Romans 15:14-33 Paul as Gentile Missionary
Call of Paul - Romans 15:14-20.
Paul was convinced about the Romans’ Knowledge and competence to instruct one another. He had reassured them and had a strong conviction of his call and ministry. He did not deviate from his ministry among the Gentiles. He has accepted that proclaiming the Gospel was his priestly duty. His focused vision was to reach the Gentiles and make them become an offering acceptable to God through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.
Soul winning becomes a harvest and an offering to be offered to God. The threefold ministry is that the apostle preaches the Gospel, the Holy Spirit convicts and God accepts them as an offering. This is the service of Paul. He wants to glory in the name of Jesus and the ministry he does among the Gentiles. His ministry was accompanied by the power of signs and miracles. So, Paul proclaimed the Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum.
The ambition of Paul – Romans 15:20-23
Paul had the ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known. He was a new convert, a hardcore troublemaker turned into Christ. He has accepted Christ through divine intervention and grace. He has accepted the responsibility of preaching the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. He never wanted to build his ministry on someone’s foundation. He has taken the Gospel to the people who never heard about Jesus Christ. Paul never desired to go to the Jews and the believers in Christ. Paul says that he completed the ministry among the Gentiles in the region of Rome. So, he would like to visit the Romans.
The task of Paul – Romans 15:24-33
Paul explained to the Romans the Gospel of Christ and its power to save the sinners who fall short of the Glory. He also explained to them how he had completed the God-given ministry among the Gentiles in their region and now he moves on to Jerusalem for ministry but on the way, he would like to spend time with the Romans. Now Paul builds the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Jews reciprocally the Gentiles need to share their material blessings to support the saints at Jerusalem.
Paul was clear enough to express to the Romans that he would spend time with them when he moves to Spain but not now. Paul requested the Romans to pray for his encounter with the unbelievers in Judea. He had a fruitful ministry among the Gentiles though he struggled, and suffered but there was joy in doing the ministry. But now he looks for prayer to overcome his own people who do not believe in Christ.
Discussion:
1. Share your experience in reaching the unreached for Christ.
2. What is your ambition for Church growth?
3. How to bridge between the Converts and the Traditional believers of our days?
(For further studies on Romans, please refer this cite)
