I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
Summary: The question of Paul’s authority is addressed in this passage. Paul received a commission from God. Discerning the validity of that commission rests with each believer.
Over the years since our Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth and then ascended into heaven, many people have laid claim to teaching the “true” word of God. Sometimes, these teachings vary from the Bible a little and other times, they are way off. The one thing that remains constant with all these people has been their limited reach. There is only one Paul, and his work for the Lord has survived the test of time.
“Who is this upstart?,” is the question that comes to mind for many people. “Why should I believe what Paul says?”
Good question!
This is where credentials come into play.
In Luke’s record of the “Acts of the Apostles,” he tells the story of the Apostles being thrown into jail by the Sadducees (Acts 5:17-42). A meeting of the Sanhedrin is called, and all the elders of Israel start arguing about what to do with these so-called Apostles who insist on making trouble. Some of the leaders wanted to put them to death. At this point, Paul’s instructor, Gamaliel, stands up and gives a speech.
During his speech, he gives several recent examples of people who had claimed to “be somebody.” In each case, Gamaliel points out that the movement died out naturally. His advice to the council concluded with this statement:
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)
Paul discovered the truth of this statement himself. He was against Jesus before he was for Jesus. When he worked to imprison believers, God worked against him. After meeting Jesus personally, Paul had a change of heart. When he worked for Jesus, God was with him.
The miracles God worked through Paul during his ministry on earth testified to two things. First, they were a testimony to the power of God. Second, they were a testimony to the fact that God had chosen Paul to be his emissary. The commission Paul received from God was real, and the evidence of that commission is still obvious today.
Application: We can have confidence in Paul’s teachings.
Food for Thought: What qualifications did Paul have for being commissioned by God?
Paul set an example for all believers. He persecuted Christians and later became Christ’s most dutiful servant. Your life before being reborn doesn’t matter. Only your faith and duty to Christ.
Nicely said, TMI!
That is a great reminder of the forgiveness we find in Jesus Christ!
Thank you!
Paul certainly had a lot of qualifications, intelligence, and drive. Those all were a result of Paul using his God-given talents and experience. I think we all share in the potential to use our God-given talents and experience. I think the only qualification Paul needed, or anyone needs, to be commissioned by God is belief, faith, devotion and the willingness to forgo self and act in service to Him. And in service, God will use our talents, education and experience to His glory. In looking at Paul we can see that God used him to a high level of Paul’s potential. I don’t want to say full potential, but definitely a greater one. The same is true for us.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Chris, Thank you!
The “willingness to forgo self” is an important point. It is a measure of our faith.
What qualifications did Paul have for being commissioned by God?
HAD PERSECUTED BELIEVERS, Just before his conversion, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.
Acts 9:1
PROMOTED FALSE DOCTRINE, Paul was highly educated in the words recorded in the Old Testament and declared himself a Pharisee, raised in a family of Pharisees. He viewed the teachings of Christians to be in violation of the true teaching of God as recorded in the Old Testament.
Acts 23:6
CALLED BY JESUS, He had been called by God, blinded by the light of Jesus Christ as he led a party of men.
Acts 26:12-23
HUMBLED BY JESUS, Paul considered himself to be the chief, highest-ranking, worst of all sinners. Someone whose life and actions had been contrary and in rebellion to the will and laws of God.
1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, Ephesians 3:8
TAUGHT BY JESUS, He was taught, by Jesus Christ, the spiritual truths recorded in the Bible.
2 Corinthians 12:2-7
Paul is our example of how the more we comprehend the weight and extent of our sinfulness, the better we can grasp the magnitude and scope of God’s forgiveness and grace at work in our lives.
Thanks Ron!
Called, humbled and taught by Jesus.
Great qualifications!! 🙂