David Bahn – Reflections

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. ² I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. ³ But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. ⁴ Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— ⁵ to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. ⁶ And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised ⁸ (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), ⁹ and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

 

The saying “Praise in public, correct in private” emphasizes the value of publicly affirming others to build confidence and morale while addressing critiques or sensitive issues in private to preserve dignity and respect. That second part, especially, is very much in line with Jesus’ instructions about confronting someone as recorded in Matthew 18. We must do it privately until there is no hearing possible.

There are some situations when it is necessary to go public with an issue of concern. In this case it was Paul confronting Peter to his face (and apparently in public) about his duplicity in dealing with Gentile believers. The issue wasn’t just about duplicity. It was about the impact and influence that Peter had on others in his behavior. Peter’s actions led the rest of the Jews to act “hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” 

Even Barnabas: telling words. Barnabas was the one who introduced Saul to the other disciples shortly after his conversion. Barnabas was the son of encouragement who laid the proceeds from the sale of his property at the feet of the disciples. Barnabas was set aside with Saul for mission work from the church in Antioch. Now he was being led to believe that the Gentile believers would have to observe Old Testament laws in order to be in fellowship with the Christian Church.

So Paul gets loud and combative. “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” Don’t confuse them Peter! Don’t roll back God’s mission among the Gentiles because of your fears. This Gospel message is a message of freedom from an impossible task: obeying the Law in order to please God. 

Paul is setting the stage for his major point of this letter: It was for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1). If there needs to be a public conflagration in order to protect the truth of the Gospel so be it. Two dangers need to be avoided in this case. One is to make too little of issues that truly undercut the Gospel message. The other is to make every issue a major issue, setting aside Jesus’ clear teaching to go first to your brother or sister before taking things public.

In every case the issue is how we are to win the erring brother and make the Gospel message clear. For God’s ultimate desire is that the Gospel is proclaimed and his lost people are found.

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. ² I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. ³ But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. ⁴ Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— ⁵ to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. ⁶ And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised ⁸ (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), ⁹ and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

 

The saying “Praise in public, correct in private” emphasizes the value of publicly affirming others to build confidence and morale while addressing critiques or sensitive issues in private to preserve dignity and respect. That second part, especially, is very much in line with Jesus’ instructions about confronting someone as recorded in Matthew 18. We must do it privately until there is no hearing possible.

There are some situations when it is necessary to go public with an issue of concern. In this case it was Paul confronting Peter to his face (and apparently in public) about his duplicity in dealing with Gentile believers. The issue wasn’t just about duplicity. It was about the impact and influence that Peter had on others in his behavior. Peter’s actions led the rest of the Jews to act “hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” 

Even Barnabas: telling words. Barnabas was the one who introduced Saul to the other disciples shortly after his conversion. Barnabas was the son of encouragement who laid the proceeds from the sale of his property at the feet of the disciples. Barnabas was set aside with Saul for mission work from the church in Antioch. Now he was being led to believe that the Gentile believers would have to observe Old Testament laws in order to be in fellowship with the Christian Church.

So Paul gets loud and combative. “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” Don’t confuse them Peter! Don’t roll back God’s mission among the Gentiles because of your fears. This Gospel message is a message of freedom from an impossible task: obeying the Law in order to please God. 

Paul is setting the stage for his major point of this letter: It was for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1). If there needs to be a public conflagration in order to protect the truth of the Gospel so be it. Two dangers need to be avoided in this case. One is to make too little of issues that truly undercut the Gospel message. The other is to make every issue a major issue, setting aside Jesus’ clear teaching to go first to your brother or sister before taking things public.

In every case the issue is how we are to win the erring brother and make the Gospel message clear. For God’s ultimate desire is that the Gospel is proclaimed and his lost people are found.

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. ² I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. ³ But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. ⁴ Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— ⁵ to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. ⁶ And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised ⁸ (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), ⁹ and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

“Form, storm, norm, perform” are the stages of group development in psychologist Bruce Tuckman’s model:

• Forming: Team members get to know each other, set goals, and define roles.
• Storming: Conflict arises as people challenge ideas and each other.
• Norming: People resolve their differences, appreciate one another’s strengths, and respect the leader.
• Performing: The team works smoothly, showing high levels of efficiency, innovation, and autonomy. 

I’ve seen this at work when I help congregations with their strategic mission planning. The process is sometimes necessarily messy. Different ideas must be considered. Different approaches must be hashed out. Different understandings must be synthesized. The dross needs to be removed. The best ideas brought forth.

When it comes together well, by God’s grace and with his blessing, it’s a beautiful thing. But coming together isn’t a matter of arriving at a good plan. Coming together is a matter of people coming together to work together with Jesus in his mission. It is more than a product. It is a mission movement we seek.

This is what Paul is recalling here. Time in Jerusalem with the pillars of the church: Peter, James, and John yielded some clarity. But there was still storming and norming that had to happen. This was due in part to the radical change that was taking place as the new church was forming.

