In his New Testament writings, the Apostle Paul speaks a lot about a close personal relationship with the godhead. His writings also include many references to small intimate gatherings in homes, riverbanks, and temple porticoes. In the early 2000s, such meetings were labeled simple church. It gained momentum for a few years before quietly retiring to forgotten pasture.
This saddens me because simple church was seen as a threat to the established church when, in fact, it represents the founding of the orthodox church. From this simple gathering, my journey to a close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit began.
Such a close personal relationship brings me back to the Apostle Paul. Here is a man called by God with the promise of “much suffering,” saying things like, “I Paul, have been called and sent by Jesus, The Messiah, according to God’s plan.” (I Corinthians 1—The Message)
Who called Paul? Who sent him, and to where? This verse of scripture in the New Testament says that Jesus both called and sent Paul according to God’s plan. The story of the Apostle’s conversion is both dramatic and telling. The account is recorded in the New Testament book of Acts. Not many people can say that Jesus (God the Son) appeared to them, but Paul can. Jesus sent him to the Gentiles—the non-Jewish people groups of the world. He did this according to God’s (God the Father) plan.
Paul’s story reverts to the Garden story in the Old Testament book of Genesis, where God (the triune godhead) first created humanity by creating a male later called Adam. Love caused God (the triune godhead) to do such a thing. Following the turning away from God and the forced departure from the garden for the human’s, God’s (the triune godhead) plan was restoration through God the Son’s involvement in humanity as told in the New Testament books of the Gospels.
God (the triune godhead) desires a relationship with humanity. Adam’s story in the book of beginnings outlines that desire. The Apostle Paul’s story in the New Testament book of Acts shows that desire dramatically. It may be impossible to humanly comprehend the lengths that God (the triune godhead) will go to move humanity into possession to have a close personal relationship. This is God’s plan, and you are included.
“Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! God’s gifts are right in front of you
as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale.
And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track
until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.“ (I Corinthians 1—The Message)
“But God (God the Father) himself is right alongside” speaks volumes about a close personal relationship. He desires to walk and talk (alongside) you as he did with the man and woman in the garden. He desires to keep you steady and on track as you walk this unexpected journey called life.