Yes, Paul received his authority directly from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ, not from any human source.
Paul did not receive his gospel or apostleship from the earthly ministry of Christ or from the Twelve. Instead, he received all his revelations from the ascended Lord after the finished work of the cross. He emphasizes that he was separated from his mother's womb and called by grace to reveal God's Son, and he immediately conferred not with flesh and blood.
Galatians 1:1 — Directly establishes Paul's apostolic authority as not from men but by Jesus Christ and God the Father.
The Bible, specifically in Galatians 1, shows Paul declaring that his apostleship and gospel were not from man but received directly from the ascended Lord. In Galatians 1:15-16, Paul writes that it pleased God to separate him from his mother's womb and call him by His grace to reveal His Son in him, so that he might preach among the Gentiles. He then states that he did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before him, but went into Arabia. This demonstrates that his authority came directly from God, not from human appointment or education.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul received his authority exclusively from the ascended Lord, not from the Twelve or from Jesus during His earthly ministry. Paul's revelations came directly from heaven after the cross, and this is what gives him his unique authority for the age of grace. Les highlights that Paul was completely independent of the other apostles, having his own private seminary training in Arabia for three years, and that he defended this authority throughout his letters, especially to the Jews who considered him a renegade.
Les Feldick explains that Paul's authority was unique because he never had contact with the Twelve or with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Instead, he received all his revelations from the ascended Lord after the finished work of the cross. Paul claimed that it was to him and him alone that God revealed these great doctrines of grace, and he called himself the apostle of the Gentiles, magnifying his office. This uniqueness is seen in his independence from the other apostles, as he did not confer with them but went into Arabia for his own training.
No, Les Feldick is adamant that Paul did not receive his gospel from the earthly ministry of Christ. He emphasizes that Paul's gospel came from the ascended Lord, from heaven, after Christ's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. This is why Paul's writings are the primary source for our doctrines of grace, as they contain revelations given directly to him from the Lord.
Paul's Spiritual Warfare
Les Feldick describes how Paul's authority led to spiritual warfare that pulled down strongholds, as seen in his impact on pagan cities like Ephesus.
Establishing Apostolic Authority
Les Feldick shows that Paul had to establish his apostleship as the authority through whom God speaks to the whole human race in this age of grace, especially against Jewish critics.
Private Revelations from the Ascended Lord
Les Feldick explains that Paul received all revelations from the ascended Lord after the cross, not from the Twelve or Jesus' earthly ministry, giving him his power.
Paul's Gospel Not from Man
Les Feldick points to Galatians 1 as Paul's certification that his gospel was not from man, defending his apostleship.
Three Years in Arabia
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul was separated from birth, called by grace, and did not confer with the apostles but went to Arabia to receive revelations from the ascended Lord.
Paul's Private Seminary
Les Feldick describes Paul's time in the desert as private seminary training with the ascended Lord, where he received the doctrines of grace.
Paul's Unique Role for Gentiles
Les Feldick defends Paul's claim as the apostle of the Gentiles, noting that God revealed these doctrines of grace to him alone.
No Consultation with the Twelve
Les Feldick contrasts the natural human response of going to the Twelve with Paul's action of going to Arabia, showing his independence and direct divine commission.
Galatians 1:1: Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Starts the letter and immediately declares the divine origin of Paul's apostleship.
Galatians 1:11-12: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Directly states that Paul's gospel came by revelation from Jesus Christ, not from man.
Galatians 1:15-17: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Shows Paul's divine separation, calling, and his independence from the other apostles.
No, Paul did not confer with the Twelve or any of the apostles before him, but went into Arabia to receive revelations directly from the ascended Lord. His gospel was not taught by man but by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Les Feldick calls Paul's three years in Arabia his own private seminary training, where he received revelations from the ascended Lord from heaven, enabling him to preach the doctrines of grace.
Because he hadn't been with Jesus during His earthly ministry and wasn't one of the Twelve, many, especially Jews, saw him as an imposter. He had to establish that he was the apostle to the Gentiles with authority from the ascended Lord.
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