I am profoundly grateful for the contributions of the
Apostle Paul; without his efforts, the gospel message would have remained
confined to those born Jewish, effectively excluding the vast majority of
Humanity. While the Apostle Peter received significant insights through various
visions and revelations—such as his encounter with the Roman centurion
Cornelius—he still wrestled with the notion of an all-inclusive gospel that
embraced people from all nations and backgrounds. In stark contrast, Paul understood this message and passionately championed it, as his divinely
ordained mission was to spread the gospel to the Gentile nations.
What led Paul to this unwavering conviction? I believe he
was among the first to comprehend the profound implications of the Deuteronomy
32 worldview, particularly in verses 7-9:
“Remember the days of old; consider
the years of many generations; ask your fathers, and they will show you; your
elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave to the nations their
inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples
according to the number of the sons of God. But the Lord’s portion is his
people, Jacob his allotted heritage.”
The Tower of Babel event is pivotal in human history’s narrative. It represents a time when Humanity united in an ambitious
endeavor to construct a tower reaching to the heavens, which displeased the
Lord. In response to this defiance, He intervened by confusing their
languages and scattering them across the globe. This moment of divine
sovereignty was the rejection of Humanity and giving them their inheritance,
which in this case was their freedom or emancipation from God. The Lord established
heavenly watchers—often interpreted as the “Sons of the Most High”—to
oversee the seventy nations formed due to this dispersion.
Despite this fracturing of Humanity, Jacob (representing Israel) remained the
Lord’s chosen portion, His inheritance, continually under His divine
guardianship and care. Through Paul’s revelations, this enduring relationship
between God and all of His people evolved into a promise of reunification for
all nations once again, emphasizing that the gospel was truly a message for
everyone.
Though the divine watchers were referred to as sons of the
Most High—more accurately labeled as “Divine
Beings”—they were not impervious to the moral challenges accompanying
their earthly mission. They became embodied like mortals, tasked with the responsibility to leave their celestial
home and inhabit the realm of Humanity to oversee human affairs. Despite their elevated status, they found
themselves increasingly vulnerable to the primal desires of the flesh,
ultimately leading to their moral decline and spiritual corruption.
This profound corruption is a cautionary tale,
emphasizing the insidious nature of temptation and its capacity to sway even
the most ethereal beings. Once noble watchers, they gradually transformed into
the principalities and powers referenced by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians
6:10-13:
“Finally, be strengthened in the
Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of
God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of God
so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done
everything, to stand.”
This awareness of evil spiritual forces in the heavenly
realm doesn’t come from a vacuous place in Paul’s mind, but is rooted in the
ancient worldview expressed in Deuteronomy 32. Paul identified a hierarchy of
spiritual rulers, possibly even regional ones, who wield influence over various
aspects of human life and governance. He viewed these entities as the actual manifestations
of evil that bind Humanity in a struggle that transcends mere physical
confrontation. In this context, Paul emphasized that our real battle is not
against other human beings, but against these potent spiritual authorities that
manipulate and direct the moral landscape of the world.
Paul is deeply convinced that the believers in Rome, who
have been exposed to the transformative gospel of Christ, are not only filled
with His goodness but also equipped with the knowledge to instruct and
encourage one another in these same teachings. He emphasizes the significance
of his message by stating that he has “written more boldly about some points to
remind you,” underscoring the crucial nature of these truths for their
spiritual growth and unity.
In this context, Paul introduces a concept that he has not
previously addressed in his other letters: the persistent and pervasive
spiritual dynamic of evil that existed long before the Roman ecclesia began
gathering. This idea serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between good
and evil that believers and all people face. Paul draws a sharp comparison
between Christ’s sovereignty and His redemptive power, which offers hope and
salvation, and the devil’s manipulative and deceptive tactics that seek to sow
discord and lead believers astray. By framing the conversation in this way,
Paul not only reinforces the necessity of remaining vigilant in faith but also
affirms the strength in the community of believers working together to
support one another in their spiritual journeys.
Paul recognizes that he is the trailblazer and received the
grace of God to be the first to be a minister of Christ Jesus, proclaiming Him
to his Gentile audience. He also recognizes it as an honor, a privilege, and a solemn office to serve the Lord and his fellow men like priests. I am
sure this life was never what he
envisioned as a young man growing up in his Jewish family, but he did have a
heart for God—and God used that desire to formulate his drive and passion to minister
to the Lord and to please the Lord in the best way he could. Paul was zealous
for the Lord, but the Lord had to direct his zeal into the ways that brought
God glory, not Paul.
Paul envisioned himself as a devoted priest in the early
Christian community, diligently preparing a worthy offering to the Lord and
fully aware of the sacred nature of his mission. With unwavering conviction, he
passionately harnessed the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to reach out to
the Gentiles—those outside the Jewish faith—guiding them toward faith and
spiritual rebirth. This profound process involved not only his fervent
preaching and teaching of Christ’s message but also a deep reliance on the Holy
Spirit, who sanctified both him and those he ministered to, making them holy
and acceptable offerings in the eyes of God. Paul often described himself as “poured out” like a drink offering before the Lord, symbolizing his
complete dedication and sacrifice.
This perspective is an inspiring and powerful example
for us today, inviting us to embrace the role of spiritual priests who empower
others to become pleasing offerings to the Lord. Our ministry must focus on
serving God with heartfelt devotion—actively obeying, worshiping, and
glorifying Him—rather than getting entangled in the complexities of holiness or
the intricacies of transformation. While we engage in this divine work, we must
trust in the Holy Spirit’s ability to enact real and lasting change in each
person’s life, a force that operates beyond our human abilities and
understanding, and often in ways we may not immediately recognize.
This unwavering faith in the Spirit’s power was, in essence,
Paul’s secret to his impactful ministry. It encourages us to remember that our
ultimate aim is not only to minister to the Lord but also to nurture the
spiritual growth of others, empowering them to do the same. In this way, we
foster a thriving community that reflects God’s love, grace, and
compassion—providing a supportive environment where individuals can grow and
develop in their faith and become active participants in sharing the same transformative
message of Christ with others.
Stephen Barnett
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