Spotlight on Symbols #10 - Paul

 Apostles’ Shields

Paul’s shield usually bears the image of an open Bible, with a sword lying across it and the inscription Spiritus Gladius (the sword of the Spirit).  Obviously, the words refer to that only offensive weapon Paul lists with the armor of God (Ep. 6:17).  And it was that divinely powerful weapon that Paul not only wielded but crafted by writing 13 of the 21 New Testament epistles.  The sword against a red background also reminds us that Paul was beheaded by the Romans. 

Paul’s blood was spilled to provide additional verification to us of the trustworthiness of the Word of God, especially its testimony regarding Christ’s resurrection.  In fact, in every court appearance during Paul’s final journey to Rome, he declared that he was on trial for preaching that Jesus rose from the dead.  Not even the most supreme court in the world could disprove that fact.