God kept Paul from the other apostles to give him unique revelations directly, without the influence of the Twelve's teachings.
After Paul's conversion, God intentionally distanced him from the Twelve apostles. This separation ensured that the revelations Paul received were not mixed with the Judaism and Law-based understanding of the Twelve. Paul emphasized that he did not confer with flesh and blood, but received the gospel by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12 — Paul states he received the gospel by revelation, not from man.
In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul affirms that his gospel was not after man, for he neither received it of man, nor was he taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. In verse 16-17, he further explains that after his conversion, he immediately went into Arabia and did not go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before him. This shows God's deliberate plan for Paul's independent apostleship.
Les Feldick emphasizes that God deliberately kept Paul away from the Twelve so that the revelation given to Paul would be pure and unmixed with the Jewish-focused teachings of the other apostles. He notes that Paul's gospel was a new revelation, hidden in God's secret, and that Paul had to disassociate from the Twelve's doctrines and practices. Les also points out that Paul never saw the other apostles except Peter for a short visit, and that God took two and a half years to get Judaism out of Paul's system, preparing him for his unique Gentile ministry.
After his conversion, Paul did not go to Jerusalem to meet with Peter, James, and John. Instead, he went into Arabia (Galatians 1:17). Les explains that this was to keep him from being influenced by the Twelve, who were steeped in Judaism and the Law, so that he could receive fresh revelation from Christ.
Les teaches that Paul's gospel is distinct from the message of the Twelve. Because Paul was not taught by the other apostles, his revelations were new and specifically related to the dispensation of grace. This separation is crucial for believers to understand that Paul's writings, especially his epistles, contain unique doctrines that were not previously revealed.
Why Paul Said "We Know Christ No More" — 2 Corinthians 5:16
he says, "...henceforth we do not know Christ after the flesh." We are no longer going by the things that he taught to Israel under the Law. But we have this whole new revelation. Now what am I talking about? Galatians 1. Galatians 1. My, if this doesn't lay it out so plainly, and this is what I have to constantly in my own ministry come up against, where people say, will now less, I�m not going t…
God's Intent to Keep Paul Separate
Les explains that God wanted Paul to stay as far from the Twelve as possible, so the new revelations given to Paul would not be mixed with the Twelve's understanding.
Why Did Ananias & Sapphira Die? Acts 5 Explained
Now is it not strange that 17 of the 28 chapters of the book of Acts should be given to that apostle who was not one of the original 12, and was not converted until long after Pentecost? Must there not be a deep reason for this? And what is the reason? One thing is certainly evident already, that we Gentiles have a relation to Paul that we do not have to the other apostles.
Paul's Deliberate Disassociation from the Twelve
Les notes that Paul disassociated himself from the Twelve on doctrinal grounds because God had revealed to him things that no one else had heard before.
God's Separation to Give Unique Revelation
Les emphasizes that God separated Paul from the Twelve and revealed doctrines to him in the desert, not sending him to Jerusalem to check in with the other apostles.
Distance from Judaism and the Law
Les argues that God distanced Paul from the Twelve because they were steeped in Judaism and the Law, and Paul needed to get Judaism out of his system.
Why Paul Was Never One of the Twelve — Acts 9 Explained
Now the other thing I always like to point out here is that Saul, or Paul as we'll now know him as the Apostle, had absolutely no connection whatsoever with the twelve. I know a lot of theologians over the years have thought that Peter was remiss, and he got in a hurry, and he shouldn't have let Matthias take that place that Judas left, but he should have waited for Paul.
The Weapons of Our Warfare — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Explained
And I have to feel that every time that Paul came under one sort of oppression or another, that was his first memory. But look what I did in opposition to this myself, and how God had the perfect candidate to take all of the abuse, because he had handed out so much himself, and it just carried him I think until the day, as I read someplace the other night, that of course we all believe that Paul w…
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.
This verse shows that Paul received his gospel directly from Christ, not from the other apostles.
Galatians 1:16-17: 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.
Paul emphasizes that he did not consult with the other apostles but went to Arabia, showing God's separation.
Paul visited Peter in Jerusalem for 15 days but none of the other apostles (Galatians 1:18-19). Les Feldick notes that God kept Paul separated so that his revelations would not be influenced by the Twelve.
Les Feldick suggests Paul was in the Arabian desert for about three years, citing Galatians 1:17-18. This was a time of preparation for his unique apostleship.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Said "We Know Christ No More" — 2 Corinthians 5:16