Note: The lessons in this series were originally developed for presentation at Seminario Baxter (written in English to be presented in Spanish). The lessons treat the life of Paul with an introductory overview, a survey of the early life of Paul, and conclusions drawn from the later, more spiritually mature Paul.
Because of the context for which the lessons were prepared, the focus is on evangelistic and missionary endeavors. Paul's letters served as a primary source of information, coupled with background knowledge of early Christianity, and selected missions resources.
Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free, by F. F. Bruce, was used as a primary resource in determining the outline of the series and much of the content.

I. We now turn our attention to Paul's life as a man of vision and a man of action.

• A. Paul's initial experience of Christ [Acts 9, 22, 26]
  Between Paul's return to Tarsus and his call to Antioch, a strange experience left a mark on the rest of his life. We have some account of it in Galatians 1, perhaps a little more in 2 Cor. 12:2-10. Fourteen years before this writing would place it about A.D. 42-43. We must read 2 Cor. 12:7-10 to understand the impact this experience had on Paul.
  The sequel to this experience was a distressing, indeed humiliating, physical ailment which he feared would be the death blow to his effective ministry. But to the contrary, by giving his self-esteem a knockout punch and keeping him dependent on the divine, it proved a help not a handicap. What was this thorn that was so essential to his ministry? Epilepsy, eye problems, Malta fever, malaria, deformity, neurasthenia, and a speech impediment are among the guesses. Paul learned not about his own inadequacy but about the total adequacy of Christ in whom, when he was weakest personally, he knew himself to be strong. We must learn the same lesson.
  
• B. An appreciation and understanding of the body of Christ.
  The whole believing community, with its members one by one being only one, is vitalized by the risen Christ and the energizing Spirit. Incorporation is by personal faith in Christ, sealed in baptism, sustained by the supper. All this is clear in Paul, but is not our subject. The external washing has a clearly inward result, 1 Cor. 12:13.
  For Paul, this is more than theology, for his own personal experience reinforces the same truth: Galatians 2:20.
  
• C. Sharing the sufferings of Christ.
  Here is an interesting and challenging Pauline concept. Gladly Paul sought to participate with Christ, with some sense that more sufferings for Paul meant less for others (Col. 1:24; 2 Cor. 1:6). This was the goal of his life (Phil. 3:8-10). This was one source of his life in the Spirit.
  
• D. Fulfilling the Saving Purpose of Christ.
  Paul based his life on Jesus as the one who fulfills God's promise and purpose of salvation; Jesus the crucified and exalted Lord; Jesus, the divine wisdom, in whom God creates, maintains, and brings to completion everything that exists. Jesus, who here and now lives among his people by his Spirit. Paul can passionately embrace the all-surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord (Phil.3:8).
  These were not a call to the contemplative life, but an insistent call to lifelong action.

• 1. Salvation by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8; Rom. 1:18-3:20; 1 Cor. 1:30
  
• 2. The Parousia, Eph. 5:26ff; Eph. 4:30; Col. 3:4
  
• 3. The Holy Spirit
  • a. as the earnest, Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:13
    
  • b. as the source of unity, 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:3,4; 2:19ff; 4:12-16; 2:21, Rom. 5:2; 1 Cor. 3:16ff
• 4. The new person in Christ, Rom. 5:12-19; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24; Gal. 4:19; Gal. 3:27
  
• 5. The new life or experience in Christ, from darkness to light, Eph. 5:7-14
  
• 6. The new relationships in Christ, the broken dividing wall, Eph. 2:14ff
  
• 7. The heavenly ascent, and existence in the heavenly places, Eph. 4:8-10
  
• 8. The divine mystery, Eph. 3:8-12; Col. 1:26ff; Eph. 2:16ff.