How was the mystery made known to Paul by revelation? Definition and Scope of “Mystery” (μυστήριον) In Paul’s writings a “mystery” is not an enigma to remain hidden but a truth once concealed in God’s plan, now openly disclosed (Colossians 1:26). In Ephesians it focuses on God’s purpose “to make the Gentiles fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). The term embraces: 1. Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection (1 Timothy 3:16). 2. The unification of Jew and Gentile in one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16). 3. The indwelling of Christ by His Spirit in all believers (Colossians 1:27). Immediate Context of Ephesians 3:3 Paul reminds the Ephesian believers that he has “written briefly” about the mystery (Ephesians 3:3). That earlier mention occurs in 2:11-22, where he explains how those “once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (2:13). Thus the “mystery” is identical with the gospel that reconciles both peoples to God in one body (2:16). The Damascus Road Revelation Acts 9:3-6 records the initial unveiling: “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him… ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” . This encounter included: • A physical manifestation of the risen Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:8). • An audible commission to bear Christ’s name “before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15). Luke’s threefold retelling (Acts 9; 22; 26) underscores its historicity and theological weight. Contemporary skeptics note that hallucinations do not blind multiple eyewitnesses simultaneously nor produce lasting moral transformation; empirical behavioral studies confirm the rarity of group visionary experiences absent external stimulus. Subsequent Visions and Revelatory Instruction Galatians 1:11-12 testifies, “I did not receive it from any man… but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ” . Paul spent time in Arabia (Galatians 1:17); later he was “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). These episodes refined the content of the mystery: • Strategy for Gentile mission (Acts 13:2; 16:9). • Clarification of justification by faith apart from works (Romans 3:21-26). • Eschatological insights (1 Corinthians 15:51). Holy Spirit Mediation Revelation occurs “by the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Spirit: 1. Illuminated Hebrew Scripture promises (Isaiah 49:6; Genesis 12:3) now fulfilled in Christ. 2. Supplied prophetic words (Acts 20:23). 3. Empowered signs authenticating Paul’s apostleship (Romans 15:18-19). Modern documented healings—e.g., medically verified remission of stage-IV osteogenic sarcoma following prayer at Lagos, Nigeria, 2018—exhibit continuity with apostolic patterns. Canonical Confirmation Peter acknowledges Paul’s epistles as Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16). James and the Jerusalem elders ratified Paul’s gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 15:7-11, 22-29), demonstrating corporate discernment of the identical revelation. Old Testament Grounding Isaiah foresaw Gentile inclusion: “Nations shall come to your light” (Isaiah 60:3). The mystery’s unveiling is thus progressive, not novel. Paul’s hermeneutic rests on promises sworn by the Creator (Hebrews 6:13) whose historical acts—creation ex nihilo, global Flood strata such as the Tapeats Sandstone extending continent-wide, and Israel’s exodus evidenced by the Merneptah Stele (c. 1208 BC)—substantiate Scripture’s reliability. Philosophical and Behavioral Considerations The revelation’s transformational power is empirically observable: persecutor becomes missionary; intra-ethnic hostility yields to sacrificial love (Ephesians 2:14-18). Long-term studies on conversion (e.g., 2021 Baylor ISR survey) demonstrate marked decreases in antisocial behavior and increases in altruism among those embracing Paul’s gospel, echoing Romans 12:2. Pastoral and Missional Implications Because the mystery is fully revealed, believers may approach God “with confidence” (Ephesians 3:12) and proclaim reconciliation to all peoples. The church embodies the manifold wisdom of God to “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:10). Summary The mystery was made known to Paul through a constellation of revelatory events initiated by the risen Christ, clarified by ongoing visions, and validated by the Spirit through Scripture, miracles, apostolic concurrence, and historical evidence. Preserved in reliable manuscripts and confirmed by archaeology, this revelation centers on the gospel that unites Jew and Gentile in one redeemed body, urging every generation to trust in Christ alone and glorify God eternally. |
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