What did the Apostle Paul make such a big deal about in his ministry?
The Apostle Paul made much of having seen and heard the resurrected Christ and of preaching Christ crucified, buried, risen, and ascended. His ministry centered on the work of the cross, which he said was the pinnacle of information, unlike the pre-cross Gospels and Jewish epistles.
Les explains that Paul made such a big deal over his having seen and heard all these things from the resurrected Christ. He contrasts Paul's message with the Gospels, which record Christ before the work of the cross, under the Law, and with Peter's early Acts ministry. Paul, however, talks only about the crucified, buried, and risen Lord who is now ascended to glory. Les also points out that the little Jewish epistles—James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1 and 2 John, Jude, and Revelation—do not even mention the word cross. For Paul, the cross is the pinnacle; he preaches Christ crucified, and that is all he knows—the work of the cross.