to 5, 14; 27 verses 23 to 27. Knowledge also enlightens, enriches and empowers; as well as strengthens nations to transform – the nation is filled with all precious and pleasant riches, the nation is strengthened, has prospects and its hope will not be cut off.

This is to say that what nations need to come out of darkness, oppression, insecurity, economic doldrums and all forms of limitation is the knowledge, the knowledge of God. Additionally, nations should be ruled by people of understanding and knowledge because right is also prolonged in a nation blessed with a man of understanding and knowledge. Please see Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 2. When Moses chose leaders from among the twelve tribes of Israel, one of the criteria for choosing leaders was knowledgeable men and not ignorant men. Please see Deuteronomy Chapter 1 verses 13 to 15. Ezra the teaching priest and Huldah, the prophetess who interpreted the word of God were people of knowledge.

Healing the Nations Campfire 2017 3

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Healing the Nations Campfire 2017 2

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The Woman at the Well

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There was a woman at a well, one day

Near a city of Samaria, in a land far away.

There she met a Stranger, who changed her life that day,

For He gave her living water-from

The Truth, the Life, the way.

She left her waterpot, there by the well,

Ran into the city- for she must tell

That she had met the Messiah at the well

DALE EVANS ROGERS

Though unnamed, the woman at the well was an audacious exploratory woman who constantly sought ways to slake her thirst as well as satisfy the desires and longings of her heart. The quest for self satisfaction culminated in the series of non satisfying marital relationships – five husbands and a current live in lover that she could not call a husband. Please see John Chapter 4 verses 16 to 18.

Perhaps, this quest was also the reason she went to fetch water at a time when women do not go to fetch water or perhaps, it was a ploy to avoid the sniggers and sneers of other supposedly lucky women who had maritally fulfilling relationships and had probably not gone her string of five husbands and a current live in lover. Whatever it was, this journey to the well at the odd hour turned out to be a life changing, life transforming encounter for this very beautiful woman of Samaria; accustomed to attention from the male folk (five husbands and a live in lover is no mean feat for any woman. If in doubt, please attempt it, though I do not advise it as it is not really scriptural.

Prayers for Missionaries in Healing the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Missionaries working in mission fields so that the unreached and unchurched can hear the gospel and be saved and become churched so that they can build Christian communities are almost always in the forefront of spiritual warfare. How? They are the ones in the front lines of battle, taking over territories from the enemy so that nations can be healed spiritually of spiritual ignorance and blindness. These courageous and brave people of God alongside their family members require fervent and unceasing prayers from the Church of God. It is therefore my plea that the Church takes up prayers for these wonderful sons and daughters of Zion. I have listed some prayer/praise items to which you can add as many as the Holy Spirit leads you to add. God bless you as you do so in Jesus mighty name.

Ask God to give missionaries favor and wisdom before the government and peoples of the lands in which they serve. Please see Acts Chapter 7 verse 10.

Ask God to strengthen missionaries to continually give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. Please see Acts Chapter 6 verses 2 and 4.

Pray that God delivers missionaries all over the world from every form of persecution and afflictions. Please see 2^nd Timothy Chapter 3 verses 11, 4 verse 17, 2^nd Thessalonians Chapter 3 verses 1 to 2; Romans Chapter 15 verses 30 to 31.

Ask God to stand with missionaries all over the world and strengthen them so that the message of the gospel of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be preached fully through them so that all the unreached peoples of the world will be reached with the saving gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please see 2^nd Timothy Chapter 4 verse 17.

Pray for open doors to countries and peoples that have shut their doors to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please see Colossians Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 2 verse 12, 1^st Corinthians Chapter 16 verse 9.

Ask God to break down all such resistance and opposition to the preaching of the gospel. Scripture cannot be broken – Psalms 2; 24 verses 7 to 10; 107 verse 16, Joshua Chapter 6.

The Gift of Faith for Healing the Nations

                                        Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

A number of nations are experiencing different types of challenges and problems that range from spiritual, political, economic, environmental, health, social malaise, food insecurity bordering on hunger and famine. All forms of tensions threaten peace and development. Governments, citizens and religious leaders seek solutions and experiment with proffered solutions. Unfortunately, some of these supposed solutions fail in the face of teeming challenges that show up with different faces almost on a daily basis. They include economic recessions, political instability, threats of war as nations try and test the military prowess of each other and even take steps further to try each other’s patience; terrorism, natural disasters destroying lives and property, youth restiveness, trafficking in persons, drug addiction, escalating poverty particularly the huge walls growing between the haves and have nots; and who knows what next.

Beloved, in the midst of all these, one is tempted to ask if solutions exist anywhere and if these problems can ever be resolved. Sure, they can but certainly not by physical, military, economic or intellectual prowess. They can only be resolved by the Spirit of God and that is where the gift of faith, one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit comes in. The gift of faith can bring about great and rapid as well as lasting healings to nations if utilized as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Great apostles of faith such as Moses, Abraham, Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai, Deborah, Paul, Peter, Smith Wigglesworth and Kathryn Kuhlman and numerous others exercised the gift of faith to bring about multidimensional healings in different nations of the world. Modern day apostles of faith include but are not limited to Billy Graham, Benny Hinn and many others.

Individual Repentance for Healing the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Repentance is a change of mind, a change of heart, a change of course of life from sin to righteousness. Please see Luke Chapter 6 verse 44.  True repentance is manifested in a genuine turning away from sin, further demonstrated in a genuine hatred for sin. Please see Romans Chapter 12 verse 9, Psalm 119 verse 104, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 7 verse 10, Luke Chapter 22 verse 62, Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 13, Ezekiel Chapter 14 verse 6. A person who does not hate sin loves sin.  Unfortunately, many people give or make excuses for sin - Genesis Chapter 3 verse 13. When people make excuses for sin, the sin becomes a besetting sin. But when people acknowledge their sins and repent of them, they receive grace to completely turn away from the sin.  

Repentance is also reflected when a person bears the fruits of repentance. When Paul was converted there was a complete transformation; a u-turn from persecuting the Church to promoting the Church. He embraced the belief that he vehemently rejected.  Consequently, the same people who admired him and employed him became his persecutors who wanted to kill him. Please see Please see Acts Chapter 8 verses 1 to 4, and Acts Chapter 9. Paul was a student of law under Gamaliel but Paul became the leading Apostle of the Christian faith after repentance.