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"It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Text: Galatians 1:12b

THE ORIGIN OF PAUL’S GOSPEL MESSAGE

Paul defended strenuously that his knowledge of the gospel came as a revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

For I neither received it from man,
nor was I taught it,
but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:12

1. “For I neither received it from man”

a) The gospel message came from the Lord Jesus Christ to His chosen disciples.

b) Some of these disciples were appointed apostles.

c) Knowledge of the gospel was passed from the apostles to disciples.

d) But Paul was not one of the original disciples.

e) Neither did he receive his knowledge from any man.

i) This was something the false teachers latched on in their attack against Paul.

ii) Since Paul was not an original disciple, therefore the gospel he preached was suspect.

iii) Paul rejected this line of thought.

2. “Nor was I taught it”

a) The apostles had their own followings.

b) People were proud that they had heard the gospel from the apostles.

c) Some even took pride that the apostles had personally taught them.

d) But Paul was not one of the disciples taught, therefore his message was of doubtful significance.

e) Paul also rejected this line of reasoning.

3. “But it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ”

a) Paul was not decrying the validity of the other apostles.

b) His own ministry was not invalid or inferior just because he was not taught by the original apostles.

c) Paul’s source of knowledge was to be traced to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

d) The Lord Jesus was his Teacher.

i) Christ revealed Himself to Paul personally.

ii) The source of his knowledge was revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

iii) This made his message and ministry just as valid and authoritative as the other apostles.