Apostle by Revelation: Why Paul’s Ministry Still Raises Eyebrows

23 Aug

Few figures in Christian history evoke as much admiration—and ambivalence—as St Paul. Heralded as the Apostle to the Gentiles, architect of early Christian theology, and tireless missionary, Paul’s legacy is monumental. Yet from the very beginning, his apostleship was met with hesitation, and even today, some believers instinctively hold his ministry at arm’s length. Why?

A Late Arrival

Paul’s journey began not with Jesus of Nazareth, but with a blinding light on the road to Damascus—some six years after the Ascension. Unlike Peter, James, and John, Paul never walked with Christ in Galilee, nor witnessed the Resurrection firsthand. This temporal gap became a theological fault line.

“Last of all… he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles…”
—1 Corinthians 15:8–9

Paul himself acknowledges his unusual entry into apostolic ministry. The Greek term ektroma (“abnormally born”) evokes a sense of premature or unnatural emergence—an apostle not by birthright, but by divine interruption.

Apostolic Credentials Under Fire

In Corinth, Paul faced critics who questioned his authority. His response is both defensive and revealing:

“Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my workmanship in the Lord?”
—1 Corinthians 9:1–2

The rhetorical questions suggest that Paul’s legitimacy was not universally accepted. His appeal to personal revelation and pastoral fruit underscores a ministry built on divine encounter, not institutional endorsement.

Not Sent by Men

Paul’s epistle to the Galatians opens with a striking declaration:

“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father…”
—Galatians 1:1

This is no mere theological flourish. It’s a rebuttal to those who saw him as self-appointed or lacking apostolic lineage. Paul insists that his commissioning bypassed human mediation entirely.

“I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”
—Galatians 1:12

Here, Paul draws a sharp line between his gospel and the traditions of the Jerusalem Church. It’s a claim to spiritual independence—and a source of ecclesial tension.

A Tense Meeting in Jerusalem

When Paul finally met the pillars of the Church—Peter, James, and John—the encounter was cordial but cautious.

“As for those who were held in high esteem… they added nothing to my message.”
—Galatians 2:6

Paul’s tone is telling. He respects their status but resists subordination. The apostles, in turn, recognise his mission to the Gentiles, but the relationship remains diplomatically distant.

“They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.”
—Galatians 2:9

This division of labour affirms Paul’s calling, yet subtly reinforces his outsider status.

The “Super-Apostles”

In Corinth, Paul confronts rivals he calls “super-apostles”—a term dripping with irony.

“I do not think I am in the least inferior to those ‘super-apostles.’”
—2 Corinthians 11:5

Whether these were the Twelve or charismatic leaders claiming superior authority, Paul’s need to assert himself reveals ongoing scepticism about his role.

Why the Doubts Persist

Even today, some Christians approach Paul with caution. His writings are dense, his tone occasionally abrasive, and his views—especially on gender and sexuality—are often contested. But beneath the controversy lies a deeper discomfort: Paul did not fit the mold. He was not chosen during Jesus’ earthly ministry. He was a persecutor turned preacher, a mystic with no earthly mentor.

And yet, perhaps that is precisely why his ministry matters.

Apostleship Reimagined

Paul’s story challenges the Church to rethink what it means to be called. His apostleship was not inherited—it was revealed. Not ratified by men—but confirmed by fruit. His life is a testament to grace that interrupts, commissions that confound, and vocations that emerge from the margins.

In a Church that seeks to welcome the unexpected, Paul remains both a scandal and a sign.

FR. G. V. W. LEWIS

Fr. G. V. W. Lewis serves the Old Catholic Church as a priest incardinated in the Canons Regular of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (CRSHJ), where he holds the office of Superior General and Vicar‑General for the CRSHJ in the United Kingdom, since 2019. His ministry is marked by a calm, steady authority rooted in prayer, fidelity to the Wider Church of Christ’s tradition, and a deep pastoral concern for those entrusted to his care. As Principal of the Academy of Priestly Studies, he guides seminarians, clergy, and lay collaborators with a clear vision of priestly life grounded in holiness, intellectual formation, and compassionate service. His leadership blends theological depth with practical wisdom, forming ministers who can preach, teach, and accompany God’s people with integrity.

Fr. Lewis is widely recognised for his ability to craft texts that unite doctrinal clarity with beauty. His work spans canonical documents, liturgical resources, devotional materials, and creative projects that draw from the Wider Church’s rich artistic heritage. Whether shaping prayers, designing visual materials, or developing formation programmes, he approaches each task with reverence and a desire to make the faith accessible and compelling.

Alongside his responsibilities, he remains committed to pastoral outreach, especially among the bereaved and those in care. His writing reflects the same qualities that mark his ministry and personality: gentle, steady, compassionate, gregarious, good-humoured, and a conviction that God’s grace is at work in every human story.