Ministers of the New Covenant | Pastor Raph | Jun 1, 2025

Ministers of the New Covenant

Initially, Saul of Tarsus was a devout and zealous member of the Jewish religious elite, fiercely opposing the burgeoning Jesus movement. He actively persecuted Jesus's followers, arresting them in an effort to, from his perspective, protect Israel and God's honor. His commitment led him to Damascus to apprehend more believers, but on this journey, he had a sudden, direct encounter with the risen Jesus. This transformed him; Jesus questioned his persecution and commissioned Saul to represent Him (Acts 9). Stunned, Saul's mission was completely reversed. He began proclaiming the good news about Jesus in Damascus. On his missionary journeys, Paul traveled to major cities like Corinth.

In Corinth, a cosmopolitan port city, Paul stayed for about a year and a half (Acts 18). He initially preached in the synagogue, and when he faced significant opposition, he turned his focus to the Gentiles. He worked as a tentmaker alongside Aquila and Priscilla, supporting himself while teaching the Gospel. His ministry was fruitful, leading to the conversion of many, including Crispus, the synagogue leader. 

A significant and diverse church was established in Corinth. In that context, Paul fiercely decided to dedicate himself exclusively to sharing the gospel with the Gentiles.

That is important because sometimes it is hard to understand that the Lord leads us in ways that exclude some people. But that it was the case for Paul a few times. His decision made some to follow and some to be out. 

As a pastor, one of the most challenging aspects of ministry. We love all brothers and sisters. But for the sake of the church, some decisions would make some give up walking with us, which is always a great pain.

My comfort, is the words that the Lord said then, and is so real for me right now:

Acts 18:9-10 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

God and our fruits recommend us

In our Bibles, chapter 2, ends like this:

2 Corinthians 2:17 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Paul voluntarily relinquishes the right to be supported by the Corinthians' offering and financial aid to ensure the gospel progresses.

His refusal of payment is a choice to avoid hindering Christ's message.

There is a clear distinction between receiving support and commercializing a ministry. The former is a biblical practice of generosity, while the latter contradicts Jesus' teachings. Matthew 10:8 Jesus commands the disciples, “Freely you have received; freely give.”

In 1 Corinthians 9 he splains the standard way of ministry support.

1 Corinthians 9:14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

I it in this context that Paul continues in chapter 3.

2 Corinthians 3 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

He is saying, “You Corinthians are our recommendation. Our ministry made you experience the reality of the New Covenant.”

Paul employs the imagery of Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31:33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The gospel of grace changes people’s lives. That transformation is a testimony, a message, a letter for all to read.

The law and the religious system of "dos and don'ts" have never changed people’s hearts. The law wasn’t given to modulate behavior and hide the rotten reality of the heart. The law, written on the tablets of stone (Ex. 24.12), was meant to reveal how bankrupt we were. That is why, by faith in Jesus, everyone can receive a new heart.

 Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

It is the fruit of really saving and transforming people through the power of the gospel that recommends us before God and others.

Let’s stop bragging about what we have done, performed, and achieved, and let’s be faithful ministers of the only message that can change our generation. The message of re...