Theme:
"the gospel I preached is not of human origin" v.11b
Supporting ideas:
(1) Not from humans
a. It is not possible that Paul would change from his former way of life if it is not from God v.13-14, 23-24
1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it. 1:14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors
v.23 They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy.” 1:24 So they glorified God because of me
Reflection: Paul described himself as "extremely zealous." But this is also the same reason that people glorified God after his conversion. When we shared the Gospel some people strongly oppose the Gospel. Some people do not oppose on the surface, but they passively show no interest. From Paul's example, I don't think we should be discouraged by them. When they accept Christ we can glorify God because of their conversion, because there is no other reason that these people will change except by God.
3 brothers from 3CW just been baptized. One of the testimonies mentioned that he was a strong atheist. He could not believe in anything without reasoning, or logic. The other testimony mentioned that he used to love to have Bible study, prayer meetings and worship with Christians together, but he could not accept the death and resurrection of Jesus. It took 40 years until God showed him that he was a sinner through circumstances in his life. At last, the youngest among them testified that how he was waiting for the revelation of God to tell him to believe in Him. He found that God had already given him so much evidence. It was just his lack of thankfulness that he thought he needed to see more. They were very good examples of the active and passive opposers of the Gospel, but they all came to Christ at the end. Praise God!
b. Paul did not contact other apostles for 3 years after his conversion v.18-19. This is the only place in NT to tell us that he actually went to Arabia after he left Damascus v.17. Perhaps Paul was trying to clarify some of the misconception that his opponent had put on him. He did not receive the Gospel, or learn the Gospel from any human source v.12. Not did he go to ask advice from any human being v.16-17.
(2) from the revelation of Jesus Christ
It was the grace of God that he got the revelation v.12, 15.
a. I do not think there is anything wrong that we heard the Gospel from any human being. As a matter of fact, the only way most Christians know about Jesus Christ was from other Christians, not from direct revelation of Jesus Christ. However, in Paul's unique situation (people questioned about his Gospel vs "the other gospel" 1: 6-9) he needed to prove that he was right and his opponent was wrong.
b. Both in v.6 and 15 Paul mentioned that God called people by the grace.
v.6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel
Paul was astonished that Galatians deserting God who called them to be saved (by the grace of Christ's salvation).
v.15 But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased 1:16 to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles.
God set Paul apart to be His apostles and therefore, called him to serve Him.
Reflection: No matter it is our salvation or our ministry we do not deserve to have them. It is only the grace of God that we are saved and we can serve Him now. I am humbled and thankful to God.
Audrey
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