Why does the Holy Spirit prompt Paul to tell believers to follow him instead of Jesus?
The Holy Spirit prompted Paul to tell believers to follow him because Paul shared the same human makeup, failures, weaknesses, and fears as they did. He entered pagan cities trembling, not with a fearless facade, yet he went anyway. His example shows believers how to carry the Gospel despite fear.
Les explains that the Holy Spirit prompted Paul to tell the believing world to follow him rather than Jesus because Paul was of the same human make-up as we are. He had the same failures, weaknesses, and fears. When he went into strange pagan cities, he did not go with boldness or a facade that showed no fear; he trembled in his boots just as we would, not knowing what response he would get. But he went anyway, and that is what we have to do. Les says it is a fearsome thing to take the Gospel out to a belligerent world, and this is what Paul means by “be ye followers of Me.” Believers should burn with the same desire to see more people come to a knowledge of salvation. Later, in verse 1 of chapter 11, Paul again says, “be ye followers of Me,” and he writes to Gentiles.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.