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Authors: Gerard and Bernie Robinson, from Charis in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Paul writes to the Galatians, “…and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days.” (Galatians 1:14-18)

Jesus had many disciples, but from them he chose 12 Apostles. They were the leaders of the church trained by Jesus himself, commissioned, and sent out to witness to the resurrection and to preach the Gospel. This “apostolic faith” is still the basis of orthodox Christianity today. Since Paul had not been one of the original twelve, was his gospel message legitimate? On whose authority was he preaching and founding Christian communities among the pagans?

In today’s scripture Paul is laying out his credentials for the title of Apostle to the Gentiles. He had been a Jewish Pharisee trained in the law and Old Testament scriptures. The Risen Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and so qualified him as an eyewitness to the resurrection. The Holy Spirit taught him for three years in the desert of Arabia before he went to Jerusalem to seek the other Apostles approval. So his good news of God’s grace to the gentiles was taught to him by God himself and his authority came from God. His acceptance by the other Apostles later on was just the icing on the cake.

Paul’s confidence in his calling and commission from God is an encouragement and a challenge to us to prayerfully seek out God’s plans for our lives. With whom is God calling you to live out your discipleship and in what ways can you serve Him best in your daily life? Like Paul, pray and actively seek God’s guidance and clarity so that you will be able to live your Christian life in the confidence that you have been called, commissioned and sent out by God himself.

Scripture quotations from Common Bible: Revised Standard Version of the Bible, ©1973, and Ignatius Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, ©2006, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.