The Story Begins: Galatians 1:11-12
“11) For I would have you know, 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 I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12
Paul now defends the gospel by alluding to his personal conversion story. Not unlike Moses who was directly recruited by the Angel of the Lord speaking to him at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4), Saul of Tarsus was directly recruited by Jesus Christ when a bright light shone around Him on the road to Damascus and Jesus spoke to Him. (Acts 9) The comparison is stunning. Both were addressed twice by name and both were given Divine Revelation.
This is so appropriate. Moses was entrusted with the Law, while Saul was given the gospel of grace that fulfilled the Law. Moses led the Children of Israel out from slavery to Egypt while Paul led people out of slavery to sin. Moses was a central figure in writing the Old Testament while Paul became a central figure in writing the New Testament.
The point Paul was making in Galatians 1:11-12 is well taken, the gospel he preached was not of human origin. He received it by a Divine revelation of Jesus Christ. Nothing short of His testimony could explain the conversion and transformation of Saul of Tarsus. He moved quickly from being the persecutor of the church to the author and defender of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith and defender of the true gospel.
The abbreviated comparison I gave of Moses and Paul is amusing. Nothing short of his unusual testimony would set Paul up to define and defend the gospel. His credentials as the Apostle to the Gentiles can be traced back to his amazing conversion story.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
