The Origin of Paul’s Gospel. Galatians 1:11-12.
Dear Members of the Household of Faith,
The Apostle Paul is unique among the apostles of the Lord Jesus because he is the only one who was not with the rest from “the baptism of John to that day when He (the Lord) was up” (Acts 1:22). This would have caused doubt in some as to his apostolic credentials and it seems some had voiced their opinion. Paul defends his right to the apostolic office by revealing the source of the gospel he preached:
Where it Did not Originate (vv. 11-12b). Here, Paul mentions three important things about the gospel he preached – that it, Neither Was the Invention of Man meaning that it was not someone who came up with a great idea and decided to pass it on to others, Paul included,
Nor Was Paul’s Commission by Man Here Paul sets himself apart from the apostles of the churches, who had been commissioned by the churches to preach the gospel. Their authority derived from the churches, which in turn looked to the apostles of Christ for direction.
Nor Was the Instruction by Man Here, Paul dismisses any possibility that one of the other apostles could have been his instructor.
Where it Did Originate (v. 12b). Paul states that he received the gospel he preaches “through the revelation of Jesus Christ”. This not only establishes the genuineness and purity of the gospel he preaches, but it also places Paul at par with the other apostles. It is as if to say, They received the gospel and their commissioning from the Lord Jesus, so did I.
In the coming discussions, this will become key to Paul’s arguments.
It matters where one receives the gospel from and it matters who commissions a preacher.
One of the questions I think we should ask of modern-day apostles is, Who commissioned you? There is no option for self-commission.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.