The gospel not of human origin but by revelation

Galatians 1:11-24

Key verses: Galatians 1:11, 12 ¹¹ I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. ¹² I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

I came across these verses recently, was mindful of them and decided to share today.

Paul continues in verses 13 – 24 that his life was dramatically changed from the persecutor to the preacher.

See verse 23.

²³ They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’

After he was changed dramatically, he didn’t consult any human being (16). He received the gospel not by education but by revelation (12).

Paul was not one of 12 apostles of Jesus, but he was recognized by them. See Galatians 2:7-8.

⁷ On the contrary, they recognised that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. ⁸ For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.

If the gospel can be known by revelation, why do I make effort to teach the gospel?

I. God is pleased with evangelism

See 1 Corinthians 1:21.

²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

God is pleased with our evangelism and uses it to save them!

II. It is God’s command

See Matthew 28:18-20.

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

References

[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition.). London: Hodder & Stoughton.