DISCOVERING THE POST-ACTS MINISTRY OF PAUL

Next to Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul stands as the most influential figure in the Bible. He is credited with writing over half of the books in the New Testament, and his two ministries covered a span of approximately thirty years. Wait, Paul had TWO ministries?

A compelling question arises: Why did the risen Lord choose Paul when He already had twelve apostles? Clearly, Christ had a special plan and purpose for Paul that was unique and could not be fulfilled by the others. Only Paul was given a post-Acts ministry to the Gentiles.

Paul, originally known by his Hebrew name Saul, experienced a dramatic conversion from a zealous persecutor to a devoted believer in Acts chapter nine. His background equipped him with several unique advantages. Paul was both a Hebrew and a freeborn Roman citizen, which gave him access to multiple communities. He was fluent in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and had received legal training in the Laws of Moses. Additionally, he was raised among the Gentiles in Tarsus, further broadening his perspective and reach.

During the period covered by the Book of Acts, Paul’s ministry was focused on bearing witness to Christ before three distinct groups: the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. These groups were often at odds with one another. Throughout the Acts period, Paul undertook three missionary journeys and authored seven of his fourteen epistles: Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Hebrews, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and Romans. His teachings emphasized salvation by grace in contrast to the law. And “the just shall live by faith”. Paul also endured five years of confinement, with the last two spent in Rome, because of his radical teaching.

The biblical history of the Jews concludes at the end of Acts. God postponed all His dealings with Israel so that He could offer salvation to all nations. This is a secret part of His plan not revealed before in Scriptures and is independent of His covenant relationship with Israel. The Bible is not silent about our present age of grace, which is a parenthetical non-Jewish period after The Acts ended. The salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles by John’s Gospel.

It is evident from his writings that Paul composed a second set of seven epistles after The Acts: Titus, 1 Timothy, Philippians, Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, and 2 Timothy. These letters suggest that Paul undertook a fourth missionary journey and was apprehended again, which resulted in his final imprisonment. Paul was given a post-Acts ministry and gospel.

After the close of Acts, a mystery was revealed to Paul regarding the calling out of the Body of Christ. This mystery is made known only to the saints in Christ. Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and 2 Timothy are known as the Prison Epistles, which document Paul’s superlative description of the doctrine and purpose of the post-Acts Body of Christ.

Paul's second ministry, as outlined in these later Epistles, remains largely unrecognized in traditional Christian doctrine. They contain significant present truths that continue to be overlooked by many because they fail to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).