“17 Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. 18 For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, 19a by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit.”
Paul, speaking of his own experience, reminds his readers that everything, including what we accomplish in obedience to Christ, comes from God. Every good work that we do, and every act of obedience is possible because of what Christ first accomplished for us in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, and through the Holy Spirit.
“Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God. It is not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” — 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
At the very same time, though, once one realizes that all they have comes from God, one can have confidence, joy, and pride in the work that they are doing. For example, what work has been accomplished through Paul “for the obedience of the Gentiles” (v. 18b)? God was accomplishing many miraculous signs and wonders through him. Paul says that by the power of these signs and wonders, many Gentiles are believing and following in obedience to God. Below are some examples of miracles worked through Paul that caused unbelievers to respond with repentance and become believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of these examples provide evidence of Jews who came to believe in the gospel, and others for Gentiles. Each of these examples were important in the formation of Paul as an Apostle to the Gentiles, and with each passing miracle, those onlooking Gentiles who were among God’s elect would come to faith in Jesus.
- The Damascus Road (Acts 9) – The first miracle recorded involving Paul was not one performed by Paul, but rather a miracle that resulted in Paul’s own salvation. Paul was self-reported as the most zealous of Pharisees, one who persecuted Christ’s church (Acts 22:3, Philippians 3:4-6). Paul, at that time called Saul, was saved when Jesus directly intervened, appearing to him on the road to Damascus.
“As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”” — Acts 9:3-6
Luke records for us that once Paul was with the disciples in Damascus, he immediately began proclaiming Jesus. (See Acts 9:19-21) This had a profound effect on those who heard his testimony. Many people knew who Paul was, the evil things he had done, and how he was persecuting Christians. To see him so quickly changed was a miracle that caused many to have faith.
- Bar-Jesus Stricken With Blindness (Acts 13:4-12) – In this story, Paul is seen defending the gospel against an evil man named Elymas, who opposed Paul and tried to turn the observing proconsul away from the faith. Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed:
“‘You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil and enemy of all that is right. Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.’ Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.” — Acts 13:9b-11
As a result of this miraculous wonder performed by Paul, and the teaching of the Lord done through Paul, the observing proconsul believed!
“Then, when he saw what happened, the proconsul believed, because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” — Acts 13:12
- Paul and Silas Freed From Prison (Acts 16:25-34) – After freeing a slave girl from demon possession, Paul and Silas find themselves imprisoned, stripped of their clothes, beaten with rods and severely flogged. The jailer was ordered to guard them carefully, so he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in stocks. Things looked pretty bleak. Then came the miracle:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.” — Acts 16:25-26
Paul and Silas were provided freedom by this earthquake which was ordained by God. The story doesn’t end here, though. When the jailer awoke and saw that the prison doors were open, he was about to kill himself.
“But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we’re all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”” — Acts 16:28-30
This miracle, and the kindness shown to him by Paul and Silas shook him so much that he was brought to his knees, and wanted to change the way he lived.
“They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household.” — Acts 16:31-34
Now it is likely true that most Christians through acts of obedience in service to God will not encounter miracles such as these. However, Paul has already told us that every sinner who repents and believes in the gospel has already experienced a miracle. Every time we bring the gospel of good news to those who are God’s elect, when they respond by confessing, “Jesus is Lord”, and believing in Jesus’ resurrection, we are experiencing a miracle first hand! It may not always seem like the work we are doing for God, the work which He enables us to do, is all that glamorous or important, but to God it is. Not to mention, this work serves to grow us in our understanding and obedience to God as well. So, it is in this way that we can see all our faith and ability comes from God, yet God will use us to reflect His glory and accomplish a miraculous and necessary work, one in which we can be filled with joy.