PAUL'S GRACE APOSTLESHIP

By Clyde Pilkington Jr.

Not only was Paul not one of "the Twelve" Apostles, he also was given a new message, about a new dispensation, with a new commission, resulting in the forming and building of a new people.

Paul Ministered a New Message
Paul did not preach what "the Twelve" taught – he preached the gospel of the grace of God. "… The ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

This gospel did not come to Paul from others; it was a divine revelation.
"… I certify you, brothers, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12).

So much was this a new message that Paul had to make a trip to Jerusalem to tell them of this heavenly revelation.
"… I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles … for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: but contrariwise, when they saw that the Gospel of the Uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the Gospel of the Circumcision was unto Peter" (Galatians 2:2-7).

Notice that Paul called this new gospel "the Gospel of the Uncircumcision." He also called it distinctly his gospel – i.e., "my gospel."
"In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" (Romans 2:16).
"Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel" (Romans 16:25).
"Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel" (II Timothy 2:8).

This was a new message "which was kept secret in ages past."
"Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret in ages past" (Romans 16:25).

Paul Ministered in a New Dispensation
Paul's good news was a part of a revelation of a whole new divine administration with mankind – the unreserved dispensing of God's grace.
"If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you" (Ephesians 3:2). Also, "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; even the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:25-27).

Paul Ministered with a New Commission
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel …" (I Corinthians 1:17).
"And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God. For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:18-21).

Paul Ministered to a New People
Unlike "the Twelve" who ministered to Israel, Paul ministered to the newly formed Body of Christ, the heavenly creation. All earthly, fleshly distinction was now gone.
"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more. Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:16-17).

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are bond or free … Now you are the Body of Christ, and members in particular" (I Corinthians 12:13, 27).

Paul Ministered that we have Righteousness in Christ
Righteousness is simply an old word for rightness. When we say that God is righteous, we simply mean that what He does is always right; that He will not and cannot do anything that is not right. This is why Paul declares in Romans 1:16, 17:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...FOR THEREIN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS [rightness] OF GOD REVEALED..."
Paul was called to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God because it emphasizes God's rightness. The gospel does not tell us that God will overlook our sins or wink at them and smuggle us into heaven. It doesn't tell us that He will forgive us if we are sorry enough or do enough good deeds to counterbalance our sins. By no means.

The "gospel of the grace of God" is based on His rightness. It is the wonderful message that "Christ died for our sins", that He paid for them Himself so that He might justly offer us forgiveness and declare us righteous. See Philippians 3:9-10 & 2 Corinthians 5:21.
In Romans 3:26 the apostle declares that since our sins were paid for by Christ at Calvary, God can now "be just -- and the Justifier of him who believes in Jesus".

For centuries religious people have said to each other: "We must be truly sorry for our sins and do all the good we can and surely God will forgive and accept us". But this is not the gospel. The gospel gives us more solid ground to plant our feet upon. It says to every man, woman and child: "Your sins were PAID FOR by Christ at Calvary. Trust in Him and you will be saved". This is gospel [good news] indeed, for it is based on the just payment of the penalty for sin.