Galatians 1:11–17 (ESV): 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Paul is a fascinating character in the Bible. A man who was a scholar of the Old Testament and at the beginnings of Christianity, a persecutor of Jesus Christ (Acts 9). Paul was met by Christ on the road to Damascus, radically converted, and then commissioned to go preach the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. But not immediately.
The Gospel of Christ did not come to Paul by the mouths of men, but of a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. Paul went on to Arabia and seemed tarry there for three years learning from Christ as the previous apostles had done. Yet, Paul was sent to the Gentiles.
After this period of spiritual learning and solitude, Paul goes on to Jerusalem to find the Gospel he was entrusted with was the same Gospel Peter and James were given.
Jesus’ Gospel is the true Gospel. It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Jesus saves sinners like that of Paul, who called himself chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul went on to say here in Galatians that many rejoiced in the conversion of such a man who once persecuted the church (Gal. 1:23). A true testimony of the saving power of Christ.
Christ’s Gospel is powerful. It changes lives. It saves sinners. It is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Have you been changed? If so, go to your place of solitude and be taught by Christ through His word. Seek godly council, teachers, and preachers who will pour their lives into you and teach you the truths of Christ. Then go tell the world of Jesus!
