Jesus' Personal Instruction to the Apostle Paul
Jesus' Personal Instruction to the Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul's conversion and subsequent ministry were significantly influenced by Jesus' personal instruction to him. This instruction came through a revelation of Jesus Christ, as Paul himself notes in Galatians 1:12, where he states that he received the gospel "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" [4, 5]. The event of Paul's conversion is recorded in Acts 9:1-19, where it is described as a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus [7].
Paul's testimony about his conversion and commissioning is consistent across his letters. In Galatians 1:16, he writes that God was pleased to reveal His Son in him, so that he might preach among the Gentiles [3]. This revelation was not mediated through human agency; rather, Paul received his understanding of the gospel directly from Jesus Christ. The significance of this direct revelation is underscored by Paul's assertion that he did not consult with any human being immediately after his conversion, instead going to Arabia before returning to Damascus [3].
The nature of Paul's instruction from Jesus is further illuminated by his writings, which show a deep understanding of Jesus' teachings. For example, in Romans 12:14, Paul exhorts believers to bless those who persecute them, a clear allusion to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-28 [6]. This demonstrates that Paul's instruction from Jesus was not limited to his conversion experience but was part of a broader understanding of Jesus' teachings that guided his ministry.
The early Christian tradition, as reflected in the writings of the Church Fathers and various biblical commentaries, underscores the importance of Paul's conversion and his direct instruction by Jesus. The fact that Paul's gospel was not derived from human sources but from a divine revelation underscores the authority of his apostleship and the authenticity of his message [4, 5].
In following Jesus, Paul exemplified the self-denial and cross-bearing that Jesus taught his disciples. Jesus' instruction to his disciples, as recorded in Matthew 16:24, to "deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow" him, is a call to a life of sacrificial discipleship [1, 2]. Paul's own life and ministry embodied this principle, as he faced persecution and hardship for the sake of the gospel.
The significance of Jesus' personal instruction to Paul lies not only in the content of that instruction but also in its implications for Paul's role in the early Christian church. As one who was directly commissioned by Jesus, Paul's authority as an apostle was established on a firm foundation, independent of human mediation [3, 4]. This direct commissioning underscores the universal scope of Jesus' mission and the inclusive nature of the gospel, which Paul was instrumental in proclaiming to the Gentiles.
The historical and theological significance of Jesus' instruction to Paul is a testament to the enduring impact of their encounter. It highlights the dynamic and personal nature of Jesus' engagement with his followers, even beyond his earthly ministry. As Paul's writings continue to be a cornerstone of Christian theology and practice, the personal instruction he received from Jesus remains a vital part of the Christian tradition, shaping understandings of discipleship, apostleship, and the spread of the gospel.
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 16:24 (Tyndale) — Iesus then sayde to his disciples. If eny man wyll folowe me leet him forsake him sylfe and take vp his crosse and folowe me.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 16:24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples--Mark (Mar 8:34) says, "When He had called the people unto Him, with His disciples also, He said unto them"--turning the rebuke of one into a warning to all. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 1:16: 1:16b-20 Paul was taught by the Lord directly and did not . . . consult with any human being, even the other apostles. Paul was independent from the other apostles yet in harmony with them (2:1-10).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 1:12: 1:12 no human source . . . no one taught me: Jewish scholars primarily depended on teachers. The Judaizers argued that Paul had received his commission and message from the other apostles, but then had unfaithfully changed the message. • I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ: See 1:17; Acts 9:3-15; 26:12-18. Paul’s unique experience gave him distinctive authority and insight. But he learned other matters, such as the life of Christ, from others (e.g., Gal 1:18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; 15:3-11).”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 1:12: Translate, "For not even did I myself (any more than the other apostles) receive it from man, nor was I taught it (by man)." "Received it," implies the absence of labor in acquiring it. "Taught it," implies the labor of learning. by the revelation of Jesus Christ--Translate, "by revelation of [that is, from] Jesus Christ." By His revealing it to me. Probably this took place during the three years, in part of which he sojourned in Arabia (Gal 1:17-18), in the vicinity of the scene of the giving of the law; a fit place for such a revelation of the G”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:14: 12:14 The exhortations in this verse closely resemble two sayings of Jesus (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). Although Paul does not introduce the commands as a quotation, he is almost certainly alluding to these sayings of Christ. Perhaps the words were so well known that he did not need to specify the source. The teaching of Rom 12–13 has many parallels with the teaching of Jesus.”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 9:1: 9:1-19 The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road is of central importance to the narrative of Acts—Luke recounts the story three times (also 22:1-21; 26:1-29). Paul (Saul) also alludes to this experience several times in his letters (1 Cor 15:8-10; Gal 1:11-17; Phil 3:4-11; see 1 Tim 1:12-17). Saul’s conversion was his prophetic call and commission as an apostle (Acts 9:15; 22:15, 21; 26:15-18). No one is beyond the power of God to reach, redeem, and use for holy purposes—nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Paul was prepared through his training, ”