Bold Ministers

June 9, 2024 Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5 - 18 Lesson Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:5 - 18 It is easy today to overlook, or forget, the perils faced by the apostles who laid the foundation of the New Testament church. Some of Paul's letters remind us of those challenging times and how the apostles were constantly threatened with physical harm and even death. Most places we travel in this country, and indeed the world, have established Christian congregations there. This was far from the case for the apostles of the first century. They were constantly led by God into hostile regions where Christianity did not exist nor did the political and religious leaders there want it. Many leaders used pagan religions to control the masses and maintain their prestigious positions. Those apostles suffered many things from leaders in those regions; this included imprisonment, beatings, and the threat of death. It is not surprising that some of Paul 's letters show how he engaged in deep and sincere reflections on whether he was doing God's will or not. If there were Jewish synagogues in the region, they were often engaged first by Paul. Paul constantly tried to use their common Jewish faith to lead Jews to faith in Jesus Christ. He was often met with sharp criticism and violence—even among the Jews. Many aspects of Christianity were seen as blasphemous by Jews. They were convinced that no true religion existed outside what God had given to Israel through Moses. When he witnessed to the Jews, Paul would always start with what they clearly knew and accepted about Judaism. From there Paul attempted to show where there was a lack of fulfillment of the promises within Judaism. Paul went on to explain that God promised something better—not to take away Judaism, but to fulfill it. This was Paul's approach. Paul questioned himself out of a reverent fear that he was listening more to his flesh than to the Spirit of God in him. When God granted Paul the assurance that the Spirit was indeed speaking through him, Paul became very bold in his proclamation of the gospel message. Paul offered side-by-side comparisons between Judaism and Christianity. Paul was bold in proclaiming that the Law defined holiness and showed that all people fail to live up to its standard. In demonstrating this, the Law led to condemnation because it only identified the problem, but it did not provide a solution. Paul declared that in Christianity, Jesus is the solution to the condemnation of the Law. Therefore, Christianity provides hope against the condemnation identified by the Law. Furthermore, Paul referred to the glory of God that caused Moses' face to shine when he received the Law from God. That glory gradually faded over time, but in the meantime, Moses covered his face with a veil to keep Israel from being frightened by the glory of God reflected on his face. Paul argued that if the Law, that led to Israel's condemnation was accompanied by the glory of God, then surely the righteousness of God that comes through Jesus Christ also has the glory of God reflected; and the glory of righteousness exceeds the glory of the Law. Just as the glow of Moses' face gradually passed away, so too was the condemnation of the Law replaced with the hope of righteousness found in Jesus Christ. The knowledge of this caused the apostles and their fellow servants to have hope. And that hope led to the boldness they needed to continue to minister at the risk of suffering injury or death. They knew they were empowered by God with a sufficiency necessary to declare God's new testament to people everywhere. And that sufficiency in God made them bold ministers. Robert C. Hudson May 23, 2024