Galatians 1:11-24
Q.1. From where did Paul’s Gospel originate? Did his Gospel relate to his past convictions? To whom was he called to preach? – (Gal.1:11-16)
Paul’s Gospel was the same as that of the apostles. However, he did not get it from others – nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal.1:12). His message was not what he grew up with in Judaism. In fact, he reminded his readers – I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Gal.1:13). He had been extremely zealous about advancing Judaism. Then he was converted – 15 when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles … (Gal.1:15-16). Paul was at pains to point out that his Gospel originated with Christ and not even the apostles, though they totally agreed with it (Gal.1:16 c.f. Eph.2:20).
Q.2. Was Paul’s Gospel influenced by the apostles? What happened after his conversion? Does his account agree with Acts? – (Gal.1:17-24)
Paul went on to fill in details of his movements after his conversion. He did this to show that his Gospel was from God and not men (Gal.1:11-17). Though the chronology that Paul gave in Galatians appears to differ from Luke’s in the book of Acts, they are obviously the same. The confusion appears because the accounts are not comprehensive. Both books record numerous happenings that took place over many years. Each book includes and omits events that fall outside of the purpose of the authors. However, It is inconceivable that Paul was lying about his version of events when he recorded – 16 … I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia and returned once more to Damascus …20 Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying (Gal.1:16-17, 20). Acts only alludes to Paul’s stay in Arabia while at Damascus, by recording – Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus … (Acts 9:19). Paul was variously at Damascus and Arabia and wrote – 18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother (Gal.1:18-19 c.f. Acts 9:26-27). He avoided a confrontation with those who knew him in Judea and went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Gal.1:21 c.f. Gal.1:13-14). That is why he made the point that – I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were glorifying God because of me (Gal.1:22-24). Paul was eventually affirmed by Barnabas who – took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27). When they heard that the Jews were planning to kill Paul, they took him via Caesarea to his hometown of Tarsus (Acts 9:29-30).