Romans 15:18: For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—
The Holy Spirit empowered Paul to minister, and enabled him to perform mighty signs and wonders. The miracles God gave Paul to do were “signs” in that they came from God and revealed Him to others. And they were “wonders” in that they aroused the wonder of the people. But their purpose was always to open the way for the preaching of the Gospel. Miracles were given to authenticate the messenger and the message (Heb. 2:1–4). Miracles by themselves can never save the lost. When Paul healed the crippled man at Lystra (Acts 14), the immediate response was pagan: the people called Paul and Barnabas gods and tried to worship them! When Paul shared the Gospel with them, they did not respond so enthusiastically. Finally, the people stoned Paul and left him for dead outside the city walls. The Spirit of God empowered Paul to share the Word, and the purpose was to “make the Gentiles obedient” (Rom. 15:18). It was “by word and deed” that the apostle shared the Good News. 1
Application
- What words of Jesus from the gospel are the words that you like to share with others?
- What gift(s) has God given to you that you like to use in serving others?
Prayer
Lord, teach me to be daring for You.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
