Yes — Paul's teaching is different because it came by direct revelation from the risen, ascended Christ after the cross, not from Jesus' pre-cross earthly ministry.
Paul's message did not originate with being taught by the Twelve or by any human instructor. Instead, he received it directly from the risen, ascended Christ after the cross, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus' words in the Gospels were spoken during His earthly ministry before the cross, while Paul's writings came from the ascended Lord in glory after the work of salvation was finished.
Galatians 1:11-12 — Paul explicitly states that his gospel came by revelation from the risen Christ, not from human instruction.
Paul wrote in 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." In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 he defined the gospel he delivered: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" These passages show Paul presenting his gospel as a direct revelation of the risen Christ and centering it on Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Les emphasizes that Paul did not receive his gospel from Jesus' earthly ministry or from the Twelve. Instead, Paul had his own private seminary training with the ascended Lord out on the desert, and everything he wrote came by revelation from the Lord in glory after His death, burial, and resurrection. Les also explains that everything Jesus said in His earthly ministry was before the cross — He had not yet died, shed His blood, or risen. Paul's words are still the words of Jesus, but they come from the ascended Lord in the post-resurrection setting, which is the time most appropriate for the doctrines of grace that Paul reveals.
No. Les says Paul did not go back to Jerusalem to check in with the Twelve. Instead, he received everything by revelation. In fact, Paul separates himself from the Twelve throughout Galatians 1 and 2. Even Peter and the eleven could not comprehend what Paul was talking about, because his revelation went beyond anything they had ever heard.
Les explains that Paul was prepared to go to the Gentiles not with Judaism or Law but with Grace. He went not with just the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus was the Christ, but with the Gospel of Grace: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, who died for our sins, shed His blood, was buried, and rose from the dead. This gospel was revealed to Paul from the ascended Lord after the work of the cross.
Everything Jesus said in His earthly ministry was before the cross. He had not died yet and His blood had not been shed. But Paul received everything from the Lord in glory after the resurrection, after the work of the cross was finished. So Paul's writings are still the words of Jesus, but now in the time most appropriate for church doctrine.
Progressive Revelation and Paul's Unique Doctrines
Les explains that Paul received revelations of the doctrines of grace that are found nowhere else in Scripture, which is why he says Scripture should be kept in its progressive revelation.
Paul's Private Seminary with the Ascended Lord
Paul did not receive his gospel from Jesus' earthly ministry or from the Twelve; instead, he was trained privately by the ascended Lord in the desert.
Paul's Post-Cross Revelation from the Ascended Lord
Everything Paul writes concerning doctrine comes from the ascended Lord after Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Paul's Separation from the Twelve
Paul was not taught by the Twelve or any human instructor; everything he taught he received by revelation.
Paul Saw the Risen Lord Face to Face
Paul's encounters with Jesus were after the work of the cross, from glory, not during Christ's earthly ministry.
The Gospel of Grace vs. the Gospel of the Kingdom
After three years alone with the ascended Lord, Paul was sent to the Gentiles with the Gospel of Grace—that Jesus died for sins, shed His blood, was buried, and rose again.
Pre-Cross Words vs. Post-Resurrection Words
Everything Jesus said in His earthly ministry was before the cross; Paul's words are still Jesus' words, but spoken from glory after the resurrection.
Paul's Revelation Beyond the Twelve
Paul's revelation was so far beyond what the Twelve had heard that they could not comprehend it; Apollos, by contrast, taught by human instruction.
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.
Paul states that his gospel came by direct revelation from Christ, not from human instruction.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This is the gospel Paul delivered, centering on Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
No. Les stresses the difference is in setting and source, not a contradiction. Paul's words are still the words of Jesus, but they come from the ascended Lord after the cross, at the time most appropriate for church doctrine.
No. Les says Paul did not go to Jerusalem to check in with the Twelve. He received his gospel by direct revelation and was taught privately by the ascended Lord in the desert.
Because everything Jesus said in His earthly ministry was before the cross, before He died and shed His blood. The Gospel of Grace centered on His death, burial, and resurrection was revealed to Paul from the ascended Lord after the work of the cross.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Went to Arabia: The Revelation of Grace