Paul's Unique Ministry

Romans 15:18–21 NKJV

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

English Standard Version Chapter 15

18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,

Christ is the one who is doing the work, Christ is the one who is worthy of all praise and honour.

Paul see himself and nothing more than an agent through which Christ works. But this is the way the God works in this world. He work through His people. The true missionary makes him or herself available to Christ. They offer their lives as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God and Christ works through them.

So Paul boast only in that work which Christ does through him. What work is that?

The Goal of Paul’s Ministry

To bring the Gentiles to obedience.

Romans 1:5 NKJV

5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

Romans 16:25–26 NKJV

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

It is unclear whether this is obedience which is faith or whether it is obedience which is the result or effect of faith. Both ideas are supported by scripture.

In our passage it simply says obedience and to the faith or of the faith is left off. But it is clearly the same thing.

The Method of Paul’s Ministry

Word and Deed

The Gospel is not not shared in words alone. We should speak the truth of the gospel message but the message is given strength and authority when we live that truth. Our witness of Christ must be supported by the evidence of a transformed life or it will hold little weight.

However, there is a popular idea among Christians today. It is the Idea that actions speak louder than words. And while it sound nice and has some truth to it, it can also be misleading.

Theres a quote that you may have seen

“Preach the gospel always, use words if necessary.”

It may give us a warm fussy feeling but is it Biblical?

1 cor 1:21

1 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

The word preached here comes from the greek kay-roog- mah and it’s meaning is to herald or proclaim. It is not simply living a good example.

Romans 10:14–17 NKJV

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

How shall they believe unless they hear and how can they hear unless someone tells them. Faith come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

So a better quote would be

“Peach the gospel always and because it is necessary use words.”

However, Paul says in words and deeds. So our deeds are also necessary or I believe as Paul would see it the words and deeds of Christ through me are necessary. The fact is if you are trying to share the gospel with someone but your life is clearly inconsistent with your message then you will likely have very little influence. But that does not mean that your life has to be perfect to share the gospel. We are a work in progress and that is consistent with the gospel message.

Power of Signs and Wonders

these three words are Biblical terms used to express the supernatural

Power because it indicates God’s power over nature

signs because it signifies the arrival of the kingdom of God

and wonders because of the effect it has of evoking peoples amazement.

The only other time that Paul uses these three words together is in

2 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

Here Paul is is defending his apostleship and he calls these signs or marks of a true apostle.

God certianty can perform powerful signs and wonders through anyone at anytime we must never put limits on God but would should acknowledge that the primary purpose of these special gifts where to authenticate the unique ministry of the apostles.

Power of the Holy Spirit

And finally Paul says that ministry that Christ accomplished through him was by the power of the Holy Spirit.

He mentioned the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to his ministry previously in vs 16

Romans 15:16 NKJV

16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

So there is a sanctifying work in those who Paul is ministering the gospel of God to. But I believe that this also refers to how Christ is working through Paul. It is by the Holy Spirit that Christ accomplishes His ministry through Paul in word and deed to bring the gentile to obedience.

The power of the Holy Spirit is at work in Paul as well as in those he ministers to. If anything is accomplished in you through my ministry it is Christ working through the Holy Spirit in me by words and deeds and working in you to open your eyes and your ears to the truth of His Word to bring faith and obedience in you. And so we praise God and exalt Christ.

The Fulfilment of Paul’s Ministry

Romans 15:19 NKJV

19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Where he says I have fully preached the gospel of Christ in the original language it literally means

I have finished, completed preaching the gospel.

This is a surprising thing for Paul to say. Surely out of the millions of people between Jerusalem and Illyricum there are still people who have not yet believed or still need ministering to.

Here is were I believe Paul is speaking of his unique calling and ministry.

Paul was a pioneer missionary and there is a difference between a pioneer missionary and a pastor.

Romans 15:20 NKJV

20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,

Paul is clearly speaking of his specific calling here. He would go and preach the gospel establish churches and move on to the next town. He would then come back through and appoint pastors who would continue the ministry by preaching and edifying the church and reaching out into the other regions. So when Paul says that he has fulfilled the preaching of the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum he did not mean that there was no more work to be done but that he had fulfilled his ministry in these area and he was already setting his eyes on other regions. So Paul saw his ministry as being to preach to those who had not yet heard the gospel and he backed this up with scripture.

Romans 15:21 NKJV

21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

A couple of things I would like to point out here.

Sometimes a scripture will grab you and speak to you personally. This Scripture spoke to Paul and confirmed his calling to peach the gospel in places were he had not been preached before. But that is not to say that this Scripture teaches that no one should ever preach the gospel unless it is in a place that the gospel has not been preach or that no one can build on another’s foundation. In Fact in

1 Corinthians 3:6–11 NKJV

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

This is a clear case of building on another’s foundation. However, the scripture in Isa 52:15 Spoke to Paul personally and confirmed his calling.

2. The second point to make here is that Paul confirmed his calling with scripture not experience.

We know that on the road to Damascus Paul had an extraordinary experience when he was stuck down and blinded by a bright light and confronted by Christ himself. He tells of another experience where he was taken up into heaven. And yet to confirm his calling he uses the Word of God. God’s Word is our primary source of truth. Never interpret God’s Words based on your experience rather interpret and confirm your experience with God’s Word.

Christ worked through Paul to fulfil his calling and ministry. What ministry is God calling you to. What is Christ. Paul found his unique calling by becoming completely surrendered to Christ. Have you surrendered your life to Christ? Christ will work in and through those who willingly surrender to Him. So I’d like to leave you with this thought... what ministry does God have for you to do?