That which was initially Jewish was becoming multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multinational. This was a new wine in new wineskins moment. The old wineskins were being burst by the new wine of the Great Commission movement. The Gospel was going to the ends of the earth.

The Jerusalem church would never be the same. In the years to come the power centers of the Christian faith would be Rome, Constantinople, and Europe, and now we might look to sub-Saharan Africa as the center of power in the Christian Church. But make no mistake, the power there is not hierarchical. It is the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing more and more people to faith.

I once expressed my view about the mission of God by saying, “When it comes to the Mission of God, I’d rather have chaos than gridlock any day.” Chaos that leads to the salvation of more people, and the successful pursuit of God’s mission may not be pretty. But in a fallen world it is inevitable. And God has a way of working through fallen people to accomplish great things.

[Paul tells about after his conversion,] I did not immediately consult with anyone; ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.

I hate to say it, but there were a few seminary classmates, colleagues, and acquaintances who would spark less than an enthusiastic response when I would see them coming. In fact, some I might even head down a different hallway, avoid an encounter, or engage only the briefest time, while always seeking a quick exit point. How can I get out of this conversation?!? [For the record no one who is reading this falls into this category – as far as I am aware!] You know the type. Extra grace required people. Those who take more than they give. Those who suck the energy out of the room. Those who grab the spotlight, corner the conversation, and won’t let go. Ugh. Wears me out just to think of them.

I have to wonder, however, if I’m not one of those people to some one else in this world. I wonder whether some people avoid me, or are always looking for an excuse to disengage me in conversation. I suspect that may be true of me, and most all of us – sad to say. It’s possible, moreover, that a few of us have people who have simply written us off. We will never get a hearing or gain a relationship apart from the intervention of God.

Paul ends this first part of his letter to the Galatians saying that there were people who “glorified God because of” him. I know, however, that there were people who did not glorify God because of Paul. He had his detractors. There were plots on his life. He was not on many people’s list of people for whom they were thankful. 

But there are those who saw and experienced the blessings God brought through Paul. And they glorified God because of him.

Rather than focusing on the people who detract, dismiss, or despise us, we can take Paul’s example to heart – insofar as we represent Christ to others. In other words insofar as we reflect the grace and truth of Jesus and people see Jesus through us, we must pray that God gets the glory. And if people dismiss us because we are faithful witnesses to Jesus, we let that fall on Jesus. It may make us sad. But we need never own the hatred of others because of our Christian witness to God’s grace and truth.

Next time someone smiles at you because of an act of mercy or a word of grace, let that be credited to God. May his name be praised. Rejoice in the glory to God on account of your faithfulness, love, and witness.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, ¹⁶ was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.

I first became aware of how God shapes and strengthens us through trial and challenge when I was in college. After a brief hiatus from school because of very poor grades, and a failed real estate career attempt, I returned to college. I had not stopped hanging out at the Lutheran Campus Center there – even when I was not attending college. And the combination of failing grades, career challenges, and an unravelling romantic relationship with my girlfriend was taking taking its toll. I felt like I was in a ringer of life’s challenges.

Then I discovered James 1:2, “Count it all joy when you face challenges of every kind, for…the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” And 1 Peter 1:6-7, “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine.” Those challenges remained even after vocation and romantic relationships were settled. I recall a sermon in chapel one day at the seminary. Dr. Eggold preached in Romans 5, reminding us that we can and should rejoice in our sufferings because they make us stronger. 

Paul’s spiritual formation take place over the 12 to 14 years between his conversion and his commissioning with Barnabas at the church in Antioch. He was shaped by God through his preaching and interactions with the Apostles in Jerusalem, and no doubt through his relationship with Barnabas. This was a period of testing, and while Saul was preaching in the various areas, this activity would be eclipsed by his later missionary work. Even that remarkable productive and effectual time included times of remarkable challenge.

Peter and James are mentioned by Paul here in Galatians 1. Their writings along with Paul’s reflect a truth that Paul experienced first hand. No doubt so did Peter and James – and many others throughout the ages. God shapes us through hardship. 

We may yearn for times of rest and peace. Those times are blessings for which we rightly thank God. But when times are challenging we can also thank God, for he is shaping us and forming us and refining our faith. And God is glorified when we look to him, seek his strength, rejoice in his goodness, faithfulness, and love.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, ¹⁶ was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.

I’ve had the opportunity to write a number of letters of recommendation. From high school students seeking endorsements for a scholarship, to people seeking recommendations for a job promotion, to people seeking enrollment into a Concordia to become church workers, I’m always glad to offer a word of recommendation. Sometimes they are more robust than others. But in some cases the recommendation is so strong that I end my letter by saying, “If my endorsement of [this candidate] aids his/her entrance into your program, I would be very honored.” In other words, while I may be recommending someone, and they get the kudos in the body of my letter, I also receive honor by offering my recommendation.

