The Bible Study Podcast, episode 304.

Today, the Bible Study podcast continues the study of First Timothy.

Welcome to the Bible Study podcast.

I'm your host, Chris Christensen.

We're going to pick up the study of First Timothy, still in chapter 1, starting in verse 12. The Lord's grace to Paul. I thank Christ Jesus,

our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was

shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me

abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying

that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,

of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners,

Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him

and receive eternal life. Now to the king, eternal, immortal,

invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. In these few verses, Paul talks just a

little bit, or references just a little bit, his own personal faith experience. And you may

remember what that is.

Paul was one of those people who was approving of the persecution of Christians as a young man.

When they were going to stone Stephen, the first of the Christian martyrs, they laid their cloaks

at the feet of a young man named Saul. And then Saul later on goes on to persecute people to arrest them

and to have them killed for believing in Jesus because he does not believe at that time

that their belief, the Christian belief, the Christian faith, although it hasn't become known that

yet, is true. He thinks that it is a false religion. And for that reason, he does

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