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"For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles…"

Text: Ephesians 3:1

PAUL’S MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES

Paul’s special ministry to the Gentiles was particularly difficult. The historian Luke, who was a close companion of the Apostle Paul recorded the many difficulties faced in the ministry.

1. Opposition from the Jewish quarter

The Jews opposed the preaching of the Gospel to Gentiles. Thus when they knew that Paul preached a Gospel that included the Gentiles, they opposed him fiercely. The Jews in Antioch, Pisidia were also jealous of Paul’s success.

“But when the Jews saw the multitudes,
they were filled with envy;
and contradicting and blaspheming,
they opposed the things spoken by Paul.”
ACTS 13:45

2. Opposition from the Gentile quarter

Not all Gentiles welcome the message of the Gospel. Some violently opposed the ministry of the apostle Paul.

“And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles
and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them…”
ACTS 14:5

The very people with whom Paul desired to share the Gospel, opposed him violently as well.

3. False charges were laid against Paul

Many were the false charges laid against Paul. An example of trumped up charges may be found in the following text:-

a) False Charges of Gentiles

“These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
and they teach customs which are not lawful for us,
being Romans, to receive or observe…”
ACTS 16:20-21

b) False charges of the Jews

“We have found this man a plague,
a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world,
and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him…”
ACTS 24:5-6

Charge after false charge was laid against the Apostle Paul. Every means was used to curb or destroy his ministry. No plot was too despicable or violent against Paul. This valiant servant of God suffered untold abuse for the sake of his beloved Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.