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May 31, 2005 “11 But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.” (Galatians 1:11-20) Paul was taught the Gospel by “revelation of Jesus Christ”. His testimony tells us that no man taught Paul what he needed to preach. It was God who selected Paul; knowing everything he would put him through and knowing what Paul would face and survive during his ministry. Paul went to Arabia for three years. It was there he was taught of God. I have to smile when I think of what is taught there now; certainly not the Christian God. It was important for Paul to establish his credentials as an Apostle. He was a killer and a destroyer of the faith. He was a zealous Jew; very traditional in his “religion”. He learned the way of faith from God. This is a point that I and others try to make in this forum. There is so much misrepresentation of what is being discussed by those of us who declare personal faith in Jesus Christ. Some of us, I suppose, qualify our faith in Christ with the particular religion we came to learn Christ through. I do not do that. I speak to the faith of the individual, apart from any influencing dogma of particular religions. This is what Paul is declaring. God knocked him off his horse and had him witnessed to. He believed, and then went to be taught of God. He spent the same number of years in Syria (Arabia) as the other Apostles spent being directly taught of Jesus while he conducted his three year ministry in Israel. Paul was as well taught as the other Apostles. He could call himself and Apostle “born out of due time”. Paul did not consult with men. He was a Pharisee; knowing the Prophets of Israel and the Law of Moses. He had the background that God could readily use to help Jews relate to the Messiah they had rashly cut down. When Paul finally did meet the other Apostles, there was no difference found in the knowledge of Paul and the knowledge of Peter and the others. Each recognized other as those who truly knew Christ. The question: “How do you know you are saved?” is very easy to answer for one being taught by “revelation of Christ”. Christians have it so easy these days. We do not have to climb mountains, cross rivers, travel deserts or even drive long distances. When we want to know about God, we pick up the revelation handed down from those who walked and talked with Jesus. Paul wrote: “20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.” I believe that. ------------ Email Skip: skiptoomaloo@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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