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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 132

"How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already)…"

Text: Ephesians 3:3

A CLAIM OF SPECIAL REVELATION BY THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF

A claim that one has special revelation from none other than the Lord Jesus Himself is one that would not go unchallenged. To claim that one had special revelation from God would mean that he is either “a prophet” or “an apostle”, (In the New Testament era, both categories of “the servants of God” received special words from the Lord).

The following are startling statements of Paul where he vigorously defended his right to be called an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Once he has established that claim, then the issue of revelation from the Lord to him is resolved.

1. Defence of appointment as an apostle

a) A preacher/teacher associated with Barnabas (Acts 11:25-30)
b) Paul recognised and addressed as an apostle (Acts 14:14)
c) Paul’s grateful acknowledgment of being made an apostle (2 Timothy 1:11)
d) In comparison to the other apostles (2 Corinthians 11:5)

Not inferior to the other apostles of Christ

2. Proof of being appointed as an apostle

Paul was conscious of people who questioned his authority as an apostle, since he was not one of The Twelve. He wrote of this consciousness in his second letter to the Corinthian Church.

“Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me…”
2 CORINTHIANS 13:3

The best way to silence critics was to produce “proof” that he was truly an apostle. Paul chose the most powerful proofs ever. He made a truly strong argument in the following text.

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

He made a similar statement in his epistle to the Romans.

“In mighty signs and wonders, by the power of
the Spirit of God…”
ROMANS 15:19

CAREFUL RECORD MADE BY THE HISTORIAN LUKE

Luke made the following observations about the person and ministry of Paul. The signs and wonders Paul performed were ample proofs that he was truly an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body
to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went
out of them.”
ACTS 19:11-12