Paul, The Real Deal-How Bout You?

Paul, the Real Deal-How Bout You? Galatians 1:11-24NKJ

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

False teachers sought to undermined Paul’s Spiritual credentials, however he set out to defend his apostleship, explaining once again that he was appointed by God and not by men. Paul was an apostle, “one sent with a commission.” The apostles of Jesus Christ- the 12 and Paul- were special ambassadors or messengers chosen and trained by Christ to lay the foundation of the early church and be the channels of God’s completed revelation, not from men...but through Jesus Christ. To defend his apostleship against false teachers’ attack, Paul emphasized that Christ Himself appointed him as an apostle before he met the other apostles.

Verse 11-12 say’s, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Listen to Paul’s initial calling: Acts 9:3-9NKJ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Paul could have said it this way, “Christ revealed Himself to me; He took the veil off my eyes, and my heart was completely opened!”

Verse 11 again,... that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

The gospel Paul preached was not of human origin or it would have been like all human religion, permeated with works-righteousness born of man’s pride and satan’s deception.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

...the gospel of Christ, This wasn’t normal human desire. Paul had been imprisoned in Philippi, (Acts 16:23-24) He had been chased out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:10) Smuggled out of Bera (Acts 17:14) Laughed at in Athens (Acts 17:32) Regarded as a fool in Corinth (1 Cor.1:18,23) Stoned in Galatia (Acts 14:19) Neither ridicule, criticism, nor physical persecution could curb Paul’s desire to preach the gospel of Christ.

Verse 12 of Galatians 1, For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it,

The Judaizers received their religious instruction from tradition. Most Jews didn’t study the actual Scriptures; instead they used human interpretations of Scriptures as their religious authority and guide.

Jesus addressed these kind of people in Mark 7:13NKJ making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Deception through tradition)