Paul’s Vindication of His Apostleship

1:11 Now20 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,21 that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.22 1:12 For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source;23 instead I received it24 by a revelation of Jesus Christ.25

1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life26 in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it. 1:14 I27 was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation,28 and was29 extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.30 1:15 But when the one31 who set me apart from birth32 and called me by his grace was pleased 1:16 to reveal his Son in33 me so that I could preach him34 among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from35 any human being,36 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem37 to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia,38 and then returned to Damascus.

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem39 to visit Cephas40 and get information from him,41 and I stayed with him fifteen days. 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles42 except James the Lord’s brother. 1:20 I assure you43 that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you!44 1:21 Afterward I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 1:22 But I was personally45 unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 1:23 They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news46 of the faith he once tried to destroy.” 1:24 So47 they glorified God because of me.48