Galatians 1:11-17
“For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.15 But when He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.”
Revelation of Jesus Christ: Paul had a direct encounter with Jesus and learned from Him. This revelation caused Paul’s radical change from advancing in Judaism and persecuting Christians to resting in God’s grace and reaching the world.
Traditions: Paul was hindered by traditions to the point that he would kill Christians. This is a warning to watch out for tradition. We are to not base our faith on tradition but rather the Gospel of grace. Denominations and various leaders do not hold the ultimate authority. This is why Christians are to consult the Scriptures as their final authority and allow them to point to Jesus’s finished work.
Set apart: God had a plan for Paul from the very beginning. He wanted everyone, Jew and Gentile, to see Jesus in Paul as he spread the Gospel message to the world.
