Section 7
church. Paul preached message after message telling people about God's economy. He taught that Christ is the mystery of God and that the church is the mystery of Christ. In this way, he confirmed the gospel by making the posi tive goal of the gospel clear to all who received it.
Today there is also the urgent need for the defense and confirmation of the gospel. If we do this, however, we shall meet opposition. Both the defense of the gospel and the confirmation of the gospel are difficult tasks and heavy bur dens.
EXPERIENTIAL GRACE
Because of the defense and confirmation of the gospel, Paul was persecuted, arrested, and imprisoned. The responsibility given to him to defend and confirm the gospel required a divine supply. It could not be carried out by ordinary means. Paul needed the divine strengthening and energizing. This divine strength and energy is the Triune God Himself. As Paul was de fending the gospel and confirming it, God was with him to supply him. Furthermore, Paul was suffering persecution, mockery, and ridi cule. No ordinary human being can bear such