PAUL THE THEOLOGIAN

Romans 1:16 NLT
[16] “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”

Hiw did Paul get to know the power of the gospel?

There are practices in some streams in the modern church that deny the power of the gospel. How do I know this? Look at the beliefs and actions that have been added to what the Bible clearly teaches.

These  groups use forms of so-called “spiritual warfare” that circumvent the preaching of the gospel by introducing man-made activities such as “prayer-walking”, taking authority over, praying against, “pleading the blood over”, etc., all time-wasting, futile exercises that achieve nothing.

How did Paul get to know the power of the gospel? He learned it in Arabia from the Holy Spirit Himself…and he preached the cross of Jesus wherever he went.

Galatians 1:11-12 NLT
[11] “Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. [12] I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.”

He preached the gospel from one end of Asia Minor and Europe to the other. Today, we still live in the glow of his ministry.

From Jerusalem to Rome…

Romans 1:14-15 NLT
[14]” For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. [15] So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.”

Romans 15:24 NLT
[24] “I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.”

“According to the New Testament, Paul the apostle established Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean world.[36] He is known to have also spent some time in Arabia. After preaching in Syria, he turned his attention to the cities of Asia Minor. By the early 50s, he had moved on to Europe where he stopped in Philippi and then traveled to Thessalonica in Roman Macedonia. He then moved into mainland Greece, spending time in Athens and Corinth. While in Corinth, Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans, indicating that there were already Christian groups in Rome. Some of these groups had been started by Paul’s missionary associates Priscilla and Aquila and Epainetus.[40]”
(https://en.wikipaedia.com)

Paul also wrote the gospel message in all its detail, and today, we still rely on what he wrote to guide us in our understanding of and faith in the Scriptures.

This is what happened in Ephesus through the preaching of the gospel.

Acts of the Apostles 19:8-11, 17-18, 20 NLT
[8] “Then Paul went to the synagogue (in Ephesus) and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. [9] But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. [10] This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord. [11] God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles….
[17] The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. [18] Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices….
[20] So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.”

So, Paul could testify with great confidence…

Romans 1:16 NLT
[16]” For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT
[18]”The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

It is this message, preached and lived, that has power to change lives, from the inside out.

Galatians 2:20 NLT
[20]” My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”