Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

When Paul was accused of being a false apostle, he responded with some questions. In I Corinthians 9:1 he asked: “Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our lord?”

One of the requirements of apostleship was to have seen the Lord Jesus. Paul had seen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Suddenly a bright light shined from heaven. (Acts 9:3)

Falling to the ground he asked “who are you?” Then the Lord answered him “I am Jesus.” (V.5)
He was truly an apostle. He introduced himself in all of his epistles as paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the will of God.

Paul was also accused of being in the gospel ministry just to make money. To this he made the point that the Lord himself has ordained that they who preach the gospel should be able to live by doing that, according to I Corinthians 9:14.

His aim and preaching was to “make the gospel of Christ without charge.” (V.18) He was doing what Jesus told his disciples to do. When he sent them out to preach, he said “freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Salvation is the gift of God. A man named Simon thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money. Peter said to him “Thy money perish with thee.” (Acts 8:20)