1462. Paul's Commission
Paul's Commission
"But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
"Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Act_26:16-18).
The commission which was immediately given to Paul, following his conversion, demands more time and space than can be given here. However, we are seeking but a bird's-eye view of the whole chapter, and so we must not altogether overlook the commission. The statement comes under seven, twofold statements. Let us notice them singly.
1. Rise and stand. The word "rise" suggested the new life–Paul's resurrection from his death in sin. The word "stand," suggests the contending for the faith–Paul's new call to service. The same thing is set forth in the expression: "Quit you like men, be strong," and again in the words, "That ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
2. A minister and a witness. The first word has to do with serving, the second with testifying. The first word seems to gather up everything that the Apostle endured, the second everything that he said. The first word has to do with the ministry of Paul's hands and feet, the second with the message of his lips and tongue. Let us never divorce, what God joins together. The one who witnesses, must serve; and the one who serves, must witness.
3. "The things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee." Paul was not to preach what he had learned from Gamaliel. He was to preach what he had seen from God, and what God had yet to show him. God said unto Jonah, "Preach the preaching that I bid thee." Christ said to Nicodemus, "We speak the things we do know and we testify the things which we have seen." Paul did the same.
4. Delivering thee, sending thee. Paul was to be delivered from the Jews and sent to the Gentiles.
The Jews would never receive his testimony; therefore, from them, he must be delivered. "If they refuse you in one city go to another." In fulfillment of this very thing the Apostle Paul finally shook off the dust of his feet against the Jews, and turned to the Gentiles.
"Sending thee to the Gentiles." The Apostle Paul had a definite message unto the Gentile world. The natural branch, Israel, was broken off, the Gentiles were grafted in. Through the fall of the Jews, salvation came to the Gentiles. The failure of the Jews, became the fullness of the Gentiles. The whole message as set forth in Romans 11, is included in this expression, "Delivering thee from the Jews and sending thee to the Gentiles."
5. "To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light." The whole world lies in darkness. It is "the present evil age." It is night. The light shone into the darkness but the darkness comprehended it not. When Jesus Christ was crucified the sun went down. The Apostle Paul was sent to call men from darkness unto light. The darkness still prevails, during this age, yet saints are children of the light and of the day. Egypt was in darkness while Israel, in the land of Goshen, dwelt in light. We; like Paul, are sent to call men out of darkness and into light.
6. "To turn them from the power of satan unto God." What a wonderful mission is this! An acknowledgment of satan's power but also an acknowledgment of the supremacy of God. Satan, the strong man, but Christ, the Stronger than he. In all of this, we see Jesus Christ vanquishing the devil; we see Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of authority and power, far above principalities and satanic powers. The authorized mission of the Gospel is to save men from slavery to sin and satan, and to lead them into the liberty of service to God.
7. "That they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified." What wonderful words! The first expression looks backward; it leads us to Calvary's Cross; it speaks of salvation: the other expression leads on, it has to do with the Lord's Second Coming, it anticipates the resurrection, it speaks of our earthly and our eternal inheritance in Christ. Blessed scope of the Gospel's work, both retrospective and prospective in its sweep.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR