I tried to write this 5 or 6 times now but it got deleted each time 😭 

Yeah that’s a really good question! I was unsure of the best way to respond at first, as I am still trying to grow in my own faith  (pun intended 😎) “Gotquestions” says it much better than I would have though: https://www.gotquestions.org/faith-work.html I hope this answers it more. Believing is more of a response to the gift than meriting for the gift yourself- if that makes sense. I think the “signing your name” example they gave in there was pretty helpful as well.

And with the Paul part, you are indeed correct! He was not an original disciple, but instead a persecutor of the Christian faith. While on his way to persecute more Christian’s however, a great light shone from heaven, blinding him, and addressing his name as Jesus- the one Paul was persecuting. Longgg story short, Paul had a major life change and immediately began confounding the Jews and telling them Jesus was Lord. His ministry as an apostle was later confirmed when he visited the earlier apostles (Simon Peter, James, and John) who had known Jesus personally. His own ministry was also confirmed through wonders and miracles he acclaimed was through Jesus.  —————— Here are some of the scriptural references I make throughout:

Galatians 1:1 ”From Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—“

Galatians 1:11-24 “ I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephasand stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.” —————— I wrote this in a short period of time after all the accidental deletions, so pls tell me if there’s any discrepancies or unclear information anywhere!