New Revelation in Christ
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Key Verse: “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Selected Scripture: |
THE SPECIAL MINISTRY OF Paul to believing Gentiles had been manifested earlier to one of God’s servants, Ananias. “The Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.”—Acts 9:15
Paul describes his stewardship as a dispensation of grace. This permitted him to understand by direct revelation of God that the church would be composed of both converted Jews and Gentiles developed during the Gospel Age, and become part of the Messiah under their Head, Jesus Christ, to bless all the families of the earth. (Eph. 3:1-4) This truth was not made known to the sons of man during Old Testament times, but was now being revealed—“The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.” (Col. 1:26) “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”—Eph. 3:6,7
In our Key Verse, Paul’s humility is brought to our attention as he recognizes his own personal unworthiness to have received his great commission, especially in view of the fact that before his conversion he actively persecuted believers. Nevertheless, he repented from his past deeds, accepted forgiveness in Christ and energetically proclaimed the details of God’s hidden plan to provide an opportunity of salvation for all through the sacrifice of his Son as the world’s Redeemer.
As a result of Christ’s faithful sacrifice on our behalf, we now have the privilege of communion and access to God through prayer, making our requests known to him. In view of the great manifestation of the Father’s love and mercy he had received in becoming an instrument in God’s service, Paul exhorted the saints not to become discouraged as they considered his sufferings. He appreciated the privilege of enduring tribulation as he carried out his mission of preaching Christ to the Gentiles.—vss. 12,13
The Master predicted that his faithful servants should expect opposition and persecution, sometimes even unto death. “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.”—John 16:1-3
May we be energized to follow Christ as did Paul, ever strengthened by the promise that the good fight of faith would result in victory not only for the apostle, but also, for all believers who would persevere to the end of their course in the doing of God’s will.—II Tim. 4:7,8