Different By Design

Introduction

A while ago, I ran across the idea of corn pudding. It is a southern side dish that seemed to be an alternative to corn bread and I thought it might be good to try. So, I asked the internet how to make it. Even if you don’t cook, you’d think the recipes would be similar. But no, some of them were wildly different from each other. I had never even had it, let alone made, and now I was trying to decide which recipe looked right to me. Honestly, it was frustrating. I picked two, made one and hoped for the best.

I liked it, but everyone else kinda passed. So, it probably didn’t matter.

But it highlights a common issue that comes up in our lives: who do we trust to tell us things we need to know? Whose authority do we recognize in a given area? It actually comes up all the time.

When it comes to news, do you believe CNN or Fox News?

When it comes to information, do you believe Wikipedia or a Book?

When it comes to your car do you believe the dealership, your mechanic, or your uncle?

This is the same issue that Paul was having to address with the Galatians. Who should they trust to teach them about faith in God? Sure Paul may have led them to Christ, but he was not there and these other teachers seem to have pretty good credentials. And—as it sounds like they pointed out—Paul’s credentials may not have been as good. Who really sent Paul anyway?

Paul hinted at why his authority was superior in verse 1

Read Galatians 1:1

Transition

As we look at the second half of Galatians 1, we find Paul directly addressing the question of his authority and defending why the Galatians should trust him over these other teachers.

Illumination

The Source of Paul’s Message, 11-12

Galatians 1:11–12 NKJV

11 But I make known to you, 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 it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Not from to any man, regardless of pedigree

From Jesus Christ Himself. Like the other Apostles, even if the timing and delivery was different (and separate).

The Source of Paul’s Training, 13-17

Galatians 1:13–17 NKJV

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

He mentions his past, hinting at his training, but doesn’t claim it as the basis of his authority, 13-14. This is interesting, all things considered

Acts 22:3 NKJV

3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

Paul’s training, like Paul’s calling were directly from God

He mentions his calling, which reaches back to his conversion, which was also quite different.

Acts 26:15–18 NKJV

15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

He mentions his training, which was different, too

Ephesians 3:1–3 NKJV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,

Both Moses and Elijah went to the desert to learn from God and come back with His message. This statement carries more weight with the Jewish elements of his audience than it does to us.

Someone said “Paul went to Arabia with the Law and the prophets and came out with Romans and Galatians!”

He mentions that after Arabia, he went back home.

The Source of Paul’s Validation, 18-24

Galatians 1:18–24 NKJV

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) 21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

Peter and James in Jerusalem

There was no fanfare with his meeting

He refers to James as an Apostle, which no one would argue, ensuring that his audience remembered there were more Apostles than the 12.

15 days was plenty of time to validate Paul’s knowledge

The churches in Judea

They celebrated his conversion and his message

They did not actually know him personally, Paul was not seeking to become a celebrity.

Conclusion

Everything about Paul’s message, training, and validation was superior to anything his “adversaries” had or could have had. It was different, but that does not make it inferior. It was different because God’s plan for him was different than it was for any of the other Apostles.

Application

Far from a theoretical conversation, this applies to us because we have to ask who do we trust? There are always competing voices. The authority we need is in the Scripture itself and carries through to when that is faithfully and accurately taught.