Who follows after Paul as the pattern of a sinner saved by grace?
All other sinners saved by that kind of grace, especially Gentiles, follow after Paul. He is the first pattern and head of the line—the chief of sinners saved by grace—and from his Damascus road conversion onward, God calls people into the Body of Christ to follow that same pattern.
Les explains that the pattern must come first, like cutting cloth or lumber—you do not make several pieces and then draw up a pattern. Paul is the chief of sinners and the sinner saved by grace, the head of the line and number one. The word “hereafter” shows this pattern is not retroactive; it does not go back to Pentecost. From Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus onward, God begins calling people into the Body of Christ, a strictly Pauline revelation. All other sinners saved by that grace, especially Gentiles, follow after him.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Is Paul being a pattern for believers retroactive to Pentecost?
No. The pattern is not retroactive to Pentecost. Scripture says 'hereafter,' meaning from Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus onward, God would call people into the Body of Christ. It does not reach back to Pentecost; the pattern begins at that point, not before.
Who follows after Paul as the pattern in 1 Timothy 1:16?
All other sinners saved by that kind of grace, especially Gentiles, follow after Paul as the pattern. Paul is the first, the chief of sinners saved by grace, the head of the line, and those who believe hereafter follow him into the Body of Christ.
More Questions
When does the pattern of Paul's salvation begin — does it apply backward to Pentecost or only from his conversion onward?
The word 'hereafter' in the pattern statement is not retroactive — Paul does not say the pattern goes back to Pentecost, but rather from that point onward, from his conversion on the road to Damascus, God would now be calling people into the Body of Christ.
Why does the Bible call Paul a pattern rather than just an example?
A pattern must come first, before the things made from it — just as with cutting cloth or lumber you don't make a bunch of pieces and then decide to draw up a pattern, since the pattern precedes and is then followed.