I wonder whether Peter (Paul calls him Cephas), and James felt honored to have been visited by Saul (he would become known as Paul when he began his missionary work in the Greek-speaking world). Were they aware of the impact he would have in his missionary work? Were they aware that they would have to contend with this dedicated missionary who made a strong case to admit Gentile believers into the fellowship of the church? Did they have any idea that he would write more of the New Testament than either of they two?

Yet it was vitally important that Saul gain their acceptance and even their endorsement as a legitimate church leader and apostle. Paul’s claim to be an apostle is not just a matter of authority but a testimony to the grace of God at work in his life. His apostleship reveals the transformative grace of God, who redeems and equips people for His mission. By embracing this calling, Paul demonstrates how God’s grace can overcome even the darkest past and extend His love and salvation to all people. This claim also reassured the early Church of the divine origin and truth of Paul’s Gospel message.

That stands by itself, and truly God was the one who called Paul into service. At his conversion Jesus spoke to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Then at the church in Antioch, the Holy Spirit said, “Set aside Barnabas and Saul for the work I have for them.” That said the human factor remains, and having the endorsement of Peter and James would serve him well – some years later as he writes to the Galatians. This will become evident in Galatians 2 when Paul recounts his confrontation of Peter “to his face.” Sometimes even within the church and among those who respect each other there needs to be challenging conversation and clarifying discussion. Paul will speak about that also in Galatians 6 where he urges we handle even the erring in gentleness and as we bear one another’s burdens.

I greatly value relationships where two people can speak truth to each other in love and iron sharpens iron. I highly recommend such relationships.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, ¹⁶ was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.

My good friend, fellow photographer, and heading-for-the-seminary college classmate, Jerry, once said, “It’s pure grace, Dave. Pure grace.” He was talking about some of the silly, dumb, hair-brained, dangerous, and sinful things we did when we were in college. I wish I didn’t have to include sinful in that list. But there it is. Maybe you would have to include that word in describing some of your college shenanigans.

There’s just one problem with my description: I’ve placed them all in the past, my college days. As though I don’t do silly, dumb, hair-brained, dangerous, and sinful things anymore. Hopefully the degree of those various things are not as extreme as they were back then. What WAS I thinking? But there are yet some things I must admit to having done for which I am ashamed on the one hand, and thankful for God’s grace on the other hand.

Unless God’s word is in error, we must all admit to sin in it various forms: omission, commission, unknowing, and thought, word, or action. God’s grace is precious to those who acknowledge their sins. That’s true even though we would wish not really to need it. Yet there it is. Sometimes we marvel at the grace of God. Jerry and I were reflecting on the abundance of God’s grace toward us, and expressing our thanks to God for his pure grace. So many things could have done wrong. What were we thinking?

Paul testifies to the grace of God in regard to his election. He had been set apart before he was born, and called by God’s grace to serve Christ. He is writing to the church in Galatia to bring them back to the freedom we have in Christ. And he needed to establish his bonafides as a legitimate servant of God. He needed to pull rank over the people who had come into their church and caused confusion, even leading them away from faith in Jesus.

But he doesn’t do this apart from testifying to God’s grace. That’s the beauty of a true Christian witness. We don’t have to prove ourselves to be better than anyone else. We can point to God’s grace to us: his undeserved kindness, love and goodness toward us – in spite of the sinful, silly, dumb, hair-brained, and dangerous things we have done.

That’s a powerful witness and the only one worthy of a follower of Jesus: Pure grace!

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, ¹⁶ was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.

“I know why you’re here, and you aren’t going to change my mind.” He was adamant. And I thought, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” He was on a path that would greatly compromise the message of Jesus. He didn’t realize it until I shared a story with him.

A man was making an evangelism call on a man who looked vaguely familiar. He couldn’t place how he knew the man he was visiting. “Look,” he said, you’re down at the Lodge every Monday night telling us that there are many paths to God. But here you’re telling me that Jesus is the only way to salvation. You need to decide which is true.” 

My friend realized he had to decide as well. Would he join the Lodge, or not? His adamant resolve dissolved before my eyes. He didn’t join.

Paul speaks of his dramatic conversion here in his letter to the Galatians. He “was advancing in Judaism beyond many of his own age among his people, so extremely zealous was he for the traditions of his fathers.” But God had other plans. His conversion was radical and far-reaching. From violent persecutor of the church to the most dedicated and prolific missionary of the New Testament. 

We might be tempted to wish we had such a dramatic conversion story. We might think that our witness would be more powerful if we could brag about of sinful ways before coming to know Christ. We might imagine we could be more effective in our sharing of the gospel if we could point to a dramatic before and after witness.

But God uses people who are willing to share their faith however they can. For the power of the Holy Spirit depends not on the person sharing the gospel, but on the gospel message we share. Paul himself says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). He also confesses that when he is weak then he is strong. That’s because the power of God to change hearts and lives is God’s power.