The Father's Word Prevails

Paul had a great confidence that enabled him to carry out his apostolic ministry. It was not a confidence in himself or his abilities, nor was it a confidence in his hearers being able or willing to hear and understand. Rather, it was in the purposes of the Father in election, and in His unswerving commitment to bring those whom He had chosen to a full saving knowledge of the truth in His Son Jesus Christ.
The power of the Gospel to those who believe is not in persuasive rhetoric, or even in the fact that it is an accurate presentation of the historical reality of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. It is in the fact of the Father's purpose from before Creation. All of history testifies to this. As participators in the apostolic church (Eph 2:20) we too can have the same confidence as we hold out the word of life to our generation.