Not Matthew, Mark, or Luke; nor Peter, James, or John, but Paul alone wrote Romans 11:13 by divine inspiration:
“FOR I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES [or OF THE NATIONS] INASMUCH AS I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES [NATIONS]: I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE” (Rom.11:13).
Note well that Paul did not magnify himself, but his office, to which he had been appointed by the glorified Lord Himself. In defending his apostleship before the Galatians he wrote:
“But I certify you, brethren, THAT THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED OF ME is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST” (Gal. 1:11,12).
In many other passages the apostle claims to speak as a direct representative of Christ (See I Corinthians 11:23; 15:3; Ephesians 3:2,3; I Thessalonians 4:15; etc.).
To Timothy, Paul wrote concerning his own writings: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing…” (ITim. 6:3,4). This could not indicate more emphatically Paul’s claim that HIS WORDS WERE “THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST”, RECEIVED FROM HIM BY DIRECT REVELATION.
To the Corinthians, who questioned this, the Apostle wrote:
“…IF I COME AGAIN I WILL NOT SPARE, SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME” (IICor.13:2,3).
The proof of this claim? This was overwhelming indeed, for Paul was used more than any other apostle to found churches and lead men into the knowledge and joy of salvation. To the believers at Corinth he wrote what he could have written to many thousands of others: “THE SEAL OF MINE APOSTLESHIP ARE YE IN THE LORD” (ICor.9:2). C. S.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.
Dear Mr. Blue,
I am thankful for your recent blog post! Thank you for writing as much.
I am currently reading your book, “Authority to Heal.” My 3.5 year old son, Peter, was diagnosed with moderate autism one month ago. After furtive research lots of sadness and worry, I have come to grips with the fact that I need to seek God and as Him to heal my boy (and guide me to those who can help him heal). I am very, very new to this concept of biblical healing, and I wonder if you had any current resources or helps for encouragement during this difficult time. I do believe that God can and will heal my boy, but I also am very alone in this in many ways. Still, I have hope through the scriptures and through the fellowship of believers as well.
Thank you very much,
Laura Bazal