Paul
the apostle told the church members, “I
am become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me: for I ought to
have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very
chiefest apostles, though I be nothing”,
and in chapter
twelve and verse twelve of Second Corinthians, Paul shared
concerning, “the
signs of an apostle”
where we read:
The
verse begins, “Truly
the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, ...”
Paul
began with the words, “truly”
which means “certainly, surely and indeed” “the
signs”
or “the marks or tokens” “of
an apostle”
which refers to “of a delegate, messenger or one sent forth with
orders which is specifically applied to the twelve apostles of
Christ” “were
wrought”
or “were performed, accomplished and achieved” “among
you”
which refers to “with the church members” “in
all patience”
which means “with steadfastness, constancy and endurance”. Paul
noted how the “marks and tokens” of the “apostles”
were demonstrated and “achieved” among the church members with
“constancy and endurance”.
The
verse continues, “...
in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds”.
Paul
added the words, “in
signs”
which means “with miracles and remarkable events”, “and
wonders”
which means “miracles performed by any one such as a prodigy or
omen”, “and
mighty deeds”
which means “and strength or power for performing miracles”. Paul
continued his list of traits by which he demonstrated the “signs
of an apostle”
with “miracles” and the power to perform them.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we see how he established the
veracity of his ministry among the Corinthians. Paul did mighty works
and miracles among them which were like the original “apostles”
of Jesus. “Patience, signs, wonders and mighty deeds” were
implemented by Paul as proof to the validity of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Though he was questioned concerning these traits, Paul did
not recoil, and he reminded the church members of the “miracles”
which were performed when he was among them. May we too realize the
veracity of the ministry of Paul and seek the Lord Jesus so we may be
used in this manner before lost people in the world.
Next
time Paul
asks the church members, “what
is it wherein you were inferior to other churches”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then,
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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